INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Most camera bags prioritize function over form, which makes sense for protecting some of your most expensive gear, but it still a bummer
If you&re both practical and interested in cultivating cool, aloof photographer vibes instead of dorky ones, Chrome Niko lineup of camera
bags is definitely worth a look.
Chrome Niko Hold($60, Chrome Industries) is the company smallest camera bag, but if you&re looking for
something larger the Niko Messenger and the Niko F-Stop backpack share its sensibilities with a larger form factor
The Niko Hold fits a pretty specific niche, but given the soaring popularity of small-bodied mirrorless full frame cameras and increasingly
powerful compact cameras, it a pretty wide one.
With a volume of seven liters, the Niko Hold won&t carry a full-size DSLR or big zoom lenses
well but it a great fit for a smaller setup.I used to carry the old version of the Niko backpack, but these days it just too much case for
my cameras and I&ve been looking for something tough that a more suitable size but doesn&t look like it came from the clearance section at
Best Buy.
To test the Niko Hold, I carried this for a week of off-and-on event photography near Los Angeles, both fixed shooting on stages
and more candid outdoor shooting
The bag is sleek and solid, with a very structured rectangular vibe that looks and feels professional without being boring
I felt confident that my equipment would be safe if the weather suddenly turned, but this pack is more water resistant than fully
waterproof, but you&d probably have a special housing for extreme weather needs anyway
There are plenty of circumstances I shoot in that would be a bad fit for this camera bag but for event and street photography it proved
Obviously, you shouldn&t take the Niko Hold on a backpacking or climbing trip, it much more of an urban bag than one designed for the
outdoors.
To be clear, the Niko Hold isn&t great for fast access, but it worked well for my shooting needs which were mostly carrying my
camera, lenses and accessories to and from a location securely
The Niko Hold seam-sealed zipper isn&t fast for getting things in and out, but if I&m ready to shoot my camera would be on my hip anyway
Of course, that won&t always be the case, but there are plenty of other designs with faster access in mind, including the Niko
Messenger.
Within the Niko Hold, two dividers offer a little customizable organization, while there are just enough zippered pockets for
stashing SD cards and other small accessories, like a phone and wallet if it the only bag you&re carrying.
The Niko Hold is small, but it
can accommodate plenty of compact gear
In my time testing it, the Niko Hold carried my Sony A7S II body, an 18-200mm lens, all of the necessary chargers, SD cards and extra
batteries and sometimes even a backup Sony RX 100 II
Its all-black 1050d ballistic nylon construction meant that the bag looked and felt like a small set of armor for my gear, which was ideal
More than anything, this camera bag feels snug and secure.
Small camera cases are usually intended for casual photographers, but this felt
like pro level protection and thoughtfulness, which was refreshing for a professional photographer who has downsized my gear over the years
If you&ve converted to camera equipment on the smaller side, carrying your stuff in Chrome Niko Hold will give both your gear and your
shooting style the respect it deserves
