Need a bag to shoot out of for 14 days

[mattjns93]

I'm going to Japan this summer for 14 days and I need a bag that will be my portable camera gear "house". Here is everything that I need to go with me:

Xti gripped
Sigma 10-20 with hood
Canon 50 1.8
Canon 18-55mm
Canon 100mm macro (thats still a maybe)
charger
4 CF cards

My 2 main lenses I'll be shooting with are the Sigma and the 50 1.8. With my bag now, I have to set it down to open it up and change the lenses, and this is extremely annoying and has made me miss shots. I want to be able to change lenses, hassle free. Also, I'd like the bag to have some extra room for maybe a 12oz bottle and some room for things such as the air blower, lens pen, ect.

I'm really not sure how you guys manage to change lenses with these bags. I've only ever had one, and with mine, it is a pain to change lenses. Also, this is going to be my carry on when flying, so keep that in mind.

I know they have individual pouches for each lens, so maybe I could use that to switch between the 50 and the Sigma? Then it seems like more hassle because now I have another little bag with me.

Also, if possible, I want to bring my tripod.

Phew, that bag probably doesn't exist. Well hopefully you guys can give me some insight because I'm almost clueless as to what bag I should get.

[RyanB]

I have also started a new quest for the perfect bag, and quickly found out there is no such thing. I've recently spent countless hours trying to find the perfect bag for me, only to finally break down and split it up into 3 separate bags for different occasions.

First things first though - whats your budget for the bag? Are you ever going to need to take a laptop in it or anything like that? Sounds like you're looking for some sort of sling model (Lowepro slingshot or Kata 3n1-10/20/30 - I'm looking at the 3n1-30 right now, the 20 would probably be right for you). Bags can get pretty pricey, but it doesn't sound like you need anything too fancy. the Lowepro Slingshot 200AW or Kata 3N1-20 would probably serve your purposes pretty well, and are pretty cheap. The tripod is the only thing to worry about here, but the Kata has a $20 separate tripod holder that connects to the backpack.

If you want to get expensive, but really upgrade the features and such, check out the Think Tank rotation 360. Looks pretty sweet.

If you don't want a backback, Crumpler makes some great shoulder bags, as well as Domke. Personally, I like backpacks more - but that's just me.

[Jon]

Matt - for what you have outlined there, I'd suggest a Domke F3x. I'd also suggest seeing if you can add a flash to your gear list before you go, but that's an entirely different matter.

If you want to be able to shoot from your bag, you really want a shoulder bag, not a backpack. The camera stays on its strap around my neck when I change lenses - one lens comes off and into the bag; the other goes on and the rear lens cap goes on the first. After you've pressed the lens release button and given a partial twist to the lens, you can have a lens in each hand for the duration of the change.

[rklepper]

I am not sure what your budget is. The Domkes are nice. For pure usability I love my Billingham 207 and 307. As close to the perfect bag as I have ever had. They have a lovely wide mouth opening that makes it really easy (for me at least) to work out of.


http://doc-klepper.smugmug.com/Photography/Billingham-207/IMG4282/691978814_6XAWe-L.jpg

[mattjns93]

Thanks guys. I was looking at the Lowepro slingshot 200 but I wasn't sure how comfortable they were or if they would even hold all my equipment.

Jon, the domke looks like a great bag but I feel somewhat hesitant about taking that through crowded foreign areas, airports, ect. Is it really the kind of bag I want to have all my equipment it? The whole velcro makes me afraid for some reason, although I'm extremely overprotective of my camera equipment. Also, is it comfortable? I'll be walking most of the day with this bag for 14 days, I don't want anything that's not comfortable.

[Headshotzx]

You should check out the discussion in my 2 week old thread titled "need a non pricy bag to shoot out of" : http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=788384

I ended up with a Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home (for cheap - got a great deal on a practically new bag). Reason being it had just enough thick-dividers protection, looked great and could be compressed easily with the dividers out thereby making it a very useful school bag.

[rklepper]

If you get a Domke make sure you get the postal strap pad with it. That will ensure that you can carry it all day. And I carried an F4-AF all over the world through crowded airports with no issue.

[fmulder21]

office depot has a cheap 30 buck sling lowerpro back pack...It's real basic but works.

[Jon]

Thanks guys. I was looking at the Lowepro slingshot 200 but I wasn't sure how comfortable they were or if they would even hold all my equipment.

Jon, the domke looks like a great bag but I feel somewhat hesitant about taking that through crowded foreign areas, airports, ect. Is it really the kind of bag I want to have all my equipment it? The whole velcro makes me afraid for some reason, although I'm extremely overprotective of my camera equipment. Also, is it comfortable? I'll be walking most of the day with this bag for 14 days, I don't want anything that's not comfortable.I've hauled my F-802 through Greece and Italy, including the intermediate airports, with no problems. My F-7AF has accompanied me to England and Costa Rica, also with no problems. It's not just a Velcro closure, there's also a spring clip securing the main compartment. Zippers are no more secure than anything else unless they lock; my wife (twice, two separate trips) had her zipper-closure backpack opened on the Athens subway and her wallet stolen. And even then, you're vulnerable to someone slitting the bag. And having an outside pocket for your water bottle helps keep moisture away from your gear.

[mattjns93]

The thing is, I'm not so fond of the should bag idea. I've always liked the backpacks or the sling bags vs shoulder bags. Though when I got to B&H next week, I will definitely give the Domkes a try. What I did find though are these bags:
Lowepro Sling 200
Lowepro Fastpack 200, 250, 300 (still not sure what the major differences are)
Tenba Shootout Sling Medium

I'm sure there are more bags out there but these seemed to fit my requirements quite well. Any words of advice about these bags?

[Jon]

If you want something that's easy to work out of, you want a shoulder bag. Sling bags have to be closed up to return them to your back or you'll shed gear. Also, if you're worried about the safety of your gear, it's much easier to keep your shoulder bag slung across the chest and in front of you than it is one of the others. When the bag's behind you, you can't see what someone else is doing with it.

[mattjns93]

Hmm, I understand where you are coming from. I'm going to have to give this Domke a try at the store. So, would you say the only Domke right for me is the F3x? There seems to be a large variety of Domke bags so I'm not sure where to start. In addition to everything I'm bring, I may be getting a 430ex, so I'm not sure if that factors into this equation or not.

[Jon]

Well, I think the F3x is sized nicely for what you have; it has an outside pocket that's big enough to take a water bottle easily. The F4AF or F6 would be other possibilities - they're not much bigger - the F6 doesn't have the outside end pockets so a water bottle would be awkward. The F2's noticeably bigger inside, but not a whole lot bigger outside. There's a 100-400 on a 5D in the tan F3, so it's higher than it might be normally.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=143977&stc=1&d=1170449516

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=143978&stc=1&d=1170449516


I carry my tripod separately; museums, etc. don't like them so much of the time you'll want to leave it in your room and just bring it out at night. And getting something that's big enough to hold a tripod means getting something that's bigger than the rest of your gear needs.

[ceegee]

For what you want, the Flipside sounds like it will do the job. I've tried the Slingshot shoulder bags, and while I love the 100, which holds my camera, one extra lens and a Speedlite, plus the cards, batteries, etc., I find the larger models to be very uncomfortable. The Flipside is much more comfortable to carry, being a backpack, and is very convenient to use; you simply slide off the shoulder straps and flip it round in front of you on the waist strap. It's very easy to work out of, and will easily hold your gear. Also, it's very secure, since there's no front access; you have to unzip the rear panel to get at your gear. I recommend it.

[CosmoKid]

I have a Slingshot 200 and it holds quite a bit and has been very comfortable for me. I wish I would have found the M-Rock bag before I bought the Lowepro though as the M-rock is slightly larger than the 200 and smaller than the 300.

It is very simple to carry a sling bag around front of you and the sling from back to front is very easy. You can also use the waist strap alone.

I have a sling, a backpack and a Crumpler 6MdH. The sling proves to be my best "action" bag when I am changing lenses and doing a lot on the fly. It also feels the most secure when I am running around the city.

[Nick5]

Backpack:
Lowepro MiniTrekker AW
Traditional backpack with built in All Weather cover.
Room for accessories and jacket
Tripold holder

Lowepro Flipside 400AW
Backpack style with added security.
AW cover
Tripod holder
Room for accessories and jacket.

[mattjns93]

I feel kinda hesitant about the Domke. I just don't think it will have sufficient padding compared to some other shoulder bags or backpacks. It seems like a better walk around bag than a travel bag. Finding the perfect bag is impossible!

[RyanB]

It is impossible. I'm definitely partial to backpacks, so I decided to go with two new bags (on top of my Canon 200 that's definitely showing some wear).

Got a Kata R-103 for traveling purposes while I'm taking my laptop. $61.00 new on ebay - not bad :) It's big, very well reviewed, and should work great for bringing just about all my gear with me, along with my laptop.

Then, I decided to get something for everyday use (ie no laptop compartment). I was looking at the Kata 3n1 series but eventually decided against it. I also looked at the Lowepro Fastpack series (my main concern with this secondary bag was everyday use for a good amount of camera equipment, ease of access, security, and a secondary compartment for a sandwich/notebook/whatever). I eventually went with the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW mentioned above. I don't know why it took me so long to decide, it has everything I'm looking for. Very secure (zippers in the back), AW protection/rain cover, tripod holder, external pockets for a water bottle/etc (something the Kata lacked), a nice sized compartment for non-camera gear, and a good amount of storage. Got that one on ebay for $99 shipped - 10% Bing Cashback and 2.50 in ebay bucks. About $87.00 shipped, brand new. Can't wait to get them. After checking all these bags out in person, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Flipside.

[Jon]

All padding does is make the bag bigger and bulkier without markedly affecting the protection offered. I have tossed my Domkes in overhead compartments or under the seat and hauled them around on crowded buses, trains and streets without damage. Remember - in addition to the (light but thoroughly adequate) padding of the Domke inserts, the stuff you've tossed in the outside pockets helps provide additional insulation. My Libretto computer has been all over the place in the outside pocket of my F-802 or F-7AF, including in overhead compartments and under seats, and has survived 4 years of that. And that's unpadded.