Hi everyone! I'm looking for some input on a good camera bag that folks are using. I'm looking for something that is easy to carry and the compartments are easily asccesible. I have a Nikon D7000 with several lenses including a 70-300 zoom. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks for your time.
Do NOT buy any bag or sling that any of us mention just b/c any of us mention it and rave about it. Camera bags, rucks, slings, packs, holsters, and messenger bags are very individual things. A messenger bag that rides well on me might bang against your hip. A sling that is comfortable to you may be unusable and inaccessible to me. You've got to go try stuff on (especially slings, messenger bags and anything that you expect to wear and access equipment from while using rather than take it off.
Also, a big factor is how you intend to use the carrying device. Is it just to get your gear from location A to location B? In that case, get a backpack or a Pelican case (hard sided and nearly indestructible). However, both of those are not good ideas if you're looking to carry your gear and access it (like walk in the city and switch lens as you shoot). It involves opening up the case or taking off the backpack.
If you're looking to carry and swap out stuff as you move (without opening up a rolling suitcase or take off a backpack) than something like a holster, messenger bag, or sling will work best. The catch is your 70-300mm....that's not going to fit any holster I've seen and frankly, not most slings either (unless you only carry that bazooka and maybe one other lens). Frankly, most slings really aren't that comfortable if you're carrying more than one body and maybe 2 lens...after that it's a small backpack that you wear on one shoulder (which works for me but not for everyone).
If there isn't a Best Buy or a really good camera gear store near by that you can try things on, then think about buying a messenger bag or day pack and adding an insert (Timbuk2 has some good stuff for instance) that is modular and adjust to both the space it's going in as well as your gear.
Just to give you an example I have:
--a Tamrac holster (which is what I use 75% of the time...convenient, meets most field/location shoot requirements, easy to access while moving). But it won't hold my 200 f2.8 lens...just not big enough.
--a Case backpack that holds just camera gear. Not good for shooting on the go but great to transport gear from A to B while on my back. It holds 5 lens, 2 bodies, other gear. Best when I'm hiking or on foot or in a car to get to a location and won't be stopping to shoot before I get there and then will set up and shoot (so I can take the backpack off, open it up, etc.). Use this maybe 5% of the time.
--a military mesh tactical vest. Excellent for airplane flights with no extra bag, safari/car shoots (try wearing a backpack in a crowded SUV where you can't leave the vehicle to shoot) or you are at a location where you don't want to leave a backpack unattended b/c gear might develop legs. Maybe gets used 2-5% of the time
--a messenger bag (generic messenger bag I got at a conference, added an insert, it holds my MacAir, a body, 2 lens, a lunch and a paperback). Good when I need more than my holster (especially if a laptop is in order) but need to shoot on the go. Maybe 5-8% of the time.
--a large black duffle that I use for flying (I NEVER check photo equipment). It's soft sided so it always fits into any overhead compartment. I put 2 changes of clothes and toiletries in there to provide cushioning and then carefully pack a body, 3 lens, light stand and portable soft box, 2 speed lights, batteries, filters, tripod, maybe a backdrop, duct tape, SD cards, microfibre clothes in it and carry the sucker on for airline trips. Probably 10% of the time.
--a daypack that holds food, some fleece for weather changes (or a windbreaker/rain cover), and can handle a lens and a little other photo equipment with an insert plus a strap for a tripod on the side. Camera gear isn't real accessible but the separate pack with insert means it's not bouncing around next to my banana, trail mix, and water bottles. Maybe 1% of the time (hey, I don't do camping that much anymore).
I've also got a Black Rapid sling with a Joey pocket on it (which I can put my cell phone, some SD cards and a microfibre cloth in).
You'll notice that most of these were not made for photography but I adapted with in insert or (the Tactical vest) they suit my needs. What carrying device I use varies with my needs. If you think through how you're likely to want to carry (and use) your gear, then you'll be able to make a smarter choice on what it is you're specifically looking for.
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