Bags, bags, and bags But which one?

[Jay12329]

Aaaaaaagh!
There are so many bags out there and looking on the internet doesnt help me decide if my kit will fit, or if it will be too big for what i've got. And there are no decent photography shops near to have a look :(
So guys I know these questions are anoying and there are about 10 a day. But...
Which bags should i consider to carry:
20d + Grip
70-200 f2.8
100-300 f4
20-40 f2.8
As well as my batteries, filters, cf cards, memory tank, flash, extenders, monopod...

I would also like my bag to take my laptop (15.4inch widescreen mac)
AND
Have some space for a bottle of water, a pack of crisps and a choc bar.

I know i'm asking a lot.
Thanks for any help and advice.
J

[Jay12329]

Forgot to say I prefer backpacks as they spread the weight.
J

[NewTekBuzz]

this might be a little small for what you want but take a look if you havnt already

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27848

Tim

[awad]

since i push the kata bags in every other thread, why stop now?

check out the kata r-103.

heres an old set up.

http://johnawad.net/bag3.jpg

heres how it looks like now.

http://johnawad.net/disorganized.jpg

[Jay12329]

Hmmm thanks for those guys, both look a little small. Although the KATA states it can hold a 300mm attached, is that a 200 f2.8 on the camera in that shot? Would you be able to fit that lens down the side if you had a 300 f4 in the middle (300 f4 is about an inch longer but similar width.)


Anyone else care to share their set up for similar kit?
Thanks
J

[condyk]

Computrekker AW from Lowepro, which I had and liked tho' a bit boring ;-) or the Crumpler December Quarter which I have now and is my day to day bag when I need to carry my laptop. Has a lot of storage for papers and bits and pieces. You will need to check depth if you want to store the 100-300mm with it on the body as it's quite a long combo. The Lowepro will fit as I had that combo with it. Crumpler review here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=157250)

[Jay12329]

I'm not to bothered about storeing a lens on the body. I havnt before it just seams the done thing.
J

[SkipD]

The Lowepro Stealth Reporter 650 AW will do the job for you and will be a HECK OF A LOT easier to work out of and MANY TIMES safer for your equipment. I read way too many stories of zippers failing or the user failing to close a zipper on a backpack and expensive equipment hitting the ground.

The 650AW holds my big lenses with their hoods mounted (reversed on the longer lenses) and my 20D/grip mounted to any one of them. All the lenses are stored in vertical drop-in tubes and cannot drop out and fall on the ground unless I deliberately invert the bag.

The shoulder strap has one of the best shoulder pads I have ever used. It is quite comfortable to carry, even fully loaded, and I work out of the bag without having to take it off my shoulder.

[condyk]

Looks good, but does it take a laptop?

[Jay12329]

Unfortunaly I cant use the one shoulder type bags. I've genrally stuck to backpack designs as I suffer from back and neck pain following a bike accident last year.
I'm investigating the Lowpro and Kata bags. I've also seen some nice looking crumplers, but again I cant tell if they are too big or small.
Thanks
J

[dshootist]

I picked up the National Geographic Earth Explorer Large Backpack for a trip to Tanzania (link: http://www.adorama.com/NGBPL.html for item and my review). With only a few nit-picky gripes, this was the perfect choice to carry all of my gear (listed in the review). It now replaces my LowePro Stealth Reporter 650AW shoulder bag as an everyday carry bag. With only one body, I would have suggested the Medium Earth Explorer, but I tried to fit my 15" Powerbook in the compartment and it was a fraction too big for the pocket (even though it says a 15" screen will fit). I also picked it because it doesn't scream "Here's all my photo gear in one easy-to-swipe package!" It looks more like a travel backpack.
Tenba's new Shootout Series also seems like a good bag albeit somewhat bulkier than the NG Earth Explorer series. Tamrac's Adventure Series 9 seems like the best fit for your current needs, but may not be able to handle any gear expansion later on. LowePro's CompuDaypack and CompuRover also sound like good options as well, but again may fall short later in the storage department. I'm sure there are other bags that closely match what your looking for, but these are the ones that caught my interest. Happy hunting!

[Analogsound]

I sniped from E Pay the Tamrac Super Pro 13 Model 613 recently and am excited about all the room I will have to grow with it. Most bags I saw just didn't have the room or compartments and I don't want some kinda back pack thing. I just don't see myself needing to lug around my bag much let alone hiking with it LOL :)

[sapearl]

For one of the higher end products check out this site:

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html

They make a lot of bag gear, and the Airport Addicted may suit your needs: Features:
Airplane carry on size.
Holds 400 2.8 and 300 2.8 lenses.
Removable 15” laptop case
Seam-sealed raincover.
Tuck away shoulder straps
Dual main compartment access
Monopod holder
Tripod holder

I don't own it but have just ordered the Airport Security rolling bag which may be slightly larger.

[SkipD]

Looks good, but does it take a laptop?The Lowepro Stealth Reporter 650 AW definitely has a pocket for a laptop.

It's to bad the OP cannot use a shoulder bag, as this one is really superb.

[dshootist]

It's to bad the OP cannot use a shoulder bag, as this one is really superb.

I totally agree. I'll still keep mine around to use as a location bag. When it was my main storage carrier, it held about 95% of all my gear (close to 45 lbs) and it never showed signs of wear or damage over three years of daily use. I did start to have shoulder/back issues, but shoulder bags inherently put all the weight on one side of your body by design whereas backpacks distribute more evenly.

[red hot sheep]

Wow the thinkpad rotation 360 looks great!

[sapearl]

They make some pretty slick, high quality stuff with a lot of belt gear, pouches, etc. What got me hooked on the Airport Security rolling case was a review done here last year. It's on back order, but I'm on the waiting list.

Wow the thinkpad rotation 360 looks great!

[Jay12329]

I quite like the look of the National Geo' bag. Something a bit different than a black backpack.
J

[sapearl]

They have some good looking stuff I admit, and the build quality looks pretty nice - I'm just concerned about how they seal up against wind and weather. It looks a little on the "casual" side.

I quite like the look of the National Geo' bag. Something a bit different than a black backpack.
J

[dshootist]

While I wouldn't put up the Earth Explorer up against a tropical storm or even a decent downpour, it's a great bag for all around. The rain cover is only adequate for some light rain and wind/dust protection. Most of the weather we ran into in Tanzania wasn't enough to ding up the bag or it's contents. Are there other bags available that protect better? Of course, but my suggestion to the OP is to see what you can get your hands on and get a feel for what you're looking for.