Peter McKinnon Camera Sling from Nomatic
The Camera Bag You Want But Maybe Shouldn’t Buy
I went to see a therapist the other day. She asked me if I felt like I was exhibiting any obsessive behavior. When I asked if having more than 25 camera bags counted. You can imagine how the rest of the session went.
In search of the perfect bag? You will have better luck finding the Fountain of Youth. But it IS possible to find the perfect camera bag for a specific situation. At least I think it is.
So here comes the Peter McKinnon Camera Sling from Nomatic – https://amzn.to/3Qv3Z76. Let me say right off the bat that this bag is stupid expensive. But wait – not really. When I first saw this bag I discounted it because of its price. But as I continued my exploration of camera slings for my Leica Q system, I found out that Leica people spend a LOT of money on camera bags. $500 – $800 – even $1200! That’s cra cra in my opinion but it did serve as a springboard to adjusting my price ceiling.
So I bit the bullet and bought the bag. I was not given this bag to review. I bought it with my own money so my review will be from the perspective of someone who expects the bag to give me (and you if you buy one) my money’s worth.
Camera slings are all the rage because many photographers have downsized to mirrorless systems that don’t require a heavy backpack. Since pretty much every camera bag manufacturer makes a sling bag, it’s hard to compare one against the other because you’d have to buy dozens of bags to do a fair comparison.
Rather than write about how this bag stacks up against the competition, I will simply give my thoughts on how it works on its own – without looking at the other sling bags out there.
Here are the specs according to the manufacturer:
8L capacity
Quick one-handed closure system
External Molle Hooks (Straps Sold Separately)
Internal organization pockets
3-way carry
Custom & durable hardware
Water-resistant materials and zippers
1 Included Stabilizer Strap
5.5″ D x 13″ W x 8″ H
Weight: 1.6 lbs.
80% Nylon 20% Polyethylene
Lifetime Warranty
I hate to start off negative but I want to get this stuff out of the way. There are some things I discovered I do NOT like about this bag on the first day. While I am sure Peter is a fine guy and I know he’s one of the cool kids, I am not at all impressed with the Peter McKinnon Skull and Crossbones logo. Who does this guy think he is? Nick Fury? Anyway – I digress. Aside from the minor irritation I felt at the logo, the other thing I realized is that the bag comes with one – count em one – count em as in there should be TWO carry straps so you can hook something like a small tripod to the external Molle Hooks on the bag. You need two of these straps and they only include one. So not only do you have to buy the expensive bag (more on that in a minute) you also have to pony up another $20 for a set of straps. Come on, Peter. You can do better.
Of course this is all no big deal because the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Stuff I like…
Lots of pockets for accessories
Ample padding
Nice folding dividers that are easy to remove or move
Camera-centric design
Elastic loop for quick closure (My very favorite feature)
Premium design, materials and construction
This camera sling oozes style and functionality. The sleek, minimalist design is both modern and timeless. It’s clear that every detail has been carefully thought out. The weather-resistant materials give me peace of mind when I’m out shooting in unpredictable conditions. The bag feels incredibly durable, and the zippers operate smoothly but can be a bit stiff at first.
There’s one external pocket on the back of the bag, which is big enough to house your phone. There’s also a nice thick panel of padding on the back, which makes the bag comfortable to carry. In addition, there’s also a strap on the back that will slip over the handle of most rolling luggage.
The camera sling is just slightly more than one foot long; it’s eight inches high and has a depth of just five point five inches. These dimensions give you all the room you really need but they stop you from stuffing too much crap into the bag making it hard to carry. For me, it’s the perfect balance between compactness and storage capacity.
The bag only weighs 1.6 lbs. This light-weight bag won’t tire you out and makes the sling easy to manage for a full day of photography.
The adjustable strap is well-padded and can be worn in multiple ways, ensuring that it accommodates various body types and preferences. I can comfortably wear it across my body or as a waist bag, making it versatile for any shooting situation.
I like the bag’s material which is a mixture of Nylon and Polyethylene. It is water resistant (NOT waterproof – there is a difference) and I am sure that in the mild rainstorm it will give you all the protection you need.
Accessing my gear is a breeze This is a crucial feature for me, as it allows me to grab my camera and start shooting within seconds. The numerous pockets and compartments help keep everything well-organized, including my phone, wallet, and even a small notebook for jotting down ideas.
The real killer feature here (in terms of gear access) is the brilliantly designed elastic loop for quick closure. I wish all bags came with this feature. It provides the kind of safe and secure closure you want when you’re out working, but it’s not such a hassle to undo and open that it would ever slow you down. It’s the fastest bag I have ever used.
CONCLUSION
I wish this camera bag were at least $40 less expensive. I guess that’s the tax for having Peter’s name on the bag. Frankly, I didn’t buy the bag because of Peter McKinnon. I bought it in spite of him. I just couldn’t turn my eyes away when I saw that elastic closure system.
I wish everything were less expensive. I figure if you’re going to spend $100-120 for a sling bag (and to get a really good one you will) another $40 or so isn’t the end of the world. This bag is stylish, functional, and offers great security and protection for your gear. In the end, that’s what matters in a camera bag and you only live once. Highly recommended despite the high price.
One Response
Another feature you didn’t mention, but it is pretty unique to this bag is that the part that opens, I guess you call it the lid, has straps to stop it from flapping all the way open. Because the lid is semi-rigid and the straps keep the lid just about level with the ground, the lid acts like a shelf or mini work table. You are able to place things on the open lid like a lens, a flash, caps and filters, etc so your hands are free to do other things. To me, this is the greatest feature of the bag and really helps in terms of practical use in the field. Something I dislike about the bag is the fact they call it eight liters. 8l is more than 2 gallons. Do you think you could fit 2 gallons of milk in this bag? Obviously no. In reality it’s probably closer to 5l. I have the peak design 3l bag and I’m only able to fit slightly more gear in the “8l” nomatic bag.