A Gadget Bag Question

[Loupey]

So it's going to be self-gift-giving-season soon and I was wondering if anyone would like to share any camera bags ideas.

What has worked out for you as it relates to shooting in the field?

Show me yours and I'll show you mine

[Sushigaijin]

I'd suggest getting one on etsy.com. Handmade by a real person, most of the ads I have read allow full customization of pockets, size, reinforcement, etc. I'm hoping santa brings me one :-)

for now, I carry my camera around my neck and everything else in a lowepro, which works as a mobile speed workstation - it holds filter, lens caps, batteries, memory cards, and everything else I want to be able to get to without actually taking my eyes off of the viewfinder. I use it like a table more than a bag. The small size really helps, I take another larger messenger bag to carry all the stuff I don't use as often, like diffusers, tripods, water, lunch, OFF, etc. I am a firm believer in mise en place, that is, a place for everything - it's nice to know that my keys are ALWAYS in my right front pocket, and that my batteries are in the front auxilliary pocket and that my lens cloth rides in my left back pocket - yet my wetnap lens wipes are used less often so they ride in a pocket in my bag...nothing worse than having to dig through piles of crap to find the ONE thing you need.

Erik.

[SmartWombat]

Crumpler - Brian's hot tub.
If I doubled up the lenses in the pockets it would take 4 L series 70-200 or 100-400 or similar plus one shorter lens. Plus a body, or two if you take the laptop insert out.
It also has a velcro-in bag for stuff, the junk you don't throw out - like filters, remotes, battery covers, flash batteries, you know the kind of thing.
I manage to slip in 24 AA batteries as well, and a flash softbox, with tripod and monopod on the outside.

Of course I can't lift the thing without getting a hernia, but I can carry everything once it's on

[drg]

I've found that it depends entirely on how much stuff I need and how far I am going on foot.

For a big DSLR like the Canon 1D (II's, N, s etc) I have found that I like a separate bag/case for the camera and mounted lens, and another bag or belt pouch for any additional 'stuff'.

I carry my memory cards in cases in my pockets (either metal waterproof or plastic waterproof cases) for easy access. Gepe has some very nice neon colored ones now that float and are waterproof to boot. I've got some older gunmetal one's that I still use as I like them and can handle them easily with gloves.

For the kind of shooting you do a lot of make sure that you have water gear like Optech or something even if you are shooting with sealed camera. Smart Wombat can tell you about moisture even if his experience wasn't totally from sealing issues.

Bottom line for a 'field' case I like the Lowepro Top Load AW series for field work. I even wrote a review http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-...brands_lowepro .
I've also used Tamrac's (got a new one for a smaller camera somewhere around here) and I've got some older Lowepro Top Load Zoom cases, that though rather abused, work quite well even if they aren't as totally weatherproof.

[Knight]

First do you want to travel lite or fully armed Im sort of a Tamrac guy, they have a bag for every need . When i want to go lite i have a Expedition 3 wich will hold a DSLR with a 300mm , Tcon Tubes and a wide lens plus all the batteries and memory you need for the day with no problem , you can carry it by the handle or sling it on your back like a backpack . Oops more l8ter go to scoot to work .

[Loupey]

Erik - "a place for everything" - I heard that! And if there isn't a place for it, then another bag will do. But wait, that bigger bag has room for more stuff... and on and on

Paul - a question popped up as I read your list. But you answered it with your last sentence LOL. Thanks for your input.

Hey, Drg, I bet you've seen some "executive" type memory card cases come across your desk. What's the most expensive one that you've seen? I tend to have some loose ones in my pants pocket Thanks for your link - I'll look into it.

Knight - I think many of us here have more bags/cases than we would like to admit. Our excuse for not having purses


Ok, people. Let's fess up. Who's got the most bags/cases here? I've only 4 bags and 2 hard cases (excluding lens cases). I bet I'm easily eclipsed here.

[Bevb]

Ok here is my number, 2 rucksacks, 2 camera bags and 1 hard case (excluding lense cases).

Any views on the slingshots anyone?

[mjs1973]

I have 5 bags, but only 2 get used regularly. One is a Lowepro Photo Trekker AW. This is a very large packpack style bag and it will hold pretty much everything I need. I recently wrote a review for this bag that will give you more of my view on it. Fully loaded, without tripod, it weighs close to 40 pounds. Not great for hiking!

When I go light, I take the Canon bag that I got with my original SLR kit 5 or 6 years ago. It's small, and doesn't hold much, but I can manage as long as I keep my body, with main lens mounted, on my shoulder, and use the bag for an extra lens or two, filters, flash, and whaterve else I can cram into it. It all depends on what I'm doing, and where I'm going, but I can usually make the small Canon bag work, with a few compromises.

I also have a Lowepro TLZ AW that is nice for hike. It has a harnes so you can strap the bag to your chest and keep everying within reach. That also leaves your back free for a small backpack.

I'm doing some traveling next month, so I will be looking for a new, carry-on bag that will hold everything I want to take with me.

Bev, I have thought about the slingshot bags myself, but haven't looked into them too closely yet. I need to get the camera store soon so I can get a better idea of what's out there, and what size bag to get.

[Greg McCary]

I would just like a bag big enough for all of my gear. I can't find one that I like. I don't want to spend more on my bag than I did on my camera, any suggestions? I would like one that I could possibly carry two cameras and four lenses, filters, release cable and film.
Greg

[mjs1973]

I would just like a bag big enough for all of my gear. I can't find one that I like. I don't want to spend more on my bag than I did on my camera, any suggestions? I still shot film so I would like a bag that held film too...
Greg

What style of bag are you interested in, and what do you have for gear? There are lots of styles and sizes out there and I'm sure someone could point you in the right direction with a little more info. What have you looked at, and what didn't you like about them?

[Greg McCary]

A shoulder bag, I basically shoot out if the back of a SUV most of the time, so that's really where my cameras stay. Something that would hold two cameras about five lenses and filters. and a couple of flash heads....

[mjs1973]

A shoulder bag, I basically shoot out if the back of a SUV most of the time, so that's really where my cameras stay. Something that would hold two cameras about five lenses and filters. and a couple of flash heads....

I'm looking for something along the same lines that also meets ariline carry-on restrictions. I still haven't found what I want yet, but hopefully I can get to a store soon. Check out this thread if you haven't already. Lots of good recomendations in there.

Camera Bag Recommendations

[Knight]

Another bag i have is the Tamrac Pro 12 , its a monster of a bag . Well constructed lots of compartments and padding. http://www.tamrac.com/5612.htm

[scott-devon]

Hmmmm, guess I'm a go light kinda guy. I have a Lowepro shoulder bag, and a Blacks Camera shoulder bag both very nice padded set ups but.. I found them too clunky for my walks so I bought a Dutch army pack at a surplus store. Works great for me, it holds a 2 cup thermos, my ist ds with either of my lenses mounted and the other in a compartment inside, plus lens caps, extra batteries, extra cards and filters. I also put in a 12" square piece of neophrene I cut out of an old pair of fishing waders, this both acts as a padded base to protect the gear from drops, and as a waterproof seat when I stop to have a coffee or sit quietly hoping for a good shot. Not fancy, but it does the job for me.

[Greg McCary]

Another bag i have is the Tamrac Pro 12 , its a monster of a bag . Well constructed lots of compartments and pading. http://www.tamrac.com/5612.htm

That looks close to what I have been looking for. Thanks. Maybe it's time to write a letter to Santa.
Greg

[Loupey]

Thanks for the responses! I'd like to share with you what I feel is the perfect bag (for me). I've been testing it for the last several months and I haven't found a flaw yet. It does just about everything that conventional bags/cases cannot (and drives me crazy ).

Perhaps you seen it before but here it is: Lowepro's Omni Trekker. I did a lot of research and couldn't find anything like it. It does exactly what I was looking for:

1) Holds my 10D with 300mm attached
2) Operates as a shoulder bag in slim format (to keep the center of gravity near me)
3) Converts to backpack mode in seconds (without having to attach/lose straps since its normally stowed within)
4) Looks like a business piece (which I feel gets less scrutiny by airport inspectors and customs agents)
5) Fits exactly inside a Pelican 1550 hard case (which I already had)

Finished with my testing. If you're in the market for a new bag (even without the Pelican hard case), check it out :thumbsup:

[Loupey]

And the absolute best part(s)?

2-a) the slim format allows it to fit in the back seat foot well of even the smallest cars, and

2-b) the top zippered flap allows me to pull out my 10D/300mm with one hand from the back seat without moving the bag

How cool is that!


Perhaps the only drawback is that, because it is a slim profile it cannot house a tall camera body like a 1D-series or any body with a battery grip. There are others better suited for studio work and such. But this one is great for the mobile shooter.