Secure bag for traveling in the city?

Hey guys, I was looking for what you guys recommended as a good bag for my gear (in my signature) which I could use while traveling in NYC. I wouldn't want to be the center of attention, and back-packs are a major target in my experinces though there may be one with security additives? I want to be able to walk to the park and do some shooting.

Also for private events is there something I could use just to carry lenses securely?

Thanks for the help guys.

I really like the Thinktank Urban Disguise bags. I think I tried 20 bags this year and I always come back to these. If your not using the grip the UD30 would be perfect. I don't think they work well with gripped bodies except for the UD 35 which would probably be overkill for your gear.

If your concerned about the safety of your gear, get a Pacsafe camera bag. Available in plain black.
Camsafe 200

nothing is going to stop someone from flat our robbing you, but this bag will prevent any of the "cut your backpack while your not looking" thieves. so, with the pacsafe bag, you'll at least know your getting robbed.

~mike

When I'm walking around NYC I'll take whatever bag I need to carry the gear I wanted to bring. Usually it's just a small Gregory Iso backpack with an insert. It's not camera specific and I can fit my 50D w/17-55 mounted, 10-22, 28mm 1.8, and my flash...as well as all the little things. I can also fit a tripod on the outside. I us this bag on a daily basis for pretty much everything.

If I want to take more with me I'll take a Timbuk2 messenger bag with an insert. It's not as easy to carry but it fits everything.

If I want to travel light, it's simply a Tamrac Digital Zoom 4. I can fit my camera w/ lens mounted, memory card, battery, small blower & brush, and a lens cloth. Just the basics.

There are so many people walking around the city with tons of way more expensive gear hanging around their neck. I wouldn't even worry about being discreet in Manhattan unless you're in some really seedy areas. The other boroughs I can't really comment on as I don;t get to go to them as often.

Seriously, there are so many SLRs in NYC there's really nothing special about them anymore.

If you're not careful with your belongings it doesn't matter where or what bag you're carrying.

I like picking backpacks that open from the back, not front. I have the Lowepro Flipside 300 and Crumpler Karachi Outpost (large). I don't worry about being in a crowd and someone trying to open it from behind me. Nor am I worried about accidentally leaving the zipper open and it coming undone and leaving a trail of camera parts on ground.

Kooper, your profile says your from NJ. If you're close enough, you could come by to NYC without your camera equipment and see if you feel threaten at all. I'm in NYC everyday and I've seen a lot of tourists just hanging their DSLRs around their neck. Just today, I saw a guy shooting a leica m9.

If you're planning to head to the city and to parks, you should be fine with whatever bag. No one would really bother you. If you're going to rougher neighborhoods ... well, it wouldn't really matter what bag you use. They'll take it even if it's empty.

Regarding PacSafe and other straps that have a cable wire inside to prevent people from cutting it ... I'm a little mix regarding these straps. Conceptually, it sounds like a great idea. However, in reality, I would rather someone cut my camera strap and run away with my camera than not being able to cut my camera strap and stab me instead (and probably taking my camera anyway).

PerfectTan wrote in post #10831638
When I was in NYC couple weeks ago. I've seen people with 7D, 50D and big lens, etc strapping around their neck. Basically what I am trying to say is. I think as long as you are aware of your surrounding, you will be ok with or without bag(expensive or cheap).

True. And maybe have pepper spray/mace readily accessible.

I go to NYC often, specifically in Manhattan and once got robbed without noticing right from my backpack hence the topic

Kooper wrote in post #10833026
I go to NYC often, specifically in Manhattan and once got robbed without noticing right from my backpack hence the topic

Damn! Where were you?

I always try to stay conscience of my surroundings, but in most areas of Manhattan I simply would not expect anything to happen.

I regularly go into NYC with my domke j2/3 without feeling like I need to worry.

Honestly I've been jammed into 50 person scrums waiting for a crosswalk signal and had my bag on my hip and felt fine....I went to Rome and that place was the least safe feeling city I've ever been in and I just made sure to be wary of my surroundings at all times.

NYC is cake now! Lol

Yea honestly I think you are pretty safe. Don't bring so much stuff though. Stay light and loose, hand on your camera the whole time. You don't have any white lens, so an SLR looks like every other. Been to NYC a couple times, you won't have an issue.

Just look like you know what you are doing and try not to stand out too much. Those rules pretty much apply anywhere and you are fine.

I live in the city, and I use a Pacsafe 100 strap on my camera and a Pacsafe 200 strap on my Lowepro Stealth Reporter. Any big city is a haven for thieves, whether it's tourists or locals carrying a $3000 camera. The steel cables in these straps are protection for me.

I use them as daily straps.