Camera Bags

rbrugman

I suppose this topic has been worked to death, but I am in need of something a little different that what I've found from searching the forums. I have a Samsonite case currently and it works but I'd like something better. I was also wondering if I should get a new case before or after I get an external flash. I shoot mainly outdoors and the built-in seems to be working for now when I am inside. I have to do all of this on a college student's budget.

The bag:

I have a Nikon D80 with a 18-135mm lens. I am searching for a backpack-style bag that will allow me to have my Nikon ready with the lens attached, room for an extra lens or two and an external flash (should I ever get them). I would also like some storage space for my 15.4" widescreen laptop.

The biggest thing is that it has to be airline-friendly. I fly between the US and Germany a lot and it needs to be able to be carried on. I trust the airlines a little but high-value stuff seems to disappear a bit more frequently. I've never had my Nikon over with me but I'd rather not just throw it in my backpack like I do with my laptop.

I've been looking at the Lowepro Slingshot 200, but I don't know how much room it has for non-camera stuff. When I travel I just need my camera, laptop and a spare T-shirt. The rest can get there whenever they find it on the Tarmac. My price range is around $100.

Thanks,
Robert

ian408

This topic has come up before and you're in luck!

There are several different bags available to you. The more popular comes
from the Crumpler line. Have a gander at the site because things and products
change frequently.

What I find most appealling about Crumpler is that they don't look too much
like camera bags. There's plenty of space for the things you want plus a bit
more. And you'll be able to carry it everywhere.

Crumpler.

Seymore

Lowepro also has a full set of bags. I prefer these because you can get add-ons that attach to the primary bag. I have both the Micro Trekker 200 & CompuTrekker AW and find both useful for different circumstances. I've also taken both as carry on baggage, but on domestic flights only.

Lowepro @ B&H

rbrugman

Hmmm. The CompuDaypack looks like it could be nice. Large enough to hold a camera (although only up to "105mm f/2.8"), my laptop and other goodies. The case I get will have to be able to handle either the 18-135 or the 55-200 which I plan on getting later.

cmason

The Compudaypack is a nice bag for travel, and will hold some camera gear in the lower section, and laptop, and has some room above in the other compartment. I dont think it can hold too much up there, perhaps a few books, though in my testing it wasnt big enough to hold a binder or folio.

I gotta tell you, if you haven't figured it out yet: There is no such thing as 'one bag'. It doesn't exist. You will find you own multiple bags eventually, for different tasks.

I have two, and will likely get a third. I have a large backpack, that I store all my gear in. This is my default storage bag, and the one I grab when I am going somewhere to shoot, without knowing exactly what I will be shooting. I also have a small messenger bag, that I use for specific shoots, or when I am hiking/touring and just want a body and two lenses. Finally, I will buy a business travel bag, one that will hold my business stuff and select camera stuff, for taking my camera on business travel. This is what I have considered the Compudaypack for, though I am still 'looking'.

Good luck

farfromthesun

I have the Computrekker and it's a great bag. I got a brand new one for cheap on eBay from a Singaporean seller. The main compartment is big, and has a good set of velcro dividers (which you can buy more of) that can be arranged in a way that suits you. I actually put the smaller ones over the top of the lenses etc to act as a lid as it were by manipulating the velcro a bit. I managed to accomodate a short telesope and all my photo gear on a long haul flight recently - it's within the size restrictions for cabin luggage. My 15.4" laptop fits nice and tightly and is well protected - it feels very re-assuring! For a bag than can get heavy, it's pretty comfortable with loads of adjustable straps, so you can get a snug fit. There's space for SD cards and other smaller gadgets that zip up inside a waterproof compartment and there's a deceptively large "flat" pocket on the front to keep bits and pieces you may want to hand quickly. You can attach a tripod with the special pocket at the bottom that's used in conjunction with bungee cords. Finally there's the waterproof jacket that fits in at the bottom - it pulls out and covers the entire pack should you get caught in a downpour, or as I learned on safari in Sri Lanka, huge storms of red dust.
Great for filling with picnic food too!

I have a smaller slingshot aswell which I use if I'm not going far, but you can't get a laptop in there! When I went away, I stuffed it full to the brim with clothes and packed it in my suitcase which I thought was quite a clever thing to do.

Art Scott

I have several of the Lowe Pro line.....but my favs are the LowePro 75AW....these can be used as a back/chest pack or on a belt ( i use a military pistol belt with the pistol belt suspenders attached when using both 75 AWs at once)......one 75AW holds a Km7D with 70-200 2.8 with lens shade attached...the other houses a KM7D with 24-70 2.8 with lens shade attached and my 5600HS flash.....both of these have sufficent zippered compartments for extas..like batteries(i carry 5 in each of the bags lowest pocket), filters, lens pen, cleaning cloths.......When I am out on the bike this set up is perfect as the bags hang in such a position that if I come to a quick halt I can be grabbing a cam to start shooting quickly....I also have my memory cards attached toi a loop on the outside of the bag in their own LowePro neoprene type holder and that also hold 4 extra AA batteries for the flash......I also suggest a Bino System (binocular Strap at wally world for about $15) this system does not put any stress on your neck even with a large lens such as my 70 - 200 2.8, when biking or hikling all day long my neck used to get dogged tired and really ache from the weight of the camera.....with the bino system straps.....no pain in the neck for me from the camera............

I have been buying my off ebay and have had great success,,,,,,, he has shipped me several and then taken them back with no hassel when I asked for a return.........my local camera store wanted me to pay shipping and then a restock fee just to be able too look at some of the newer offering from Lowe Pro and it turned out that the ebay retailer was cheaper even figuring shipping and return shipping if needed.....also look into...the LowePro SlingShot300 AW...........it is the largest of the slingshots and is quite roomy.

GOOD LUCK

digitalpins

This is a pretty cool website http://www.cambags.com/ I got two crumpler bags because of this site. One crumpler bag that I got is called the Talle (this bag is only for the camera, lens flash) and a Crumpler Shrinking Barge (for computer and camera equipment)

On that website you can see pictures compare bags do alot of research and see what people can fit in them also prices

Rhuarc

I have the 300AW from LowePro. My wife has a laptop and if need be I am able to put the laptop in underneath the camera. I just use an added peice of foam to help protect the two. SO far I love this bag, and could easily reccommend it!

rbrugman

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I am really looking at either the slingshot 200 AW or the 300AW. I guess I am a bit less concerened about being able to put my laptop in than I originally thought. I usually leave my laptop at home anyway and I could probably just but another memory card or two and last a bit longer. Do you think the Slingshot 200 would be too small for my setup or does it still have ample room for camera gear.

Thanks!!!
Robert

claudermilk

For the gear you listed, the SS200 is plenty big enough. It is meant only for camera gear though, so anything else in it will be squeezing things. However, you should be able to take the SS200 plus another carry-on for the few other things you want. Anyway, I love my SS200, so am happy to recommend it--and it travels on planes nicely.

Rhuarc

With your gear you would probably be ok with the 200. But if you plan on getting a longer lens, I have read that the 200 can get a little stretched. Specifically the Canon 70-200 IS I have read is a bit of a stretch for the 200. I personally love the 300 and think it is the perfect size.

jdryan3

I have a number of LowePro & Tamrac bags, looked at the Crumpler & Thinktank and decided to go with the Tenba Shootout Medium (here). It handles the laptop easily, has a waist system, the waist & shoulder straps can be zipped up and out of sight. It has a tripod carrier, & outer pockets that can access the inside if desired.

I just had my 5D, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, 24-70 f/2.8, 19-35, 100 f/2, & 50 f/1.8, plus my 580EX II loaded in it, cables, batteries, etc. in it as I flew across the country. I carried the whole thing up to Cape Royal on the GC North Rim. Best part? It fits in the overhead of not only large jets but the smaller regional jets.

Finally, the inside is a padded shell that pulls out to use as a regular backpack if you want.

HarveyMushman

I found a barely used Tamrac Pro 12 at my local shop for $80. It carries my stuff.

Soon I'll be popping for some belt-based items from Think Tank. For the kind of shooting I do most often bags are a pain in the rear.

claudermilk

Rhuarc wrote:

With your gear you would probably be ok with the 200. But if you plan on getting a longer lens, I have read that the 200 can get a little stretched. Specifically the Canon 70-200 IS I have read is a bit of a stretch for the 200. I personally love the 300 and think it is the perfect size.

The 70-200 lenses will fit in the SS200 fine, but not mounted on the camera. The SS300 was made to accomodate that.