camera + diaper bag?????

as some of you know, we are expecting our first child in a couple of months. besides all the very confusing decisions of which crib, stroller etc.. to buy, i also need to choose a new bag. what i am looking for is a bag that will allow me to carry my 1D or 5D, 2-3 lenses (probably 17-40, 24-70 and 85 1.8), my 580 ex flash and the usual accessories. on top of the camera gear, i need to carry your usual baby stuff like diapers, bottles etc..

i have been looking at a few reviews online but it is very hard to judge by the pics that i found. i was looking at the different lowepro rovers, Tamrac adventure 9 and other various bags that have both space for camera gear as well as space for normal everyday items.

any advice would be greatly appreciated and pics would be even better

A small gym bag that you can put a small camera bag in with room for that other stuff.

Congrats.

Get a diaper bag large enough to carry all the BSE (baby support equipment) and your camera gear. That way you'll never have to worry about your camera gear being stolen, especially if you leave a used diaper sticking out of the top of the bag...

funny.

I'm using a Jack Spade small messenger bag for my toddler. Diapers and juice cups with baby wipes line the bottom and sides....Camera with 24-60 mounted snugs in between...awesome.

i am really looking for a backpack to be honest with you.

I'll just add a small tip. I have twins so our needs are slightly different but... a lot of nasty stuff goes into a diaper bag. And I'm not squimish about using (abusing) the gear on occasion, but I definately wouldn't put it into a diaper bag. You got nasty bibs going in and out, and spoons, and food containers that stickers fingers have been into so on and so forth.

The good news is you will probably have a stroller so you'll be able to bring 2 bags with you.

Just speaking as a mom with experience... I have no clue about a combo diaper/camera bag...

However... I would always carry 2 separate bags.... Unless you are breastfeeding and you can just tuck a couple diapers and some wipes into your camera bag with an extra outfit...

I agree with LIVE4PSD.... Babies need their own bag for stuff... I don't think I'd mix the two. And to get a camera bag that is large enough to accomodate the baby stuff.. you'd be talking about a huge bag that would be cumbersome.. .and you'd not want to carry it around...

So my advice... Camera bag for camera... Throw the camera around your neck on the neckstrap.. but the baby stuff in a little backpack kind of diaper bag.. and pop the baby onto your body in a carrier like the Baby Bjourn.... You'll look something like a tourist on the go, or photography crazed post partum woman... one of the two, but you'll be taking some mighty fine photos of that little one for sure!

LIVE4SPD wrote in post #5090011
I'll just add a small tip. I have twins so our needs are slightly different but... a lot of nasty stuff goes into a diaper bag. And I'm not squimish about using (abusing) the gear on occasion, but I definately wouldn't put it into a diaper bag. You got nasty bibs going in and out, and spoons, and food containers that stickers fingers have been into so on and so forth.

The good news is you will probably have a stroller so you'll be able to bring 2 bags with you.

this is exactly why i looked at bags that have seperate sections for the camera and the "regular stuff"..

Checkl out the Tamrac line they have several that may fit the bill. But I do think it's cute that you think you will have time to use your camera... lol

just for clarification, i am a guy (father) so i doubt that i will be doing any breast feeding

i think that this one would be my best bet:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=208492

the only thing i need to do is figure out if the top part is big enough to store 2-3 diapers, wipes, 1-2 bottles and various other small things that i might need.

Kristy wrote in post #5090070
... I would always carry 2 separate bags....

I second this motion...

Babies in various stages require different amounts of stuff. You will go through just as many different diaper bags as photographers do camera bags!! If you limit your self to one bag, you have absolutely no flexibility!!

Also keep in mind: since you are not responsible for the breast feeding, you do not have any 'self-contained storage devices'. You will be relying on bottles...and they leak...in your bag...when it's 95 deg. out...do you really want your camera gear stewing in that???

Shaun

JWright (above) may heve ben kidding but he is right on! I keep a diaper or a bib or even a bottle visible in/on my bag so that someone would be less likely to steal it!!

Also, Invest in ZipLock bags - I keep baby wipes (7x8" size) in them so they take up less room in my bag. - also, If you put a couple diapers in a ziplock (preferrably fresh from the package - they have less air in them) and kneel on them to squeeze the air out - then zip 'em up - they are half the size.

One last tip, Many common backpacks have 2 (separate) sections in them that are used for various reasons (sleeping bag etc) You can get a medium size backpack that will store your diaper bag AND your camera bag - and keep them both safe and dry. Plus there is room for a tripod and water bottles etc.

Have fun and good luck!

thanks for all the help. again, if you look at the bags i am looking at, you will see that they all have separate sections for the camera gear and the "other" stuff so leaks and mess are not really an issue.

I have one of these:

http://products.lowepr​o.com …t/Rover-AW-II,2024,14.htm

Hold quite a bit of gear in the bottom, plenty of room for other stuff up top.