Bags/Backpacks/Cases/Etc...

[Steve5D]

I'm getting ready to embark on a three week jaunt cross-country before ending up for a seven week photo gig in Pennsylvania.

Looking at my gear the other day, it dawned on me: My Lowepro Computrekker, that I bought back in 2006, has had it. It's slowly but surely giving up the ghost. The velcro inside the pack is done.

I need a new bag.

Here's my gear:

Canon 5D (w/grip)
Canon 40D (w/grip
Canon G12
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Sigma 50-500mm
POS 2x converter
580EX (x2)
Slik Pro 500 DX tripod
Red POD
Buncha' filters
Buncha CF cards
Buncha' SD cards
Remotes (wired)
Stroboframe Quick Flip
Off-shoe cord

As I said, my Lowepro is wasted. I have an AW Slingshot 202, but it's never really blown my skirt up. I've got a couple of roller bags which I bought when my travel took me through airports. That's just not the case now.

I would like to be able to get all of my gear into a single bag. I found one of these locally (well, relatively), for what seems like a pretty nice price (about half of the one in the link):

Lowepro Magnum 650 AW Shoulder Bag LP36055-PEU B&H Photo Video

That's a shoulder bag, but I would really kind of prefer a backpack. I'm not beholden to that, however. I simply want something in which I can transport all of my gear should the mood strike me. At the very least, I need to be able to carry the two bodies, the three Canon lenses and at least one of the flash units.

Now, here's the kicker: I want to stay around $200.00 or so. I know this can be a tall order, but I'm being as frugal as possible right now, given the distance and duration of this trip.

So, suggestions, if you'd please...

 

[cgipson1]

I have a Amazon.com: Lowepro Pro Trekker 300 AW Camera Backpack (Mica/Black): Camera & Photo that would hold everything but the Sigma (and then some). The next size up (400) or the huge 600 would probably do it. Very comfortable, and built to last. But they are not $200... good luck with that.

Let us know what you find....

 

[Steve5D]

I have a Amazon.com: Lowepro Pro Trekker 300 AW Camera Backpack (Mica/Black): Camera & Photo that would hold everything but the Sigma (and then some). The next size up (400) or the huge 600 would probably do it. Very comfortable, and built to last. But they are not $200... good luck with that.

Let us know what you find....

Yeah, I'm probably going to be severely limiting my options with price. I've got some latitude there, but I'm such a bag whore I'll probably end up finding something I'll convince myself I can't live without for $300.00.

I've looked at the one you have, and the 400, and they look really nice...

 

[Pallycow]

I love my bug series from Kata. Holds a lot. I've had 2 bodies, 100-400, 70-200, 17-50, 10-22, laptop, misc **** in pockets. Tripod on outside. Without the 100-400 I can put my 70-300 and my Rico TLR in there for fun.

I'm loading it up as suck for my vaca in darlington this weekend.

Water resistant, I've used it in snow storms, outside wet, inside dry, has a rain coat you can put on it, or refelective coat for heat. little bags for inside that I keep triggers and flash **** in.

I love it. I beat the hell out of it and it's still kickin.

I Don't put my tripod on the side like in the photo, 'cause I have a big ass manfroto tripod. They have a hanging pouch you put the legs in when attached to middle for support...little ones are fine on the side, but I used middle when hiking through woods, otherwise tripod in car anyway.


Yeah I posted images that are not mine, since they are for advertising purposes linked from an advertising site, I don't think the manufacturer will mind.

 

[Pallycow]

There is larger one too in the bug series, but this one was enough for me. They are selling around 270 ish now, I got mine when they were 350 ish.

 

[tirediron]

Used?

 

[Pallycow]

Me? Mine was new at 350. But that was retail. I got it for cost through work. I've seen them new for 279-289 new now. I bought mine a little over a year ago.

 

[Pallycow]

I really can't say enough good about the one I use. Sure there are probly better out there. but it really is rugged and shows no sign of wear or tear as of yet, and I'm not very gentle. I am very pleased with how much I can cram in there in a jam. and very impressed with how much extra things they sell to add to it if you want as well. When it's fully loaded with laptop and tripod and gear, and worn properly...it is quite comfortable. Longest hike I took it on loaded was 6 miles.

I am also impressed with its keeping things dry. During rainstorm I had shell on it. all bone dry. During the blizzard that I was dumb enough to trek out through pretending I was an arctic explorer, I did not have shell on it, but outside was eventually wet from snow...but inside bone dry.

So I really have nothing negative to say about the higher end Kata bags, especially the bug series.

I've sold about 8 so far since last summer, and all to regular customers...none have reported any issues. Some have not been happy with the sub 100 dollar Kata bags....but really...you get what you pay for. We are a print lab first, and sell things second. Not the other way around, so I'm not a salesman by any means...I just report on what I see day in day out locally.

 

[Josh66]

That's a shoulder bag, but I would really kind of prefer a backpack. I'm not beholden to that, however. I simply want something in which I can transport all of my gear should the mood strike me. At the very least, I need to be able to carry the two bodies, the three Canon lenses and at least one of the flash units.

Now, here's the kicker: I want to stay around $200.00 or so. I know this can be a tall order, but I'm being as frugal as possible right now, given the distance and duration of this trip.

So, suggestions, if you'd please...

These are shoulder bags, but I'm a big fan of Domke bags... I just love them, lol - they practically last forever. Maybe not the most stylish bag though... (If you care about that sort of thing.)

The F-2 (~$140) would probably fit all of the listed gear, but it may be a little cramped... (It would definitely fit your 'minimum requirement' of the two bodies, three lenses, and flash - plus room for other stuff.)
Domke F-2 Ruggedwear Shooters Bag 700-02A B&H Photo Video

The F-1X (~$160) definitely would fit all of that.
Domke F-1X Shoulder Bag (Olive) 700-10D B&H Photo Video

 

[tracylynne]

hi, might be too small for all your gear, not sure, but i have a think tank pro streetwalker pro (Streetwalker Pro? Backpack - Think Tank)
that's just sitting in a closet storing a few bits and pieces. i took it to japan for 2 weeks about 4 years ago. the only time i've used it so like new. my 2nd trip there 2 years ago i took an epiphanie bag because i'm a girlie girl and thank tank was just not me. plus i travel lighter. i've considered selling. if interested we can negotiate.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Calumet makes a BP1500 bag that I have and it holds a good amount of gear and is a bit cheaper than the Lowepro version. Its held up good for me after several years (some minor wear and tear but nothing significant that compromises its integrity.) It also meets domestic airline carry-on size requirements. Calumet BP1500 Large Backpack

No rain cover though so I just always carry a trash bag just in case.

 

[Steve5D]

Calumet makes a BP1500 bag that I have and it holds a good amount of gear and is a bit cheaper than the Lowepro version. Its held up good for me after several years (some minor wear and tear but nothing significant that compromises its integrity.) It also meets domestic airline carry-on size requirements. Calumet BP1500 Large Backpack

No rain cover though so I just always carry a trash bag just in case.

Wow, that could be the ticket right there...

 

[bratkinson]

Being less than a year shy of baby-boomer retirement age, I long ago decided I'd rather -roll- something than -carry- it. I guess I'm at 'that age' that never became accustomed to carrying a back pack, either. So, for me, my camera gear has been carried in everything from metal suitcases with custom foam to Domke bags and nowadays, a cheapo 'gym bag' with inserts and sometimes in a generic, carry-on size suitcase with wheels and the inserts in there, surrounded by clothing, etc.

So, from my point of view, to carry your camera gear, I'd opt for one of the rolling, carry-on size bags. I recall seeing one or more such cases that have straps for use as a backpack as well...or was it a backpack with a handle and wheels?

Just something else to consider.

 

[Steve5D]

Being less than a year shy of baby-boomer retirement age, I long ago decided I'd rather -roll- something than -carry- it. I guess I'm at 'that age' that never became accustomed to carrying a back pack, either. So, for me, my camera gear has been carried in everything from metal suitcases with custom foam to Domke bags and nowadays, a cheapo 'gym bag' with inserts and sometimes in a generic, carry-on size suitcase with wheels and the inserts in there, surrounded by clothing, etc.

So, from my point of view, to carry your camera gear, I'd opt for one of the rolling, carry-on size bags. I recall seeing one or more such cases that have straps for use as a backpack as well...or was it a backpack with a handle and wheels?

Just something else to consider.

I've got a couple of roller bags, but they're just not going to be practical for the vast majority of this trip, as I'm pretty sure I'll be doing a bit of hiking along non-paved trails...

 

[HughGuessWho98 13]

I have a Amazon.com: Lowepro Pro Trekker 300 AW Camera Backpack (Mica/Black): Camera & Photo that would hold everything but the Sigma (and then some). The next size up (400) or the huge 600 would probably do it. Very comfortable, and built to last. But they are not $200... good luck with that.

Let us know what you find....

^ I love the Trekker 300 A