Backpack or Shoulder Bag?

[Mills]

What is your preference? I like to have everything with me all of the time. Current bag is getting heavy. Thinking of trying something different. I'm sure this has been discussed before but any input regarding the latest gear would be greatly appreciated!

[CoolToolGuy]

Shoulder bag - too many years of that being virtually the only option that now I am hooked on having it right at my side.

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[Vegas Poboy]

I have both, depending on if its for fun or work. Domke J2 hold most of my gear and I use this bag for most of my official work. I also have a Lowepro rover II AW and this is my fun Backpack.

[Belmondo]

I carry everything I own in two backpacks. One is average sized, and the other is roughly equivalent to a dirigible hangar. One of the reasons I prefer the backpack format is that when you unzip the back and open it up, everything is right there. You don’t ever have to ‘dig’ for anything.

The smaller backpack is setup for walking around and I really do wear it on my back occasionally. The large pack is too darned big to mess with. When It's completely loaded, it weighs just a few pounds less than an aircraft carrier.

Thos.

[nosquare2003]

Lowepro trim trekker is a convertible shoulder bag / backpack:
http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/trimtrk.htm


And some of the lowepro shoulder bags can be used as a backpack by adding a shoulder harness (and a belt):
http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/street/shoulder.htm


You may check to see if these fit you.

[robertwgross]

If you have a lot of camera gear to carry (e.g. 30 lbs.) then a backpack is, by far, the best way to carry it. The weight is distributed over a good hip belt and also both shoulders. However, with all of the gear behind you, it is not very convenient or quick to get anything out.

Carrying a small bunch of gear (e.g. 5-10 lbs.) is easy enough to do with an over-the-shoulder bag. Everything is pretty quick, but you can only carry so much on one shoulder.

I have both, and I use the backpack for loading everything into and then heading out in the car. When I set out on foot, I transfer gear and normally everything is over one shoulder.

---Bob Gross---

[CoolToolGuy]

I have a Tamrac 5612. It is a very large shoulder bag, but I needed it that large to hold everything. The tripod straps are nice so I don't have to carry the tripod over the shoulder as well.

I also use a Tamrac 517 'holster' bag. It allows other things to be attached to it, so I have the Tamrac water bottle holder on one side and a large lens pouch on the other. The normal configuration is the Drebel with the 24-70 'L' on it in the holster and the 75-300 IS in the pouch. I also have a pouch that will fit the 550EX, and a smaller lens pouch.

When I have a specific place to go that doesn't require everything I take the 'holster' since it is a lot lighter than the big bag - but I usually take the big bag and leave it in the car so I can get something if I need it.

I am debating getting a smaller shoulder bag to carry more than the holster, 'cause the big bag gets heavy if I carry it for a while.

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[SnJPhoto]

Backpack. I carry everything you have in your sig file in my LowePro Trekker pack and wouldn't go back to a shoulder bag. Lowe also has a trekker version that has a laptop pocket now.

[Bytes U]

Shoulder bag works perfect for me. Your camera is very easy to pull out while still carrying the bag (top zipper access near handle). The bag is only 7" wide/deep so it carries close to body without sticking out into pedestrian traffic. LowePro Omni Trekker (http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/omni/omnitrek.htm)
http://www.lowepro.com/images/ppages/bag_pack/colour/omnitrek.gif

[dtrayers]

I use a LowePro Compu-Trekker when I want everying with me and I have a Tamrac Velocity 7 when I just want a little.

The Velocity can carry the 300D body (without the BG-E1) attached to the 24-85 lens. It also has room for the 70-200f/4 (without the tripod ring) and the 550EX flash. The outside pouch holds the lens shade for the smaller lens and the tripod ring for the larger lens. It's a little stuffed but it works.

[arogop]

Shoulder bag. Tamrac Photo Messenger 7.

[cgratti]

I prefer using a shoebox with duct tape across the whole bottom outside of the box for added support.... Also makes it waterproof from underneath...


Backpack!

[CoolToolGuy]

I prefer using a shoebox with duct tape across the whole bottom outside of the box for added support.... Also makes it waterproof from underneath...


Backpack!

My first bag was an O.D. army surplus sextant (I think) bag that held the camera with lens attached and one, maybe two lenses (this is 'back in the day' when zooms were a luxury), and an inside pocket for lens tissues. I still have it, and have some of the 'extras' from the film days in it.

I think it was less than $10 at Sunny's Surplus.

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[sparktography]

Backpack all the way! I used to have a Lowepro Shoulderbag and loved it, but they are small and you can't "carry everything". I also hate the way it pulls unevenly on your shoulders - after carying 40lbs of equipment for 8 hours the backpack pays for itself. I am all digital so I like to take a laptop with me. I ended up getting the Lowepro Computrekker AW and have not even thought of another bag since - it holds all of my lenses, 2 bodies, a 14" laptop, and has things to attach my tripod and monopod at the same time!

[dtrayers]

I was given the Computrekker as a gift and use it all the time, but I have a 15" Thinkpad and it won't fit in the bag. I need a smaller laptop!

[ssim]

I grew up using a shoulder bag and I found it hard to move away from that. I do have a Lowepro AW Trekker backpack that will just barely hold all my toys. If I fold in the waist straps it will fit in the overhead on a flight but just barely. God help me if they ever try to weigh it.

I use my Lowepro shoulder bag for local outings as I usually know what equipment I am going to need. I must say that the shoulder bag is much more convenient for grabbing stuff on the fly.

[Phil Hall]

I use the Tamrac 698 backpack with large wheels..great going through airports. The 697 is similar but slightly smaller. However, they are pretty heavy for hiking, ok for using in a car or truck. I use the 759 for hiking, it does not have wheels and is best for 1 camera and accessories. Both have straps for tripods and both have slots for a laptop. I sometimes use an old 752 bag in the car but it is not easy to cqarry long distances when full.

I bought a Lowepro backpack but haedly ever used it. My personal preference is Tamrac, seems to use a bit heavier material
http://www.tamrac.com/

[J.A.F. Doorhof]

Backpack I have the strange behaviour of wanting everything with me everytime ;D.

Greetings,
Frank

[chris.bailey]

I have come to the conclusion that a single bag is just not a good proposition. Way too heavy. I have tried backpacks which enable you to carry more weight over a shoulder bag but by the time you get the things off, open and lense retrieved, even a glacier is long gone from view.

I have a pair of Lowepro Stealth AW 500. I keep my wider angle lenses in one and my more telephoto ones in the other. I then just move the 10D across to the one seems most suitable for the days action.