Camera bag advice

[havoc]

I think I need a new camera bag.

The one I've got was designed to take an SLR, up-to-200 telefoto (or compact longer), plus a few films in a side pocket. I'm currently trying to squeeze in the Canon, a 75-300 which sticks out, lens caps, memory chips, and filters. The lens hood and manual don't have a hope of fitting in.

So, given that kit-list, what's a good, semi-robust (not crumple) small-ish bag to replace it with, without spending mega-bucks...shoulder for preference, rucksack if necessary.

Thanks guys,

M.

[Dibble]

What are "films"...?

I've always found LowePro kit to be very good, at a reasonable price.

[GetCarter]

Dibble said:

What are "films"...?

I've always found LowePro kit to be very good, at a reasonable price.

I think he means DVD's

I also recommend Lowepro. www.lowepro.com/

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 22 October 13:09

[matthew_h]

This is a bit of a steal at the moment:

www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/shop/product.asp?prodid=2117

[cvp]

Try the Lowepro Slingshot 200, approx £60 and would seem to fit your requriements. Not a true rucksack but one that ponly has one strap which goes diagonally over the body.

Cheers

Chris

[havoc]

Really like the design of the Slingshots, but they're huge. Was looking for something semi-compact that I could stuff in a day-pack when going on holiday, or carry loose when just out for the day with the camera.

Might have to re-consider and go for a large pack and take THAT on hols...don't want to as the two day-packs I have are very versatile, with waist-belt and pockets and greater free-capacity.

Current camera bag is a 21x13x16cm Canon EOS bag. So something no bigger than 30x18x25, I guess. Ah, that won't work, as it'll be too big to fit inside the packs zip-side up.

Hmmm...need to do some more research here...does anyone use TWO bags depending on occasion?!?


PS - the Orion Trekker would be perfect if I could detach the bottom half from the top.

[GetCarter]

havoc said:

Hmmm...need to do some more research here...does anyone use TWO bags depending on occasion?!?

3

[agent006]

havoc said:

Hmmm...need to do some more research here...does anyone use TWO bags depending on occasion?!?

Yep. One rigid flight case style thing with everything in it for when i'm travelling with the kit and then one soft bag that'll hold 2 short lenses for when i'm walking about.

[White_van_man]

havoc said:

Really like the design of the Slingshots, but they're huge. Was looking for something semi-compact that I could stuff in a day-pack when going on holiday, or carry loose when just out for the day with the camera.

Might have to re-consider and go for a large pack and take THAT on hols...don't want to as the two day-packs I have are very versatile, with waist-belt and pockets and greater free-capacity.

Current camera bag is a 21x13x16cm Canon EOS bag. So something no bigger than 30x18x25, I guess. Ah, that won't work, as it'll be too big to fit inside the packs zip-side up.

Hmmm...need to do some more research here...does anyone use TWO bags depending on occasion?!?


PS - the Orion Trekker would be perfect if I could detach the bottom half from the top.

Kill two birds with one stone a £44 subscription to practical phtography and a free lowepro orion trekker rucksack!! but they only have/had 2000 of them but the magazine has only been out a few days so you should still be ok. www.practicalphotography.co.uk/sub

[havoc]

White_van_man said:

Kill two birds with one stone a £44 subscription to practical phtography and a free lowepro orion trekker rucksack!! but they only have/had 2000 of them but the magazine has only been out a few days so you should still be ok. www.practicalphotography.co.uk/sub

That'll do.

Which is the better mag - Practical Photography or Digital Photo? Have bought a few issues of PP and seem reasonably impressed, but know little about DP.

Cheers WVM!

Edit: more interested in practical skills and interesting articles than photoshopping skills or kit reviews.

Edited by havoc on Sunday 22 October 18:49

[fergusd]

I've had two zips fail on lowepro stuff in the last couple of years . . . IMHO they are a real weak point on lowepro stuff, but not sure about the alternatives . . .

$0.02

Fd

[mr noble]

Why are there 2 threads the same??

I have this one and its brilliant. I took ages looking for one and testing them all out.

I even bought it in a real shop!! (not online)

G

www.cameraworld.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON06A000022&Prod_name=Tamrac%20Expedition%205%20Backpack

[havoc]

mr noble said:

Why are there 2 threads the same??

I have this one and its brilliant. I took ages looking for one and testing them all out.

I even bought it in a real shop!! (not online)

G

www.cameraworld.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON06A000022&Prod_name=Tamrac%20Expedition%205%20Backpack

If I EVER have enough kit to fill that bag and I'm not making money from photography, someone please tell me I've turned into an anorak!!!

[franv8]

Have you looked at the smaller slingshot (100AW) - it's quite a compact bag and fits said lens, the camera and another couple of smaller lenses too. I also carry my charger and a compact camera in the top compartment, and the loop outside lets me carry a mini tripod too.

Alternative, I use an unbranded (er, I think I actually got it in a charity shop...) camera holster type bag, has a shoulder strap or heavy duty belt loop, it's quite long and easily takes the 75-300. I bought a Fastnet (Jessops) large lens case too to take the 75-300 when I wasn't use it, or swapping for the kit lens on my 350D. Found that very versatile too. I think if you looked at some fo the (think it's Lowepro) Toploader bags they are pretty much the same thing.

[mr noble]

I'm an anorak!!?

I bought a 70-200 F2.8 VR and it would'nt fit into my normal bag, so I got that one. I have 4 lenses, flash and a body. They fit in quite snugly really. Its smaller than it looks in the pic and has a really neat tripod holder thingy on it.

Now where did I put my duffel coat?

G

[havoc]

Just checked the PP subscription offer.

£44 for 12 issues (which is full-price, no subs discount), plus POSSIBLY a bag...they can't tell me whether there are any left, nor how many people have subscribed in the last week.

Versus £30 for the bag plus (knowing me) 6,7, maybe 8 issues of ANY photography mag, as I usually look to see if any look interesting before buying. So I'd pay an extra say £15 for the guarantee of getting the bag plus the freedom to choose which magazine.


Shame...if they'd said 'yes, we've bags left', I'd have taken it.

[craggers]

mr noble said:

Why are there 2 threads the same??

I have this one and its brilliant. I took ages looking for one and testing them all out.

I even bought it in a real shop!! (not online)

G

www.cameraworld.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON06A000022&Prod_name=Tamrac%20Expedition%205%20Backpack

Just bought Tamrac Adventure 6 backpack (red) - should arrive today and hope it will be good one.

www.tamrac.com/5546.htm

Edited by craggers on Monday 23 October 08:34

[dh2]

CVP said:

Try the Lowepro Slingshot 200

I bought this bag at the weekend (from Jessops - I was there, wouldn't have been much cheaper online once postage was added). It's pretty well designed, loads of pockets and straps, built-in all weather cover. It is far bigger than my current kit, but somehow I know I'll grow into it As has been said, there is the 100 also which is a bit smaller.
As with the choice of camera itself, probably best if you can try before you buy and decide what fits you.

DH2

[Podie]

I like Crumpler's stuff.

www.fotosense.co.uk have some in the Autumn sale at the moment too...

[badbeachbuggy]

I've got a Lowepro Micro Trekker which will take a couple of small lenses and one body and I've got a Mini Trekker AW which takes 2 bodies, 3 lenses (incl 100-400L), a flash and tons of other gear - but weighs a ton!