Carrying Tripods w/Camera Bags

I have a Tamrac System 6 for my XT system. Excellent bag, well laid out, plenty of room for my extra lens, two flashes, bracket, etc. There are two loops at the bottom for carrying a tripod, or so I was told. It seems fairly awkward to stick my SLIK through the loops; they do not open easily and the pod doesn't fit though easily. Once in, the loops are hard to tighten. Once that is all done, it seems strange and the tripod slips a bit back and forth and swings and sways as I walk; although, doesn't seem as if it will fall out as the head is too big and the legs as well.

So, is this really made for a tripod, and does anyone out there actually use this type of arrangement to carry a tripod?

Don't know if I'm being much help but I tried out that bag and noticed the same thing. Didn't seem very well configured for the tripod and I didn't like the fact the Shoulder Straps weren't detachable. I opted for the Lowepro Nova 4AW instead.

My OmniTrekker has adjustable loops with quick-clips for the tripod. It works quite well, but makes for a darn heavy and awkward bag. So I only do it when absolutely necessary.

I have had 2 different Tamrac bags with that feature, and I agree with you. In addition, if you have a tripod in the loops the bag won't sit well on the ground. It might work okay for a monopod, but it is not a good solution. I don't carry those bags anymore.

I use a Manfrotto tripod bag with two shoulder straps. It goes on like a backpack. Very good idea for weight distribution if you are the shoulder bag kinda guy.

Have Fun,

Well, at least I know I'm not a geek, who was simply using it incorrectly. I really like the Tamrac, otherwise. The price was within my means ($69). I prefer shoulder bags to backpacks, and if I found the perfect Sling bag I'd have bought that. My Adorama became too small, and some of the others were too big or small; none just right.

As for the straps; you can always fold the top over them in a jiffy, and use the carry handle.

The quest for the perfect bag is never-ending - I keep buying them in hopes that this one is the one, and it never is. I think after the holidays I'll have a Bag-O-Rama sale to dispose of some of those former best hopes.

The Manfrotto tripod bag works real well in combination with a shoulder bag, since it is not in the way of the shoulder bag, and doesn't fall off of one shoulder while you try to keep the camera stuff up on the other. It looks slightly odd as the world's skinniest backpack, but it works for me.

Have Fun,

Which Manfrotto tripod bag as I've been looking at getting one of those?

I got it from B&H about a year ago. I don't have the number off the top of my head, but it is designed for carbon fiber (padded), and the listing mentions that it has two shoulder straps. The bag itself is triangular in shape with a zipper going the whole length. I'll scour around a little bit and see if I can find it.

Have Fun,

Thanks ... how 'bout snapping a photo of it?

Okay - check back Saturday, I have to shake down my new hosting capability.

Have Fun,

For the first six months that I had my first digital camera and a good Lowepro backpack, I had the exact same problem. I could cinch the tripod onto the pack, but it takes a while to put on and take off. For wildlife photography, that doesn't work.

For the next year or two, I tried all sorts of ways of carrying the tripod. Now, for the last year or so, I simply carry the tripod, folded, in my left hand. The camera is in the shoulder bag on my right shoulder. I've carried it that way long enough that I have a nice little groove for that bag strap to fit into.

---Bob Gross---