(This is my twentieth post in a series of entries I’m using to participate in Blaugust for 2026.)
The day after I typed perhaps a bit too much on saving money while getting into photography, Mathew Anderson on DP Review posts an article highlighting someone who’s taken things to an even greater extreme.
Now I do feel somewhat vindicated by seeing Gordon Pritchard, the subject of the article, lists the Nikon P950 (a Coolpix camera) as one of his personal favorites.
(The P950 is a newer model than what I tend to get so you’re looking at a cost, even used, that’s more than a lot of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, but if you’ve no intention of swapping out lenses this is a good model.)
However the bag he uses … it’s a choice.
Does it work for him? Sure, and that’s what matters. I do not recommend that others do the same.
Ignoring the low durability and environmental impact, plastic bags have a tendency to generate electrical charges. I hesitate to put any electronics in a plastic bag, traditional or the kind you find in the produce section (the kind shown in a photo in the article).
This doesn’t mean I’m saying to spend money on a new, fancy camera bag, though. If you already have ANY kind of fabric bag, I’d go with that first. The best camera bag, just like the best camera, is the one you have on you.
If you’re lucky, you bought a used camera that came with a bag. I’ve had that happen a few times, but as much as I love ShopGoodwill.com I wouldn’t send you there to get a bag. Whatever you end up paying for one as the winning bid, you’ll likely pay more for shipping. I don’t consider that worth it.
My local Goodwills will usually have a shelf, stack, or in one specific location, pile of backpacks that are amazingly inexpensive.
Will these be ideally constructed to protect camera gear? No, but the ones that aren’t 100% plastic will be less prone to static buildup, easily carry a camera and related equipment, be more durable, and as they’re usually opaque, keep others from noticing it’s a camera you’re lugging around in there.
Perhaps you’ll get lucky and find a fancier bag built for camera use, but don’t sweat it if you don’t.
Just … maybe don’t use a grocery bag to carry a camera around.