Camera Bags

[k-j-m]

Hi all!

Just got my 10D (!) and was looking for some advice on a camera bag. I like the messenger style bags, would like to carry the camera with lens and battery grip attached, and maybe enough additional room for another lens down the road, but still would prefer the bag to not be so big. I really like the looks of the Crumpler line but all their photo's show the equipment with the lens not attached.

Any comments/suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

kjm

[GhillieSkins]

I have both the Domke J2 Bag and the Lowpro 75AW. I prefer my J2, it is the most awesome bag I've used to date. It will accomodate a 75-300 lense mounted. It is VERY practical and easy to tote around with room for other accessories/items, but not too big that it is cumbersome to carry around.

[scottbergerphoto]

k-j-m wrote:
Hi all!

Just got my 10D (!) and was looking for some advice on a camera bag. I like the messenger style bags, would like to carry the camera with lens and battery grip attached, and maybe enough additional room for another lens down the road, but still would prefer the bag to not be so big. I really like the looks of the Crumpler line but all their photo's show the equipment with the lens not attached.

Any comments/suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

kjm


If you want to use the battery grip and up to a 100-400 IS L, the Tamrac Velocity 9 is a great bag. It has room for an additional lens and a flash.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=276056&is=REG
I carry it all around NYC on the subway. It doesn't look like a camera bag. If you can do without the battery grip and the long lens, the Velocity 7 is more compact.
Scott

[robvonk]

i.m.h.o. If you're looking for a photo bag, you can't forget Lowepro:

http://www.lowepro.com/

I own the photorunner and i think it's great.

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/phrunner.htm

The double zipper makes grabbing your camera a breeze.. I've walked about 150 Km with it in italy and didn't have any problems with it.

I'm not sure if your battery grip fits in there but just try it at a shop.

Rob

[iwatkins]

Also a vote for LowePro, I use the Stealth Reporter 300AW (http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/street/rep300aw.htm) when I go out to do landscape/skyscapes. Easily fits my lenses and all my junk in their with room to spare.

The best thing is that it is fairly weatherproof but you can quickly get the body and fitted lens out of the bag in seconds with the bag still over your shoulder.

Cheers

Ian

[Longwatcher]

I have the Lowepro minitrekker backpack and love it, easy to get around and if I don't attach the waste strap I can get to the camera pretty fast when needed.

It will carry a single 10D w/BG-ED3 with 70-200/2.8L IS, 28-70L, and one other lens (usually either 16-35, 50/1.4, or both extenders). Then add a 550EX flash (plus 4-pack of batteries), a Delkin Picture pad, and filters (or battery pack for picture pad).
All of this in the main compartment. You could trade the flash or picture pad for two small lenses.

Then add the usual misc (CF cards, model releases, spare batteries, more filters, Compaq iPaq) in various pockets. Very comfortable to carry around.

The pack pack appears to have plenty of protection for the camera and lenses from short drops (less then 5ft(2M))

This should give you room to grow while providing protection for camera.

The only limitation is it does have to come off the back to access the cameras and you can't see behind you to see if anyone is getting into pockets, but since I tend to leave them empty for the most part, not a problem. But it is comfortable and looks like a hiking pack pack until you open it up.

some secondary notes: The first thing I had to do was swap the location of the camera in the backpack to get it to fit with the BG-ED3. Only one long lens will fit without doing some fancy arranging, but I have configured it for 70-200 and 100-400 at same time, but only had room for 1 lens or flash or picture pad after that.

Just my experience,

[PhotoAZ]

Tamrac System 6. Room for my 10D, light meter, lens, flash, pockets on the outside for stuff and a neat pocket for holding Compact Flash cards. Not too big and rugged.

[Vegas Poboy]

In the last year I've purchased 4 bags and still looking @ another one. So far my everyday favorite is the Domke j2 it carries all of my gear for the 10D and sometimes I'll squeeze the Elan II in it also.
I have a Velocity 7 and thats great for light weight hiking and most of all vacationing in and around amusement parks. The other two was impulse buys and not really use but to store my old manual gear. Next purchase most likley the LowePro mini trekker.
Take your gear to a local store and stuff it into a bag and see if that is what you want & leave a little room for the extra stuff you have'nt thaought about yet.

[Phil Hall]

I have been using the Tamrac backpack series, one with wheels and one without. The larger one takes both a 1D and a D30, plus 100-400 and 70-200 lenses, plus flash and a couple of smaller lenses and a flash. It will also take a laptop.This makes the whole thing pretty heavy, hence the wheels.

[psk4363]

My vote goes with the Lowepro. I have the Mini-Trekker AW which easily holds my complete system, filters, batteries, etc, and is very comfortable to carry. Access to the gear is very quick and easy.

For one body with power grip and a couple of lenses, with batteries, filters, etc, I have the Mini-Mag AW.

Both are well-protected, waterproof and well-made. Highly recommended.

Cheers,
Barry

[briant]

K-J-M,
Recently, while trying to get to a better angle for a waterfall shot in Colorado, I lost my balance and went tumbling down a terrifying bolder and scree slope. When I finally came to a stop I was sure that my gear must be totalled. I was nearly totalled myself! It took two weeks for me to recover and my gear did not have a scratch on any of it with the exception of my tripod which was still attached to the outside of my Lowepro Dry zone backpack. I was so impressed with the bag that I have since purchased a Lowepro Nature Trekker.
Love the bags, but next time I think I'll be much more carefull.
True story,
Brian