Need a comfortable backpack/messenger bag

After getting out of photography a few years back, I'm about to jump back in with a T2i, 18-55, 50mm 1.8, and hopefully a 70-200 f4, possibly a grip as well. Nothing fancy yet and I do plan to expand my collection over the years, but thats the most i'll have by a big trip to Europe this summer.

Previously I had a Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home, and while I loved the easy accessibility of a messenger, the weight of the bag on one shoulder at a time walking around all day with its minimal strap padding took its toll on my comfort level. Needless to say after a week abroad, I started to hate the bag. I did tend to lean on it a bit as an arm rest (probably not the best idea).

I've just begun searching for a suitable bag for the trip this summer and have found myself looking for 3 primary factors (in descending order of importance);

1. Comfort - my paramount concern, I will be walking around 6-8 hours a day with the bag over about 14 days total.

2. Convenience / Storage - Enough room for the gear listed above, plus a bit of extra space for something small - No laptop space needed, but a space to put a water, or hang a tripod would be nice. Wouldn't mind to be able to store some small purchased items as well. Easy access to my gear would be nice.

3. Style - the wife complained about about the corny look of my old Tamrac backpack I used to have before the crumpler - so the better looking the better.


I've looked into the Think Tank Retrospective 10/20 in Pinestone, Dakine Mission Photo, Kata DR-467 and a few others. Willing to spend up to $175 or so, but would prefer to be around the $100-$125 mark or less. I really enjoy the convenience of a messenger/shoulder bag, but worry about shoulder issues again.

Any any all suggestions will be considered, thanks in advance!

I just ordered the Timbuk2 snoop medium. It's supposed to be delivered tomorrow-- after a couple days of using it I'll be sure to post how I like it.
Thinktank bags seem very promising, the Retrospectives as well as the Urban Disguise (if I was going to get a dedicated photo bag it would have been one of the Retrospectives).

None the less,

Good Luck

Lowepro Flipside 300, good medium size and compact rounded shape (not box like)

https://photography-on-the.net …ight=lowepro+fl​ipside+300

http://www.amazon.com …o+flipside+300%​22&x=0&y=0

It's the grip that is the deal-breaker. I was going to recommend a sling bag, as that is what I use right now, the Passport.

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1297087​193&sr=8-8

Kata has some interesting sling bags, all are very comfy. I have the old torso bag that looks like armor and it's what I use in the city, and it's easy to carry and to take stuff out.

SuzyView wrote in post #11793415
It's the grip that is the deal-breaker. I was going to recommend a sling bag, as that is what I use right now, the Passport.

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1297087​193&sr=8-8

Kata has some interesting sling bags, all are very comfy. I have the old torso bag that looks like armor and it's what I use in the city, and it's easy to carry and to take stuff out.

The grip is a possibility, but not a definite. I had one with my old camera and didn't use it as often as I originally expected. If theres a bag that works better but won't fit the grip, i would pick it over others.

Not sure how I feel about slings, they seem a bit small for my needs.

Do the Retrospective bags count as messenger bags? Cause they're so awesome and can fit everything you throw at them.

Maverique wrote in post #11793585
Do the Retrospective bags count as messenger bags? Cause they're so awesome and can fit everything you throw at them.

I was counting them as a messenger style, not sure if they technically are though.

aphexii wrote in post #11793911
I was counting them as a messenger style, not sure if they technically are though.

If the Retrospective isn't a Messenger Style bag, I'm not sure what is.....

well backpack or messenger is what you'll have to decide on first.

That said, I have a Timbuk 2 Snoop also - size small which comfortably holds my 60D w/ lens attached, 10-22, 28 1.8, 50 1.8, and a flash - It would hold your intended kit no problem. I don't like big bags or bags that scream "camera bag here," so the Snoop works well for me. I use it daily and its very comfortable. However, I personally wouldn't want to lug that much gear around on one shoulder while walking in Europe for hours a day (backpack might be better), but the Snoop would get it done (and keep you looking good in the process).

For the "small and light" days - which is my 60D and 28 1.8 + 10-22, I bought the Arc'Teryx Mistral 8. Its small, padded, and awesome. A unique non camera bag that works pretty well as a camera bag.

get an incase DSLR sling. VERY nice looking (for the wife aspect) and it'll easily carry what you want.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #11796783
get an incase DSLR sling. VERY nice looking (for the wife aspect) and it'll easily carry what you want.

I don't know if i like the fact that you can't switch shoulders on the Incase Sling.

I went to London and Amsterdam last year with my gripped t2i, 50mm f/1.8, 17-50, and 430ex ii (along with some small stuff) in my Lowepro Exchange Messenger. It's very subtle, and held everything quite well...and at a very attractive price point. The only downside is that its padding is meh, and it would benefit from adding a pad to the strap. I used some of the padding from my Tenba insert to cushion the bottom and front of the bag.

It's also well-reviewed here on PoTN: Link to thread

I should mention that in my set-up, I had the bag against my right side in this configuration:

The forward "compartment" housed the flash
The center usually held my gripped T2i on it's side so that the lens pointed back and the grip face up, ready to be grabbed.
The rear facing compartment held my 50mm.

kata 3n1 turns into a back pack or sling bag

aphexii wrote in post #11798132
I don't know if i like the fact that you can't switch shoulders on the Incase Sling.

then the think tank slings are your only option really...