Bags bags bags...

Hi All,

Well I went a little crazy today, ebay damn you *shakes fist*.. and i ended up buying my self some goodies under the pretence that they where christmas presents to my self.

Anyhow I eneded up getting a Battery Grip, Lense Hood, Remote Switch and some Macro Lenses.. Then realised my current camera bag has little hope of fitting them.

So.. what bag to get?

I really like the look of the Crumpler Bags..

Either the Crumpler Daily: http://www.intro2020.co.uk/pages/crumpler21.htm
Or Pretty Boy: http://www.intro2020.co.uk/pages/crumpler17.htm

and then there is the tamrac range: http://www.tamrac.co.uk/pages/product4.htm

Budget: £50-£60 ideally.

Will be holding the canon 350D with standard Lense (but will be getting a new telephoto lense at some point in the next couple of months and a monopod)

Yeah, I like Crumpler.
Stumbled on the Brian's Hot Tub by accident in the camera shop (end of year clearance).
Managed to squeeze into it two 1D bodies, 4 lenses, 2 flashguns, laptop, and lots of stuff like cleaning kit, extension tubes, remote release, spare batteries.
It's lasted through two years of motor racing unscathed, and even without waterproof zips my gear was dry in a thunderstorm in Barcelona (DTM race) and le Mans (24h)
Thumbs up to them.

I bought the one below to hold me over until I could find "the one"... Once I started using it, I love it.. Holds my gear and is easy to carry. It also gives me room for my laptop if I want to take it. Probably not the greatest bag, buy very useable. Compartments are adjustable.

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/441663002.htm

Just a thought..
Phil

I've been looking at those crumplers too but haven't bought one yet. I have a nice bag but its getting cramped with one body, 3 lenses and a flash plus all the little stuff.
I can't see getting a back pack bag for myself as I usually have an oxygen tank back there but sometimes I use an old insulated lunch bag with a hard insert when I don't have too carry much.

I like Crumpler, Tamrac, and Lowepro. Crumpler is definitely the winner when it comes to style. And I like how they use bright colors for the inside of their bags. That makes it easier to see lens caps and other small stuff you toss into the bag. I also like that Crumpler cases don't announce themselves as bags full of expensive camera equipment. I bought a Crumpler shoulder bag a few years ago and have since passed it on to my dad. I only use backpacks now. And as far as backpacks go, I think Lowepro's harnesses are the best. I like Tamrac's build quality the best. Lately I've been using a Lowepro backpack and a Think Tank Photo backpack. The Think Tank Photo pack holds almost all my stuff. And the Lowepro pack gets used when I am going hiking or need a great fit.

The truth is, there's no perfect camera bag. I have used a lot and they all fit a certain niche for me. But there's no one that does it all. I'm usually using two - one to hold most of my stuff, and a smaller one for one camera and a lens or two.

And then there's the ski/bike backpack problem...

I have to agree with the captain on this. There really isn't a single ideal camera bag. I use a variety of bags depending on the situation. I have a Tamrac backpack, a Lowepro DryZone waterproof backpack, a Tamrac shoulder bag, a Lowepro hip pack, a small Lowepro that only holds DSLR with attached lens and a couple small accessories, and a Lowepro slingshot 200 bag. Each and every single one of them gets regular use.

I have to say I use the backpacks mostly just for storage. They only come out for travel or special purposes (the Lowepro DryZone). The problem with backpacks is that I have to take them off to get access to anything. The shoulder bag allows the fastest and easiest access, the slingshot is in between. I use the hip pack and small lowepro for hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing.

For my limited needs,(until I get rich enough to own everything) I'm thinking the tamrac 5606 will suit my needs and am in process of ordering one/