Looking for Bag

Rhuarc

I'm looking for a new go everywhere computer/Camera/DS & PSP bag.

I woudl like to put into it:
15" widescreen laptop
Cord and power brick for the laptop
40D (preferably with the grip attached)
28-105 on the camera
Nintendo DS
Sony PSP (in a case)
Cell phone
Small USB cords and adapters for the various devices

Yesterday I was at Glazers camera here in Seattle and I picked up the Tamrac Adventure Messenger 5 to test out. http://www.tamrac.com/5535.htm It is doing the job, but the laptop slot just BARELY fits my laptop (it is a snug fit) and in order to fit my camera with the grip in it I would have to take off the lens and put them in separatley. In general there seems to be enough room for the rest of the stuff I need, but it certainly doesn't leave any extra room for even 1 extra lens.

Several other bags I was looking at are

LowePro's
CompuDaypack
Stealth Reporter D550 or D650 (probably the D550)
Slingshot 350AW
Fastpack 250

I guess I'm looking for someone else's opinion, maybe see if anyone else has a bag they use for similar things. This would be the kind of bag I would always carry this stuff in pretty much everywhere. (work, church, friend's houses, road trips, etc...) For some reason I am kind of leaning towards the Stealth Reporter bags, but I just don't know.

I hate having so many choices and not knowing what I need/want!

Thanks for any help and for suggestions!

jdryan3

Well, they have gone goofy again with their website, but have you looked at Crumpler? For what you are talking about, look at their laptop or messenger bags, and then make sure it can carry the camera/lens.

When I travel for work and am jsut carrying one body and one or two lenses, laptop, magazines, large notepad, I use this Swiss Gear. You can get it at Best Buy, Staples, all sorts of places.

Rhuarc

jdryan3 wrote:

Well, they have gone goofy again with their website, but have you looked at Crumpler? For what you are talking about, look at their laptop or messenger bags, and then make sure it can carry the camera/lens.

When I travel for work and am jsut carrying one body and one or two lenses, laptop, magazines, large notepad, I use this Swiss Gear. You can get it at Best Buy, Staples, all sorts of places.

Thanks for the suggestions! The main issue I am running into is that I want to be able to keep the grip and the lens on the 40D, and that I need to be able to carry around a power brick for the laptop. This seems to exclude most regular backpacks and most messenger bags since they can't carry the 40D with the grip. I really think I am going to end up with the Stealth Reporter D550. Anyone have any use with this bag could give me a quick review of it from personal experience?

chrisdg

Check out the TAMRAC Adventure 9 or 10 backpacks, depending up your size needs. After using Lowepro, Kata, and others...this one does the job. I love my Adventure 9. It will easily carry the load you are referring to. Much of the time I just use the top handle and carry it around like a bag, but it's nice to have the backpack capability when you need your arms for other things, like shooting on the go, travelling with other luggage, etc.

Adventure 9
http://www.tamrac.com/5549.htm
Adventure 10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoP4eE9LwGM

9


10

Rhuarc

chrisdg wrote:

Check out the TAMRAC Adventure 9 or 10 backpacks, depending up your size needs. After using Lowepro, Kata, and others...this one does the job. I love my Adventure 9. It will easily carry the load you are referring to. Much of the time I just use the top handle and carry it around like a bag, but it's nice to have the backpack capability when you need your arms for other things, like shooting on the go, travelling with other luggage, etc.

Adventure 9
http://www.tamrac.com/5549.htm
Adventure 10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoP4eE9LwGM

Hmm, thanks for the link! THose actually do look like what I would need! I would probably go with the smaller of the two, unless it just can't fit enough stuff in it. I'll have to check it out at Glazer's today and see if they carry it.

Thanks!

(still looking for suggestions!)

Rhuarc

As soon as I started lookingat that bag I found the LowePro Compurover, basically the same bag but it has a flip down tripod holder on it as well!

Now I have to decide if I want a shoulder bag or a backpack, and which one of those two I would get!

Duckys54

Rhuarc wrote:

As soon as I started lookingat that bag I found the LowePro Compurover, basically the same bag but it has a flip down tripod holder on it as well!

Now I have to decide if I want a shoulder bag or a backpack, and which one of those two I would get!

Based on how much stuff you're carrying I would suggest a backpack because of the wight that would be constantly on one shoulder.

Then again, if you got a shoulder bag it means you have easier and quicker access to everything (especially your camera).

Rhuarc

Duckys54 wrote:

Based on how much stuff you're carrying I would suggest a backpack because of the wight that would be constantly on one shoulder.

Then again, if you got a shoulder bag it means you have easier and quicker access to everything (especially your camera).

I went ahead and picked up the Compurover. I thinkw hat sold it for me was the tripod holder on the back. I may not use it too often, but it will be very nice to have for trips through the airport, etc...It is easily large enough to hold everything i need to and then some.

jhelms

Looks like you found one, but just in case others reading this thread might like additional info I got the Tamrac 3380.

I found it to be perfect for me - I actually put all my accessories and cords/chargers (all the lenses in my sig as well as flash and gorilla-pod) in the lower section and keep the D200 in the upper part for quick access.

Works great for me - and like some others have mentioned, with the laptop, camera and a few accessories this thing can get HEAVY. But it's extremely convenient, I take it everywhere with me.

bandgeekndb

Dangerous?
Isn't it dangerous to be carrying these things on the bottom of the bag? I just imagine someone kicking them, or when you put them down, or if the bag falls, they're right in the impact zone. Especially the camera with lens down! Wouldn't that do major damage? I was looking at a bag or two where the camera actually sits towards the top of the bag, similar to where most CD/MP3 player pouches are on backbacks (if that makes any sense).

Obviously, some of the dangers are alleviated by handling the bag carefully, but if I get a backpack, I want to be able to be a bit rough with it, not have to gingerly place the bag down to avoid hurting anything.

Thanks!

jhelms

bandgeekndb wrote:

Isn't it dangerous to be carrying these things on the bottom of the bag? I just imagine someone kicking them, or when you put them down, or if the bag falls, they're right in the impact zone. Especially the camera with lens down! Wouldn't that do major damage? I was looking at a bag or two where the camera actually sits towards the top of the bag, similar to where most CD/MP3 player pouches are on backbacks (if that makes any sense).

Obviously, some of the dangers are alleviated by handling the bag carefully, but if I get a backpack, I want to be able to be a bit rough with it, not have to gingerly place the bag down to avoid hurting anything.

Thanks!

Good points. There is a pretty good pad on the bottom of the bag but I would imagine a good drop would still potentially damage things. I'm always careful with the bag just in case.

cmason

Been eyeing the Thinktank Urban Disguise...look pretty good:

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_UrbnDsgs.php

They just announced a backpack that collapses to a very thin pack, which could be very very useful, to take your gear for traveling, then transform the bag for an 'on location' pack:

http://thinktankphoto.com/shapeshifter/

Rhuarc

While I did purchase the LowePro CompuRover I'm not 100% sold on it for my needs. It is very comfortable, lots of space, and love the flip down tripod feature. The only thing I question is the size. It just feels very large to me for every day use. I think I may just need to get used to it.

I still plan on getting a smaller shoulder bag that can just carry my 40D with a lens on it, laptop, DS, and PSP. Possibly the smaller Stealth Reporter, or one of Tamrac's small shoulder bags that can carry a laptop.

Manfr3d

ThinkTank has some nice bags that fullfill your requirements.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/