Tamrac or Lowepro

[gizard]

I need a new Camera bag that will hold at least the following:

1 or 2 DLSRs (not always 2)
100-400 F4 (not yet purchased)
70-200 F2.8
24-270 F2.8
50mm
X2 Convertor
medium sized Flash
batteries etc for above
13-14" Notebook inc charger
+ a small amount of personal stuff

I've currently got a small Tamrac - which I find the shoulder straps too short and uncomfortable - not to mention the the ease of access is a bit limited!

I'm thinking the

Compu Trekker Plus AW
Vertex 200 AW
Fast Pack 350 - looks good but no water proof cover.

or something like
Adventure 9 or 10 from Tamrac - again no water proofing

Has anyone any expirence of these?

[4hero]

hello, I have the Lowepro Vertex 200, it should handle all the gear you have. Here's a photo of my gear, and you'll see everything that's in there on my flickr page. I have more gear since this shot was taken, but I just choose what is needed before I go.



edited to say, there is also space for a laptop

Edited by 4hero on Thursday 8th May 12:42

[Don]

Where will you be shooting?

I almost always take pictures on a trek/walk. Which means (1) I don't want to carry 20kilos of gear (2) I need room for food/water/insect repellant/suncream/emergency waterproofs etc. So I use a Lowerpro Orion Backpack - half camera case, half rucksack.

Next time I will buy the waterproof one. "DryZone" I believe.

The reason is that whilst mine is showerproof if there is a real deluge I have to put on a rucksack cover and it's a PITA. The DryZone would make that unnecessary.

Just a thought...

[Don]

Oh...obviously you would not want the DryZone "Rover" but something like the DryZone 200...my point was about waterproof - rather than "cover" - is GOOD!

[gizard]

Hmm, thanks for the replies - I'm tempted by the dryzones but no space for laptop - although I should have siad shower proof - water proof is not one of my must haves - but I do photography on the water too - quite nice to be able to not worry about dropping the bag in the drink!!!

[VxDuncan]

Bags are a very personal thing - best thing is to get down to a big camera shop and try a few. I also have a lowepro Orion (though mines the AW 8o) ) And love it.

Things I considered important, may not be to you:
- Can you get to the kit on the move without having to put the bag down. (the slingshots and orion can be swung round to access kit unlike the traditional back packs)
- How secure is it? Can the zips etc. be accessed by someone walking behind you? ( Mine's for travel photography, so it was important I had a bag with the zips to the photo compartment held against the body)
- Is it waterproof - the Lowepro AW range is good as the cover is like a mini rucksack cover, which is brilliant as it covers the bag up, making it harder to spot and harder to get into by other people in the street)
- How subtle is it? Didn't really want anything that made it obvious it was a camera bag not a basic rucksack.
- Is there a compartment for normal stuff. As mentioned the Orions great for this as it splits in half - camera bag at the bottom, rucksack at the top. Get's round the problem of only being allow one cabin bag on planes. You check it in as one, then separate the camera bit and lob it in the locker, leaving the smaller top bit with your copy of evo and packet of wine gums easy to stash under the seat.
- Does the kit fit!

It's my second Lowepro AW bag and does everything I want. Only issue I have with it is the little shoulder strap for the camera part clips in and is too thin. I've replaced it with a big comfy anti-slah one that clips on.

[chris.mapey]

I'll wade in with a leftfield choice - Billingham 445.

I have one to replace my old Lowepro Mini Trekker.

It's rather "roomy" and seems to keep taking kit with no problems.

So far it's held a

D70, D300 & MB-D10 grip.
Two flashguns
18-70 lens
17-55 f2.8 lens
75-300 cheapo Sigma Zoom
70-200 f2.8 Sigma & t/c
there is also space for the Sigma 10-20 I've ordered...

In the bag as well are two memory card cases, a Rocket blower and assorted other bits & bobs.

I can also fit in a 15" laptop when needed as well...

All really good quality and flexible way of allocating space.

I like the front pockets that are completely seperate from the camera kit so can be used for phones / notebooks & drinks etc.

It's a highly recommended bag (and it's british made and not lined with that nylon stuff that I catch my hands on & hate the feel of)

Chris

[gizard]

Thanks for all the helpful replies - I think I have decided to go for the FastPack 350 - after looking at one in a shop. It has enough space for all my kit and a bit more and I recon I could get a third party cover. I did look at the CompuRover but the ease of access is not very good compared with the fastpack. Finally the dry zones look good but - no room for laptop and rather pricey at £250 for the smallest one.

Edited by gizard on Friday 9th May 09:13