Camera bags (Rant Warning!)

[Scottes]

I officially hate camera bags. I bought a new bag yesterday, a cheapie but sizeable, and have spent the last 90 minutes trying to pack it. Things fit fine until the bag was half-full. Then nothing fit right. So I ripped everything out and started again, and got the bag 2/3 full. But now nothing else fits at all.

I've got tons of wonderful padded dividers with velcro flaps. But once half are in place I was done because all the good sticky places where taken. The large dividers are too big, and the small ones are too small. I've got large spaces with everything flopping around, and teeny tiny spaces which barely hold a lenspen.

It's impossible to put a fat 17-40 anyplace near a skinny 100 macro. And don't even mention trying to place the long thin 400 prime in the same bag as the short fat 100-400. I need two bags just for these lenses! With a camera mounted on the 400 it's too long for anything, and if the camera's on the 100-400 it's too darn fat. And forget about keeping the quick-release plate on the tripod ring...

I hate camera bags.

From now on I'm wrapping the lenses in bubble-wrap and throwing them in a suitcase.

[aam1234]

ha ha, I know exactly what you mean. Camera bags are evil :evil:

[Ballen Photo]

I officially hate camera bags.

From now on I'm wrapping the lenses in bubble-wrap and throwing them in a suitcase.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
-Bruce

[timmyquest]

It's impossible to put a fat 17-40 anyplace near a skinny 100 macro. And don't even mention trying to place the long thin 400 prime in the same bag as the short fat 100-400. I need two bags just for these lenses! With a camera mounted on the 400 it's too long for anything, and if the camera's on the 100-400 it's too darn fat. And forget about keeping the quick-release plate on the tripod ring...

As much as i'd like to have sympathy for you, i look at my two lenses....and i just cant :lol:

[nosquare2003]

Do you need to put all these lenses in your bags, say the 400 prime and 100-400 zoom?

BTW, I read your review. Are you going to keep both the prime and zoom?

[Belmondo]

I will put my closet full of inappropriate and useless bags up against anyone's. :? :? :? I just picked up another free one a few days ago.

[PhotosGuy]

Maybe you should consider designing your own? Here's one I had made 35 years ago. It was the only way to get what I needed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Case_outside.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Case_Top.jpg

[roanjohn]

...........................

I've got tons of wonderful padded dividers with velcro flaps. But once half are in place I was done because all the good sticky places where taken. .......................

....................It's impossible to put a fat 17-40 anyplace....................

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

BULLS EYE!!!

Ro1

[12345Michael54321]

As an aside, I clearly remember myself as a college student, some 20+ years ago, thinking it was the height of extravagance to buy myself a Tenba camera bag. Even if the guy behind the counter at the camera shop did swear it was infinitely better than the cheap-o bag I'd been using, and that it would give me excellent service for many years.

I'm middle aged now, the camera store went out of business a decade ago, and I've long since disposed of the Contax 139 I used back during the Carter/Reagan years.

But the Tenba bag's currently holding my Canon Digital Rebel, along with a few Canon EF lenses, a 420EX flash, and the odd accessory. It still serves me well, and the pain of coughing up those extra bucks for it has long since been transmuted into nostalgia.

The moral of this story? That on one occasion in history, a camera salesman knew what he was talking about, and spoke the truth to a customer. And I was there.

Of course, this was a camera salesman in Maryland. My clearest memory of NYC camera salesmen of that era is the time the guy at 47th St. Photo swore to me that the Mamiya NC1000 was a better camera than the Nikon FM I was considering. I thought his yarmulke was going to burst into flame for that one.

[ron chappel]

I think basic camera bags are an utter bargain!
But as you say,try to work out some kind of flexible packing system that won't get confused when in pretty hopeless :)

I'm actually making a custom bag (think cheap backpack + foam with lens/camera indents)
But it's still going to be tough working out a usefull flexable setup.

[Sheldon Bowles]

Scottes, haven't we all been there, done that! But don't laugh at bubble wrap. I'm off to the mid-east in a couple of weeks and I want a camera bag that doesn't weigh a ton and my stuff fits into without wasting space. Of course, protection is essential and ease of carrying is good. Also I want something that looks unique. If someone grabs it and runs, I want to be able to spot them. Also, the less it looks like a camera bag, or a computer bag, the better. Computer bags in airports just shriek: Steal me! Same with camera bags in many places in the world.

My answer: Last week in a supermarket I bought a bright yellow, teenager, go to school back pack. Cost $15. It is padded, has excellent zippers, good carrying straps and is amazingly sturdy.

Inside my camera body, 300D if the 20D isn't here, with the new digital 17-85 will be inside a snug fitting padded shoulder holster bag. The 17-40L f4 will be in a similar padded case, as will an expected 70-300 DO IS which should be here any day now. A couple of sheets of bubble wrap, from an abundance of caution, will be in the bottom of the bag. With a sweater for the plane, my book, and laptop, all will be snug. No one will think it's an easy score --- it sure looks like a school kids bag and I've got a couple of smiley face stickers and a plush toy to hang on the handle to complete the "look." And as I tromp around the Holy Land I think my camera will be safer and better protected than it was last year when I was there and it rode in a fancy and 15 plus times as expensive name brand bag I cursed everytime I had to load the thing, or try to get something out without dumping it under some mean spirited camel's hoof!

Bubble warp and duct tape! God bless the inventors.

[Andy_T]

Sheldon,

welcome to the forum :)

It's good to see someone new with common sense ... and a sense of humor.

Be sure to post a picture of your bag ... with the plush toy!

Best regards,
Andy

[SDK^]

I just buy bigger bags :D

[Scottes]

Do you need to put all these lenses in your bags, say the 400 prime and 100-400 zoom?

I'm doing a lot of traveling in the next week, so it's nice to have it all in the trunk and be able to carry it all into the motel.

BTW, I read your review. Are you going to keep both the prime and zoom?

Apparently not! I have to throw one away because it won't fit in the *$@*# bag!!


But yes, I'm keeping both. The prime is priceless for the AF speed alone, and it actually works with the 1.4 TC - manual focus, but it looks fine.

[IanD]

I'm doing a lot of traveling in the next week, so it's nice to have it all in the trunk and be able to carry it all into the motel.
Your usual room awaits you. Check in is any time after 1PM
Your bellboy, Jessie, will be pleased to help you to your room.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[chris.bailey]

I just bought one of these

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/proaw/comm.htm

thinking it would be huge. It just about takes all my gear without having to have two layers of lenses (which I hate) making it my favourite to date. I know what you mean about all the dividers though, this thing came with hundreds of them many of which I could not really find a use for at all!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Those velcro flapped dividers are THE DEVIL'S WORK!

EVIL Pure ad Simple!

Picture this... July.. it's three days prior to my departure for Newfoundland.. and I am going to fit the following into ONE Tamrac Cyberpack.

Cameras:
1D MkII
10D (no battery grip)
1 extra battery for MkII
3 extra batteries for 10D
10D Charger
1D charger and required cords

Lenses:
EF 2X Telecnverter
Sigma 1.4X Teleconverter
Kenko extension tubes
50mm f/1.8
17-40mm f/4L
28-70mm f/2.8L
100-400mmLIS
70-200mm f/2.8L IS
500mm f/4.5 EX HSM @ 6.8 pounds

Stuff:
TWO X-drives and associated power cords.
Cable release
QR plates
ONE tripod ring that fits both 100-400 & 70-200mm
77mm 500D close up lens
TWO 77mm ploarizers

It too me three days of swapping dividers and re evaluting which lenses would stay home before I finally settled on the above and got it all to fit.

I can't even imagine what this pack weighed.. but sufffice it to say that upon strapping it on in an oversized chair.. I had difficulty standing up!

[Belmondo]

Better leave room in there for a hernia belt, son. You're going to need it. :lol:

[Scottes]

Well I ended up saying to heck with it all, and put the 20D and big glass into the OmniTrekker and my vest (with stuffed pockets) into a little overnight bag. This meant that everything else fit into the new bag pretty easily, since it's only 1/2 full.

Yep, evil. 3 bags for 2 cameras, 3 big lenses, 5 small lenses and the amazing amount of small stuff to support it all. Plus the monopod and tripod of course.

I hate camera bags. I need a smaller hobby.

[Jon]

You looked at the Domke F7AF (http://www.saundersphoto.com/html/body_f7.htm) - designed to handle two high-end SLR/DSLR systems? Granted, multiple long teles are a problem for any system.

[Scottes]

You looked at the Domke F7AF (http://www.saundersphoto.com/html/body_f7.htm) - designed to handle two high-end SLR/DSLR systems? Granted, multiple long teles are a problem for any system.

My old bag, the OmniTrekker Pro, is already 10% bigger that the F7. The new bag is about the same size. So I'd need something about 2.5 times the size of the F7 - and that doesn't allow for growth.

I'm calling American Tourister...

[Jon]

See if Hertz offers Hummers. Get the pick-up model and secure the tripod in the back . . .

[CyberDyneSystems]

Where's "Gitzo" the donkey when you need him?

[Perfect_10]

Well I ended up saying to heck with it all, and put the 20D and big glass into the OmniTrekker and my vest (with stuffed pockets) into a little overnight bag. This meant that everything else fit into the new bag pretty easily, since it's only 1/2 full.

Yep, evil. 3 bags for 2 cameras, 3 big lenses, 5 small lenses and the amazing amount of small stuff to support it all. Plus the monopod and tripod of course.

I hate camera bags. I need a smaller hobby.

.. me thinks you have way too much stuff :lol: :lol:

[Scottes]

.. me thinks you have way too much stuff :lol: :lol:

...me think you crazy.

"Too much" glass? No such thing. I still need a 24-70, 180mm macro, 500 f/4, and the 85mm f/1.8. THEN I'll have "enough".

And, and a couple more flashes, and there's a few doo-dads that I'd like, and a carbon-fiber tripod....

[Panza]

[quote="Scottes"]...I've got tons of wonderful padded dividers with velcro flaps. But once half are in place I was done because all the good sticky places where taken. The large dividers are too big, and the small ones are too small....quote]

I fully agree. I can't get my Lowepro Nature trekker II organised the way I want. The small places always gets too large and the large ones too small. I wonder how it will be when I get my 70-200 2.8 IS ?? .. :roll:
Anyone have any ideas how to start out to get things the way you like ?

[Perfect_10]

.. me thinks you have way too much stuff :lol: :lol:

...me think you crazy.

"Too much" glass? No such thing. I still need a 24-70, 180mm macro, 500 f/4, and the 85mm f/1.8. THEN I'll have "enough".

And, and a couple more flashes, and there's a few doo-dads that I'd like, and a carbon-fiber tripod....

.. maybe I should have said you carry way too much stuff around with you .. you can never own too much stuff :wink: :)

[Jon]

I fully agree. I can't get my Lowepro Nature trekker II organised the way I want. The small places always gets too large and the large ones too small. I wonder how it will be when I get my 70-200 2.8 IS ?? ..:roll:
Anyone have any ideas how to start out to get things the way you like ?
What I did with my Pelican cases. Scrapped the blue foam, bought a sheet of Ensolite and a bottle of contact cement, and glued the dividers where and how I wanted them. Kept the top, egg-crate layer and the bottom layers, but cut a couple of holes in the upper bottom layer for lens ends. With Ensolite around the outside as well, the whole thing just lifts out.

[chris.bailey]

This took an age to get right and a whole bunch of "darn it" but -

http://www.pbase.com/chris_bailey/image/34460020.jpg

LowePro Commercial AW (10D, MkII, 17-40, 28-70,50,85,1.4x,550EX,70-200 and 100-400 cards, batteries etc). Weighs an absolute tonne :?

[Scottes]

This took an age to get right and a whole bunch of "darn it" but -


LowePro Commercial AW (10D, MkII, 17-40, 28-70,50,85,1.4x,550EX,70-200 and 100-400 cards, batteries etc). Weighs an absolute tonne :?


Since you have almost exactly the same lens and equipment then I'm happy to say that I am stealing this photo.

Have you got all the "stuff" in their too? CPLs, spare batteries, RC cord, etc, etc, etc?

[ssim]

Where's "Gitzo" the donkey when you need him?

I believe he's about 6 blocks west of me. Don't worry Scott he said he carry your gear too. :D :D :D

[booggerg]

Why is everyone getting biggass shoulder bags? I would think you'd want backpacks for heavy equipments

[Scottes]

Why is everyone getting biggass shoulder bags? I would think you'd want backpacks for heavy equipments

For storage and transport, not necessarily for carrying about. If I had to lug 30 pounds around I'd get a backpack. But I need to lug 60 pounds to the car and into the motel. I carry only about 15 pounds around.

[chris.bailey]

This took an age to get right and a whole bunch of "darn it" but -


LowePro Commercial AW (10D, MkII, 17-40, 28-70,50,85,1.4x,550EX,70-200 and 100-400 cards, batteries etc). Weighs an absolute tonne :?


Since you have almost exactly the same lens and equipment then I'm happy to say that I am stealing this photo.

Have you got all the "stuff" in their too? CPLs, spare batteries, RC cord, etc, etc, etc?

Yes it all does go in, at a push even the two battery chargers! I would never plan to use this bag to carry far (Toploader or AW Trekker for that) but it is nice to have a bag that it all fits in to.

[chris.bailey]

Why is everyone getting biggass shoulder bags? I would think you'd want backpacks for heavy equipments

Its a good question and to a degree it is a matter of personal choice and what you need. I wanted a bag, as Scottes says, for transporting all my stuff around house-car-shoot-hotel-car-house etc etc. In many cases I can park my car within a couple of hundred yards of my target (buildings in most cases) so the biggass bag sits in my the boot of my car and I can get what I want out of the top. I have two laptop leashes to tie it down to make it a little harder for the casual thief. With a rucksack you have to lay it flat, unzip it etc etc. It is just far, far less convenient. I often resort to parking in places that maybe I shouldn't so speed is often of the essence. If I do have to walk a way I would tend to use a toploader (I have one that takes the MkII with 70-200 or 100-400 and the 1.4x) and if I need a second lens would stuff it in a lens bag. Until I got the Commercial AW I had two smaller bags and every time I went off for a shoot I would have to either take both or make up front decisions about what I might need.

[aam1234]

Does anybody know if Billingham make a bag the size of LowePro Commercial AW. I looked in their site but couldn't find one .

I like Billingham look.

Thanks

[chris.bailey]

The Billingham 555 comes close but to me the inside is not as flexible, wasting a lot of space. One less lens or body and it would have been a contender.

[aam1234]

woow it's $430, and doesn't even have a shoulder strap. You can get the 100 macro for that price.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I've got a backpack.. and I have to say it is essentially useless for anything other than transport.

They are simply inaccessible!

No.. a shoulder bag is far more convinient in EVERY way... they are just harder to carry on a long haul. (yet easier to pick and move on a short haul) They each serve a different purpose IMHO

[Jon]

Concur entirely. Anyone who's ever tried working, and moving, from a backpack will have either spent half his time putting it on and off to get at a different lens, hung multiple bodies around his neck to avoid same, or foregone shots because getting the right lens wasn't practical. I usually work from my Domke F1. When I'm hiking, I use the combo Domke Quest series: Spider 10 backpack, Roo waistpack and Giraffe chest holster. Body and shortish lens fit in the Giraffe's holster, Roo holds 3 mid-size lenses, a couple of water bottles, and batteries/CF cards. They're designed to clip together, or can be used separately (in any combination). Alas, Domke's discontinued the line. Trouble is, the added 12" make it kind of hard getting through some narrow spots in the rocks.

[neil_r]

I agree with the growing consensus, Backpack to get there Billingham to work.

N

[MarkH]

.. me thinks you have way too much stuff :lol: :lol:

...me think you crazy.

"Too much" glass? No such thing. I still need a 24-70, 180mm macro, 500 f/4, and the 85mm f/1.8. THEN I'll have "enough".

And, and a couple more flashes, and there's a few doo-dads that I'd like, and a carbon-fiber tripod....

Don't be foolish, you will never have "enough"! :wink:

Have you thought about a Sigma 120-300 f2.8? What about a Canon 400 f2.8? Canon 300 f2.8?

You never have too much fast glass!

[MarkH]

I have a choice of Mini Trekker AW or Photo Trekker AW to carry my gear, but I leave the backpack in the car and use my Domke Photo Vest and Lowepro Belt + Sliplock Lens Cases to walk around with my gear.

I agree with the comment on backpacks being useless for accessing the gear, a vest is useful for quickly grabbing a different lens or spare battery, whereas a backpack is not!

I wont use a shoulder bag though, they just give me a sore shoulder!

[BigRed450]

I have the Tamrac Cyberpack 9 and it works well for me.

http://www.tamrac.com/5259.htm