Help a newbie find a bag!

pakman0209

Hi all!
I'm brand new to DSLRs. I love this forum. There is so much knowledge...I feel like I could read forever! I got a Nikon D40 kit with a 55-200VR lens. I'm excited about learning all about how to make the most of my camera, but going out without a camera bag is a little unnerving. I've been reading, but it seems like all the bags that are recommended are much larger than I need. Here is what I would like please guide me!

-Hold the body, stock lens, 55-200 lens, possibly additional smaller lens for close ups and a flash
-Have a tripod attachment on the outside
-Have an available waterproof cover
-Be as small as possible while holding this stuff
-Be comfortable for bike rides, hiking, and travel
-Price is not an issue, but the cheaper the better
-I dont have a preference for sling strap vs backpack

I've looked around a lot, but thought that the best place to get some guidance would be here, since at some point everyone was a newbie and didnt have all the equipment that you do now. Some day I hope to be there, but right now I just want to get out there and learn, learn, learn!

pakman0209

I guess I should add which bags I have been considering.

I really liked the review of the Crumpler Shrinkle and thought that the Canon 200EG was quite similar but a lot cheaper ($45).

I was also looking at one Nikon backpack (no model number given) on Amazon. Although I like the side pockets and the side mounting area for the tripod, I prefer being able to completely open it up like the Crumpler Shrinkle and 200EG.

All three seen large enough and capable of holding a 13 inch laptop.

Any insight from the pros would be appreciated.
Thanks!

SloYerRoll

I'll probably get flamed for this...

I don't recommend any of the mainstream Crumpler bags for camera gear. I've had 4 Crumpler bags and got rid of each one for one reason or another.

Crumpler designs some great looking bags and are built like tanks. But when it comes to form over function. Function will always win since I've already gone the form route. It's gets REAL old when you have to move things around to get to the gear you need.

This bag won't be a good fit for you. But file it away in the back of your head in case your needs change. I now use the venerable Domke F-2 Original Bag as my main bag and it's great. Very versatile and you can fit a small child* in it and it still holds it's shape well.

*I don't recommend trying to stuff small children in anything w/o parental consent.

You may get some really good recommendations in here. But I'd say your best bet is go into the closest decent sized camera store and start looking at where you'd put all y our gear in bags and see what's a good fit. Remember, if you feel ANY discomfort when testing bags. That feeling will be 5 fold when your on a hike or a bike ride.

HTH
-Jon

gus

Crumpler !

Unbelievably robust.

Ive ridden for over a full hour in heavy rain on my motorbike & not one single drop made its way inside. Best comfort ive ever known in a backpack & almost waterproof to boot.

Art Scott

Every Photog has his/her fav brand and so on....I have always loved LOWE PRO.....not as pricy as they used to be but built like tanks and most also have a all weather cover....I own 4 at this time..........as was mentioned above....go to a store and test them....I suggest taking your equpt. and actuially see how it fits and feels on your shoulder and back..........I have bought several over the years and since this town does not have a good camera store with good selections.....I spent a ton on s/h with a couple of ebay stores that actually worked with me.............

Good Luck

pmbpro

I've also gone to this resourceful Camera Bags website to narrow my preferences down in the relevant categories, before going to the store to try them out.

http://www.cambags.com/

You can see user/customer reviews and photos, and how the assorted gear can fit into the bags.

pmb

SloYerRoll

pmbpro wrote:

I've also gone to this resourceful Camera Bags website to narrow my preferences down in the relevant categories, before going to the store to try them out.

http://www.cambags.com/

You can see user/customer reviews and photos, and how the assorted gear can fit into the bags.

pmb

Good link. Great place to start research.

Manfr3d

I'd like to recommend the LowePro Flipside 300 again:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=733075#post733075

davidweaver

No one has suggested my favorite bag. The Think Tank Speed Freak.

This is my day-to-day working bag. In transit it holds 2 D300s one with a 70-300 on it and the other one with a 12-24dx and It also hold a sb-800 and an extra lens. The memory card holder is genius. I like everything about this bag. While working with this bag I'll generally wear the wider lens/camera/flash around my neck shoulder and keet the long lens/camera combo stuffed into the center of the bag sort of like a holster. I will look at other Think bags when I need something else.

There are two other hip/belt bags. One is smaller and was just to small for what I wanted. I'm also glad I didn't get the bigger bag as I would have filled it up and made it WAY TO HEAVY to wear as a hip bag all day long. I sometimes ache if i put too much stuff into the medium version.

The only thing I don't like about the bag: After prolong wearing and sweating the main waist strap will expand a little bit. I sometimes find myself adjusting the belt tighter 2-3x during a day of long shooting. Some quick cinch straps would be welcome. Then again it is nice to take it off for a break.

I also own a Lowe Pro Trekker Pro of some version. This is a great bag for holding all cameras, lenses, flashes and accessories I own outside of stands and umbrellas. It's what I keep gear stored in the rest of the time. Yes it can weight in at 60-70 pounds before I strap a tripod and ballhead to it :-)

Bags are like shoes. Go support your local camera store and test out the bags there and buy from them. Take your gear with you too. Ask them for help in setting up the bag padding. Do it on a weekday too!