Camera bag for Alaska Cruise

There are lots of thread regarding what lenses to take to Alaska but couldn't find thread on what camera bags to take on day excursions.

Here's what I've decided to take.
5D, 16-35, 24-70(still debating), 100-400, 1.4X(pins taped to work with 100-400), CPL, G9(indoor snaps), 220EX, Monopod, Tripod (for Photo Safari), 80GIG worth of CFs, Nexto PSD, Kata Raincoat, My raincoat, 40D(for 100-400 but still debating)

I don't want to take the bag off in less than ideal weather to change lenses during the excursion. So tradition backpack type is out, sling type bag isn't anymore comfortable than shoulder bags with shoulder harness for walking. So sling type of bags are out including Fastpacks ( I need to take it off to access lenses)

Of the bags in my collection:
1. Primus - good for 3 lens setup + 100-400 in upper compartment. Room for my raincoat. I can access camera while walking. I can change lenses without putting down the bag. Cons: heavy and big
2. Domke F-2 with TT Shoulder harness - easy to access camera or lenses. Comfortable when worn as backpack. Cons: no room for monopod or tripod, no room for raincoat, too heavy when worn as shoulder bag
3. Flipside 300 - compact size, fairly easy access to lenses without putting the bag down, light weight bag. Cons: no room for raincoat
4. TT Changeup with lens changer- Small size, can be worn as lumbar bag or waist pack for easy access to lenses or camera. Cons: no way to put body with 100-400 mounted inside the bag (big minus as I think 100-400 will be most used lens), limited to 3 lenses, no room for monopod or tipod

Being a bag-a-holic, I will spring for an another bag if needed

I appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Hmm let's see..

Primus: Sounds good pending on the excursion.
Domke: No. Not enough room for even a monopod and coat means it's just not enough.
Flipside: Sounds good but maybe you want to buy a lens case or something and stuff the raincoat in there and attach it or put one of your lenses in it.
Changeup: Again, doesn't seem to have enough room.

I'll take a look and see what other bags would be good for you.

I'm also headed to AK, and have been plotting bag strategy. I've decided to carry a TT Airport Antidote, to carry everything on planes, trains, busses... And, a TT Changup for day carry. I didn't want to lug everything, everywhere we go, but wanted a good selection of gear along for the journey. And, wanted a minimal bag for daily stuff. The Changeup will work great for carrying 1-2 lenses(including 100-400), plus accessories, and the belt is easier to carry than a shoulder bag. When I carry my 40d, it'll kinda squeeze into the changeup, but when I have the 1d, it'll have to hang from my shoulder (BR strap).

And, for days I want a lot of gear, I can always carry the back-pack with an assortment of stuff, but probably never carry everything.


At least thats my current plan. Been changing regularly for months

edit: Oh, the tripod will probably be in a lightweight pod bag, slung over my wife's shoulder

Man when I was in Alaska I was brand new to (at that time) my mom's XTi with kit lens and 75-300mm III USM. Times change.

I think when you mean "sling type bags" you mean the Slingshots, not the Fastpacks. The Fastpacks are like Slingshots with two straps and a larger upper compartment. Check out the Kata HB-207, lots of room and it can carry your tripod and monopod judging by review pictures on Cambags. Doesn't look like there's a compartment for your jacket but I'm sure there's room somewhere.

Hah.. I've been working on my wife to help carry some of the gear but no cigar yet. Se thinks I carry way too much camera "stuff".
My biggest dilemma is that once you leave the ship, you can't go back unlike traving with a car. I have to have almost all gear that I "might" need for excursion. I am leaning toward Primus since I can have 1-4 mounted and stashed away in the bag until I need it freeing both hands.
Another thought is use NorthFace Solaris and Changeup together. Put Changeup inside Solaris and when I get to the destination, take it out and wear it was waist pack and work out from there. I also have Optech backpack adaptor on Solaris so I can just hang camera there so I can free my hands. It worked well for few trips but I'm getting lazy and want to work with one bag.
I have one month till the cruise. I know I will change bag strategy hundreds of times until I leave.

Vascilli,
I ruled out Fastpack because I couldn't take the lens out and change while wearing the bag. At least it seemed that way when I tried out at local camera shop. Accessing camera was easy but I need to change lenses as well. I have no intention of lay-down the bag in the muddy wet Alaskan ground. But you are right Fastpack has 2 shoulder straps so technically it is not Sling bag. I also have new Kata 3n1-20 bag that acts like both backpack and sling bag. I can access and change lenses without taking the bag off but it is not comfortable enough for me to consider taking it to Alaska.

Hi,

Just my €0.02 worth!

I took the Lowepro Primus to Australia for 4 weeks earlier this year with very similar kit to what you described.

While Traveling:

Bottom Compartment:
Top Row: Canon 5d + 100-400 (attached) + 1.4x and 430ex flash.
Lower Row: Canon 24-105 + 50 f/1.2 + Air Blower
Pocket: Filters + Some batteries

Top Compartment:
Books + Chargers + Cables + Socket Converters + Personal Travel Stuff
Canon 40D + 17-40 (using a Domke Protective Wrap for padding).

Outside Compartment:
Clothes + Washgear

Pretty packed but still fairly comfortable. During day trips I'd strip this down to 1 Camera + 100-400, 24-104 and either 17-40 or 50L - all fit in the bottom part - leaving the top and outside for snacks / clothes.
Ideal for travel.

About the only snag with the Primus is that it's not possible or practical to carry a laptop. I guess something small/light like a Netbook or MacBook Air would fit in the outer pocket but would not be secured.

If you plan to bring a laptop then something like the Tamrac Adventure 9 (assuming you need to carry stuff besides camera gear) or maybe the Kata R-103 if you're only carrying camera gear.

Hope you enjoy your trip, would love to get to Alaska at some stage

Cheers,
-- Colm.

Thank you Colm.
I have no plans to take laptop to any trips. I have PSD and plenty of CF cards.
One thing I've learned while traveling back country is that when it rains, everything turns to mud and can't find suitable place to lay down my bag to access and change lenses on a moments notice.
I'm still set on Primus until some better suggestion comes along. Only thing that I don't like about Primus is that it's bulky and shoulder pad isn't that well padded for the weight.

Jason Kim wrote in post #5983216
There are lots of thread regarding what lenses to take to Alaska but couldn't find thread on what camera bags to take on day excursions.

Here's what I've decided to take.
5D, 16-35, 24-70(still debating), 100-400, 1.4X(pins taped to work with 100-400), CPL, G9(indoor snaps), 220EX, Monopod, Tripod (for Photo Safari), 80GIG worth of CFs, Nexto PSD, Kata Raincoat, My raincoat, 40D(for 100-400 but still debating)

I don't want to take the bag off in less than ideal weather to change lenses during the excursion. So tradition backpack type is out, sling type bag isn't anymore comfortable than shoulder bags with shoulder harness for walking. So sling type of bags are out including Fastpacks ( I need to take it off to access lenses)

Of the bags in my collection:
1. Primus - good for 3 lens setup + 100-400 in upper compartment. Room for my raincoat. I can access camera while walking. I can change lenses without putting down the bag. Cons: heavy and big
2. Domke F-2 with TT Shoulder harness - easy to access camera or lenses. Comfortable when worn as backpack. Cons: no room for monopod or tripod, no room for raincoat, too heavy when worn as shoulder bag
3. Flipside 300 - compact size, fairly easy access to lenses without putting the bag down, light weight bag. Cons: no room for raincoat
4. TT Changeup with lens changer- Small size, can be worn as lumbar bag or waist pack for easy access to lenses or camera. Cons: no way to put body with 100-400 mounted inside the bag (big minus as I think 100-400 will be most used lens), limited to 3 lenses, no room for monopod or tipod

Being a bag-a-holic, I will spring for an another bag if needed

I appreciate your thoughts and comments.

You *don't* want to have to take the bag off to swap glass???
I had the same requirement.

Get the Think Tank Rotation 360. It will carry your gear no sweat and it works great.

Jason Kim wrote in post #5984665
Vascilli,
I ruled out Fastpack because I couldn't take the lens out and change while wearing the bag. At least it seemed that way when I tried out at local camera shop. Accessing camera was easy but I need to change lenses as well. I have no intention of lay-down the bag in the muddy wet Alaskan ground. But you are right Fastpack has 2 shoulder straps so technically it is not Sling bag. I also have new Kata 3n1-20 bag that acts like both backpack and sling bag. I can access and change lenses without taking the bag off but it is not comfortable enough for me to consider taking it to Alaska.

Oooooooh lenses.... I see what you mean.

Well you can rearrange the padding so you kind of can. Refer to thisimage. Keep in mind that's actually a Fastpack 250.

Vascilli,
Oh, I see. Trip back to local camera shop to see if it offers better solution than Primus.

rang,
I have Rotation 360. I haven't used it more than a year. You still have to take it off to access lenses in the upper compartment. It won't take 100-400 in bottom compartment where you rotate.

I've been reading past Alaska posts. They are really informative. One poster mentioned that he is never going to take backpack again to Alaska due to difficulty accessing contents. I think I'm on a right path.

I carry a $0.99 disposable poncho in my bag (they're cheap enough to be permanent residents and I can carry spares). I also keep the tripod/monopod separate. I'd go with the F-2. For that matter, take a look at the F-802 and a 3-compartment insert along with an F-901 or F-902 pouch on each end. I carry 5D, 20D, 70-200 2.8, 24-70, and Sigma 15-30 along with 580EX in the main compartment that way and there's plenty of room for the other odds and ends in the front pockets and the F90x pouches.

I just did a test run with my Antidote.

A lot of little, less expensive crap, will be in my changeup, and go in my checked luggage.

My AK kit: 40d+100-400, 1D-III+24-105, 50l, 135L, 17-40, 1.4tc, filters, CF+SD, batteries, backup-device, cleaning stuff....

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Jason, from your list of bags you should be giving advise, not asking for it. Surely one of your bags will work in wet conditions with care.

Bring all the gear you can carry and clean the mud off when you get home. Alaska is a special place.

Jason Kim wrote in post #5984827
Thank you Colm.

You're quite welcome.

Living here in Ireland I'm pretty used to getting wet
The very first time I used the Primus was a winters hike through the Gap of Dunlow in Kerry. I was completely soaked by very heavy rain over a 6 hour walk but the bag was still dry and my gear was fine.

The bag is also pretty easy to get stuff in and out of, usually I keep the 100-400 in the top 'slot' of the lower compartment and my 24-105 on the camera and it's possible to swap the two without taking off the bag through the side pocket.

In any case I'm pretty sure you be fine with any of the more common brands, Lowpro, Crumpler, Tamrac, ThinkTank, Kata are all of high quality.
Finally you'll be in Alaska so I'm sure thinks won't go too badly

Cheers,
-- Colm.