Camera bag - cheap?

[TSEE]

Ok I tried searching the forum but apparently "bag" is too common of a word so it wasn't included and with camera I get all sorts of posts, so a quick question for ya'll.
I got a camera bag when I bought my 20D but its so teeny tiny the camera does not even fit in the bag with the lens on, nor all the accessories. I resorted to the Minolta bag I got with my 25mm but not even that bag is big enough to hold all my stuff. I've looked around at Walmart, Target, Kmart for bags but those are about the same size bag I got with the 20D. I've looked online but I must be searching wrong cuz all I get is almost a suitcase type camera bag and I don't want that, I'd prefer a heavier carry bag with a shoulder strap. Anyone got any ideas of where I can look?
It got tiring keeping track of 2 camera bags and a tripod case during my the wedding this past weekend. I need an upgrade in bag badly but don't want to spend 100's of dollars on it either. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Jon]

Domke (http://www.tiffen.com/domkecat01.htm) which I swear by, Lowepro (http://www.lowepro.com/) or Tamrac (http://www.tamrac.com/) have extensive lines. Most good photo shops will stock one or more of the three.

[Vetteography]

I don't know much about camera bags but I bought a LowePro Nova 3 about 10 years ago, (because it was the right size not becuase I knew anything about them) and other than being a little dirty on the outside, it is still as waterproof and functional today as it was the day I bought it.

[TSEE]

Thanks. I might have to make a trip in to Ritz Camera or the other camera shop which I can't remember the name of (locally owned, not a branch of a national chain). I checked those out, thanks but those seem a bit small. The Minolta bag I'm using now is 12x7x7 and it doesn't fit everything, those I've found in shoulder versions (on the websites) are like an inch or two bigger...am I too picky or do I carry to much stuff?

[Steve Parr]

Here's the bag I use:

http://www.taylorguitars.com./taylorware/photos/gear-bag_dt.jpg
It's designed for guitarists to carry cords, microphones, strings, tools, etc. Right now, I'm carrying my 300D and four lenses with some room to spare. It's $70.00, and it's very, very well made. It has a handle, a shoulder strap, and backpack style straps...

Steve

[thomasrhee]

Try the B&H Photo site. You can browse thru their online catalog and look at the pics, specs, descriptions and prices.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=FetchChildren&Q=&ci=167

[TSEE]

Thanks guys, I'll check those out.

[Skip Souza]

My wife and I each use a Canon shoulder bag. I believe it a model 100 DG. We bought them at (gasp) Best Buy for about $60. You can see that it holds everything I now have with room to spare for my 100-400mm L and 10-22mm (Christmas is coming). It also has a tripod loop, or in my case a monopod loop.

[robertwgross]

Early on, I got a Lowepro Nature Trekker AW, which is a full-size backpack bag. After a while, I discovered that I didn't like having all of my gear completely behind my back. Further, it has so much capacity that it will be very heavy to carry if fully loaded.

Then I moved toward a standard shoulder bag, some Lowepro thing. I prefer the shoulder strap approach to things, but I found the size to be too small and inflexible.

(Now, don't laugh.)
What I have found most practical is a simple cotton canvas shopping bag. This one has long shoulder straps, so I can carry it properly. It has a pretty good capacity, somewhere between the two Lowepro items mentioned above. It is very flexible in that I can fill it up to the top and zip it closed, or I can drag it around in the trunk of my car. Pretty cheap, I guess. The other advantage is that it does not look like a camera case, so that is a poor-man's theft prevention system.

---Bob Gross---

[Dante King]

LOL, sorry Bob, could not hold it back. I know what you mean. I got a lowpro mini trekker as I did not want a huge backpack. Well, now it has grown to be pretty darn heavy. I still like to take all my lenses with me on an outing but its getting heavy. I also dont really care for having the gear strapped to my back as I have to take off the pack to get at my stuff, but toting around my small kids, its nice to have hands free and gear securely on back. What I am really looking for is a stroller holster to hold my 20D and attached lens. I would buy one in a NY second.

[dhbailey]

I have one of those Canon bags, bought for $59.95 at Best Buy, but I have outgrown it and now am using the LowePro CompuTrekker as my carry-everything bag, and a Tamrac top-loader which is large enough to hold my 20D with 75-300IS lens or the Tamron 28-75 lens with either my 50mm or 18-55 lens at the bottom. I bought a medium lens bag to strap on the side, so I can carry three lenses with me when I choose.

I am willing to sell the Canon shoulder bag for $30 plus $8 to pack it and ship it via UPS to anywhere in the continental U.S. Shipping might be possible to Canada for about the same amount.

Send me a P.M. if anybody is interested.

[TSEE]

My wife and I each use a Canon shoulder bag. I believe it a model 100 DG. We bought them at (gasp) Best Buy for about $60. You can see that it holds everything I now have with room to spare for my 100-400mm L and 10-22mm (Christmas is coming). It also has a tripod loop, or in my case a monopod loop.

That's a nice deal, I might have to check BB out, we've got one about 20 mins from us. That seems like its big enough. Thanks for the tip.

[TSEE]

Early on, I got a Lowepro Nature Trekker AW, which is a full-size backpack bag. After a while, I discovered that I didn't like having all of my gear completely behind my back. Further, it has so much capacity that it will be very heavy to carry if fully loaded.

Then I moved toward a standard shoulder bag, some Lowepro thing. I prefer the shoulder strap approach to things, but I found the size to be too small and inflexible.

(Now, don't laugh.)
What I have found most practical is a simple cotton canvas shopping bag. This one has long shoulder straps, so I can carry it properly. It has a pretty good capacity, somewhere between the two Lowepro items mentioned above. It is very flexible in that I can fill it up to the top and zip it closed, or I can drag it around in the trunk of my car. Pretty cheap, I guess. The other advantage is that it does not look like a camera case, so that is a poor-man's theft prevention system.

---Bob Gross---

LOL that's an interesting approach.

[TSEE]

I have one of those Canon bags, bought for $59.95 at Best Buy, but I have outgrown it and now am using the LowePro CompuTrekker as my carry-everything bag, and a Tamrac top-loader which is large enough to hold my 20D with 75-300IS lens or the Tamron 28-75 lens with either my 50mm or 18-55 lens at the bottom. I bought a medium lens bag to strap on the side, so I can carry three lenses with me when I choose.

I am willing to sell the Canon shoulder bag for $30 plus $8 to pack it and ship it via UPS to anywhere in the continental U.S. Shipping might be possible to Canada for about the same amount.

Send me a P.M. if anybody is interested.

I'll talk it over with hubby first. But that sounds like a good deal. I'm sure its in good condition right?

[nater]

Here's the bag I have: Lowepro LX 160 (linked) (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=LX-160&cpc=SCH)

http://www.geeks.com/images/300x300/car-lx-160-unit.jpg

It's on clearance for only $10 at geeks.com (plus $7 shipping). It holds a body and 2-3 lenses, plus space for batteries, cards, papers, etc. Kinda hard to tell from the pic, but it has a shoulder strap and is very comfortable. An excellent value IMO. (It sells for $47 at Helix Camera here in Chicago.)

[MarkoPolo]

Check out the Adorama "Slinger" for about $40. It's what I use when I travel really light.

[dhbailey]

I'll talk it over with hubby first. But that sounds like a good deal. I'm sure its in good condition right?

Yes, it's in practically new condition. I didn't even write my initials on it because even when I bought it, I realized it wasn't going to be big enough eventually. As soon as I bought my Tamron 28-75 lens I was right! :-(

One thing to consider -- when you have everything, including charger(s) and flash in it, it can be quite heavy (depending on how much equipment you've got, of course) and it isn't a very easy carry on the shoulder that way. But as a single container to keep everything in, it is a bag as long as it will hold all you've got.

I am much happier with my LowePro computrekker (don't have a laptop yet, but I will soon) which holds EVERYTHING (I still have room for another lens or two as the finances allow), and my Tamrac top-loader, which is what I really carry when I go out shooting. Of course I have to plan what I'll need, but usually I find myself in a limited range of shooting situations on a single outing, and leave the backpack at home or in the hotel or car.

I realize this sounds like I might be talking you out of taking me up on my offer, but I just wanted to share my thoughts so you buy whichever sort of bag you buy with your eyes open.

My advice is to think of one bag as a single, store-or-carry-everything bag, and another bag as a more practical, while-out-shooting-carrying-just-what-you-really-need, easier to carry and work with bag.

If you want my bag, it's in like-new shape, as I said.

[TSEE]

Yes, it's in practically new condition. I didn't even write my initials on it because even when I bought it, I realized it wasn't going to be big enough eventually. As soon as I bought my Tamron 28-75 lens I was right! :-(

One thing to consider -- when you have everything, including charger(s) and flash in it, it can be quite heavy (depending on how much equipment you've got, of course) and it isn't a very easy carry on the shoulder that way. But as a single container to keep everything in, it is a bag as long as it will hold all you've got.

I am much happier with my LowePro computrekker (don't have a laptop yet, but I will soon) which holds EVERYTHING (I still have room for another lens or two as the finances allow), and my Tamrac top-loader, which is what I really carry when I go out shooting. Of course I have to plan what I'll need, but usually I find myself in a limited range of shooting situations on a single outing, and leave the backpack at home or in the hotel or car.

I realize this sounds like I might be talking you out of taking me up on my offer, but I just wanted to share my thoughts so you buy whichever sort of bag you buy with your eyes open.

My advice is to think of one bag as a single, store-or-carry-everything bag, and another bag as a more practical, while-out-shooting-carrying-just-what-you-really-need, easier to carry and work with bag.

If you want my bag, it's in like-new shape, as I said.

So what are the dimensions on the bag you want to sell? Most of the suggestions I've gotten have proved to be smaller than the minolta I've carried so far, the minolta is I think if I remember my measurements correctly 14x8x8?
Is the canon bigger than that? Well I guess what I'm looking for is a bag that can carry it all so I don't have to keep track of several bags on bigger shoots like weddings or alike when I'd be most likely to carry around chargers and minor accessories, ya know. Between the Minolta bag and the bag that I got with the camera that don't fit the camera with a lens on it, I think I've got the "out just to shoot birds" thing covered. I need a bigger carry-all type bag but don't feel like spending 100+ on a bag when I can get a new memory card or another lens for that price, ya know?
Anyways let me know the dimensions and I'll get back to ya!

[eosster]

Choosing a right bag is harder then picking right lenses for some reason, LOL.

[Wavy C]

I really like the Crumpler range of camera bags. Tried the Budgie Smuggler bag at a local store and it was just a little too small for what I wanted. Unfortunately they didn't have any bigger ones in stock, and I'm reluctant to buy online without actually seeing if my gear will fit first.

Right now I am using a small Lowepro toploader bag that holds just my camera and fitted lens. It's great if you don't need extra lenses. I got lens cases for some other lenses and carry these around in a shopping bag if I think I will need them.

[gasrocks]

OK, my 2 cents worth. First, I do not want my camera bag to look like a camera bag. Safer. Needs to be big enough, sturdy. Go to Wal-Mart and look at the Can Cooler bags. Hard liner, with or without extra pockets. Shoulder strap. Insulated - lets keep that equip (and your drink?) cool. I have 4 diff. sizes depending on the outing. Work fine, been using them for years. And cost.... a deal.

[TSEE]

OK, my 2 cents worth. First, I do not want my camera bag to look like a camera bag. Safer. Needs to be big enough, sturdy. Go to Wal-Mart and look at the Can Cooler bags. Hard liner, with or without extra pockets. Shoulder strap. Insulated - lets keep that equip (and your drink?) cool. I have 4 diff. sizes depending on the outing. Work fine, been using them for years. And cost.... a deal.

Are you serious? I guess if that works....hmmm....never even crossed my mind to look for those.