Recommend camera bags

[xiaolanku]

Hi guys,

Would need help in recommendation for camera bag.

Do you guys prefer backpak or slingbag.

For now i have D80, 18-200mm & a 12-24mm, i'm going for a trip soon and would like to carry tripod together with my equipments.

If i buy a crumpler 7mil, i dun think i can somehow attach the tripod to the bag rite?.

Lowepro backpacks have a compartment to hold tripod, but i feel tt back pak kinda hard to grab ur equipments if u witness some "photo moments".

What do you guys use anyway.

Thanks for your time!

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Hi guys,

Would need help in recommendation for camera bag.

Do you guys prefer backpak or slingbag.

For now i have D80, 18-200mm & a 12-24mm, i'm going for a trip soon and would like to carry tripod together with my equipments.

If i buy a crumpler 7mil, i dun think i can somehow attach the tripod to the bag rite?.

Lowepro backpacks have a compartment to hold tripod, but i feel tt back pak kinda hard to grab ur equipments if u witness some "photo moments".

What do you guys use anyway.

Thanks for your time!

sometimes, depends on which country u go... u might think otherwise for a backpack... u might really wanna consider a side sling bag instead, then sling in front...

 

[tltan]

i bought a mini trekker before I went for my trip. It was good. But as mentioned, it might be difficult to get your things out when you need to change lens. Depends on preference. But I usually dont change lens on the go. Will put down bag somehow, even for side sling. =p

Anyway, mini trekker is quite good. feels light, also, front compartment is pretty spacious. i brought along my notebook in the front compartment.
Regards,
tltan

 

[ortega]

Domke is the way to go, great ergonomics

 

[midicity]

I have both the crumpler 7 million and also lowepro mini-trekker.

I'm not too sure about the kind of weight that you can carry, if you get a Crumpler 7 million, another option to carry a tripod is to get a padded tripod bag.

Do remember to buy good thick pads for sling bags.

Even though your equipment is light, if you carry it slinged/cross slinged, you WILL be tired over a few hours with a slingbag. So if you're going on a trip with lots of walking involved, I suggest getting a backpack.

But if you're travelling mainly in a car/coach, the crumpler will let be slightly more convenient


With your tripod, think you should get the mini-trekker to balance off the load.

Have fun!

 

[xiaolanku]

Thanks guys~

Hmm so i guess there is no chance of getting a sling bag that can carry both the camera, lens and tripod yep.

Cos i am going overseas, wouldnt wanna check in the tripod. Getting lowepro backpack with the tripod compartment is the only way to go.

Anyone of u tried carrying a sling bag and a tripod + bag to board a flight before? any problem with that?

:dunno:

 

[TMC]

separate it would be better. and try not to bring too many lenses for your trip. Photography trip is one thing but you want to enjoy, not slog your equipment around if you are doing the other. Think the tamrac shoulder bags can attach a tripod to it but it makes the whole bag too heavy for 1 side.

Go light. 1 sling bag and 1 tripod bag. that would be better.

 

[imar]

separate it would be better. and try not to bring too many lenses for your trip. Photography trip is one thing but you want to enjoy, not slog your equipment around if you are doing the other. Think the tamrac shoulder bags can attach a tripod to it but it makes the whole bag too heavy for 1 side.

Go light. 1 sling bag and 1 tripod bag. that would be better.

I would go with separate cam and tripod bag too, more balanced

 

[Madmax]

Thanks guys~

Hmm so i guess there is no chance of getting a sling bag that can carry both the camera, lens and tripod yep.

Cos i am going overseas, wouldnt wanna check in the tripod. Getting lowepro backpack with the tripod compartment is the only way to go.

Anyone of u tried carrying a sling bag and a tripod + bag to board a flight before? any problem with that?

:dunno:

My Delsey luggage bag is big enough to dump my Manfrotto 190 inside. Hence, it is checked in.

Before that, I did hand-carry my Lowepro Nova 4AW and my tripod (in a separate tripod bag) and dump into the overhead compartment. Heavy and troublesome.

 

[eclenikon]

I think it depends where your destination is too.

If its a wet place, i wouldnt recommend the 7 Million. Definitely get a Stealth Reporter 200AW or something.

I prefer Slings alot more for the easy access.

Separate Tripod bag is best. But, im finding out ways if i could modify my 7 Million to hold a tripod. Perhaps, sew some straps onto it so that i can place my tripod underneath.

 

[dubdew]

Thanks guys~

Hmm so i guess there is no chance of getting a sling bag that can carry both the camera, lens and tripod yep.

Cos i am going overseas, wouldnt wanna check in the tripod. Getting lowepro backpack with the tripod compartment is the only way to go.

Anyone of u tried carrying a sling bag and a tripod + bag to board a flight before? any problem with that?

:dunno:

I went on a couple of trips with a lowepro slingbag (canon 30D, 4 lenses inside), and my tripod separately in a tripod bag. Didn't have any problems with it, though I guess it was a bit cumbersome. Just kept my camera bag tucked under the seat and put the tripod in the overhead compartment.

Was glad to have the weight split over both my shoulders, the camera bag on one side was tough enough after a couple of days, especially when trying to climb around the temples in Angkor Archaeological Park.

 

[Youhong]

See also:
- http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=228679
- http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=228681

 

[microcosm]

Considerations that you might want to think about :

- Do you have to carry your gears around all the time? Like hiking, trekking, long walks, etc? Backpack is the more sensible solution for this. If not, sideslings are good.
- Do you need speed? To whip out a camera from a sidesling is much faster than a backpack. (change lens as well).
- Tripod, there are times when you would prefer to keep the tripod in the hotel room/home. There are always straps and dedicated tripod bags (so that someone else in your party can share your burden if needed).
- Build of bag. Waterproofing? Insulation? Additional "raincoat" that comes with the bag?
- WEIGHT of bag. This is critical. You are adding weight to the bag, remember?
- System options. Lowepro has one of the most impressive system add-ons out there. Add a lens case for the future, waterbottle, accessories, etc. Think ahead.
- Strap options. Always look around. "Air straps" are always better than foam ones.
- Security. Are the zippers large enough to use a luggage lock on it? Are there too many "blind" open pockets that thieves might take advantange of when you sling your bag to the back or when putting on the backpack?

Let's face it, we will go through a billion bags and still not be able to find that one bag that makes us completely happy. I wrote an article a long time ago on PDA cases, which is about the same thing. We will always be looking for the better, the more sensible, the more protective, the more good looking, the more something bag/case... so you know you will buy something new in 6-12 months' time. So the most important factor is always, does it protect your gears? Think about it.

As a reference, here are the bags that I am using now, and the reason why they were chosen -

Crumpler Karachi Outpost.
The "secured" backpack. You cannot access the gears without taking the bag off. The only things thieves can pick on are small stuff you keep in the two huge side pockets, but they are deep and its not that easy to pinch something from there as well. Thieves do not like the Karachi Outpost. Build is solid, but heavy! Compensated by good straps. Two rings on straps for options and modifications. Use your creativity. Mine is modified to use tactical combact straps (the "Y" strap to single eyelet) for my main camera. Weather proof. I abuse this bag to death.

Lowepro Stealth Reporter AW 650
Huge, fast, well organised. Minimal padding to minimise weight. Carries laptop for journalism work or when working with impatient, insecured art directors, etc. Can strap a huge tripod at the bottom of the bag for air travel. Adds a lot of little accessories pouches at the sides (making it even heavier now). Top access for fast lens change or swap cameras. THE bag for the photojournalist. Well thought of... but huge!

Nat Geo Medium Canvas Shoulder Bag
My "everyday" bag. Carries 1 pro body + 5 lenses including one long tele. Minimalist padding where its needed most (bottom) and a pouch to put the 4 shorter lenses in and keeping them safe. Carries a flash unit with LSPJ and off camera flash cord for "just in case" lighting needs. 4 decent pockets for a couple of filters and batteries and lens cleaner brush, and access passes for assignments in the city (and a small PnS camera for candids and friends). Slightly weatherproofed and washable for boys who are not exactly very neat and clean.

I carry 1 body+5 lenses+1 flash and accessories on the average when I am on assignment and sometimes 2 bodies and up to 7 lenses for special cases. So the above bags are large enough to accomodate my shooting style. (Except the Nat Geo bag that carries at most 1 body+5 lenses).

Hope this shed some light for you as you think about your bag purchase.