Camera bags

[karusel]

I've got a Lowepro mini trekker and what I can fit in it is practically all my current equipment. 100-400L with the hood ON, attached to the 10D with grip, 50mm 1.8, Tamron 17-35, Tamron 28-75, the flash I can put in the front compartment.

Now, this backpack is great when I go hiking or just wandering around, because it's reasonably padded, it also has thah raincoat thingie (which I luckily haven't yet had to use), and since it rests on my back it can't swing and throw me off balance.

However, I find it a REAL pain when switching lenses I have to put the backpack down on the ground, open it, switch the lenses, close it, put it back on shoulders, you know the drill... I tried to be illustrative here as to why I would prefer a shoulder bag now... ;)

So, my question is this: are you using a shoulderbag, what kind and if there is one reasonably compact one that would fit all my equipment in it? You can substitute the Tamrons with Canon's equivalents and the 100-400 with a 70-200 IS...

[Mike H]

I understand what you're saying here, but I think you'll find that once you get a shoulder bag it may not work much differently from the way you use your backpack now.

Having the shoulder bag may encourage you to change lenses slightly more often, but in reality what you will end up doing most of the time is putting it down to open it. Try switching lenses, etc., with a shoulder bag on your shoulder. One hand holds your camera, the other holds the bag's lid open, and ... which hand takes the lens off?

Most of the time it's easier to just put the bag down. The end result is that you'll use it the same way as your backpack, except that when you are just walking around the weight will all be on one side, giving you a little back pain from the imbalance, bumping things as you pass, etc.. If your setup is heavy, you'll be back to your backpack pretty quickly.

I have 5 shoulder bags; none of them has left my closet since I bought a backpack. I hope this helps!

Mike H

[René Damkot]

Try switching lenses, etc., with a shoulder bag on your shoulder. One hand holds your camera, the other holds the bag's lid open, and ... which hand takes the lens off?
I don't agree here.... I have a Billingham 335, and always have it hanging on one shoulder. With the zipper open, you can open and close the 'rain flap' with one hand. The same hand is than used to switch lenses. BTW no hand is actually holding the camera, since it's hangin' from the same shoulder ;)
Billingham used to produce a backpack as well, which, I think, offered a 'side entrance' to allow access to lenses and stuff while on your back... Might be the best option, because a backpack carries much easier...

[Moments]

I have a shoulder bag (it holds backs, batteries, filters), and a Pelican case for my Hasselblads and a lightware (Suitecase Style) case for my digital system.

20 years ago I started in the commercial photo studio side of things and we all had Haliburton metal cases due to thier strong almost undistructable design. It was almost a status thing too. Who had the biggest with the most airline stickers usually won. I decided to stay with a heavy duty suitestyle case with the digital system I purchased . I think the Lightware case is incredibly strong and safe while being lightweight. My case holds a 20D/grip, 16-35, 28-75, 70 -200, 550ex, turbo battery, stroboframe quickflip, I also have configured it with a few spaces to hold shades , battery/charger,and accessorys.It also space to fit a 1Ds II.

I think that if you are looking for a case to hold your equipment is someting different than a case to protect your equipment. I will also say this, 6 years ago when my Hasselblads were 6 months old. I was in a car accident. While going through an intersection, a minivan went throght it and T- boned my Volvo. I was sent accross the street in the air. I had most of my Hasselblads with me in the Pelican case. Two bodies, 3 lens and 3 backs. Once I got out of the car and got into the trunk to retrive my equipment, I found that one lens and one body were broken due to the impact. When all my equipment was sent out to be repaired and inspected by Gil Ghitelman, he said that the body had the shutter box bent (unrepairable) and the lens had its shutter assembly cracked (fixed). Gil said "if this equipment was not in a pelican case, you most likley would have lost more equipment". I hate to think of that happening with all my equipment in a soft bag.

I have found that no matter if I have my Hasselblad shoulder bag with me or my Digital Suitecase, I place them on the ground (The Digital has to be) when changing a lens or getting some thing out from it. I have always been a person who like to play it safe and is always concerned about dropping somthing. Even the bag it self can slip off your shoulder and if its open, your equipment might slip out.

Pete
http://www.memorablemoments.net

[jyrgen]

I'm on a similar quest. Tamrac Velocity 9 is probably the answer. I don't know it yet for sure, but going to find out soon. Comparably nice shoulder bag seems to be Tamrac 5605 (Pro 5). I'm going to try out this too. I'm afraid Mike H is right though, shoulder bag and big lens (or a lot of lenses) don't go together well for longer walks/hikes.

[D Boone]

I have a lowepro nova, and I want a pack. At least with that design, you don't have to always put the bag down, but if you don't you feel like you will drop something with all the fumbling around. I think I am getting one of the waterproof packs from lowepro next. Still, I don't think anything will be perfect.

[pcasciola]

I don't agree here.... I have a Billingham 335, and always have it hanging on one shoulder. With the zipper open, you can open and close the 'rain flap' with one hand.Wow René, those Billinghams look really nice!!

Looks like their Presstop line might be just the ticket for karusel. They have carbon fibre rods in the top to hold it open when you need access to the bag, which would free up both hands:

http://www.billingham.co.uk/products.asp?catid=414

[CoolToolGuy]

I'm a shoulder bag kinda guy. The main reason I don't like a backpack is because you pretty much have to put it down to get things out of it and use them. To the comment that you have to do the same with a shoulder bag I would say that sometimes that makes it easier, but you can develop techniques to change lenses and retrieve things 'on the run'. I have been doing that for 30 years, and sometimes putting it down is very impractical - try standing in a crowd on a turn at a sports car race or a bike race and putting down your equipment bag and spreading stuff out on the ground. Or, being in the middle of that when a significant change in the action dictates that you move out right now.

That said, the tradeoff is weight distribution. The backpack may be easier to carry over a long period, and it is better suited for trekkers, rock climbers and such.

As with many other questions that show up here, the answer really is 'It depends'.

Have Fun,

[GPR1]

If you like your backpack otherwise, why not keep it and get a shooting vest. You could hold a couple highly-used lenses and other accessories in the pockets, and significantly reduce the number of times you need to access the backpack.

Greg

[Citizensmith]

I have both a backpack and a bag. I'll stick with the backpack for hiking (also a LowePro Minitrekker) as the weight distribution is worth the slower access time. For everyday use I have a shoulder bag, a small Crumpler in my case, which will fit a body and two lenses. I don't really want to carry everything for normal use, too much weight. The crumpler lets me carry a 17-40 and 85, both with hoods on, and helps greatly for swaping lenses. I just pull off the lens, drop it in the bag, get the other lens attached and then put the rear cap on the lens in the bag. Simple and fast.

Sometimes I even remember to turn the camera off first. :)

[Jon]

I have a collection of Domkes and the only time I'll take them off my shoulder during a lens change is if I want to take a rest. The soft canvas top flap folds/rolls nicely out of the way and I've got access to almost everything in the bag without any problems, and while I keep moving around the subject or venue. I have (now two) camera backpacks, and they require me to stop for a lens change. I only use them when doing serious hiking/bouldering. Anywhere else, it's a Domke, usually the F1X, or, if I'm travelling, the F805 or the F7AF (deeper, so hold a laptop as well).

[karusel]

Excellent! Great replies... I'll try to find those Billinghams and Crumplers in shops; so far I've only seen Lowepro and Tamrac bags.

[dialdn]

I have the LL Bean shoulder camera bag and works well to hold my 10D w/grip (70-200 mounted), 28-75 tamron, 50 1.8, 420 ex flash and room for the 100-400 when it arrives. Also, loads more pockets and backpack straps but never used them.

I am quite pleased with this as a shoulder bag. I use the toploader 75AW when going light.

D

[cactusclay]

Too much stuff, keep it simple.

[Jon]

Too much stuff, keep it simple.

Fine - then keep your photo interests simple, too.

[ohenry]

I have a backpack, a shoulder bag, a vest, and now considering a belt system. Maybe I just need a camera body for each of the lenses I use :mrgreen:

[Jon]

Maybe I just need a camera body for each of the lenses I use :mrgreen:

Sounds like a plan . . . But don't forget that you also need a back-up body as well. Seriously, having a body for each lens you commonly use isn't at all a bad idea.