Women Are Not Small Men

To quote Stacy Sims “women are not small men”. Sims has a Ph.D. in exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist. She wrote the book Roar, all about women and fitness. I read it a few years ago and it really resonated with me not only as an athlete but also as a photographer.

Most of the world is built and tested on men. Then products for women are sized down. But really, we are different, not just smaller. We have different requirements. I used to use a Canon DSLR. I loved it, or so I thought I did. I thought I’d be with Canon forever. I mean, my very first (film) camera was a canon. Why would I ever leave them?

I wanted something smaller and lighter. The DSLR was bulky in my small hands. Carrying and shooting it for hours at a time was painful. I thought maybe a mirrorless would be better for my travel and landscape photography. They are supposed to be so much lighter so I started looking into them. At the time, there was no Canon mirrorless.

I went and looked at Sony and Fuji. I held them. I played with the settings. I realized the Fuji was much lighter and smaller. It was easier for me to hold. I didn’t think I would be switching to Fuji, just supplementing my Canon.

I haven’t looked back since.

Awesome, now I have this light camera that fits my hands. Now I need something to carry it in while hiking. Because we hike. Sometimes double-digit distances. I need something comfortable I can carry my camera and lenses in. A platty pod and a few small accessories. It also needs to hold a bladder for water because I live in the freaking desert. Oh, and maybe some food. Because again, we hike far and often eat lunch on our hikes. Is that too much to ask?

Apparently, it is.

I’ve tried several styles and sizes. I had to return one because I swear it was as tall as me (and I’m 5’6). That thing was HUGE. I finally settled on Lowepro 200 AW (this is the newer version of it). It’s still a bit large on me and gets quite heavy with very little gear in it. The straps also don’t *quite* fit my anatomy. I mean people have hips and boobs, it’s shocking. I know.

And don’t get me started on camera straps. Again, I’ve tried a few. None of them seem to work around boobs and dig into my neck. I use a Joby ultrafit sling for women. Even though it is labeled as a woman’s strap. It’s the best that I have found so far.

I know I am not the only woman that feels this way. I have heard from others that struggle with dslr weight and sizes or can’t find a bag or strap that works for them. Even when things are labeled for women, they don’t always work for us. I’d love to see some companies really work with women to design products that fit all women.