Hey Girls! (well guys too) I need some bag suggestions...

Bakat

Here's the scoop... Since my camera goes with me nearly everywhere I go, I have virtually given up carrying my purse. I just chuck my wallet into the camera bag, the cell phone in my pocket and go out the door.

One problem; my square, starter Nikon bag is butt ugly and clunky. Well maybe not butt ugly but definately not attractive.

It needs to be big enough for my D50, just 1 other lens, wallet and cell phone. I have seriously been considering one of the backpacks just because of the functionality, but I've never been a fan of big purses or bags.

I have checked out the local camera shops with no luck, anybody out there with any suggestions?

Thanks!
Kat

Liza

A lot of people seem to like the look of the Crumpler bags. I carry a Tenba myself, but I really don't care if it's attractive. Check on www.bhphotovideo.com to check out their line of Crumplers.

Viking

Bags is for girls. ;-)

System

Viking wrote:

Bags is for girls. ;-)

I don't know, man-

I've seen some nice ones on guys--but they don't stay up very well unless they're wearing their shoulder pads-

mr peas

Viking wrote:

Bags is for girls. ;-)

but she is a girl

saurora

I haven't bought one yet, but Crumplers look like the answer to me. I bought a small backpack style with my camera and 2 lenses. Barely fit. I like to carry it with me to work everyday just in case I need it. Of course, now I have added 2 more lenses and can't decided which ones to leave behind! So I need yet another bag. I can see lots of bags in my future.....

spider-t

saurora wrote:

I haven't bought one yet, but Crumplers look like the answer to me. I bought a small backpack style with my camera and 2 lenses. Barely fit. I like to carry it with me to work everyday just in case I need it. Of course, now I have added 2 more lenses and can't decided which ones to leave behind! So I need yet another bag. I can see lots of bags in my future.....

I love my Crumpler. I have a Company Embarrassment. I think it's the same as the 7 Million Dollar Home now.

But it's definitely not an everyday walking around bag. It's great for travel with lots of gear, but it's bulky and heavy.

My favorite everyday bag is a soft laptop backpack. I toss my camera in the laptop area as it's padded, and everything else goes in the pack area. Can handle my biggest longest lens.

The one I have is the Timbuk2 Detour 2.0. I love this bag. Groovy looking, really well made. It's a backpack or a shoulder bag.





It may be on the outs, though. In December, there were all over with several colors available. Now, as I do a quick google, and there are very few out there.

Still a few out there:
black
red
green

cheers,
Trish

Mongrel

Hey Bakat...
take a look at the Lowepro 'Rezo' series. Very well made and very functional. I have the pre-cursor to this series (LX 160) and it's my every day carry bag. The Rezo's are better built and offer the AW (all-weather) covers.

They come in a complete line from pretty small (one body with lens, one 'extra' lens, and your wallet and car keys size) all the way up to a pro-body slr and three lenses.

Here's a link to a size that sounds right for your needs:

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulder_Bags/allWeather/Rezo_140_AW.aspx

I don't know if that's 'fashionable' enough to double as a purse or not, but it's a heck of a bag for a very reasonable price of around $36.00.

The Rezo 140 is slightly smaller than the LX160 I have. I easily carry in the 160:

20D with lens (say 28-135 IS)
Tamron 17-35
Canon 50mm f/1.4 and 28 f/1.8 stacked (or my 85 f/1.8)
spare battery
lens care kit
hoods for all of the above
a few CF cards
a water bottle (in an outside built-in pouch)
cell phone
various small stuff (gum, mints, aspirin, hand wipes, etc.)

Not to say you *have* to carry all of that, but for a day "in the city" that's my standard kit minus a lens or two if I'm going light.

Good luck and good light,

Mongrel

Seefutlung

Domke ... Domke makes a variety of bags in different sizes and colors, extremely functional, extremely fast to get in and out and extremely comfy. Domke has been the bag of choice for press photogs for a couple of decades. Check 'em out.

Viking

Im looking for a new bag to. I know, Im a male! ;-) I want a backpack where I can store:


1x D200 with 1x 17-55mm 2.8 mounted on.
1x 70-200mm VR
1x 60mm Micro nikkor
1x 24mm prime nikon
1x or more SB800 flashes
1x apple powerbook!

What bag is teh one for me?

System

viking-

tamrac turbocyberpro might work for you-

at b&h-

george

DoctorIt

we only have 3 bigger ones reviewed so far, but don't overlook our in-house reviews:

http://dgrin.smugmug.com/Reviews%20You%20Can%20Use

Ann McRae

The lowepro nova mini will hold my 20d, 85mm and 17 - 85 mm (one on, one beside). It will also hold a large number of memory cards, a table top tripod, a wb card, keys etc. take out the second lens and you have room for wallet and cell phone. I never carry a purse, but if I want both lenses I carry a wallet on a shoulder strap. When I had my sony in the bag, I had room for my stuff and my sons diabetes stuff.

For large bags, I've just got the lowepro computrekker AW. It still has loads of room to spare with my 20d with 70 - 200 attached, 85mm and 17 - 85 mm, sony 828. And I can carry it easily.

ann

Liza

Seefutlung wrote:

Domke ... Domke makes a variety of bags in different sizes and colors, extremely functional, extremely fast to get in and out and extremely comfy. Domke has been the bag of choice for press photogs for a couple of decades. Check 'em out.

Good suggestions. I've had my eye on the F2 as I need to be able to carry two SLR's, at least four lenses, a flash, and accessories.

howard

Liza wrote:

Good suggestions. I've had my eye on the F2 as I need to be able to carry two SLR's, at least four lenses, a flash, and accessories.

I have ended up with a collection of Lowepro bags and my most used is a stealthreporter. A great bag that holds 2 bodies one with 10-22 mounted and the other with 28-70. At the same time it will hold 2 lenses upto 400/5.6 size. There are a couple of large pockets on the front. For extra flexability you can add lens and other pouches on each end as and when needed. Mind you it's pretty heavy when full. It also has a rain cover in a hidden pocket.

Fred W

Liza wrote:

Good suggestions. I've had my eye on the F2 as I need to be able to carry two SLR's, at least four lenses, a flash, and accessories.

Hi Liza,

I have both the Domke F-2 and F-4AF shoulder bags. I use the F-4AF almost all the time. If I need to carry 4+ lenses, flash, etc, I dump the insert protectors and use Domke lens wraps to protect my lenses. The only thing I can't fit in this bag is my 20D mounted with a Canon 70-200mm lens. I find the F-2 bag a little too large to carry for extended periods but it is great if used it for short trips. Also the US Postal pad for the shoulder strap is a great accessory. For me, if I need to carry more than the F-2 holds, I use a backpack.

Fred

Bakat

As usual you guys come thru.

I had not even seen the messenger style of camera bag. That looks much more flexible and manageable. The khaki Domke bags have a kind of retro-ish look to them.

Looks like more shopping to do (gee, darn) but I have a better idea of styles now.

Thanks again!
Kat

dancinkate

I got a Lowepro in all black and love it. It fits all of the camera junk and wallet, cell, make-up, etc that I like to have with me. Now I just need another that goes with brown. :giggle

cmason

dancinkate wrote:

I got a Lowepro in all black and love it. It fits all of the camera junk and wallet, cell, make-up, etc that I like to have with me. Now I just need another that goes with brown. :giggle

I use the Lowepro Computrekker AW too, and really like it, but it is not the perfect solution for going on a shoot...too cumbersome to take it off to change lenses, etc. But perfect for all my stuff.

Has anyone looked into or used the Lowepro Off Trail 2? Looks perfect for this situation...might try one myself. Plus, the lens cases fit on the Computrekker AW...
.

Mongrel

cmason wrote:

Has anyone looked into or used the Lowepro Off Trail 2? Looks perfect for this situation...might try one myself. Plus, the lens cases fit on the Computrekker AW...
.

I haven't used the Off Trail types personally, but I've heard others say that they really liked them.

I have used a Lowepro Orion waistpack though. The issue I have with the waist pack designs is that they can be a pain in crowed places. Seems like no matter which direction I have them facing, I'm always bumping into someone or something with them. I find a shoulder bag much easier to swing out of the way very quickly depending on the situation. Now, if you are 'in the woods' or on the sideline of a sporting event the waistpack is fine.

Nappalonia

Check out the Lowepro Slingshots too.

I have the 100w/ 20D 28-75 attached, 3 other lenes, various cards, batteries, etc., but I need the 200 (once I attach a grip), I really like that I can get my camera out without taking the bag off

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/

Oakley

Nappalonia wrote:

Check out the Lowepro Slingshots too.

I have the 100w/ 20D 28-75 attached, 3 other lenes, various cards, batteries, etc., but I need the 200 (once I attach a grip), I really like that I can get my camera out without taking the bag off

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/

I have narrowed my bag search down to the bag you mentioned - the Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW or the Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home.

Because none of the camera stores in my town carry either bag, I need to be able to order the bag and then return it if it doesn't "fit".

That's why I think I'm going to go with the Crumpler - cause they said they'd give me a full refund (not including the shipping costs back)...

But I just don't know!!!

I really like the idea of that Slingshot bag....

I guess if Nappalonia, or anyone else who's wore the Slingshot, could tell me how they like the "fit" then I'll just bite the bullet and order one.

Thanks

Nappalonia

Oakley, my only regret is that I didn't get the 200:uhoh

gtc

lowepro micro trekker
with my lowepro micro trekker II, i can fit my canon 20d with smc takumar 400/5.6 attached,300/4,200/4,efs 60 macro and 50/1.4 and odds and ends.

its a small plain black pack which does not look like a camera pack,which i sling over my shoulder-lots of pockets and foam compartment dividers

MyView

Has anyone used any of the Tamrac Velocity Series??? I really find the sling style bag comfortable, I'm just trying to find the right one now also.

Didn't know if anyone had any input on any of the Tamrac Velocity bags.

Tamrac

Oakley

MyView wrote:

Has anyone used any of the Tamrac Velocity Series??? I really find the sling style bag comfortable, I'm just trying to find the right one now also.

Didn't know if anyone had any input on any of the Tamrac Velocity bags.

Tamrac

Even though I was planning on buying either the crumpler 6 million dollar home or the Lowepro Slingshot 200.....a friend of mine has a brand new Tamrac Velocity 7 just sitting around so he's giving it to me. I'll have it in my hands in a few hours. I'll be sure to let you know if I like it or not.

MyView

Oakley wrote:

Even though I was planning on buying either the crumpler 6 million dollar home or the Lowepro Slingshot 200.....a friend of mine has a brand new Tamrac Velocity 7 just sitting around so he's giving it to me. I'll have it in my hands in a few hours. I'll be sure to let you know if I like it or not.

Very cool. You lucky $hit. Free is always a nice option! I look forward to hearing your opinion on it. I am at that point where I seriously need to get something more convenient to tote around with me. And am itching to get the right bag.

Cheers!!!

Say Cheese

I've had the same Domke canvas bag for almost 20 years and it still looks and works well. I also have a Tamrac Velocity sling bag. It is perfect for vacations where you will be walking a lot. I probably walked about thirty miles in a few days around Montreal last summer. The bag was very comfortable and easy to get in and out of. You can swivel the bag around to your chest to take the camera out and swivel it to your back when you are done.

Oakley

MyView wrote:

Very cool. You lucky $hit. Free is always a nice option! I look forward to hearing your opinion on it. I am at that point where I seriously need to get something more convenient to tote around with me. And am itching to get the right bag.

Cheers!!!

Lissa - already, I think the Velocity 7 is going to be too small. Not necessarily for my equipement, but it just feels and looks small on my back. I'm not a huge guy, but it certaintly doesn't "feel" like a backpack - it feels more like a purse.

However, I haven't really taken it out for a "walk" and will do before I make a decision on whether or not I'm going to keep it or go with a crumpler or the Lowepro Slingshot 200.

More info to follow....:):

photobug

How about a Slinger bag?
I'm awfully surprised that no one has mentioned Adorama's "Slinger" bag:
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=slinger%20bag

I had one and was very happy with it ... can fit DSLR with fairly long lens, a flash, even a spare lens or so in it. It has a great zipper pocket on the front, and mesh side pockets (good for easy access to cell phone?). It even includes a waist strap, so while you're wearing it on your back you can strap it to your waist to get its weight off your shoulder and onto your waist instead (much more comfortable, if you put a lot of stuff in it or are walking very far). Plus if you're concerned about "fashion", you have the choice of lots of colors (see pictures by clicking on the link above). Adorama has a bunch of clip-on additions available for it, if you care about that.

After I put a battery grip on my 20D, I could still wedge it into the regular Slinger, but I ended up then opting for the much more spacious Slinger "Pro" bag (which would be too big for the original poster's needs but works well for me).

Gtogs

Lowepro
CMason

You asked about the Lowepro Off Trail 2, I have it but don't really like the way it fits my body.

I did buy a Lowepro AW 75 Holster bag and two of the Size 3 lens cases that attach similar to the Off Trail 2. I can put my 5D w grip and 100 - 400 in the main bag and the 24 - 105 and 17 - 40 in the other cases along with my 420 flash and batteries, cards ect. Makes quite a load, but is reasonably comfortable.