Camera Bag Discussion

[XXX Boy]

anyone interested in a deluxe waistbelt? want to let go of mine, still brand new.

Wrong place to post this liao! ;p

 

[Newman]

Sorry to OT...

I'm interested in the Lowepro Specialist 85AW for the following:

1) 1DMKII
2) 17-40 f4L
3) 50 f1.8
4) 70-200 f2.8L
5) 550EX flash

(May change no. 2 and 3 to a 24-70 f2.8L soon)

Is that bag suitable?

Regards,
Nick

Nick, with such heavy equipment, I don't think the 85AW is suitable unless you are physically strong. I have the older version and I got a deluxe waist belt to support the bag with my hips. But the new version comes with the waist straps built in. I use my 85AW with deluxe waist belt to carry my 10D w/ grip, 16-35mm/f2.8L, 70-200mm/f2.8L IS, Tamron 28-75mm/f2.8, 550EX plus spare batteries and extra storage. Without the waist belt, I wouldn't carry such a load. It is a killer on my shoulders. The waist belt helps to distribute the load to the hips but it is quite cumbersome to move around. I now prefer to use my mini trekker to carry the same setup but I wish the padding on the shoulder straps were thicker and the waist straps were more useful like those on a hiking backpack.

p.s: I am 1.68m tall and weigh 80kg so I think I'm stronger than you.

 

[Virgo]

Tamrac is my choice. Got mine 10 years ago, and still going strong!

Not sure if it's still available. I got it at CP last time, but they're not selling anymore. Can order from BH Photo and Video in US, but got to pay premium for transport and handling charges.

 

[John Teoh]

Sorry to OT a bit but where is this place CP is and what is the actual name? I only know AP :embrass:

Cheers
John

 

[Tupi Guy]

Sorry to OT a bit but where is this place CP is and what is the actual name? I only know AP :embrass:

Cheers
John

It located at Penisula. The building opposite St Andrew Church.

 

[XXX Boy]

Sorry to OT a bit but where is this place CP is and what is the actual name? I only know AP :embrass:

Cheers
John

CP = Cathay Photo. It is located at Peninsula Plaza.

 

[reachme2003]

Nick, with such heavy equipment, I don't think the 85AW is suitable unless you are physically strong. I have the older version and I got a deluxe waist belt to support the bag with my hips. But the new version comes with the waist straps built in. I use my 85AW with deluxe waist belt to carry my 10D w/ grip, 16-35mm/f2.8L, 70-200mm/f2.8L IS, Tamron 28-75mm/f2.8, 550EX plus spare batteries and extra storage. Without the waist belt, I wouldn't carry such a load. It is a killer on my shoulders. The waist belt helps to distribute the load to the hips but it is quite cumbersome to move around. I now prefer to use my mini trekker to carry the same setup but I wish the padding on the shoulder straps were thicker and the waist straps were more useful like those on a hiking backpack.

p.s: I am 1.68m tall and weigh 80kg so I think I'm stronger than you.

I have not used a waistbelt before. I think that a waistbelt is not intended to function like or support the intended weight of its contents, say, of a backpack. It is like a motorcycle vs a passenger car. Both will bring one from pt A to pt B. But the capacity to carry pillion or passengers, comfort level, weight bearing, etc are not the same.

 

[ModelShooterz]

actually you can just get the harnass straps to use it as a backpack...

Nick, with such heavy equipment, I don't think the 85AW is suitable unless you are physically strong. I have the older version and I got a deluxe waist belt to support the bag with my hips. But the new version comes with the waist straps built in. I use my 85AW with deluxe waist belt to carry my 10D w/ grip, 16-35mm/f2.8L, 70-200mm/f2.8L IS, Tamron 28-75mm/f2.8, 550EX plus spare batteries and extra storage. Without the waist belt, I wouldn't carry such a load. It is a killer on my shoulders. The waist belt helps to distribute the load to the hips but it is quite cumbersome to move around. I now prefer to use my mini trekker to carry the same setup but I wish the padding on the shoulder straps were thicker and the waist straps were more useful like those on a hiking backpack.

p.s: I am 1.68m tall and weigh 80kg so I think I'm stronger than you.

 

[reachme2003]

i thought we were talking about waistbelts. with a harness straps, one can imagine it akin to wearing a fully loaded SBO, which defeats the original purpose of using a waistbelt.

 

[John Teoh]

Thanks Tupi Guy and XXX Boy. Walked past a few times but never notice the shop name. I went in a few times but I found the price quite high.

Cheers
John

 

[Stoned]

shoulder bags are really killer for a long day. My entire shoulder was devoid of skin after carrying 4kg of stuff inside for about 6 hrs.

 

[Newman]

I have not used a waistbelt before. I think that a waistbelt is not intended to function like or support the intended weight of its contents, say, of a backpack. It is like a motorcycle vs a passenger car. Both will bring one from pt A to pt B. But the capacity to carry pillion or passengers, comfort level, weight bearing, etc are not the same.

Yes, I would agree that no waistbelt is designed to support the weight of the contents of a backpack. However, I am using the deluxe waistbelt to support the weight of my Specialist 85AW, which is one of the few bags it was designed to work with. It does help to ease the strain on my shoulder and without it, I wouldn't carry any heavy stuff in my 85AW. And as Modelshooterz have mentioned, the harness can be used on the 85AW which sort of makes it work like a backpack. However, it makes retrieving equipment from the 85AW troublesome. And you can and should use the harness with the waistbelt to give you better support.

 

[cheese]

tamrac bags spotted in hasselblad shop at plaza singapura..

 

[scott]

I prefer the shoulder bag, as I can reach for my camera more easily. If I got tired, I can always rest it on the other shoulder or hand carry it...

I too consider a backpack, but having experience carrying a backpack (everyday with laptop home-office trip), I decided on shoulder bag.

 

[dundee]

Backpacks are definitely better than shoulder bags for me. Pulling the weight to one side stresses your spine very badly, and you pay for it at the end of the day. This is even with a small shoulder bag. I was surprised what a bad backache such a small bag could cause. I guess I could sling the shoulder bag across my neck, but I don't like the strap cutting into my chest. A backpack distributes the weight evenly between both shoulders, and also leaves your arms relatively free to shoot (you don't get a bag or strap swinging into the way).

The downside of course is having to take off the bag, put it on the ground and unzip it in order to change lenses. With a shoulder bag that's a little faster, but I'm always afraid of dropping a lens from waist height. Better to put everything on the ground and have the lenses held securely in the compartments. Anyway, I've changed lenses so often using a backpack that I've become pretty proficient at it.

Lowepro is actually very good value for money. The asking prices for some of the Tamrac bags are ridiculous.

Here's a tip: you know how some of the bigger bags are actually trolley bags, to relieve the load on your shoulders? You can pop in to one of those DIY supply shops and buy a strap on trolley for your backpack for about $12. Works great (well, I'll tell you how great AFTER I get back from my trip).

I have a bad back. After fixing my gig that are carried on a Lowe Pro Stealth Reporter 200, I often dislike the bag sling across my body while shooting. After some time, I found that that bag carry be carried 'like' a backpack.

ie : The bag is right behind me - above my bum. The broad part of the strap runs over the back of my neck and the narrow part under both armpits.

It works - helps my back a lot, frees both arm and I shoot better with the monopode.
Do zip up and buckle up for a better peace of mind as you will not be able to see the bag behind you.
I probably look a wee bit unconventional but nevermnd - my skin is thick and solid.

 

[reachme2003]

Yes, I would agree that no waistbelt is designed to support the weight of the contents of a backpack. However, I am using the deluxe waistbelt to support the weight of my Specialist 85AW, which is one of the few bags it was designed to work with. It does help to ease the strain on my shoulder and without it, I wouldn't carry any heavy stuff in my 85AW. And as Modelshooterz have mentioned, the harness can be used on the 85AW which sort of makes it work like a backpack. However, it makes retrieving equipment from the 85AW troublesome. And you can and should use the harness with the waistbelt to give you better support.

Newman, thanks for clarifying. anyone knows which is/are good shoulder pad(to be used together with a shoulder strap of a camera bag) to help distribute weight and at the same time provide some comfort. saw one at one of those shops which sell haversacks and outdoor gears.

 

[TMC]

eagle creek. Get the 2 inch wide version. fantastic for the comfort it brings. Altho your shoulder would still be sore after one whole day. but it is not as bad since the strap spreads out the weight across a larger area.

 

[Newman]

Newman, thanks for clarifying. anyone knows which is/are good shoulder pad(to be used together with a shoulder strap of a camera bag) to help distribute weight and at the same time provide some comfort. saw one at one of those shops which sell haversacks and outdoor gears.

No problem reachme2003. Using a good should pad may help a bit but I still find the deluxe waistbelt helps a lot more if you can use your bag with it. I think all the bags in the Lowepro Stealth AW series can use it, besides the Specialist 85AW. Like TMC mentioned, you will feel sore even with a better pad. I used to get headaches when I was using the 85AW without the deluxe waistbelt. I believe it was due to the pressure on the neck/shoulder region. Now with the waistbelt, I don't have that anymore. Those who hike/backpack regularly would know that the best place to support a lot of weight on your body is the hips. The shoulder strap(s) is just to keep the bag in place. I do get headaches even with the minitrekker due to the lack of hip support.

 

[student]

Those who hike/backpack regularly would know that the best place to support a lot of weight on your body is the hips. The shoulder strap(s) is just to keep the bag in place. I do get headaches even with the minitrekker due to the lack of hip support.

Amen to that!

I use a Lowepro PhotoTrekker AWII. When loaded it weighs about 20 kg.Without the waistsupport it would ba an absolute nightmare to have all the weight on the shoulders. With the waist straps, a hike becomes quite pleasant (unless one is climbing vertically! But that is another story).

For my streetshooting, I have a small Billingham on one shoulder strap across my chest. Pretty and easier to use!

 

[arttl]

tamrac bags spotted in hasselblad shop at plaza singapura..

Yeah... Tamrac bags are avaliable at Pro-Photo at Plaza Sing. But the price abit :bigeyes: . And not too sure can bargain anot..... :think:

But overall build and quality can match the standard of Lowepro.... :thumbsup: