How many bags do you take when travelling? Recommendations?

I'm curious to hear from others on what they bring with (bag wise) when travelling?

For example, I will often bring my Tamrac Evolution 8 on the plane so I can pack my computer, camera(s) and snacks / clothes.
I will commonly pack my old Lowepro OffTrail 2 and use that for the day excursions etc.

Other trips, I bring just my 6MDH and it's great - quick access to lenses etc - but wish it had a hip strap for added support.

If I get the 70-200 2.8, it wont fit in the Lowepro - so was looking at the Kata Pro-Light 317 (local lightly used one for sale). Seems more than big enough - but can't hold a tripod.

I will be taking a family trip to Israel next year - a lot of sightseeing, bus from one place to the next etc. (I've been before, so I know the lay of the land).
My needs:
I tend to swap lenses frequently, so quick access is a must.
It doesn't need to carry a laptop, but then I'd have to put it in another bag - not end of world - just trying to pack efficiently!
7D (possibly with grip)
70-200 (hopefully 2.8 IS II - otherwise F4)
10-22 sigma
17-50 tamron
Maybe my flash
Small-ish carbon fiber tripod (Jusino TK-254C) - I may only bring it for a few special outings - one of them will be to Masada to record a Bar Mitzvah

Currently with what I have, the Tamrac seems the best to do the job, but I'm open to new suggestions!

Thanks!

I use the Think Tank Turnstyle 20 (https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …tyle_20_sling_c​amera.html). My normal load-out in this bag is:

80D with Canon 17-55/2.8 IS mounted
Canon 10-22/3.5-4.5 or Tokina 11-16/2.8
Canon 70-200/2.8L IS II
Canon 580EX flash with bounce card
RC-6 wireless remote
B+W 77mm CPL & VND
Rode Videomicro
2 spare camera batteries
4 spare AA batteries
2 disposable camera rain covers
2 disposable rain ponchos
4 granola bars
flashlight
multi-tool
small first aid kit
power bank

Depends on the assignment. I don't live in the US so I usually have to conform to international carry on restrictions.

I use the think tank international if I need all my gear.

If I think I can get away with a backpack, I would use the think tank streetwalker pro:

It fits a gripped 5d3, 16-35 f/2.8 iii, 24-70 f/2.8 ii, 70-200 f/2.8IS II, all with hoods reversed. It also fits 2 mitros+ flashes, Phottix Odin II, a Sekonic l358 light meter, a wireless remote for the camera, a think tank memory card holder with 10 cards, 2 extra camera batteries, 16 AA batteries, cleaning cloths and a flashlight. I also have a small (approx 15.2'' folded or thereabouts), and light 3.1lb mefoto carbon fiber road trip that fits on the outside of the bag. There is still space both in the cover pockets and the side pockets to fit small, flatish objects like memory cards or more batteries.

The bag is narrow, rather than wide and boxy, well padded shoulder straps, has waist and sternum straps and is very light by itself. It also has a rain cover. What it doesn't have is space for a laptop. It also does not provide easy access to gear as there is no side access which may be a deal breaker for you. To circumvent this, I sometimes use a peak design capture pro clip on the shoulder strap and attach the camera there if I need quick access. I don't currently have any options for a frequent lens changer like yourself though.

Obviously fully loaded it is heavy, but it doesn't gather attention when flights are full and passengers are being asked to gate check carry on luggage.

Packing for Holidays i take my Thinktank Retro7 with the following
11" macbook air
Leica M240
Voigtlander 28mm Ultron
Voigtlander 35mm Nokton
Leica 50mm Summarit
Minolta 90mm M-Rokkor (hoping to replace this one with a Leica Tele-Elmarit soon)
I normally stuff my sunnies, kindle, headphones, cardreader, HDD and a few other bits and pieces in there too.

Clothes and tripod (Sirui T025-X) go in the checked luggage.


when i travelled for work i would take my 7M dollar home with a 1DX, spare battery, flash, ST-E3, 16-35 f2.8L, 70-200 f2.8L and my Macbook Pro, cardreader and wifi hotspot.
this allowed me to do my job, even if my luggage didn't arrive.

in my checked luggage i would have the other 1DX, charger (with batteries installed on it) flash, lightstand, macbook charger, 24-70 f2.8L, 1.4x converter - all wrapped in my clothes.

I take an Osprey trekking pack with my gear all in lens wraps and camera wraps. I've gone through many different camera bags and they are all either too heavy or are not very comfortable. A trekking pack which comes in different sizes so is more a custom fit to your body and has a great support system is invaluable if you are traveling for weeks on end. I've carried my gear daily with my Osprey pack in humid countries without issues...could not say the same when I used either Lowpro or F-Stop packs.

A Lowe Alpine AirTrek hiking backpack (expandable to 55 liters when on location) travels empty and flat in my suitcase when I fly. On location it fits the stuff I need when hiking, including lenses in neopren pouches. Body and 24-105mm + 10-22mm in a Lowepro 75. Alternatively body and 100-400mm depending what I aim to shoot.

If I travel by car, a Lowepro 500AW with whatever stuff I think I'll need on the way.

I MAY have figured out what I'm doing.

While I can fit all of my gear, including computer easily into the Tamrac Evolution 8 - it is heavy and a little too bulky for hiking (once all the unnecessary stuff is removed). It's very comfortable as a backpack, but marginally so as a sling I found out. Instead of taking it and a second camera bag, I'll put my computer and accessories into my usual Swiss Gear backpack - it will stay at the hotels while I'm exploring.

I purchased a Tamrac Velocity 8X bag as I wanted something I could sling most of the time but that would secure like a backpack when walking more.

I got the bag today and played around with it. It's a tight fit with the grip attached, but the 7DII with grip and attached 70-200 2.8 with hood reversed will fit in the bag along with my 10-20 and 17-50 2.8 (makes it even cosier). There is a pocket in front for extra batteries, cards, etc. and a support strap that I can attached a water bottle to.
The bag is very comfortable to wear fully loaded and I can easily have the bag on my back and the camera sling on at same time without any apparent issues.

I used an old neoprene camera strap and made it into a strap for my tripod (Jusino Carbon Fiber) - it gets to be a bit much with it all slung over me, but I figured my 12 year old can carry the tripod slung over his shoulder, it's light and looks like a crazy ninja weapon (according to him - okay, according to me too!).

When I get a chance I'll try to post some pics of the Velocity loaded up.

My travel kit with one camera (most of the time)

My cousin used to collect Leica cameras and had a couple of old weathered (really nice) leather bags like that! Very classy!!

airfrogusmc wrote in post #18237643

Love the Brassing on your Monochrom - it looks "well loved"

Traveling with gear involves trade-offs. If you are walking a lot, a heavy, uneven load takes a toll. Shoulder bags are convenient and low-profile, but if loaded, can be unbalanced. Backpacks are less convenient but much easier to carry. Some offer better gear access options without taking them off (Peak Design and Mind Shift). Belt systems, especially with harness, give easy access and even distribution, but they are quite obvious (think Bat-belt).

My travel solution so far has been a hybrid solution: Billingham shoulder bag and backpack. I use what makes sense for a given outing.

The Billingham Hadley Pro was my last shoulder bag (finally satisfied) and it holds a surprising amount of gear well, rides well on the body for a shoulder bag and provides good protection. There are many ways in which these bags work better for me, but there are so many Billingham fanatics a Google search away, I'll spare you the details .

If I want to carry more than it can handle (such as lighting gear), I go with a backpack. The backpack I use was a short run some years ago, so I don't think you could find it.

The Peak Design Everyday backpacks look amazing. If I were in the market, I would look at them seriously.

The Mind Shift solution also has promise, but I think Peak Design is better. I don't have experience using either in the field, so take that for what it's worth.

I recently got a belt system (Think Tank) which has proved quite handy and evenly distributed weight. It certainly isn't low profile, so you need to decide if that matters. There are a variety of good lens changing solutions which work with belt systems. I have been very happy with the LowPro Lens Exchange, which holds one lens when closed but can be opened with one hand and holds both lenses while you are exchanging lenses.

The lens exchange can also be used by itself with the included shoulder strap or connected to a regular belt. There are solutions offered by other brands as well.

I have used the belt system locally but not yet for travel. Too much gear in a belt system and you risk looking like a sports photographer. One or two pouches to support lens changes might be a reasonable solution.

Echo63 wrote in post #18240816
Love the Brassing on your Monochrom - it looks "well loved"

Thanks and after 4 years and well over 50K it is well used.

If we're going to expand the scope to belts then why not add vests to the discussion? Nice thing about using a vest while traveling is it doesn't count towards your carry-on limits, yet many can carry several lenses up to 70-200/2.8.

I usually drive on my trips so I just fill up my FJ Cruiser, leaving sleeping room (most of the time) ߤ May head to Yosemite for the weekend, getting fresh snow

I never take a brand-name photo bag on a trip.