Camera Bag...please?!

rosselliot

yeah yeah yeah, its me again, the one who can't figure out the search feature? lol. it just never comes up with what I want....:D

well, hopefully y'all can help:

I need a camera bag for my new 30D that comes in Monday...even though I paid for 2 days AIR shipping and that was 4 days ago...oh well, either way.

I'm going to paris for my senior trip this year and...I need a nice, yet cool bag to carry my camera and stuff around, and being able to hold my laptop would be helpful too...
so here's the dilemma, I hate bags like this: (http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000A5LQX0.01-A1NDBS7YGOPBD6._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1129964609_.jpg) ...actually, I'd hate to be caught dead wearing one of those. and NO offense to people who have them, they just don't look anything like me...and definitely not very hip to carry around Paris....in my opinion as a high school senior. now, granted I know they're convenient, and that you could probably fit everything including your luggage in one of 'em...I'm not interested. I need the utilities that those offer....in a better package, around the same price - - - about 50-100 dollars is what I've decided to spend on a nice bag. cause I (well...not exactly ME...:rolleyes ) just spent $300 on a wilson bag for my computer....so camera bag is secondary. any suggestions for a great camera bag?!
I know - I'm really picky....yet I still need the help - Amazon has a thousand...actually 2933 results for camera bag, and I've gone through 15 pages of them...and haven't seen anything. thought some of you wonderful people would have experience with some cool ones.

I know I posted about crumpler, but someone's review kinda threw me away from them...

thanks in advance :thumb :rofl
mucho gracias
I mean - MERCI BEAUCOUP!

- Ross

et oui, c'est vrai, je parle francais. hahaha *french accent* :rofl

Mongrel

Here's the best advice I can give you...
www.cambags.com

If that doesn't help you out, *nothing* will...

wxwax

Gotta make up your mind, laptop or no?

This simple question divides the field.

If yes, something like a Computrekker backpack would prolly be the right size.

I have a Tenba 15C shoulder bag that I like a lot, but it might be too big and too expensive for you.

If no, grab a Lowepro Minitrekker, it's the right size.

Lord Barthok Soc

....Or check out Crumpler. They've got some pretty cool stuff. Not the cheapest, not always the most convenient (compared to Lowepro etc) from a hardcore photog view, but very well made nonetheless. Most complaints I've heard people have is over the lack of handy pockets and pouches in every conceivable place, which a lot of photographers seem to like.

I've got the Karachi Outpost, and whilst it's okay for general use, walking around town, I got it for doing some serious travelling with. So it's not great for quickly stowing/unpacking your gear, but in terms of durability, strength, comfort and capacity, couldn't have asked for better. Not to mention sexiness

BeachBill

rosselliot wrote:

I'm going to paris for my senior trip this year and...I need a nice, yet cool bag to carry my camera and stuff around, and being able to hold my laptop would be helpful too...

Personally I have and like the Tamrac 5574 Expedition 4, which is a backpack style bag. It won't hold a laptop, but I generally don't lug a laptop around when I'm out shooting...

jmathew

Camera Bag
Youre young, hip, and trying to look cool in France....you need a Crumpler bag, no doubt about it.

Manfr3d

jmathew wrote:

Youre young, hip, and trying to look cool in France....you need a Crumpler bag, no doubt about it.

Plus you wont look like an Uebertourist if you carry one of those.
If you want to carry a Laptop with you, take a look at Crumpler
backpacks. They own and are well protected against thiefs because
the main compartment opens from a zipper that faces your back.

Personaly I use a LowePro Stealth Reporter 100 AW for citywalking.
It has a black cover that hides the LowePro Logo and reduces the
camera bag look that you seem to hate. The AW Cover is also helping
in that respect.

USAIR

If your answer is no laptop here's my sholder bag I like.
Holds 20D,70-200 f/2.8L IS,24-70L,ext. tube set,50mm f/1.8,remote,filters,cleaning stuff,spare battery.........
Domke Domke page

If the answer is laptop then look here
There are a few backpacks to look over

Fred

LeDude

is for fun, no?
Might I suggest ditching the laptop altogether. Apart from the nuissance of having to deal with power adapters, airport security and sheer travel bulk, I would say it'd be a shame to have your nose buried in any bit of technology for a moment longer than you must. If you are concerned about running out of room on your memory card there are other inexpensive alternatives. For example, there are many quick-stop internet cafes in europe that offer cd burning services. Research this a bit closer to make sure you're going to have everything you need to backup your photos.

Let your mind wander, take some photos and try to minimize your connection with that which is familiar to your daily routine in the States! Enjoy Paris, its people and the many sights you'll see!

I hope you have an excellent journey.

-LeDude

SpeshulEd

perhaps you could make your own....

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=36372

System

I'd look at the Kata bags as well. I'm leaning in that direction myself.

Fusion_UK

We all look at bags differently. I see them mainly as a way of protecting a significant investment, and a way of moving it around with me comfortably. I guess I'm old and not hip but I would rather get there with my gear intact than look trendy and pay extra for it.

PS remember boarding baggage restrictions in place at the moment.

DavidTO

The best way to search dgrin is to use google.

Enter:

site:dgrin.com camera bag

and you'll get this:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=site:dgrin.com%20camera%20bag&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

chrisjlee

SpeshulEd wrote:

perhaps you could make your own....

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=36372

I wouldn't trust dropping one of those.

I like my lowepro nova aw (sling bag). I got it off ebags.com It's pretty nice and small for light camera gear for traveling. I can fit my camera and two lenses.

http://www.ebags.com/lowepro/nova_2_aw/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=18494

digismile

I'm a bit of a bag junky, and have a number of camera bags that I use. The advice so far is pretty spot on. You really need to decide what you want this bag to accomplish on this trip.

A big bag can get a ton of gear there safely, but might be a pain to lug around. Many of the bags that accomodate laptops generally allow you to remove the laptop part to make it a bit lighter when you want to use it for your day bag.

I've been very partial to Lowepro, not only because of quality, but because each bag has had a lot of thought go into its features and design.

My current needs have me using a Stealth Reporter 400AW. I can carry a 20D body a few lenses, flash, and a bunch of extra accessories (filters, extra batteries, lens cleaning stuff, etc.). I can leave and know I have everything I'm going to need. I also chose this bag because I can put my 20D with 70-200 2.8 IS and 1.4 Extender in vertically, and have easy access to all other lens. With the Extender, the top of the bag has to stretch a bit, but it still zips up easily. It was important to me that I could put the camera back in the bag with any lens on.

The downside to this bag is weight. Despite an excellent cary strap, I've had a few aches and pains from carrying so much gear around all day.

I also have a Lowepro Toploader. This is great for a tele and one more lens, plus some small accessories. It carries well and off course has the Lowepro all weather feature.

Until recently, I did not have access (to touch and view) Crumpler bags. I think they are pretty cool looking bags. For me though, I just haven't yet found one that suits my (current) needs better than what I already have. I'm one of those people that has to (and highly recommends to others) touch and feel the bag and try putting all me gear in it. I need to see how everything fits to see how its going to function in the real world when I need to swap gear, etc.

Personally, I would probably ditch taking a laptop and go for lightness/ease of use. If you're worried about the volume of photos you're going to take and wanted to offload photos, I'd recommend stocking up on a lot of flashcards and/or a small photo storage hard drive. They are pretty cheap and can be bought/configured with 20-40Gb minimum. Should be lots even if you shoot RAW (and shoot RAW IMHO).

Have a great trip. Great part of the world to see ...

wxwax

I've nopw seen an ad for a bag that perfectly meets Ross' description: room for books, cam, lenses and lappie.

It's a Tamrac Adventure 9. Can take a body, and three lenses, one of which looks to be a 70-200. Not bad.

asamuel

lowepro stealth series. Backpack holds laptop. sholder bags dont. I just bought one and I love it. I am a bag man and this is the bees knees.

so you hate the sholder bag eh!. I did, but if you want functionality.............best thing to do is go blue peter on that sack.

N.b. being on the road alot, I recommend stripping off tags and beating the new prize purchase with a heavy stick. Fingercrossed, touch wood.

cmason

asamuel wrote:

lowepro stealth series..

Which Stealth did you get? I am eyeing the 100, trying to decide between it and the 200. Like the 100 size, but need it to hold, at most, my Xt with 28-75 attached, carry one additional lens (either my 10-20 or the 70-200, and a flash.

Think the 100 will hold that?