Bag Recommendations for Singapore Trip

[DutchOven]

Hey guys,
I need help deciding what shoulder bag to get. I'm going to be traveling in Singapore soon and I need a bag that's got a rain cover because weather over there is unpredictable. Bag must be inconspicuous and have quick access to camera.

Daily Walkaround Gear:
XSI mounted with 17-55 IS
Tokina 11-16
430 EXII

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm considering a Lowepro Classified 160 AW, Thinktank Urban Disguise, and maybe a Domke bag (but they don't have rain covers if I'm not wrong). I've looked through the camera bag review thread and I still can't decide.


Thanks in advance,
Kevin

[Needsnow]

Check out the Think Tank Urban Disguise 35. It comes with a raincover and you can also purchase an optional shoulder strap to wear it like a backpack. Also, the 35 has a separate compartment that will fit a laptop, so you could put a book, a small raincoat, etc.

[DutchOven]

Check out the Think Tank Urban Disguise 35. It comes with a raincover and you can also purchase an optional shoulder strap to wear it like a backpack. Also, the 35 has a separate compartment that will fit a laptop, so you could put a book, a small raincoat, etc.

Thanks for the recommendation. Is it bulky to carry?

And wow, it's expensive for a small bag.

[john-in-japan]

Kevin - Scotchguard works wonders to help waterproof whatever you acquire.
Also, Singapore is very hot and humid. A/C is cold & Hotel to outside with camera often fogs the lens, so caution recommended. And, National Orchid Garden within the botanical garden is a must in my opinion. Take a macro or close up lens.
Cheers,
John

[Needsnow]

Nope, it is not bulky at all. It carries especially well on your back as it has a very narrow profile. The extra "laptop" space is a very nice feature as it can double to carry so many other things. I did a post about all I could fit in it a while back. Let me know if you have other questions.

[Sundevil9]

I've got a Lowepro Classified 140AW. It's a good bag, I wish I had the 160, though it's got some more room, but I carry the 140 in my work backpack on planes, then I can remove my camera bag for walking around and such.

But what's great is that it totally doesn't look like a camera bag, and you don't need to flip covers or anything to get to your camera it's all via the zippered compartment which kind of works like a holster.

[DutchOven]

Kevin - Scotchguard works wonders to help waterproof whatever you acquire.
Also, Singapore is very hot and humid. A/C is cold & Hotel to outside with camera often fogs the lens, so caution recommended. And, National Orchid Garden within the botanical garden is a must in my opinion. Take a macro or close up lens.
Cheers,
John

Thanks for your reply. It's happened to me in Tokyo and Hong Kong a few months ago, but only very minor. Does it actually do any damage? I tried to solve this problem by keeping it in my bag during when I walk in and out of such places and I wait a few minutes before taking it out again. Is there any better way to counter this?

And Scotchgard? Is that the 3M spray thing you're talking about?

Nope, it is not bulky at all. It carries especially well on your back as it has a very narrow profile. The extra "laptop" space is a very nice feature as it can double to carry so many other things. I did a post about all I could fit in it a while back. Let me know if you have other questions.

Thanks! I appreciate your help. I really like this bag because it's the best looking to me but the only thing stopping me is the price.. Maybe i should wait a little while and see if a used one goes on sale.

[john-in-japan]

I think no damage, but best to be avoided and it is good to keep it in the bag getting acclimated. Some recommended keeping it in a plastic bag where air can change temperature gradually. Eypiece fogs too.
John

[DutchOven]

I've got a Lowepro Classified 140AW. It's a good bag, I wish I had the 160, though it's got some more room, but I carry the 140 in my work backpack on planes, then I can remove my camera bag for walking around and such.

But what's great is that it totally doesn't look like a camera bag, and you don't need to flip covers or anything to get to your camera it's all via the zippered compartment which kind of works like a holster.

This is the bag that I'm currently highly considering as it is the best in terms of value.

[Headshotzx]

Hey Kevin! I'm from Singapore so maybe I can advise you a little better.

Currently the weather is very, very humid and hot. A little haze is also present around here due to the burning of crops over in Indonesia (the quickest / cheapest way of clearing farms). What this means is that carrying a lot of gear or bulky / very padded is not at all advised. You will tire from it unless the main reason for your visitation is photography.

Are you sure all you want to carry is camera gear? You might want to carry stuff like a small umbrella / poncho and a water bottle for hydration. Like you said, weather is unpredictable, and it might be all hot and humid one moment and then the clouds might open up on you the next.

I'm a Think Tank fan, so I'm gonna say get the UD series. A UD40 might seem a little too big for what you have right now, but you might want to get at least one more extra lens in the future, and that's going to be perfect for the UD40. Has a dedicated space for magazines (think travel maps, etc) and little pockets for all the trinkets you might want to get. I recommend that you have a small umbrella in the unused lens slot, and a small water bottle outside. It might rain and you still might want to be shooting one handed. The UD40 can be attached easily to your luggage bag handle (assuming you own a bag with two telescoping beams) and can easily be locked and mini-bicycle chained to some pole. I wouldn't recommend that, though. Police do get jumpy around here with black bulky bags and no one around.

What about a tripod? If you're going to be shooting at night, there are some great cityscapes to shoot such as the renowned Esplanade Theatres on the bay and the middle-sized Merlion (both of which are practically right next to each other), the new-ish Singapore Flyer, the lights of Clark Quay etc etc. I highly recommend that you bring a travel tripod if you can get one. For your lightweight gear, a 0 series benro travel angel is more than adequate. It's your choice, though.

Of course, the one thing you will take lots of photos of would probably be the food that you eat. Round any street corner is an eatery that caters to all palettes.

Hope you enjoy your trip to Singapore!

Cheers,
Zexun