Do not buy a bigger camera bag !!

That was my conclusion this week.

I've been using a Lowepro Vertex 200 AW for several years. It's so good, I thought to buy an extra just for whatever day it may finally need retirement. Surprisingly, Lowepro seems to have nothing better, and maybe less versatile, in the same size, although the removable belts are nice. I never used the belt, and just carefully cut it off. The closest replacement bag with similar pocket versatility is the amrac Anvil 27 Photo Backpack.

As I realized bigger packs were available, like the Lowepro Trekker 450 AW & 650 AW, it hit me, "do not buy a bigger camera bag".

I decided to stick with the same size I've been using, so I have to select certain lenses to shoot with. I never use all the lenses I take to a wedding or portrait session, but I always pack every compartment, and always bring a small extra shoulder bag for my flash and lights anyway. I wonder how many other photographers are out there, in "similar shoes".

Anybody else ever owned a great bag for their needs, where you wish the model had not been phased out?

mdvaden wrote in post #18926104
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"do not buy a bigger camera bag".
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Uh oh. . I have been contemplating the very thing that you are saying not to do.

I have a messenger-style bag that nicely holds my camera, 100-400 lens, and a 16 ounce bottle of water. . But the problem is that I cannot fit any more water bottles into the bag, nor is there room for snacks. . So I have to carry water bottles and snacks in my pants pockets while afield. . This gets awkward when I am hiking for hours on end, often through thick brush.

I was thinking it would be really nice to get a bigger bag, so that I could put all of the water into it that I will need, along with the snacks. . This would be much easier to carry through the woods than having so much stuff bulging out of my pants and coat pockets. . And yet you suggest that I not get a larger bag.

I wonder, if one needs a larger bag to hold the things that one takes afield with them, why you say not to get a larger bag? . Personally, I find it easier and more comfortable to pack my things into one bag, as compared to having the miscellaneous items stuffed into various pants pockets and coat pockets.

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mdvaden wrote in post #18926104
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Anybody else ever owned a great bag for their needs, where you wish the model had not been phased out?
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No.

In my experience, bags and backpacks last forever, and never wear out. . So there is no need to ever replace them. . I can just keep using the same bag for the rest of my life, because bags never wear out. . Of course, a strap may wear out, or a zipper may break, but these things are easy to replace - no need to buy a whole new bag just because of a busted strap or zipper. . It's not like the bag itself ever wears out.


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Oh, I wear my bags out. They can get some abuse out in the field, scraped against rocks (a lot), hung up in trees, nibbled by animals. You name it. The Lowpro's do last a while though and are pretty tough. I think you'd need a hard-sided case to get much more protection and durability.

I have a smaller bag, Lowpro 300 and a larger bag, the 500 AW. The larger bag is sometimes useful, particularly for my 400 DO when birding, but I mostly use it as storage and transport, because although large, it is not quite long enough to be comfortable for hiking any distance.

So for any distance, I put my 300 inside a 'pack' which is much more comfortable.

There may be several of reasons not to get a larger bag, personally I haven't fallen foul to any of them.

1. you hike in tight spaces or across narrow shelves
2. you take too much gear with you (camera and other, just in case) which weighs you down
3. you buy more gear because it will fit in your bag

I have a backpack bag for some situations.

I have a messenger bag to travel more lightly.

I have a large Manfrotto bag when I want to take quite a bit of gear.

I have 3 Pelican 1514 cases for when I need to lug around lighting gear, and all camera gear, so that they are well protected, sealed, and serve as stepstools when needed.

So the bags exist to fit the situation at hand, and gear I want to take.

So .. on Ebay, I found two "open box" or new condition Lowepro Vertex 200 AW bags just like the one I own, and ordered one for a spare. I may get a Tamrac also, but for several years I learned how to configure compartments in my Lowepro so it can hold 3 or 4 bodies with lenses attached.

Maybe next winter, I want to get a Messenger style bag and learn how to shoot a couple weddings or portrait sessions with just a couple lenses, more basic.

Back to the extra bag I bought from Ebay. $70 for both bag and shipping, less than 1/3 what the first bag cost me several years ago. Reminds me of some Rockport shoes I had about 20 years ago. Wished I had bought an extra pair to stash, because maybe 10 years passed until another style was found in some store that I enjoyed as much for fit and look combined.

For a wedding all three of the pelican cases go with me so I have everything, but then I transfer what I want to use to a bag that is easy to move around. A messenger bag would work, mine can hold a 5d4, 70-200, 24-70, a flash and a smaller backup body.

So far I like this bag quite a bit.

https://www.amazon.com …=ppx_pop_mob_b_​asin_title

So this Lowepro Vertex bag arrived, that I ordered on Ebay.

The seller seems to be a woman who deals more in handbags and other stuff. But when I opened the box, the camera bag was gift wrapped in tissue paper with ribbon and a hand written thank you note.

that was nice.....

mmmm that Lowepro 650 is probably what I need...

I have 2 bodies, both with grips, 70-200, 100-400, 2 extenders, flash, 17-40, 24-105, 35, 100 macro, all in my bag now. It all fits fine except the 70-200 is in a belt pouch on the outside of my bag. It's stupid heavy and way too big but that pouch on the outside is super awkward.

I do use a smaller bag when I grab a few lenses and go out shooting away from my car, so I don't carry all that nonsense with me everywhere but I always need something else when I don't have it!