Need a Fast Opinion on a Case

Hello or should I say Aloha. My husband and I are leaving for a 2 week vacation to Maui in 3 days. As an early anniversary gift my DH bought me a Canon Rebel XT yesterday. I have finally entered the world of digital SLR (my old digital camera is a Canon G3). Due to this big $$ vacation, he went with just the kit lens for now. I know, don't say it . . . I know it's not a great lens at all but the lens I want is $500 and I would rather take that money now and use it in Maui. There is always Christmas for a new lens. Right now all I am bringing is this camera, a few compact flash cards, and a polarized filter. That's it aside from my G3 as well as hubby will shoot with that.

Anyway, he bought the semi-hard "Canon" case made for EOS digital camera's. This case STINKS! It's going back to B&H today. Unless it's me, this case works nothing like the semi-hard Canon case I have for my G3. At least I was able to keep both sections attached and still take a photo. Seems you cannot do this with the case for the XT even with the small kit lens.

So now I need an opinion . . . just a basic case for camera and attached lens. It cannot be bulky as I need all the precious luggage space I can get. I also would like to be able to loop the camera around my neck while we do some hiking and keep it protected but be able to access it quickly if needed. I have gone through the threads here and seems like there is a Lowepro toploader case that might be good. Is this my only option? I really wanted a simple semi-hard case

I am a great fan of Lowepro cases. My wife and I now have a number of them for sundry occasions.

Our Orion Trekker and Rover back packs are great for more active pursuits, and air travel, but are fussy when you want to get at the camera as it lives in a section in the base of the rucksack. This means you have to take the bag off. The advantage is that, if you need a rucksack any way you can also carry your camera safely and discreetly.

My current absolute favorite is the Stealth Reporter D300AW. It is compact, but cavernous and has many additional slots for non camera stuff like pens, passports, wallets and the like. The carry handle doesn't empty the contents if you pick up the bag without doing it up as I have had on other bags.

Another advantage is that you can apply sliplock pouches to the outside so you can have a pouch for the charger and leads which can be unhooked and left at the hotel.

To your original question - we also have a Toploader 70AW and I'm afraid it doesn't get used. Because all of our cameras have the battery packs on them we needed the additional width of the 70; this means it is bulky and cumbersome considering its ultimate capacity. Also, because of my wifes curves and slight stature, she finds it uncomfortable. In reality it is 2/3rds the size of the stealth reporter but only accommodates a battery packed camera with lens attached, and a few additional odds and sods. The Stealth Reporter contains the camera and battery pack with any lens up to my 100-300 zoom still attached, + four other lenses, a flash and a shed load of other bits and pieces. It has a zip in the top which would allow immediate access to the camera (without a battery pack) has an all weather cover and pretty much does everything I want of it.

Will you really only have a camera swinging around your neck while you are away (so people can cut the strap and nick it) or are you more likely to require additional carrying capacity for phones, documents, etc.? If the latter is the case I would give either the Orion, the Rover or the Stealth Reporter some serious consideration.

Hope this helps.

I'm not surprised you found the semi-hard case a poor option. They're sometimes called ever ready cases, but are often referred to by a nickname - never ready cases. They get in the way, and are only suitable for the kit lens in any case. That's always the problem with semi-hard cases for SLRs - how do you accommodate the vast range of lenses and flash gear that people use?

I suspect you'll come back to some sort of bag, and I'd look at the ranges of the big companies first - Lowepro, Tamrac, Kata and Crumpler are the ones that come to mind.

It may also be worth considering different straps for when you have the camera round your neck. The stock strap is nothing special. The POTN strap is great for extended wear, as well as supporting this forum. If you're worried about a strap being cut, there's a strap with metal mesh embedded available from Pacsafe - their entire range of products is worth a look. (I have a Pacsafe 85 that I use to secure my camera bags when travelling - it offers no protection from bolt cutters, but it will stop casual theft).


All my cases and bags are Lowepro, and I'm very happy with them. My view on the Toploader is different to John Sims - I have a Toploader 75AW based setup, and like it very much. There again, I use fairly large lenses (up to an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS), so I appreciate the extra space.

I also have a Lowepro Deluxe Waistbelt and Vest Harness combination on which I can wear the Toploader and a couple of Lens Cases with other fairly large lenses in them (EF 24-70mm f/2.8L, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L). This lot adds up to quite some weight, particularly when you throw in items such as an external flash (Speedlite 580EX) and other small items.

Like Mike, I also have a Stealth Reporter - mine is the largest D650AW.


You're clearly not after something for such heavy kit - the big belt and harness system makes no sense for a lightweight body with no grip and a kit lens. One of the smaller Steath Reporters or the other bags Mike suggests may work out well - the Lowepro web site will probably be helpful even if you don't quite find what you want and finish up looking at another manufacturer.

I think it's a mistake to buy too small a bag - I appreciate you don't want a huge thing, but if you have your eye on a second lens, I'd at least make provision for that when buying a bag. There are many stories in the forum of people finding their bags have become too small. In your position, I'd look for something that will take your camera, kit lens, another lens, a few small accessories (cleaning kit, spare battery etc.) and an external flash.

Many Lowepro bags have Sliplock loops so that you can add a Lens Case or Sliplock Pouch for extra storage.

I'd throw in one more option - many people find Lowepro's Slingshot range a good option for a relatively small outfit.


I hope this gives you some ideas - really, the best thing is to get stuck in to the web sites and see what you can come up with. Cambags may give you an idea - this shows various people's camera bags with all their kit inside. This thread will guide you through the bag resources that are available in the forums. If you have a particular bag in mind, use the forum's search feature to see if anyone has mentioned that bag in previous posts.

David

Hi MauiTiki, here's what I suggest:
http://www.tamrac.com/​5746.htm

I really liked using the Velocity 7 with the XT and it'll hold the cam with lens, plus another 1 or 2 lenses and flash. The link above is for the even smaller Velocity 6. It should fit your cam plus kit lens and misc stuff in the front pocket. These packs allow you to swing the camera around to the front for quick access without having to take off the bag...very handy.

BTW, that kit lens will do just fine as there should be a good amount of light in Maui. Stop it down to f8-f11 and it will really perform.

MauiTiki -

Lowepro Micro 100 is a good option for the Rebel and an extra lens or two. It is a small back pack that has long straps so you can adjust it to wear anywhere on your back (top, middle or low). It is small enough that you won't have a bunch of extra space, but large enough that you'll be able to accomodate the Rebel w/a lens attached and still carry a few extra lenses.

I have the Rebel XT w/ kit lens and a 75-300. I have the bag set up so that I can put the body with either lens on into the bag. The slingshot is nice... IF you are coordinated enough to use it. I would suggest finding a retailer that has one, ask to load a camera into it and try actually using it before dropping $75 on one. I went with the Micro 100 because I found in order to use the slingshot properly, I had to wear it very low on my back, which I didn't like. I also like having the two straps, I can "sling" the Micro over one shoulder if I want, or I can strap that thing to me and know it's not going to move anywhere. Great for hiking, biking, etc.

Good Luck and Have Fun in Hawaii!! I was planning on going in December, but our plans fell through about a month ago... Maybe next year!

John, David, Rumjungle, SoccerRef

Thank you so much for your detailed replies. I actually never even thought about the whole strap issue. I am going to pickup today the pacsafe neck strap. I took a look at the website link you sent and I really like that strap.

As for the bag, I failed to mention that I already have a large camera bag that now holds all my old film equipment ("Old" Pentax SF10 flim SLR with 2 lens's, many filter's, etc . . . ) I actually love that camera bag and as I add onto this new Digital Rebel, I will then use that bag. But for this trip and since I only have 1 attached lens (eeeek, the kit lens no less), I really just want something small and simple.

I am heading over to B&H photo today (I work a few blocks away) and I am going to return the semi-hard $50 dollar waste of money and pick up a new strap (hope they have that pacsafe strap) and most likely the Lowepro case or maybe even the Velocity 6 (thanks for that link too). Just something small and easy to carry.

I might also pick up some sort of LCD cover. My G3 had that swing out display which was nice because I could close it up when not in use. Any recommendations on a good brand that will not distort while viewing photo's and will NOT leave any sticky residue? Anything to protect my new baby

Thanks again or as they say in Hawaii "Mahalo".
P.S. . . SoccerRef . . . sorry to hear your plans fell through. Even though Hawaii is Great ANY month, I have been to Maui twice before (both Sept and Dec) and MUCH prefer Sept. Dec is rainy season and even though the sun was shinning, there was a haze everyday. My photo's came out much better in Sept then in Dec. Then again your in Hawaii so who cares

I think the overall opinion is that there's no need for an LCD cover on a Canon DSLR. The screen is mounted under a transparent plastic cover, which is very hard to scratch (there's no scratches on my 20D after a year of use). If that screen does get too beaten up, you can get a replacement from Canon parts - it's held in on a sticky gasket. There's at least one web site that describes how to replace the cover.

I'm not sure whether B&H sell the Pacsafe strap - most Pacsafe stuff is sold through outdoor stores. Pacsafe are also going to introduce a photography insert for their duffel bag with mesh built in - see here for more details.

You may be able to get an adapter to mount your old Pentax lenses on the XT body. Obviously they'll be manual focus and you'll have to stop down manually, also you have no focussing aids in the Rebel XT (split prism or microprisms), but it's a thought.

Hopefully you can find a suitable bag at B&H - most people would want such a shop on their doorstep when they needed to go camera shopping!

Have a great trip!

David

Hi again David

Once again thank you for all your help and also the advise on my old Pentax lens. That is a thought that will be taken.

Being so close to B&H Photo store is really dangerous. Too much candy for this gal I ended up getting a Tamrac Sub Compact Zoom Pak Model# 514 for my new Digital Rebel. Seems like this will do the trick. It's small enough and has an added pocket for extra CF cards and a filter or 2. It seems to be well made, WELL padded, and the zipper part is covered in the event of an un-expected shower.

Unfortunately B&H did not sell the Pacsafe strap. I had a printout in hand from the website and one sales guy there even copied this info as he wants to buy one. I did not fall in love with any of the straps there. I guess the one that comes with the camera will have to do for now until I get back. My husband who is a retired NYC police officer will be my bodyguard

Thanks again to all . . . while I am in NO WAY an experienced photographer and have MUCH to learn, one day maybe I'll be bold enough to post my photo's to a PBase account for all to see.

Aloha . . .

That Tamrac looks very similar to the Lowepro toploader I picked up at Best Buy. The design works very well.