Gadget Bag Advice

Tommyboy · November 29, 2006

I'm trying to buy a bag online. My nearest store is 100 miles away, so I'm hoping to accomplish this without a trek to the big city.

I have a Rebel XT and four lenses, the largest of which is a 75-300.

I have a 430EX.

I want to store the lenses WITH hood on and reversed.

I'm going to get a second body eventually; at least one with have a battery grip. Maybe another lens.

I don't want to be crammed and I want a little room to grow.

The best bag I've found so far is the Tamrac Pro System 8, found here: http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm. It's under $100; the next size up is nearly $200, more than I want to spend.

Anything else I should be looking at, given my size and price parameters?

Thanks,

TM

ian408 · November 29, 2006

Take a gander at the LowePro line. I've said it before, the Nova series
are great bags. I think the bags are bit nicer than the Tamrac. Also of
interest are the Tenba bags. These are more expensive but also very
nice as far as carrying gear.

gus · November 29, 2006

Crumpler ?

DYancy · November 30, 2006

I recently bought the Tamrac Pro 8 bag to carry my Canon 30D, 580EX flash, Tamron wide-angle zoom, Canon 50mm and hopefully soon a Canon 70-200 IS lens.

It's just the right size for this gear (plus room for more) without being way too large to carry periodically.

Tommyboy · November 30, 2006

Thanks for the advice Gus and Ian (and DYancy--your post wasn't there when I originally replied).

I guess my real question has morphed into:

Do I want a shoulder bag or a backpack?

For backpacks, the Tamrac Expedition 5 ($130) looks really appealing.
+ Carries a lot of stuff
+ Easy access to everything after you open the cover
+ Easy on the back
- Have to take it off and put it down to access equipment.

For gadget bags, it seems to be between the Lowepro Nova 5 ($65.00) and
the Tamrac Pro 8 ($89.00).

+ Carries a lot of stuff
+ Can get in and out easily without setting it down
- Buries some things, difficult to access.
- Shoulder and back will get tired

I'm not a hiker, but I would like to transport this equipment on long motorcycle rides. I'm concerned about the long-term effects of vibration on the camera and lenses. A shoulder bag would go in my topcase or saddlebag. A backpack would ride, well, on my back.

Am I missing anything? Shoulder bag or backpack?

schmoo · November 30, 2006

Personally I find that I prefer a backpack. I never even considered it for a long time because I had a Crumpler (Super Snipe + Bunion) and all of my bags, camera or not, are messenger style. In theory you can get into them without having to take the whole thing off... but in reality does that ever happen? For me it doesn't; even when I'm just reaching in for a quick small something, it's easier (and safer) to slide it off and put it on the ground. Especially when it comes to expensive stuff like cameras/lenses/accessories.

So when the guy at the store suggested a backpack, I got one. I have the Tamrac Adventure model which is big enough for me right now, and I really like it. Sure you have to take it off to access most things, but I find the weight distribution much better, especially when carrying it for long periods of time.

Then again I'm a pretty darned small person so maybe it's not even important to relevant to anyone else. But that's my two cents on the matter.

DoctorIt · November 30, 2006

We've got a few bag reviews right here on dgrin.

gus · November 30, 2006

Tommyboy wrote:

Do I want a shoulder bag or a backpack?

Am I missing anything? Shoulder bag or backpack?

A lot of us have both. I certainly do. I use the backpack for long hikes etc & the large sholder bag for events so i can just sit it down & use it from the top...sit lenses down inside it without having to remove it from my back.

DavidTO · November 30, 2006

gus wrote:

large sholder bag for events so i can just sit it down & use it from the top...sit lenses down inside it without having to remove it from my back.

I was going to buy the same, but Andy talked me into getting a vest. Then the event I was buying it for was cancelled, so I haven't actually used it yet. But, it was cheaper and looks like it will be more convenient.

DoctorIt · November 30, 2006

DavidTO wrote:

I was going to buy the same, but Andy talked me into getting a vest. Then the event I was buying it for was cancelled, so I haven't actually used it yet. But, it was cheaper and looks like it will be more convenient.

Vests are for nerds.

But seriously, I'm with Gus: backpack for travel/hiking, and if you actually do real gigs, shoulder bags with upright top access are the way to go.

DavidTO · November 30, 2006

DoctorIt wrote:

Vests are for nerds.

But seriously, I'm with Gus: backpack for travel/hiking, and if you actually do real gigs, shoulder bags with upright top access are the way to go.

I just would always be worried about setting it down. At least with the vest everything's on you, and they'd have to be a pick pocket to lift it. Not that I've taken it out of my closet yet...

gus · November 30, 2006

DavidTO wrote:

I just would always be worried about setting it down. At least with the vest everything's on you, and they'd have to be a pick pocket to lift it. Not that I've taken it out of my closet yet...

Vests are limiting room wise ...i always take all my lenses. Can you image a vest with a 400 5.6 & 135 f2 in it ?

DavidTO · November 30, 2006

gus wrote:

Vests are limiting room wise ...i always take all my lenses. Can you image a vest with a 400 5.6 & 135 f2 in it ?

Owning neither of those lenses....nope!

saurora · November 30, 2006

LOWEPRO SlingShot 200AW
I just bought a new bag last weekend. I bought the Lowepro SlingShot 200AW. I haven't come up with a verdict on it yet. You just "sling it" over your shoulder and you can access the contents without setting it down. You can also carry it across (from one shoulder to the opposite side) which puts less strain on your back and shoulders. I managed to load it up pretty well, though I can not fit all of my lenses in there by any means. I managed to carry enough though, that after I sat down when I tried to get up with it on my back I couldn't move!!!

saurora · November 30, 2006

DavidTO wrote:

I just would always be worried about setting it down. At least with the vest everything's on you, and they'd have to be a pick pocket to lift it. Not that I've taken it out of my closet yet...

They may be nerdy, but I think they would be so comfortable and handy for certain conditions....I hate digging in the bag everytime I need something.

Tommyboy · November 30, 2006

This is all very helpful, and just the kind of advice I was looking for. I haven't shot SLRs in such a long time (pre backpack era) that it's hard for me to remember what's best for what. Thanks for all the opinions/advice. Keep 'em coming.

Vests, you say? Hmmm. . . .

anwmn1 · November 30, 2006

I'll drop two pennies on this one
The "bag" issue is one I am dealing with as well. I bought one of the "medium" size lower pro backpacks. When I went on a 7 mile moderate to difficult hike, I could barely fit my dslr w/ two lens and my AE-1 with two lenses ( I still enjoy shooting film for landscapes). There was no room for extra gear, i.e. food, first aid, light jacket, or emergency equip. My back ended up being pretty sore as well.

Honestly I do not even use it now. I bought a large fanny pack and attached a shoulder strap to it. Now I wear my camelpack as a backpack with the extras and carry the dslr and lenses in the fanny pack. If I use the shoulder strap and the waist belt it is firmley secured while hiking, neccessary when boulder hopping or climbing up almost sheer ledges. To get to the camera or change lenses I simply unclip the waist belt and rotate the bag forward since it is still secured via a shoulder strap.

It still will not carry everything but it is a lot more comfortable.

I have also started doing some weddings as a second photographer. I think a backpack or even a vest would be a pain in the rear for weddings or any events as well as making yourself stand out. Usually you are trying to do the just the opposite. I am considering the same tamrac shoulder bag since it seems to have a good amount of room and is pretty reasonably priced.

Aaron

ian408 · November 30, 2006

Tom,

I think the top case is where you want to put your gear. Nova will fit
in that.

Phyxius · December 1, 2006

I have the Lowepro 3 AW. I ALWAYS carry my D50 w/ the 18-55 lens and the 70-300mm f/4-5.6. There is plenty of room for another small lens (the same size or smaller than the 70-300mm. The back zipper can easily fit 5-6 CDs the side mesh pockets can fit smaller water bottles (or if you don't have a 3rd or 4th lens you could stick one of the .5 liter bottles, tightly capped, inside the bag. I usually keep my keys, chapstick, and lens pen in the topflap zippered area. And there's "storage" inside the top of the bag and a zipper compartment good for extra batteries, cards, and cables. I do like the all weather cover too, but you can't open the bag without taking the whole thing off again.

I've hiked around horse shows and Las Vegas with this bag. The strap is long enough that you can cross it over your shoulder (like a sling bag) for better comfort. I LOVE that you can get into it easily (top loading). However, my SB800 speedlight is a tight fit. So, I just unhook the shoulder strap and run it through the belt loop in the back of the speedlight case.

I'm looking into a fast zoom telephoto and it won't fit in this bag but...

I also have the Tamrac Expedition 5. (Picture from google.)

Quite a bit more storage here AND you can use it to carry the superduty tripod that can hold up the 11 pds of camera/lens you're using

Those nifty straps on the front hold the tripod and the little pocket on the bottom, in the front has a tripod foot holder and is reinforced plastic.

The zippers for the small pouches are special weather resistant zippers and the zipper for the main section of the bag has a drawstring weather "seal". Lots of nice cushions for your back/shoulders too.

I went camera shopping today for my brother's Christmas present and I saw a bag with a special area for a laptop. Too much weight for me though. The laptop can stay at the hotel.

So, I guess it depends what kind of shooting you'll be doing. The backpack is great for hiking and horse shows. When I don't need the tripod or f/2.8 lens (when I get it!

) the shoulder bag will be

.

jdryan3 · December 2, 2006

I had been looking at a new bag for a while I prefer Lowepro, but have Tamarac also. I looked at (and bought) the Loewpro Stealth reporter - and returned it as too big/heavy to shoulder carry. I spent a couple hours at Samy's in LA looking (thanks Angelo!). I finally bought the Tenba Shootout backback.

http://www.tenba.com/products/2000_01_shootout_md_bk.asp

It is smaller than the Lowepro Photo Trekker or CompuTrekker Plus, but slightly larger than the Nature Trekker. I fly regional jets sometimes and standard carry on doesn't always fit (gate check) . So I was leaning towards the Nature Trekker. But I DO carry a laptop - often for work, not just for photography. So I wanted a slot for it. The Tenba medium fit the bill. I have a Canon 5D, 70-200 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 28-135, a Quantary 19-35 (soon to be replaced by Canon 'L'), primes 24 2.8, 50 1.8, & 100 2.0, hoods on all, flash, battery charger, laptop brick, & other accessories. Very comfortable and well balanced, including tripod holder.

While it is easy to get on & off, it is a backpack - kinda hard to quickly access. It does have side pockets, but I haven't used them a lot in the field to see how effective they are. I paid $159.

evoryware · December 4, 2006

Purchased a Tamrac bag from B&H today because my other bag was forcing me to take off the 70-200.

While the shoulder bag is nice easy access, I'm thinking of switching it for the Expedition 5 especially for tripod access.... Only problem is since grade school I've had a tendency to just toss my backpacks to the floor w/ no regard for what might be inside. Lately it's been my wife's laptop backpack :grim

Tommyboy · December 4, 2006

I'll End the Suspense
I appreciate everyone taking the time to chime in on what must seem a mundane (although apparently timeless) question: Which gadget bag should I get?

I heard about Tamracs, Lowepros, Tenbas, and Crumplers, and others. I heard about vests. I heard about backpacks. I heard that everyone seems to have more than one.

I finally settled on a Lowepro Nova 5 bag:

Mine is black.

It was a real toss-up between it and the Tamrac Pro System 8. The Tamrac was substantially more expensive, nearly 50%. What I didn't like about the Tamrac was that it was shapeless and frumpy, at least compared to Lowepro's box-like structure. The Tamrac had several external pockets where as the Lowepro is almost entirely internal. The Tamrac seems to favor stacking things on top of each other, which never made sense to me. The shoulder strap on the Lowepro is detachable; the Tamrac is not. The Tamrac has infinite storage for a bazillion doodads, but I'm over that. I need to store batteries, a spare CF card, and a battery charger. Ultimately, I wanted a one-stop place to store all my gear and something to transport it when I wanted to take all my gear to a shoot. It's not a comfortable carry-it-around-all-day bag, but neither will any bag its size be. When not in use, it stores neatly in my cabinet without wasting space and having yet another annoying strap getting tangled up in everything.

I think the thing I like best about this bag is that I can store my Rebel XT, 430 EX (Sto-Fen attached), 3 filters, off-shoe cord, 3 flash accessories, and all four of my lenses with lens hoods attached and reversed, which is no mean feat with the EF-S 10-22. There's also ample room to grow with another flash, another body, AND another lens.

Thanks to Ian for urging me to take a hard look at this bag. I'm glad I did.

Next step is a back pack, either a Tamrac Expidition 5 or a Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW. I'm leaning toward the Lowepro.

Manfr3d · December 4, 2006

If you want to check out pictures of photobags
with gear in them from users, I can recommend:

http://www.cambags.com/

Gadget Bag Advice

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