Bag recommendations?

Elaine

I'm specifically looking for something to hold a DSLR, 4-5 lenses, a flash and smaller goodies, like remote cord, filters, battery and charger, etc... I think I want a backpack style, and a place to strap on a tripod would be nice, too. Any recommendations or links?

Thanks!

Elaine

jdryan3

Elaine wrote:

I'm specifically looking for something to hold a DSLR, 4-5 lenses, a flash and smaller goodies, like remote cord, filters, battery and charger, etc... I think I want a backpack style, and a place to strap on a tripod would be nice, too. Any recommendations or links?

Thanks!

Elaine

If you do a search on this forum on 'backpack' you will get lots of entries. This specific link on page 2 has a great tutorial by DavidTO on using Google to search dgrin for stuff.

I'm not sure what lenses you have but I like the LowePros. If you have some of the bigger L glass you may want one 6" deep rather than 4.5 to 5". Also if you have lenses like the 70-200 f/2.8 IS or the 300 f/4.

I recently got the mid-sized Tenba becuse, while the same overall size as the LowePro NatureTrekker, it can hold a 15" laptop easily, plus all those bricks, chargers, tripod, Canon 5D w/grip & attached 70-200 f/2.8 IS. I wnet midsize because it holds everything, plus I wanted something I could carry on smaller regional jets - most 'standard' carryons @ 45" have to be gatechecked. It is very well balanced and comfortable, and the backpack straps zip up into a cover.

Elaine

jdryan3 wrote:

If you do a search on this forum on 'backpack' you will get lots of entries. This specific link on page 2 has a great tutorial by DavidTO on using Google to search dgrin for stuff.

I'm not sure what lenses you have but I like the LowePros. If you have some of the bigger L glass you may want one 6" deep rather than 4.5 to 5". Also if you have lenses like the 70-200 f/2.8 IS or the 300 f/4.

I recently got the mid-sized Tenba becuse, while the same overall size as the LowePro NatureTrekker, it can hold a 15" laptop easily, plus all those bricks, chargers, tripod, Canon 5D w/grip & attached 70-200 f/2.8 IS. I wnet midsize because it holds everything, plus I wanted something I could carry on smaller regional jets - most 'standard' carryons @ 45" have to be gatechecked. It is very well balanced and comfortable, and the backpack straps zip up into a cover.

Thank you! I did a couple searches and didn't come up with anything helpful, but I don't know why I didn't think to try "backpack." I'll check it out. It was nice to hear your perspective on your own equipment as well.

Elaine

Swartzy

Elaine..
There are so many choices but depending on what you get, most likely you'll out grow it at some point. The Expedition 5 is a really sweet backpack (Tamrac) and the Expedition 7 is humungous. Carrying a tripod with these are possible. I opted for the Lowepro Slingshot (220?) asking Santa for Christmas. They have add on accessories like lens holders and such that can become add ons should you desire. I've packed mine full thus far and would like something bigger but.......the cool part of the Slingshot is you don't have to take it off to get something out. Simply slide it from your back to your front, loosen the strap a bit and open the zipper compartments. I carry a 400 f/5.6 L, Xti with battery grip attached, 50mm, 18-55, 28-135, 70-300, 430 flash, 2 extra batteries w/charger, some filters, microfibre cloths, extra batteries for the flash w/charger, and some other stuff.

Obviously the camping gear (tent, poles, stove) won't fit but find the Slingshot is a nice carry around bag. I used to carry lots of colored filters along only to take a bunch of shots then discard them anyways after the shoot. Besides, PS has em.

Ok, I've spent my 2 cents. Good luck on whatever you find.

Tommyboy

I also have the slingshot 200. I used to have a Tamrac Adventure series. I like the design of the slingshot, being able to access the bag without taking it off, but when it is fully loaded, it is uncomfortable.

Had I to do it again, I would think seriously about a bag with two shoulder straps.

P.S. I like Lowepro stuff better than Tamrac in general, but Tamrac's backpacks are nice. And Tamrac has a lot of fans.

Mike Lane

I love my crumpler karachi outpost.

ivar

Mike Lane wrote:

I love my crumpler karachi outpost.

and I love my crumpler warm shower

wxwax

Tenba makes good quality backpacks. I think their second-to-largest would work for you.

gus

Mike Lane wrote:

I love my crumpler karachi outpost.

ivar wrote:

and i love my crumpler warm shower

Love my crumpler 'brians hot tub' which was replaced by one or both of the above.

You have no idea how much or a hard time that bag gets & its yet to show any signs of wear.

3rdPlanetPhotography

Ivar, that bag looks like it's carrying a headless child.

ivar wrote:

and I love my crumpler warm shower

jbswear

You'll probably need to go try a few on...

Elaine wrote:

I'm specifically looking for something to hold a DSLR, 4-5 lenses, a flash and smaller goodies, like remote cord, filters, battery and charger, etc... I think I want a backpack style, and a place to strap on a tripod would be nice, too. Any recommendations or links?

Thanks!

Elaine

I went to the local Ritz camera with all of my gear and found a bag that fit everything. I know that I'll eventually outgrow it (as soon as I buy another lens) but I think it'll serve me a long time, as I'm fairly new to SLR shooting.

Seeing pics of bags and reading reviews really won't do you much good, if you're like me. I hardly found a bag that had bad reviews, so I think any would have been good, but didn't know if it would have been good for ME.

I have an XTi, with battery pack attached. My bag easily swallows the body with a 55-200mm zoom attached, my other two lenses, 430EX flash, wire remote, battery charger, 4 batteries, and such, and that's JUST IN THE MAIN COMPARTMENT. It has a mesh 'water-bottle-holder' on one side, and two zippered compartments on the back side. Inside the main flap is also another zippered mesh container.

The compartement that holds the camera and other goodies removes completely from the body, and is zippered shut. Then you can keep your shtuff safe if you want to use the backpack for something else.

My only gripe is that there aren't any attachments for tying a tripod down, but I've overcome that (temporarily) by just lashng it on with heavy cord. A friend of mine is going to sew some nylon straps on for me soon so that I can carry my tripod with a bit more 'style'.

It's a Quantaray Pro by Nanew Pro, Urbangear, model no. U60. It was about $70, and worth the money.

Make sure that whatever bag you buy has adjustable compartments, so that you can custom fit it to your differents lenses. My bag has dividers that are held in with Velcro. They work very nicely.

Here are some quick pics of it:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/smpr_fi_mac/Picture089Medium-3.jpg?t=1169845355

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/smpr_fi_mac/Picture090Medium.jpg?t=1169845374

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/smpr_fi_mac/Picture091Medium-2.jpg?t=1169845409


HTH

Brad

ivar

http://www.cambags.com/

jdryan3

wxwax wrote:

Tenba makes good quality backpacks. I think their second-to-largest would work for you.

This is the bag I was referring to earlier. Thanks for the link Sid!

Elaine

Wow! Lots of great info here. Thank you very much. Now for some reading and researching and decision making. Some of the prices are kinda hard to swallow, but the equipment deserves to be properly housed!

Elaine

wxwax

jdryan3 wrote:

This is the bag I was referring to earlier. Thanks for the link Sid!