What camera bag do you have?

[Xaero]

As per the title really.

I have a Billingham Hadley Pro messenger bag in black with black trim, which is great (I use it for business too, and nobody bats an eyelid at it), but am in the market for a backpack (to lug more than a day trip's worth of stuff around) which I'm finding impossible to meet my requirements, I'm not sure on where to compromise so wondered how happy other people were with them.

My requirements (used for travel/holidays):
-Should hold a 15 inch laptop - and preferably next to the back rather than far away due to weight distribution.
-Can hold 2 camera bodies and a selection of lenses, with adequate protection.
-Not have too large dividers (aimed at pro dSLRs), I use m4/3 stuff so I can take more items.
-Should use space efficiently. I really dislike the side opening packs that leave huge open spaces big enough to fit a dSLR lens in.
-Should be as secure as possible, I like the rear opening ones that need to come off the back to be unzipped.
-Should have a space for day items, a few items of clothing, some extra gadgets (headphones), and a sandwich.
-Should be able to hold a water bottle on the outside
-Should be able to carry a tripod, preferably not in a place which makes the bag's weight poorly distributed once attached.
-Should have good support, definitely a chest strap, and preferably a removable waist strap too.
-Shouldn't be more than £220, but will go higher for something 'perfect'.

So any suggestions are welcome, but this thread is mostly to show off your own bags :-)

[mike80]

Can't help with what you need, but can show off mine. This my main bag, also have a lowepro shoulder bag for carrying stuff around.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-int...

[sgrimshaw]

Have you tried this

http://www.lowepro.com/bagfinder

[jodypress]

I've got an older Kata 3N1 and it's superb.

http://www.katabags.co.uk/3n1-33-dl-sling-backpack

[rolex]

Anonymous backpack for me I don't want to advertise the fact that I'm carrying expensive camera equipment around

[nellyleelephant]

ThinkTank Airport Accelerator for going away.
ThinkTank Streetwalker Pro for carrying smaller amounts.
ThinkTank Glass Limo with added pouches for carrying a long lens.

As you can tell, I like their products, but they're st at choosing names.

[steveatesh]

Cheap and cheerful for me, Amazon Basics:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002VPE1WK/ref=...

Amazing for its price, and still in one piece!

[Elderly]

nellyleelephant said:

ThinkTank
ThinkTank
ThinkTank

As you can tell, I like their products, but they're st at choosing names.

/\ me too.

[PleasantPeasant]

The bag I have is absolutely fantastic, Lowepro Vertex 200 AW.

It's main competitor the Tamrac Expedition 6X is worth a look too.

Both under £150 (just). Only had my Lowepro a few weeks but it feels like it will last forever.

[S47]

I agree with Rolex, go undercover with your sack - buy a standard 'Large' 60-75L rucksack by a good maker. Even expensive Rucksacks are less than 3 figures, and are designed to carry heavy weight.
You Definitely don't want to advertise the fact that your Rucksack may have £20K+ worth of Camera kit in it, which the Lowepro's and all other Made for Camera Rucksack's Shout/Scream out to any Tealeaf or opportunist who maybe looking.

[K12beano]

Two Billy's and a Lowepro here.

I often say this, but if you've a mind to gear up for a lot of trekking do you really want a big bag that tempts you to carry a lot of kit and then ends up being too heavy?

My big Billingham's not a long trek job, my small Lowepro Slingshot can be ideal for all day. When I had a bigger Lowepro, which was good, it was a lot of kit to carry, but I would say the Lowepros are good, well built, durable things.

(Mind, I have had my Billinghams for 17 years now, and you really can't go wrong with something like a 445 for carting a lapdog, body, lenses, chargers, flashguns and accessories and a good book onto a 'plane)

[Disastrous]

I (and almost everyone I work with) use a Lowepro Fastpack for work, and I have an ONA, tiny shoulder bag thing for Sunday walks where I just want one camera and one lens without being tempted to carry loads.

Oh, also have a lowepro top loader thing for inside a rucksack if skiing.

[rottie102]

Few Lowepros and a BiLlingham Hadley large here plus few Overboard bags for beach and boats. Happy with every single one of them.

[Craikeybaby]

Xaero said:

As per the title really.

I have a Billingham Hadley Pro messenger bag in black with black trim, which is great (I use it for business too, and nobody bats an eyelid at it), but am in the market for a backpack (to lug more than a day trip's worth of stuff around) which I'm finding impossible to meet my requirements, I'm not sure on where to compromise so wondered how happy other people were with them.

My requirements (used for travel/holidays):
-Should hold a 15 inch laptop - and preferably next to the back rather than far away due to weight distribution.
-Can hold 2 camera bodies and a selection of lenses, with adequate protection.
-Not have too large dividers (aimed at pro dSLRs), I use m4/3 stuff so I can take more items.
-Should use space efficiently. I really dislike the side opening packs that leave huge open spaces big enough to fit a dSLR lens in.
-Should be as secure as possible, I like the rear opening ones that need to come off the back to be unzipped.
-Should have a space for day items, a few items of clothing, some extra gadgets (headphones), and a sandwich.
-Should be able to hold a water bottle on the outside
-Should be able to carry a tripod, preferably not in a place which makes the bag's weight poorly distributed once attached.
-Should have good support, definitely a chest strap, and preferably a removable waist strap too.
-Shouldn't be more than £220, but will go higher for something 'perfect'.

So any suggestions are welcome, but this thread is mostly to show off your own bags :-)

For these requirements I'd have a look at the FStop Gear Mountain Range I think the only way they miss on your requirements is that the laptop section isn't next to your back (but that would block off the rear opening). You can choose the size of outer bag and inner camera block to match your requirements for camera gear vs other gear - I have used their Satori EXP bag with the smallest camera block for a backpacking trip in Central America and it worked perfectly.

[LuS1fer]

There is a guy in Tenerife who has a Jimmy Crumpler 200.
I know as it's got my stolen camera in it. Grrr.

[nellyleelephant]

LuS1fer said:

There is a guy in Tenerife who has a Jimmy Crumpler 200.
I know as it's got my stolen camera in it. Grrr.

Bugger

[Xaero]

Craikeybaby said:

For these requirements I'd have a look at the FStop Gear Mountain Range I think the only way they miss on your requirements is that the laptop section isn't next to your back (but that would block off the rear opening). You can choose the size of outer bag and inner camera block to match your requirements for camera gear vs other gear - I have used their Satori EXP bag with the smallest camera block for a backpacking trip in Central America and it worked perfectly.

They have caught my attention, but they are definitely on the pricey side, and I've not been able to find them anywhere to have a look first.

The Think Tank Streetwalker HD has been my golden standard throughout my search, very nicely made, although quite simple in all honesty.

I also quite liked the Crumpler customary barge, it seemed quite flexible in how to arrange the interior and held a lot.

[mattdaniels]

Xaero said:

My requirements (used for travel/holidays):
-Should hold a 15 inch laptop - and preferably next to the back rather than far away due to weight distribution.
-Can hold 2 camera bodies and a selection of lenses, with adequate protection.
-Not have too large dividers (aimed at pro dSLRs), I use m4/3 stuff so I can take more items.
-Should use space efficiently. I really dislike the side opening packs that leave huge open spaces big enough to fit a dSLR lens in.
-Should be as secure as possible, I like the rear opening ones that need to come off the back to be unzipped.
-Should have a space for day items, a few items of clothing, some extra gadgets (headphones), and a sandwich.
-Should be able to hold a water bottle on the outside
-Should be able to carry a tripod, preferably not in a place which makes the bag's weight poorly distributed once attached.
-Should have good support, definitely a chest strap, and preferably a removable waist strap too.
-Shouldn't be more than £220, but will go higher for something 'perfect'.

So any suggestions are welcome, but this thread is mostly to show off your own bags :-)

Are you a weightlifter?

[GravelBen]

I use an old Lowepro Mini Trekker, complete with mudstains and patchy duct tape covering up the 'full of camera gear' label so it looks less obvious. Google photo rather than my kit, but the inside is like this:



Might not be big for a pro, but it suits my amateur needs pretty well.

That said, when I'm up the hills I'm carrying plenty already, so its camera and small lens in an older version of this:

http://store.lowepro.com/toploading/rezo-tlz-20

Tucked in the top pocket of my pack.

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 18th February 09:40

[Craikeybaby]

Xaero said:

They have caught my attention, but they are definitely on the pricey side, and I've not been able to find them anywhere to have a look first.

The Think Tank Streetwalker HD has been my golden standard throughout my search, very nicely made, although quite simple in all honesty.

I also quite liked the Crumpler customary barge, it seemed quite flexible in how to arrange the interior and held a lot.

One of their main guys is based in Japan, so maybe worth getting in touch with them.