Camera Bags...
CanonKid
Banned Posts: 23 Big grins
I'm looking at buying a camera backpack. For now I'm looking for a simple bag that will hold my 5D w/ lens attcatched, a flash, extra batteries, memory cards, filters etc... Can anyone recommend a bag for me?
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I'm not exactly familiar with your gear (I don't use Canon or Nikon), but here's a great site with just about every camera bag out there: www.cambags.com. It contains user/customer reviews and they contribute pics with their gear in the bags so you can get a sense of what can fit. New bags get added.
I've used that site as research for the (now several
Good luck!
Film/TV Stills Photography
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~ Henry J. Kaiser
The bag is a top loader and I created a suspension method to keep pressure off of the lens while carrying the camera, a Canon 40D in this case, in the bag with a lens attached. The bag is a single main compartment with 2 dividers and one front pouch that can hold a couple of flashes or something like that.
Using it as a backpack you can undo the waist/hip belt and swing the bag around to the front, allowing for access without putting the bag on the ground. The bag also has some "D" ring attachments and I can add a lens pouch to one side or the other if needed.
The Pro Slinger might be a bit large for your current needs so you might look at the regular Slinger which is somewhat smaller.
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I actually have a Slingshot 300AW, as I got a great deal on it and I like a bigger bag! The sling is life changing, especially after traveling with an older bag and I was miserable. The sling is a nice design, and it comfortably holds my D40, the 70-200 f/2.8, along with other lenses.
My ONE gripe: When I have the 70-200 in the bag, but not attached to the camera, I can't store the camera in it's usual position, but I haven't played around with the dividers a whole lot, so if I make it work better, I'll update this.
Sadly, a rebate just ended, but keep your eyes peeled, I got a $25 rebate for this great backpack!
Lowepro is a great company, but don't let us sway you! Check the bags out in a local retailer, then buy online where the deals are better!
~Nick
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8
Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 50mm f/1.8
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I owned a Slingshot 200 AW for three years. I used it in many different environments from city walking, to backcountry day hikes, to day-long x-country skiing trips several times a week.
It is well built, easy to access, and good looking. That said, I recently sold mine and purchased a Kata 3N1-30 from a Dgrinner here. The Kata bag has evolved the slingbag design to a different, better level. It's configurable as a right- or left-handed sling, as well as a backpack, and even a cross-strapped backpack that allows the easy access that slingbags do.
Backpacks are easier to carry over longer distances. This Kata bag feels more balanced than the Slingshot did too--it has a padded waist band that can be hidden out of the way. It also has a tripod holder.
I like how the bright orange-yellow interior of the Kata makes perceiving all your stuff a whole lot easier. I pooh-poohed this until I used it and now I'm a big fan. You can get the Kata in smaller sizes. Cambags has one example but there are also Youtube videos posted.
M
http://www.tenba.com/products/Shootout-Medium-Sling-Bag.aspx
Steve
www.slipkid.com
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money". -- Margaret Thatcher
Ziggy,
I just happen to have that exact bag sitting in my Adorama shopping cart. I was wondering if it was big enough to hold all my gear...
Nikon D300
Nikon D70
Nikon 18-200 VR
Nikon 70-200 VR
Tokina 11-16
SB-600 flash
SB-900 flash
Nikon 1.7 Teleconverter
Assorted Nickie-Knacks.
I see your a Canon shooter, but I suspect that camera and lens sizes are comparable to Canon products.
Should I click the "buy" button?
I did that very thing over two years ago and settled on a Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW. Up until this past December I had been using it with a Canon 30D and various compact lenses; one attached to the body and 3 or 4 more ready to go. I also carry my 580EX flash, LED headlamp, gloves, wired remote, Demb flip-it, bubble level and battery charger. In December I replaced the 30D with a 5D body and then in January added a 24-105mm F/4L lens.
Since I moved to a full frame sensor, a removed a couple of crop sensor lenses from the bag (one was attached to the 30D), but everything else is still there. The 24-105 is attached to the 5D and it's a tight fit (especially when I leave the lens hood on normally--reversing the hood makes it fit a little better).
Since I've been eyeing some new bigger glass I'm going to have to start looking around for a different bag and I'm sure there are a lot more options out there now. I will follow my own advice and try to get some hands on experience before making a new bag decision.
My own kit is:
Canon 40D
Sigma 10-20mm, f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Canon EF-S 17-55mm, f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm, f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 50mm, f/1.4 USM
Tamron 1.4x teleconverter
Canon 1.4x teleconverter
Close focus adapter, 3.3 diopter, to fit the 50mm, f/1.4.
Canon 500D, 77mm, 2 diopter lens with 67-77mm ring.
2 - Sigma 500 DG Super flashes
Charger and spare camera battery.
Around 15 pounds
When I carry an extra body I often also use a camera holster.
I think your kit will fit but you may have to use a bit different configuration than I use. I can send you an image showing my configuration if you wish.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
If you don't mind a messenger style bag, I would recommend the "7 million dollar home" which I have been using for a couple of years now. But they also have plenty of backpack designs as well.
Coincidentally I noticed that they have made improvements to their bag designs for 2009.
I have this question a year ago and searched for the right bag to "hide" the camera. Finally, I found one at http://www.naneupro.com. It looks like a military carrying case and very solid. Unfortunately, it is not available in Asia at that time and the price was a bit stiff.
last year, I found one "Made in China" version with considerable good material and the model LIMA was sold at US$30 only.
There is 2 inner pocket in the main compartment. It holds the 5D with the 24-105 in one pocket and the other one is good for a 580EXII flash or a 17-40 F4 and a 2xTC. Couple of small pockets outside can keep the small accessories. I can put a small laptop in the bag with those gears for business travelling.
The 70-200 F2.8 IS is too big for this bag. But, anyway, the Lima bag is only for short business trip, not for full gear shooting.
There are bigger version available.
flickr.com/photos/photoskipper/
I was prepared to pay more than the $95 CAD, and wanted something sexier, but this bag did the trick. I really like the compromise between a backpack and a smaller shoulder bag. It's great how it sits on you when walking around - contrary to what you might think, loaded with my 5DII and 24-105 lens, plus a couple batteries (no second lens yet though), it doesn't put very much pressure on your one shoulder like a traditional shoulder bag does, because it evenly distributes weight across your back. And there's a second strap that secures it nicely and further balances the load.
After returning a different bag, I discovered that I just wasn't totally excited about a dedicated single shoulder bag, considering how I wanted something for urban excursions similar to my commute to work. My shoulder starts to tire after an hour with my laptop briefcase, and I didn't want this to happen with my camera gear. Plus it's handy having a small secondary pocket for gloves, toque, lunch, etc.
It's great that it slides around to provide access to the camera without taking the bag off, and the zip pocket that you open to take your camera out is enormous - much better than some bags, like the Primus, whose side zip entry is much smaller. Add to this that you can use the bag as a support while taking pictures (if necessary). Only downside I've found is that I'm a bit clumsy taking it off - usually undoing the clip.
This is in addition to a more sturdy and capable backpack.
(shoot first, then ask questions)
www.cdub.ca | www.cdubphoto.smugmug.com | Twitter | Canon 5DII + Canon 24-105 f/4 L, Canon 580EX II, Gitzo GT1541 + Acratech GV2L
EDIT : oh yeah and in the 5 million home I have :
- canon 5D MkII with 24-105 f4L attached
- canon 16-35 f2.8L
- canon 50mm f1.4
- battery charger and cards + cleaning kit
and I have still a little room for an extender but then I will have to sacrifice the accessibility of one component (probably the extender)
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I love Crumpler's design. I have the 7MDH and it's my carry everything bag. I want to get a back pack for days when I don't need flashes, radio triggers, and everything but the camera and three lenses....but Crumpler's back packs are all over $200.
The other solution is mainly for transporting my gear in the topbox on my motorcycle when I'm on holiday but I'm finding it very useful for day to day shooting as well. It's a Think Tank Holster. The beauty of this is it fits my 5D2 with a 17-40 and then extends to accomodate my 100-400. With the lens hoods fitted in reverse they're a tight fit but you soon learn how to get them out quickly enough.
Yup, I got a 5 million dollar home just to carry lenses and stuff while walking around and shooting. It works VERY well. Heck, even the Complete Seed bag (and insert bucket) I got doens't scream camera bag. It screams about to fall over cause it's so massive, but I can pack EVERYTHING I need for a weekend shoot into that. And then tie it to a chair, sit a friend on it and come back anytime I need anything (including one of two laptops, hard drives, gig calendar, contracts, lenses, or one of 3 bodies.)
Oy.
Crumpler makes awesome stuff.
I picked up a LowePro bag (no idea on model, sorry!) at REI that works GREAT for this. Backpack, low compartment for 3-4 lenses and camera. Upper compartment for filters, memory cards, sweater, water, apple, whatever. It's small enough and looks like a 'regular' backpack. V. Awesome. I think it was $80 or so? I really need to figure out WHAT it is. I used it all around the Moab shootout with ease. (even stuffing the tripod into external loops, etc).
oh here! The ORION TREKKER II $87.99 retail.
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Orion-Trekker-II,1989,14.htm
I really like the Kata 3n1-20 & 30 I've been looking at. a little more expensive, but couple reviews I've read say that the back is stiff and offers a lot of support.
Too back the crumpler bags are so much.
On a good note, crumpler has recently released new stuff. I like some of their new colors. I may purchase another bag.
When I went on their site last month to buy the Industry Disgrace neckstrap, they discontinued the camo strap and only sell black and brown now. I had to got to two or three different stores before I found one.
I considered this exact thing when thinking about a bag until I realized that once I opened it to get my camera and start shooting the gig was up anyway. Plus if I had a tripod with me...well, I figured it wouldn't be able to be disguised as a hiking pack for long. I just bought a Canon 200eg and am awaiting it's arrival. I bought a Lowepro Trekker (can't recall which one, came with a second small bag free) for my husband for Christmas. I prefer if he doesn't use that bag as much for walking around because it does look like a pro camera bag-but I got it for him because he has a habit of wanting to leave his telephoto lens attached to the body and it would fit in that bag that way no problem. It's great for travel (we travel by car, not plane), we can pack everything in it and everything is nice and safely tucked away. Once I get my 200eg, he can use the smaller bag and I can bring mine with extra lenses for most places we go. Before we starting getting multiple lenses I used a small, compact bag that my camera and lens just barely fit in-very inconspicuous. Now that our lens collection is starting to grow, we can't get away with the old, small bag anymore!
I've got a domke, but don't like walking around for miles with it. The fact that it doesn't hold any shape (mine is *very* worn) causes it to be somewhat uncomfortable during long treks.
i'd kind of like a bag that can carry a 5d body w/ 24-105; maybe a flash. I'd also like to carry a netbook and a few sundries. The specific travel I'm doing won't be exclusively photography-oriented, so I need to carry some random stuff throughout the day in addition to my camera.
I'm looking at the Crumpler bags at the moment... possibly the brazillian? My main concern is that it may be *too* big to be conveniently carried... Should i go for the $7MM? Doesn't look like that one can carry a netbook, but maybe it could if I took out some of the inserts (can you do that?).
I'm looking at the ThinkTank Urban Disguise bags ATM... the 35 seems kind of slick.
I bought a 200EG, but wound up returning it because I found it wasn't quite deep enough to accomodate my 50D with the battery grip attached. It was almost there, but the hotshoe stuck out into the "lid" half an inch or so. I wound up buying a big Tamrac (can't remember the model #), it's huge and expensive, but it was the only one I could find that would take the camera with the grip attached.
A 50D with battery grip attached is the same size as a 1D or 1Ds, right? I'd have thought there would be lots of bags designed for that size camera.
--Ian
Well, I have my 200EG now. My DSLR camera, lenses as well as my little P&S camera and all associated accessories (like extra flash cards, remote shutter release, etc) all fit fine. I have a few spaces left for other lenses as well. It's not too big, bulky or heavy. I had room to add in a small bottle of hand santizer (you know, for those times when you're hiking at parks with only composting toilets or porta potties without running water), gloves, earmuffs and a few other odds and ends. It's not warm enough that I've had to use the webbing for a light fleece or jacket, but it worked nicely to attach my earmuffs! I also have yet to use the tripod attachment, although I can forsee that I will want leg covers for my tripod if I use it much since in winter it will be cold and otherwise just uncomfortable without padding. I like my husband's lowpro tripod attachment better since it's on the side and seems more adjustable and secure than the 200EG's bottom mount with the straps it uses. The way I figure, most of the time if I need a tripod I won't need the bag, so I'll get a tripod bag and use my smaller over the shoulder one if I can't get comfortable attaching it to the 200EG (it's a Manfrotto 3001 with a 3030 head).
FWIW - True to my previous experience with Think Tank Photo, this bag is *very* well executed. I suspect my time using it will be very positive.