Will I ever find a bag that I like?

[Jacque1263]

I am clueless when it comes to bags and just cannot find one that I am happy with. I want to be able to carry my Canon 300D, 70-200L, 100MM macro, 28-135MM and accessories. I was looking at the Tamrac 5248, but I am not sure if is truely what I want and I am thinking that a daypack or backpack type of case is what I want unless someone knows of a different type of bag that is easy and comfortable to carry. All suggestions are appreciated!!
Jacque

[Scottes]

The newest bag is always the one you'll like. How long you like it is another thing entirely. :-)

I think the seventh bag one buys is generally the last one. For a while.

Suggestions? Go to a store and check out as many as you can. Pick the best if there is a best. If not, look some more. Picking lenses is easy. Picking bags is never, ever easy. :-(

[rfreschner]

Will I ever find a bag that I like?

You might find one you like, but it's highly unlikely you find one that does it all for you - there seems to be always one more thing you'd like it to do! And, then you'd like to have different bags for different occasions. If you can find a store with a large selection, go there and try a bunch of them. Or just do what I do - buy one, figure out the things that you don't like about it, buy another. Keep repeating until you get to your ideal bag. :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

Scottes going to kick me in the ass the next time he sees me for saying this...

But I'm still on my first bag! http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2hdzu/pics/neener.gif

My technique was to haul all I had into a camera store,. and park my but on the floor in the bag aisle and start stuffing... once I had it all in one bag with room to spare,.. I was sold.

[MDJAK]

Hey, Cyber, that's a great idea, and living in New York as I do, you'd think B&H would be the perfect place to do that. Well, it ain't and that irritates me.

Ya see, while they have tons of bags on display by many manufacturers, they are all on a pull cord attached to the shelves, making it almost impossible to stuff them and then put them on. :cry:
Obviously, it's done for security reasons, as there are people, including me, walking around with camera bags all over the place. But it's still quite disappointing. For instance, the Tamrac Velocity9 which I got there recently, while a well made bag, and holds my 1dsmkII with 70-200 f2.8IS with 1.4 converter attached (with the hood mounted backwards that is), along with a lens or two on one side and my flash on the other, the strap turned out to be too short, and the adjustment buckle on it rubs on my back and is not comfortable.

Still searching.

[HJMinard]

Will I ever find a bag that I like?

Two key components: spend more than you can afford and get a bag bigger than you think you need. It's a theory, anyway ... I'm still searching.

[MDJAK]

Getting a bag bigger than one needs is fine if you're not going to carry it around a lot. Heavy bags are just that: heavy.

I want a bag that I can wear on my waist with a good waist strap, one that I can quickly access the camera, and one that holds the 1dsmkII with 70-200f2.8 attached.

[Scottes]

Scottes going to kick me in the ass the next time he sees me for saying this...

But I'm still on my first bag! http://members.bellatlantic.net/%7Evze2hdzu/pics/neener.gif
I won't kick you in the ass for that - I'll just make you carry that monster into the field! You'll be looking for a new bag after a few hours. :-)

Now that emoticon... For THAT I'll kick you in the ass.
:-)

[IanD]

There is no such thing as the perfect bag. I have a closet full of them and am still looking for the perfect "Take a short hike with a couple of long primes an a zoom, flash, bracket,spare battery and other assorted stuff" bag.
I have a large LowePro that hold everything I own and use it for taking the entire kit when I am away for a week or so. Unfortunately, I have yet to take it cause I cannot lift it. :):):)
Camera bags are a sickness, but a lot cheaper sickness than the dreaded "L" disease.http://www.pbase.com/giant001/image/41515896.jpg

[condyk]

My technique was to haul all I had into a camera store,. and park my but on the floor in the bag aisle and start stuffing... once I had it all in one bag with room to spare,.. I was sold.

So how did you get it all there in the first place ... wheelbarrow, bin liner, Camel train :lol:

Anyway, I went for a Lowpro computertrekker in the end. I really wanted a simple carry around bag first and LOVED the Crumpler Cucumbarumba, but as I always use the battery grip with my 300D it was JUST too big to use comfortably. The Lowepro is good because there is lots of room (more than I need right now), the laptop goes in too (which I always travel with), and it looks like a decent normal rucksack rather than a camera bag. Highly recommended all round bag.

[thomasrhee]

I don't think there's a bag out there that makes anyone 100% happy. I know I'm always in search of the "perfect" bag. Having said that, I really like Domke bags because they're fast to work out of and hold quite a bit. My F-2 probably sees the most useage.

Crumpler bags are really well built and protects your gear better than any other bag made of fabric due to it's thick padding. They look great too and very stealth (looks like a regular messenger bag) which is a good deterrant against thieves. I'm trying to decide between a few of the Crumpler bags right now for a smaller solution to my F-2 that I can carry around on a daily basis.

tyr

[Citizensmith]

Scottes going to kick me in the ass the next time he sees me for saying this...

But I'm still on my first bag! http://members.bellatlantic.net/%7Evze2hdzu/pics/neener.gif



One bag? As in less than two? Wierd. You should take your one bag strangeness out the Accessories and Storage forum. Stick to lenses or sommat. Us bag addicts don't take kindly to you one bag folks. You one bag folks have a way of ending up getting hurt round these parts. And keep your eyes off my sister.

OK, I'm off to the Crumpler web site.

[MDJAK]

LOL


I just paid my very first visit to the crumplerbag website. Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a Gas. When something is out of stock, they give you the finger. Too funny.

I've seen their bags at B&H but never checked them out too closely. Think I'll have to give them another look.

[Citizensmith]

I've seen their bags at B&H but never checked them out too closely. Think I'll have to give them another look.

They make a really top quality product. Everything is over sized and over padded. Plenty of protection, decent look, and not obviously a camera bag. I got one a while back and was pleasently suprised by how well made it was. My wife even uses one as a purse and loves it to.

[Jon]

I highly recommend Domkes. Well-designed for working out of, easy to re-compartmentalize, the canvas isn't too obvious, and there are ample sizs to choose from. My primary bag is the F1-X (Little Bigger Domke); for a little less stuff, I fall back to one of my F2 (Original) bags. Business travel, I go to the F805 Courier Satchel or the F7AF Double AF, which are deeper, so easily take a laptop, single camera and a couple of lenses.