Hey! What’s up! Longtime. This is my 2nd time writing for, “What’s in your camera bag”. However, the last time I was in the mountains. This time it’s the concrete jungle of Tokyo.

That means I need a special camera bag that can serve a dual purpose for both work and play.  You know, something durable for the long, tuna-can-packed, soul-draining commute. Yet, the bag needs minimum “panache” so that my clients don’t think I just came off-the-mountain, off-the-school bus, or off-the-bicycle. Yes, I do work a little, thank you.

However, you’re correct. I seem to have a job that allows an unreasonable amount of free time to indulge in my love for film photography. A hobby which happens to fall under my greater passion for antiques and/or buying useless junk that nobody cares about. Obviously single.

Anyway, like many of you, I have a few cameras, too. And like many of you, I often set up my camera bag depending on my activities for the day.

The Bag

Here it is! A Billingham 225. A beautifully, handcrafted leather, brass, dual-laminate canvas, waterproof  bag made in Cradely Heath, England. I bought mine used. It’s an older model with high quality, German Opti zippers. The 225 was always my dream camera bag. The bag I always aspired to as a “young gun” and despite the high cost, it’s worth its weight in gold. I can use it throughout the four seasons with confidence my gear will always be protected. Plus, it looks sweet and gets better with age.

Getting hungry? Shall we have a Chippy Tea now? By the way, I’m carrying my three favorite “Made in England” cameras. First up, there’s a Kershaw Curley III from 1950. Made in Leeds, it uses 120mm film and shoots huge 6×9 exposures. There’s supposedly only 76 ever made. Kinda rare. Next, my personal favorite, is a 1937, made in London, Purma Special with four lens attachments. It’s a 127mm film camera with a unique gravity shutter. I’ll properly introduce this camera in an upcoming article. Lastly, there’s a 1985 Polaroid Super Color 635. Technically, not English, but still made in the UK. That means Canada, right? Lol. Apple cider vinegar, please.

In the front pockets theres a pack of Polaroid 600 Plus Instant, Kawauso Shoten Rera Chrome 100  and made in UK, Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100II Professional. Daily work bag you say?  Of course, there’s a notepad and an old 90’s Pilot “Mitsui Air” pen.  I usually carry an extra tie, in this case a Hermès, you know, you never know when. I really like my lucky pen, just saying.

Other items include a pair of vintage American Shuron “Windsor” glasses from the early 1900’s. I feel the 1974 Canon Palmtronic “Panther” LED calculator is a good icebreaker.  Which changes to Casio, depending on a certain client.  Did I mention the JCH film holder? I was awarded it at a recent JCH sponsored photo walk.  Mine’s “British racing” green! Finally, for the long commute, there’s a 1983 Sony Sports Walkman and 2015 Harmon Kardon Soho headphones. Did I miss a decade? Thanks for reading. If you’re interested to see my photos, I’m on instagram or at my website.  Don’t be shy. Please say “こんにちは”.

Social Media

Instagram: @johnnypics123

www.johnnyonwheels.com

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Send me a high resolution image of the bag. Optimum size is 1500px across. Please ensure there is a bag in the shot, unless you don’t use one. The more you can write about yourself the better, make it appealing and tell us a story. Snapshots of your gear with a camera phone and no words will not be featured.
Oh and don’t forget your contact details (Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, Grainery et al). Send the bag shots here. Not all make the cut, so make sure yours is funny/interesting/quirky. And please make sure the shot is of good quality, you are a photographer after all. 

Cheers
-JF