slick camera bags

[reemas]

hey there. i'm looking for a camera bag for my rebel xt. (ive got the 50mm prime lens and might eventually add a longer lens.)

i hope i'm not asking for a lot. i'm looking for a neat looking camera bag. not the standard photographer bags from tamrac.

i'm a young college student and would prefer a nice looking backpack (for my camera and lenses) or an over the shoulder bag (don't know if they have these for cameras.)

any suggestions would be much appreciated.

thanks.

[markubig]

hey there. i'm looking for a camera bag for my rebel xt. (ive got the 50mm prime lens and might eventually add a longer lens.)

i hope i'm not asking for a lot. i'm looking for a neat looking camera bag. not the standard photographer bags from tamrac.

i'm a young college student and would prefer a nice looking backpack (for my camera and lenses) or an over the shoulder bag (don't know if they have these for cameras.)

any suggestions would be much appreciated.

thanks.

Take a look at Crumpler bags.

http://www.crumplerbags.com/home.php

I've seen them in my local photo stores. They come in cool, funky colors and from what I've heard, they offer good protection for your equipment.

[reemas]

cool thanks! nice looking bags

[Titus213]

Or you could go here: http://www.lowepro.com/

Colors they don't have a lot of but I have a minitrekker classic and love it. It gets the job done in fine style.

[mdm]

Didn't lowepro have a lifetime war. on their bag ?

[Titus213]

Based on their web site it would appear so. I've had mine for at least 5 years with no visible signs of wear.

[johneric8]

I have a lowepro as well that I've used for over 5 years with no sign of wear. It's been through lots of punishment...

[Citizensmith]

LowePro have the experience and Crumpler have the style. I own bags from both companies and all are very good bags.

[rbuttrum]

I wouldn't hestitate to recommend the LowePro. I have three of them and I expect they will oulast me.
Ralph

Also they are very well thought out - especially the one for my laptop

[gquiring]

What LowePro would you guys recommend for a Rebel XT with a 70-210 lens and the stock lens. I was looking at the Nova 2,3 or 4. Or would the Rezo series be better? I cannot find them locally to look at.

[Titus213]

I don't know those particular bags. I'm partial to the backpack units since I enjoy hiking. The Mini-Trekker holds a bunch. I just had to clear the office of camera gear so I put my Digital Rebel w/kit lens, Rebel G w/35-105, T70 w/35-105, FD 100-300, and all the extra gear like extra batteries, charger for the Digital Rebel, etc into it. It's tight, but it all fits and seems to be protected. I wouldn't want to put it on my back like that for very long though because of the weight. On me, not the bag.

[CaseyScofield]

I think the market standard is LowePro, they really have great stuff!

I just bought one from Mountainsmith this last week though and I am very happy with it! http://www.mountainsmith.com/store/?page=shop/browse&category_id=1e0b7794617ff4db423e8bc58a73f4ef

[Hersh]

Casey,

Which Mountainsmith bag did you buy? They've piqued my interest but I don't see any pics of what they look inside.

[HJMinard]

Tamrac (http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm) and Lowepro (http://www.lowepro.com/Products/) are nearly carbon copies in style and quality ... both make excellent bags. Crumpler offers a different style ... some folks speak highly of Domke. The "market standard" - with regard to quality - is probably Billingham (http://www.billingham.co.uk/home.asp), but they're quite expensive.

[Steve Parr]

I use one of these:

http://taylorguitars.com/taylorware/photos/gear-bag_dt.jpg

It's designed as a "gear bag" for guitarists, to carry things like microphones, cables, strings, tool kits, etc. I've found that it works extremely well as a camera bag.

Right now, I've got my 300D, four lenses, some filters, a collection of little gadgets, and I've still got room for a few more lenses and a flash unit.

It has both a shoulder strap and backpack style straps (not visible in the pictures).

They sell for $70.00, and they're incredibly well made. You can find them at www.taylorguitars.com (http://www.taylorguitars.com). Click on the "Taylorware" tab...

Steve

[hedphonz]

i would definately say that you should go for a lowepro just cause i have had one for a little while and the bag is just amazing. it has great storage for a laptop and my tripod as well as my monopod. make sure you get a back that allows you to carry the tripod and monopod. i would also say get the lowepro just cause they make incredibly easy to adjust on the inside and allows you to put a lot of different things in the bag.

[CaseyScofield]

Casey,

Which Mountainsmith bag did you buy? They've piqued my interest but I don't see any pics of what they look inside.

Hey Hersh,

I got the "Paragon" Daypack. Attached are some photo's (pls forgive their quality...I used my wife's Casio P&S). I've got a couple of packs from Mountainsmith, and I love them both. Most outdoor stores carry their stuff if you ever want to see it in person.

[Stooge_UK]

I have both Lowepro and a Crumpler bag. The thing I like about the crumpler is that it looks a little les liek a camera bag than the Lowepro.
I find this handy when travelling (anything which disguises expensive gear can not be bad...)

[Jon]

I've been using Domke (shoulder bags) bags for something over 20 years (and the first one is still going strong), and they're outstanding. For a little gear, I'd suggest the F-3X or the F-6.

[Alexia]

What LowePro would you guys recommend for a Rebel XT with a 70-210 lens and the stock lens. I was looking at the Nova 2,3 or 4. Or would the Rezo series be better? I cannot find them locally to look at.

The Lowepro Nova 2 holds all my equipment in my signature. Just can't fit the body with the 70-200mm attached and still close it, so I take it off and put it the side compartment.

[KenE]

Hersh,

I've been having a hard time checking the Mountainsmith's out in person. Seems to be too much of a specialized cross-over for 1) camera stores or 2) outdoor gear stores to carry. They either have day packs, or Mountainsmith vidcam-type bag, nothing for SLRs/lenses. I found this off Mountainsmith's online dealer links- http://store.yahoo.com/fulfillmentadventures/moba.html

The have sketches showing the inside.

I like the Alpenglow's size but it looks like it's made for a small SLR or P+S.I'd like to see a padded Alpenglow model, but if I do it will probably be the bigger Lumen.

[james12345]

I just ordered a Mountainsmith Lumen backpack and am expecting it to arrive this Friday. Will post a review of it once I get a chance to lug my equipment in it. For your information, I purchased the bag from Ebags.com w/ free shipping and 10% off.

[neburns]

Crumpler bags are great, because they are stylish and discrete and they protect your equipment.
I have the Formal Lounge which is a backpack with a section just for your camera/lenses and the top has a laptop or notebook/book section (i take mine to class with me so I'm never without my camera) and then the rest can be filled with whatever (currently mine houses pens, cell phone, wallet, iPod...).
And they're incredibly well built and have a lifetime warranty, if I'm not mistaken.
(I've only had mine a coupla weeks so I can't say for sure, but it feels like I could put this bag through a lot and it would stand up to the challenge.)

[gquiring]

I went with the LowePro Nova 4. Not being able to find one locally made it a hard decision to size up what I needed. It arrived today from B&H and I think I could have gone with the Nova 3. I am impressed with the quality of the bag. Lots of handy storage areas and Velcro attached walls.

[reemas]

i ended up with the crumpler "next venue" bag. a little bigger than the "15 love" bag. i could have gotten either. its a little wide but it looks great. good build, tons of space and pockets. overall excellent. oh and pricey too.