Quick access camera bag - which?

[VxDuncan]

Hi, I'm off to the baliem valley (papua indonesia) later this year and need a new camera bag. Can't believe I can't find one that suits my needs. Can anyone help?

Basically it will be used for travel to places like africa, asia and will be carried round cites, airports, tourist sites etc as well as general trekking. I need the follwing features:
- Easy to carry for long periods of time, possibly at the same time as a rucksack ( though rucksacks are not out 'cos I could wear them round the front when I had the big rucksack on).
- Need quick access to kit whilst walking, including lens changes etc. Traditional photo backpacks are out cos you can't get to the stuff easily enough, needing to take them off your back, open them up on a flat surface etc. Traditional reporter style bags are great but I couldn't trek through the rainforest in muddy conditions for several hours with one.
-Must cope with monsoon rains, possibly for several hours, and keep dust out too.
-Security is a key issue. I must be able to walk round a third world city with it, or cue at a border crossing in a crowd. Any zips need to be lockable (with a padlock). Shouldn't be possible to get into it easily with it locked.
-Compartment for jacket, sunglasses and water bottle. Tripod strap would be nice.

Kit is D80 with Nikon 80-200 2.8, Nikon 24-120VR, Sigma 10-20, 2x TC and possibly a macro lens + portable storage device, batteries, charger and small 12V inverter.

Shortlist are the Lowepro Slingshot 300AW (Nice and waterproof, though cheap zips can't be padlocked) and the Tamrac Velocity 9 (cheap, but have serious doubts about how waterproof it is, and is very easy for someone to slip something out of if you are not careful). Has anyone got any other suggestions? Can't believe my requirementsare that fussy!
Thanks in advance 8o)

[Brink]

I use Lowepro; but then my "needs" arn't fussy.

[bulb763]

Very happy with my Slingshot 200. Great design.

[sgrimshaw]

Have you checked out the Billingham range.

Not cheap, but can stand severe abuse.

[sidaorb]

Take a look at the KATA range. The rucksack is awsome and extremely rugged, supposedly designed by the same guy that designed bullet-proof vests for the Isreali military.

Carl

[beano500]

sgrimshaw said:

... can stand severe abuse....

I'm warning you....!!!!



*ahem* Sorry, where were we?


Ah yes Billinghams. I have two and love 'em. Well thought out, well made, easy to live with

[A S P]

Billingham all the way, another great advantage is they don't shout out they're camera bags if you don't go for a huge one which I'd always feel self-concious about if I was on holiday. I don't think Billingham's are that expensive either when you look at the build quality and the value of what you're carrying. I've got a Billingham 206, not huge but would probably carry all what you've mentioned.

www.warehouseexpress.com/index.asp?photo/bags/billingham.html

[julianhj]

bulb763 said:

Very happy with my Slingshot 200. Great design.

Likewise, we like our Slingshot 200

[ae111sr]

I now have a Billingham Large Hadley and that holds a Nikon D200, Sigma 70-200 f2.8, Sigma 24-70 f2.8, Sigma 10-20, Sigma 105 f2.8 macro, Sigma 1.4 tele converter, Kenko extension tubes, Nikon SB800 flashgun, spare batteries, CF cards etc. It's a fair weight to carry round but very comfortable. Highly recommended.