So what'cha packing? (camera bags)

[Cerpin Taxt]

I've used this LowePro SlingShot thing for the longest time:

It's been really good for the most part, but as I'm acquiring more gear it just isn't really getting the job done anymore. I'm having to make choices that I don't want to make about what gear I load out with. Also, I don't like that it only has one shoulder strap and I can't swap sides on it.

Tomorrow I intend to make a CraigsList purchase of this Tamrac Expedition 7x for a sweet deal:

What do you use to haul your gear with?

 

[Syborg1211]

The photographer's quest for the perfect camera bag never ends. I've had over 10 bags - each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Gone through Crumpler, Lowepro, Tamrac, Incase, Ona, and probably others I'm forgetting. I've settled on two bags I use most of the time now:

1) The Incase DSLR Camera Backpack - this thing holds all my gear well while traveling. The camera compartment is only accessible through the part that lays against your back. So you don't have to worry about people stealing your gear while you're wearing the backpack. It also doesn't scream "I'm a camera bag!" across the room which I hold with pretty high priority for traveling.

2) The Ona Prince Messenger bag - This thing protects your gear and is gorgeous while doing it. I like that it's not super thick so it doesn't come off your hip like a giant lunch box. Messenger bags get in the way and hit things when they're too thick, and few camera messenger bag makers understand this. Also the thicker it is the more purse-like it looks.

Watch out with that Tamrac you're getting and see how heavy it is without anything in it. I have a Tamrac for hiking conditions, and the thing weighs quite a bit even when empty which turns out to not be that great for hiking!

 

[CuriousMike]

The photographer's quest for the perfect camera bag never ends.

The photographer's quest for the perfect camera bag never ends.

Had to quote that twice because it's so true. Also, not sure why I have so many Lowepro bags.. i'm just noticing this trend now.

I have a very basic, but big, Lowepro that sits in my closet that holds all my gear. It isn't used to go out ... it's my storage bag.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F5JH6L2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also had used a Lowepro sling for carrying gear, but ... it never worked out. So, now, it's my overflow storage bag to hold flashes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039NLS4C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Probably my most used bag is my Lowepro Flipside Sport - sorta backpackish. I love it and hate it. Really. For hikes, it's great because it's backpackish. It is slightly smaller than I might want... and I don't like that there isn't a separate "camera downstairs, snacks upstairs" division.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00809MO9S/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My nicest and second most used bag is my ThinkTank Speed Freak. This is the bag I use when I go out with my photo club. I don't think I've ever used the built in waist-strap, but it is a great feature. It's got enough room to fit my body with 24-120 attached, my 70-200 and another lens (typically I'll keep either my 50 or 85). The downside to the bag is no points to lash a tripod on it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052E90A0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[BoomerD]

For the Nikon D3300, I went with the Lowepro Edge 250. Nice enough, I LIKE the side access for camera and lenses.

BUT, it's not very big. Barely fits the D3300 and a couple of lenses in the bottom compartment...and won't fit a laptop...maybe a small tablet in the top compartment.

I have an older tamrac bag that I got with the Nikon Coolpix 5700 over 10 years ago...and a small tamrac backpack. Nicely made bags, just not big enough for my current needs.

 

[IronWing]

In service since 1986, now holding a D90.

I've also used a couple Tamrac Digital Series belt bags for the P&S cameras. I've very unhappy that Tamrac dropped the velco flap that allowedme to hang the bag on my belt without having to take off the belt.

 

[Syborg1211]

I have a very basic, but big, Lowepro that sits in my closet that holds all my gear. It isn't used to go out ... it's my storage bag.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F5JH6L2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also had used a Lowepro sling for carrying gear, but ... it never worked out. So, now, it's my overflow storage bag to hold flashes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039NLS4C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Do your gear a favor and get one of these bad boys for storage:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1151011-REG/sirui_hc_30_electronic_humidity_control.html

It will prevent fungus/haze, has a built in key-lock, and isn't too terribly expensive compared to the cost of lenses/bodies.

 

[CuriousMike]

Dude. I feel like I need to be able to take great photos before owning a vault for my gear!
LOL
That thing is awesome... and ... you're right. It's ... sorta... kinda... actually affordable.

 

[Rifter]

I just have a basic caden bag such as this one:

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu267/cameright/camera bag/kadenF14.jpg~original


holds a good assortment of lens for a day trip. Can hold 1-2 primes the 18-55m kit lens and my 70-300 zoom and my D3300 no problems.

 

[Exterous]

I have a couple year old Tenba backpack that I love for its versatility. Not as purpose built as their current offerings but I like that. I use it as my personal item on most of my flights and if its a 2-3 day trip where I'm not taking our camera I can take out the padding and throw clothes and what not in it. Theres a slot for my laptop or tablet. Good padding on the straps for hiking with gear. Very rugged, great durability and we put its water resistance to the test in Iceland with two straight days of soaking. Sadly they don't sell it anymore so when it does break I'll have to find something new. Picture doesn't quite do it justice in terms of capacity. We can get our 5D Mark III with 24-105mm lens on it in the bottom along with our Tamron 15-30

 

[tdawg]

I just got a Tenba DNA 10 for christmas. Holds my Sony a7 and my 3 lenses along with my Pixel C in a slot in the back. It's a nice, compact bag that doesn't scream camera bag, two of my biggest wants in a camera bag (small for travel, inconspicuous).

 

[Aharami]

my usual wedding gear. The bag is a Lowepro x200AW

On smaller shoots I use a Canon 200DG shoulder bag

Travel bag is Lowepro 200AW

 

[radhak]

I took the plunge and got myself an Amazon Basics bag : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VPE1WK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Have had it for a year, and it has worked great for me, irrespective of the price.

This is what I've got in it:

the D750 + 85mm prime, the 80-200mm, the 17-35mm, the 50mm prime and the SB700 flash (with case).

Sturdy bag, just a few minor nits to pick.

 

[twinrider1]

Tenba P434 Traveler. It's probably 30 years old and is holding up remarkably well. Plastic hasn't gone brittle. The foam hasn't disintegrated. The fabric hasn't gone clammy gooey. No loose thread.

It's great for 1 body and 4 not huge lenses. Could squeeze in a 2nd body if I had to. Plenty of little pockets for extra film, memory cards, batteries, etc.

Mine has black straps, but this is the model.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

These look like some awesome bags/carriers. Question: How do you guys pack for flights? Do you use something different? I just have a Canon bag I got off Amazon, but I'll be flying to Cabo in June and want to bring my stuff. Not sure if the Canon bag is sufficient for flight travel. Also, do you check in your gear or carryon?

 

[CuriousMike]

Side note: I always hear people say things like, "I love this bag because it doesn't look like a camera bag."

I'm not sure what a camera bag looks like. They all look like random bags to me.

However, I will say that having a bag emblazoned with "Canon" would say "camera bag" to me; and if I was a thief I'd have a better shot knowing it wasn't a diaper bag.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Side note: I always hear people say things like, "I love this bag because it doesn't look like a camera bag."

I'm not sure what a camera bag looks like. They all look like random bags to me.

However, I will say that having a bag emblazoned with "Canon" would say "camera bag" to me; and if I was a thief I'd have a better shot knowing it wasn't a diaper bag.

Good point lol. I better start looking at other bags.

 

[herm0016]

http://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/rotation180-horizon

we have one of these and like it a lot for traveling. plenty of room for other travel stuff, does not scream expensive camera and easily accessible while walking/hiking.

 

[Paladin3]

The only bag I ever carried as a newspaper shooter was a Domke F-2 Original Shooter's Bag in black or sand canvas. It had enough room for two film cameras with drives, a host of prime lenses, 2-3 flashes, Quantum flash battery, police scanner, notebooks, lots of film, AA batteries and other accessories. I would hang a two-way radio in a holster on the strap.

One of the best features was the rubber sewn into the strap that kept it from slipping off your shoulder. I actually burned through the pocket flap on one while covering a brush fire, and absorbed the smell of smoke something terrible. My wife would give me a new one as a Christmas present every other year or so.

Bigger lenses (300/2.8, 400/2.8) checked out from the gear locker either had their own bag or were carried on a strap or monopod over my shoulder. I've still got shoulder issues on my left side because of it.

We'd fill the trunk or back seat of our cars with 20-50 rolls of 35mm print film in various speeds and never seemed to have enough. Even with a big Quantum led cell flash battery pack, we still ate lots of disposable alkaline AA batteries because no NiMH AA (which is all I use now) back then. My car/truck was always a mess.

All that said, I was often most happy when I would leave my bag in the car. I'd often go light and just carry a Nikon FM2n and F3 without the motor drives, one with a 24/2.8 and on the other a 105/2.5. I'd jam a notebook and maybe a flash in my back pocket and that was it. Sometimes I wouldn't even carry extra film.

Today, I carry two DSLR bodies, two zoom lenses, three flashes and accessories in a Nova Sport 35L AW in pepper red that I picked up new for something ridiculous like $22 shipped. It is roomy and padded enough, and looks like a diaper bag which hopefully might deter thieves. Did I mention it was cheap?

EDIT: stock photos, not my actual gear.

 

[BrainEater]

I don't have a pic of all my gear in it's home right now.
I started out with a Lowepro slingshot 150....That didn't cut it so I bought this :

http://store.lowepro.com/ca/backpacks/whistler-bp-450-aw-ca

-----
Caveat :
I ski with this . I mostly empty it before I hit the hill...It's got straps for Avalanche gear etc , and , I use the empty space in it , to add extra padding around the Camera when I ski.....

 

[Anubis]

Crumpler 7million dollar home - for when i dont wanna take much

have a Think tank photo - airport accelerator when when i want to pack everything but the kitchen sink
also have a Lowepro pro trekker 450 - which i should prob sell as i don't use it

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I ordered this from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Kattee-Canvas-Leather-Vintage-Messenger/dp/B00F5UDW2I?th=1

Feels pretty sturdy and has enough room my 80d and a few lenses, plus my ipad for work. I might just start lugging my camera around with me and just mess around with it on breaks.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Lowepro Event Messenger 100 - Camera Shoulder Bag for Mirrorless

Just looked it up. W.T.H.?? It's going for $58 now! Last March I bought it at $25.

 

[CuriousMike]

Lowepro Event Messenger 100 - Camera Shoulder Bag for Mirrorless

Just looked it up. W.T.H.?? It's going for $58 now! Last March I bought it at $25.

That's Amazon for you.

 

[FeuerFrei]

That's Amazon for you.

Wow. Graph says it all. When Amazon stopped carrying it, price took off. On further reflection it's possible that Event Messenger 100 model has been discontinued, so supply is constrained. I have no way of knowing though.

 

[Anubis]