Can anyone help me find the perfect bag?

[Reptile Bob]

I'm looking for a shoulder bag or backpack that can hold all my gear and is easy to get in and out of. When hiking I'm constantly changing lenses from macro to telephoto, so I'd like something where I don't have to take the pack on and off to do this. It would also be nice if it could hold my camera with the flash bracket attached and a 70-200mm.

This is the gear I'd like if to fit:

Rebel with grip, 70-200 2.8L, & delta flip flash bracket (flash on or off)
580 EX flash
100 mm macro
extension tube set
nifty fifty
10-22 mm
2x T-Con.
blower/ cleaning supplies and other small accessories.

Its hard to see by the pictures what would work, and there aren't too many stores locally that carry a large selection of bags. Any recommendations would help. Tamrac or Lowepro bags would be best as they're on sale at B&H :D

Thanks,
Robert

[Reptile Bob]

I've been looking at the stealth reporter bag, possibly a D550 AW. Anyone have any experience with it?

THanks

[Jon]

Think about a 2-part solution - a backpack and waist pack. Kata has a combo that should do this fairly well; I have the Domke-labelled version. The stuff you need regularly goes in the waist pack around front and the less-in-demand gear goes in the backpack.

[crn3371]

With a backpack you have to take it off to get to the gear. An option would be a sling bag such as the Tamrac Velocity, or the Lowepro Slingshot. Take a look at cambags.com for some real world pictures and reviews. I just got home from my local camera store with the slingshot 200. Haven't totally loaded it up yet, but I'm pretty sure it will take everything in my sig, no problem.

[lostdoggy]

Adorama just intro a larger Sling bag that wasn't available when I got the velocity 9.

[lostdoggy]

There is always the buddy system! Buy the biggest backpack available and bring your dumbest buddy along and have him carry it for you!!! Then you won't need to take the bag off the get into and out of the bag. Just say hey buddy stop and bend over quick!!!

[Reptile Bob]

Thanks for the advice. I think I like the slingshot 300 AW. Should be just what I'm looking for. B&H is have a promotion for 25% off lowepro and tamrac bags, so this for $75 sounds like a good deal.

[SkipD]

I use the Lowepro Stealth Reporter 650AW and wouldn't trade it for anything. It works extremely well with my 20D (with grip) attached to any one of my three big L zooms (16-35 f/2.8L, 24-70 f/2.8L, and 70-200 f/2.8L IS) with the two other lenses dropped into vertical "pockets". In addition, I have a meter, a flash, and many smaller accessories neatly stored in the bag.

I wouldn't want to carry anything heavier on my shoulder, but it works extremely well.

Nothing can fall out while I'm carrying the bag - even if I'm changing lenses while on the move.

The shoulder pad on the strap is the best I have ever uses on any sort of luggage, computer case, or whatever. It just doesn't slip on my shoulder.

There's even a weather shield that can be pulled out and over the bag.

[Billginthekeys]

a shoulder bag sucks for hiking entirely. i would reccomend getting a backpack or slingshot definitly. if you go for a backpack (the mini trekker AW is great) then another waist pack to keep the unused lens in.

[joeflux]

If you want easy access then I recommend the one that I just purchased last week. The Lowepro Stealth Reporter D650 AW. Why? A backpack is a pain to put stuff in and out. This one you can easily get stuff in out and out as it hangs on your shoulder. Comes with easy access zipper too. All weather helps you when you are out. Comes with the cover also so if it rains super heavy you wrap this baby up. It's wrapper is under the secret bottom zipper on outside. I can put everything I own it it. Makes it a bit heavy but I am carrying two of everything. This is my first Lowepro and I have to tell you that I love the quality and the ability to customize. Previous bags were a Sony small one leather and a medium size generic. This is huge, it rocks and you can even put up to a 17 inch laptop in it. I love it.

If you go with a backpack you have to constantly remove it and lay it down and unzip it. I am a photojournalist so I want FAST access.

[blonde]

if you want to find the perfect bag, you will need to get to La La land and then take a left. when you get there, keep going straight till you reach the land of OZ and it should be right there. if you get lost, just ask the tooth fairy or santa for directions...

seriously now, i think that you will discover that there is no such thing as the perfect bag. i have owned about 9 bags so far and each was very good at one thing but not at other things. now i own 4 bags and i use whichever one is better for the situation..

[Just Be]

The Tamrac Mini Treker back pack is my favorite for family vacations. It holds my Rebel with two lenses, digital video camera, batteries, etc. Only weighs about 5lbs loaded.

I have several cases depending on how much gear I'm going to need.

My rebel XTi w/ Sigma 17-70 attached nicely fits into a smaller Lowepro. There is even room for the lens hood and filters. Sorry I don't see a part #. It's black, 8x6.5x5.5".

[joeflux]

blonde is right. First I had my canon 10D and a 28-105mm yellow band. I bought a nice $30 bag for it it was fitting like a glove. Then I bought the power brick for the bottom of 10D and rendered my bag useless. Then I got a new camera, and more lenses, etc. So I have 4 bags now. It never ends but it's good to buy a decent one to start for your trips.

[Billginthekeys]

if you want to find the perfect bag, you will need to get to La La land and then take a left keep going straight till you reach the land of OZ and it should be right there. if you get lost, just ask the tooth fairy or santa for directions...

seriously now, i think that you will discover that there is no such thing as the perfect bag. i have owned about 9 bags so far and each was very good at one thing but not at other things. now i own 4 bags and i use whichever one is better for the situation..
agreed. i have had every type of bag under the sun, probably two of both. and i use the ones i have all the time for their respective purposes.

[JaGWiRE]

a shoulder bag sucks for hiking entirely. i would reccomend getting a backpack or slingshot definitly. if you go for a backpack (the mini trekker AW is great) then another waist pack to keep the unused lens in.
Yup, I find the mini trekker AW very comfertable.

I think the only shoulder bag or one of the only ones that will hold all that gear (not even sure if it will be able to hold all of it) is the crumpler 7 million dollar home :D.

[pttenn]

Some funny comments in this thread! I looked at the only backpack they had at a local camera shop and it was just too bulky. I'm looking for a pack that is less DEEP and that will fit flatter to the back, with the lenses laying on their side rather than sticking in perpendicular. Also has to be big enough to hold my 20D with a 400 on it. Anyone know of a company that makes something like this?
Karen

[nwa2]

if you want to find the perfect bag, you will need to get to La La land and then take a left. when you get there, keep going straight till you reach the land of OZ and it should be right there. if you get lost, just ask the tooth fairy or santa for directions...

seriously now, i think that you will discover that there is no such thing as the perfect bag. i have owned about 9 bags so far and each was very good at one thing but not at other things. now i own 4 bags and i use whichever one is better for the situation..

I could not agree more. I recently bought a Lowepro Sling shot thinking this would be a perfect combination of shoulder bag and backpack - whilst it serves this purpose well, I now can not get all my kit in it. :(

Neil

[Billginthekeys]

Some funny comments in this thread! I looked at the only backpack they had at a local camera shop and it was just too bulky. I'm looking for a pack that is less DEEP and that will fit flatter to the back, with the lenses laying on their side rather than sticking in perpendicular. Also has to be big enough to hold my 20D with a 400 on it. Anyone know of a company that makes something like this?
Karen
the lowepro mini trekker AW holds the 20D and 400 5.6 perfectly, with plenty of room on the sides for other lenses, take a look at it.

[rklepper]

Think about a 2-part solution - a backpack and waist pack. Kata has a combo that should do this fairly well; I have the Domke-labelled version. The stuff you need regularly goes in the waist pack around front and the less-in-demand gear goes in the backpack.


I have the Kata R-102 backpack and the W-92 waist pack. Great combo. They can be used together or seperately. Also, the W92 can be used as either a waist pack or a shoulder bag.

[joeflux]

I thought I needed to go to the shop to buy my bag but I saw most of the ones they sell at the mall, at ritz, at best buy and at circuit city are all tiny and not for fitting more than a couple of lenses and a non-pro body. I went to B&H online to get what I needed.

[T.Hogan]

I bought a Lowepro Photo Trekker II AW at Digital Corp. and saved about $60 compaired to B&H. Hope it helps. Good luck

[barP]

klepper, do you know the difference between the r102 and the r103 other than the price?

wp.

[blonde]

klepper, do you know the difference between the r102 and the r103 other than the price?

wp.

not Klepper but the difference between them is that the 103 has a laptop compartment while the 102 does not...

[barP]

thanks! the bonehead at b and h photo had no clue. i asked for somebody who could answser my question, and 5 minutes later he comes on and say's he's the guy. when i asked him about the difference, he spent 10 minutes basically looking thru his documentation trying to find an answer.

guess i know what "bh" stands for....

:rolleyes:

wp.

[groman]

thanks! the bonehead at b and h photo had no clue. i asked for somebody who could answser my question, and 5 minutes later he comes on and say's he's the guy. when i asked him about the difference, he spent 10 minutes basically looking thru his documentation trying to find an answer.

guess i know what "bh" stands for....

:rolleyes:

wp.

Not the norm at B&H for sure. They have the best trained staff I have ever worked with.

As for the bag, I love my Domke F-1x. Holds two cameras with lens and much more and is comfortable on my shoulder. Very ruggedly built and easy to access on the move.

[Wilt]

I'm looking for a shoulder bag or backpack that can hold all my gear and is easy to get in and out of. When hiking I'm constantly changing lenses from macro to telephoto, so I'd like something where I don't have to take the pack on and off to do this. It would also be nice if it could hold my camera with the flash bracket attached and a 70-200mm.

I once purchased an ordinary day pack. Then I purchased a camping ground pad of closed cell foam. I slit and folded the foam, sometimes glueing dividers into place, or using commercial divider systems like from Domke, and I thusly subdivided the day pack to hold my medium format SLR system and lenses very inconspicously while travelling about South America for a couple of weeks. Looked like hundreds of other cheap tourists who stayed in hostels and travelled by bus and train with my day pack. Simply by slinging ONE of the straps over one shoulder, the whole thing functioned similar to a conventional shoulder bag, and with both straps it functioned like a backpack.

[barP]

the answer from the kata folks themselves...

Thanks for your e-mail expressing an interest in our products.

The R-102 and the R-103 are almost the same bag, the overall design is
the same, the main compartment is similar in size and set-up, however
the R-103 also features a rear laptop compartment for 14"-15" laptops
and even a 17" Powerbook.

wp.