Camera bag suggestion needed - traveling with a kid

[jimithing]

Hello everyone, I need some suggestions for a bag, preferrably a messenger type bag or backpack. I've recently purchased a Canon T3i with the 18-135mm lens. We're taking a trip to San Francisco in a few weeks and I need a bag to carry it in. It doesn't need to be a great plane bag. I'm more concerned about using it while we're out and about in the city. I'd like to be able to get the camera out and put it away relatively easily. If that isn't enough I'd also like to be able to put some stuff for my kid in there. She's only 2.5 so we still carry extra changes of clothes, coloring books to entertain her in restaurants and stuff like that.

I only have the one lens right now so I don't need lots of compartments for the different lenses but I need to have a compartment where the lens can be stored on the camera. I can't be taking the time to put the lens on and take it off every time there's a photo opportunity. Those of you with kids know that the time to get those good pictures of the kids is a small window. I was looking at the Lowepro CompuDaypack but I read one review that said it couldn't hold a Canon that had a 55-250mm lens on it. I'm guessing that's around the same size as my lens. So to recap the needs:

Short version, I need:

1. Hold assembled Canon T3i with 18-135mm lens
2. Easy access to get camera out and put it away
3. Messenger bag or back pack type of bag
4. Hold toddler items like clothes, toys
5. Would be nice if it was less than $100

Thanks in advance.

 

[MTVision]

Hello everyone, I need some suggestions for a bag, preferrably a messenger type bag or backpack. I've recently purchased a Canon T3i with the 18-135mm lens. We're taking a trip to San Francisco in a few weeks and I need a bag to carry it in. It doesn't need to be a great plane bag. I'm more concerned about using it while we're out and about in the city. I'd like to be able to get the camera out and put it away relatively easily. If that isn't enough I'd also like to be able to put some stuff for my kid in there. She's only 2.5 so we still carry extra changes of clothes, coloring books to entertain her in restaurants and stuff like that.

I only have the one lens right now so I don't need lots of compartments for the different lenses but I need to have a compartment where the lens can be stored on the camera. I can't be taking the time to put the lens on and take it off every time there's a photo opportunity. Those of you with kids know that the time to get those good pictures of the kids is a small window. I was looking at the Lowepro CompuDaypack but I read one review that said it couldn't hold a Canon that had a 55-250mm lens on it. I'm guessing that's around the same size as my lens. So to recap the needs:

Short version, I need:

1. Hold assembled Canon T3i with 18-135mm lens
2. Easy access to get camera out and put it away
3. Messenger bag or back pack type of bag
4. Hold toddler items like clothes, toys
5. Would be nice if it was less than $100

Thanks in advance.

Tenba messenger bag. It can hold a lot of camera equipment so it can definitely hold a camera/lens combo as well as some kids clothes and toys. It has a removable camera insert and all the sections are removable/adjustable so you could set it up to hold just your camera and then have some extra space for the kids stuff. It has a bunch of little pockets in the front, a big pocket on the back and it has a pocket inside for a laptop/iPad/notebook as well as some little pockets inside. The shoulder strap is thick and padded so it's comfortable to carry. The strap is also designed to stay in place so it won't slip.

I paid 100.00 for mine but I'm sure you can find it cheaper online somewheres.

 

[jimithing]

Tenba messenger bag. It can hold a lot of camera equipment so it can definitely hold a camera/lens combo as well as some kids clothes and toys. It has a removable camera insert and all the sections are removable/adjustable so you could set it up to hold just your camera and then have some extra space for the kids stuff. It has a bunch of little pockets in the front, a big pocket on the back and it has a pocket inside for a laptop/iPad/notebook as well as some little pockets inside. The shoulder strap is thick and padded so it's comfortable to carry. The strap is also designed to stay in place so it won't slip.

I paid 100.00 for mine but I'm sure you can find it cheaper online somewheres.

Thanks, hadn't seen that one yet. I'm assuming you've got the large one? Do you feel like it's comfortable enough to wear while walking around a whole city?

 

[412 Burgh]

I got the daypack or lowerpro backpack that you mentioned. It's good for airline travel for a carry on but I HATE walking around with a book bag and lenses. You gotta put it down to change lens and that gets annoying. Go for something that's more convenient.

It does fit my 80-200mm lens 18-55, 50mm and sb700 pretty comfortable along with the charger for my camera.

When I go on vacation or travel I have all that stuff along with my MacBook pro 15" and various other things. I pack it full!

 

[jimithing]

What about a soft pouch like this:

OP/TECH USA Soft Pouch - SLR and Rangefinder

I could just use a regular bag that way. Like I said I only have the 1 lens right now. I don't envision needing much more than to be able to take the camera out to take pictures and then put it back. All the accessories will be left at the hotel and I'll upload at the end of the day. I might need an extra battery or card but those could easily be stored in some other type of bag along with this soft pouch. Anyone have feedback on soft pouches? Any brands to stay away from?

 

[4meandthem]

Check out the JEEP diaper bag at Walmart for about 25 bucks. It can carry alot of stuff including a smaller camera bag.

 

[Jaemie]

A camera bag, especially a Lowepro, Tamrac, etc., immediately makes you a target for every thief in sight. "Hey everyone! I'm carrying thousands of dollars of easily-sold camera equipment!"

I like the diaper bag idea best. Who even thinks of stealing a diaper bag?

 

[jimithing]

I agree with a name brand camera bag making me a target and like the idea of a diaper bag but will those foam pouches do an adequate job? It'll be bouncing around inside a bag that has other toys. I don't plan on being rough with it, just need a reasonable amount of protection.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Bring your camera bag as a carry on. Check in your kid.

 

[jimithing]

Bring your camera bag as a carry on. Check in your kid.

Not sure if the wife would be down with that.

I went to the local camera store yesterday to see what they had and they had the Tenba and it is definitely a nice bag. They only had it in burnt orange because they are going to stop carrying Tenba products. The guy said they only have so much shelf room and have opted to carry Think Tank products instead. I had a look at them and they were nice bags but didn't really meet my needs of holding things other than photography gear. If they did they were too bulky. The one thing of theirs that I did like was the Digital Holster. I'm probably going to bring my camera back up there and see if it fits better in the Digital Holster 10 or Digital Holster 20 and that's probably what I'll go with. It'll fit inside the kid's bag and it's easy to get the camera in and out of.

 

[4meandthem]

I even stick a diaper in the front pouch