Questions, questions

[primetime34]

I have a couple of questions...I've read through the stickies but would like some advice...

My wife and I want a camera bag that is backpack. We currently have an XSI, 70-200mm lens, 50mm lens, stock lens, and will probably add 1-2 more. We would like to put our point and click and camcorder (small digital one) in the bag as well. We would like a tripod holder. Color isn't terribly important. Which bag(s) would fit our need and be around $100?

2nd question:
A tripod, monopod, and head. We need a tripod for the xsi, a monopod for the xsi, and a head for it that will work with the tripod and monopod. Manfrotto seems to be the one that people are always suggesting to me. Is that the way to go and which one should we get? Is wanting to spend $200 for those three realistic? Thanks.

[DavidTK]

The Canon backpack is only $40, is well organized, and will hold all of your equipment. It doesn't hold a tripod very well, although the side straps can be used or you can lash it to the back. I have one and the main drawback for me is that it's not very comfortable on a long hike, but it's great for just carrying stuff around.

You can get a monopod for around $40 and a head for around $35. That's what I paid. I'll have to let someone else chime in on a tripod that will cost less than the $125 you have left in your budget.

[primetime34]

Which monopod? Which head? Thanks for the advice on the bag...wonder if anybody else will chirp in with other ideas.

[DavidTK]

The monopod I have is the Bogen Manfrotto 679B; the head is a Bogen-Manfrotto 3229. However, I don't recommend that head for a tripod because it only moves up and down, and not side to side. It does have a quick release plate though.

There's a sticky on this page about tripods, and it's been discussed a lot here so I would try a search also. However, tripods and heads aren't cheap, at least for quality. Just my tripod head was over $250.

[snails]

This is a great opportunity for me to shamelessly plug my new sticky for camera bag reviews (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=585253).

I think my Lowepro Compurover AW would hold all that and a little more, but it might be larger than what you are thinking about. It's also a little over your price.

Lowepro's website has a bag-finder utility, and a lot of pictures to help you find what you are looking for.