Looking for a quality camera bag or back pack -- help)

vipgraphx · Apr 12, 2012

I am looking for a quality camera bag or back pack. As my hobby progresses I am acquiring better equipment and I need a bag of backpack that is capable of holding my gear and keeping it safe. Look at my signature and you will find the gear that I have. I have never owned anything more expensive than $40-$60 for a bag. Which was cool for when I had the D50,D90 I was wanting to upgrade after I got the D7000 but never did. Now with the D700 and pro two pro lenses I have, I think its time to do it now.

What are recommendations you have for me. Keep in mind that I will want to store all my equipment in there along with chargers. I would like to be able to take it with me on vacation without it being to big I can't walk in Disneyland without some type of handle and rollers. I say Disneyland because that is one of the places we go the most and when your walking around all day it can get pretty tire some. Of course I would not have all my stuff in there at that given moment but you get the point. I will need to travel with it. Something when I go out and shoot around here will be rugged enough to withstand the desert heat and dust....

I have seen some on amazon that look like they will work but then reviews show the rip easy or the zippers break. Also the equipment areas are not sturdy enough. This is why I turn to you folks that may have a certain brand and product that you know works.

Thanks!!

penfolderoldo · Apr 12, 2012

Personally, I use a Billingham 550 bag for my gear, its about as weatherproof as they come, the paddings very effective and the shoulder straps comfortable, BUT I wouldn't want to walk around all day with it (or any bag for that matter!) when i'm doing a lot of foot slogging on a job I use a Domke vest - loads of pockets n comfy as hell.

Dao · Apr 12, 2012

Last year, I went to disney world with my family. What I did was get a small enough camera bag to fit my 40D body with one standard fast zoom lens mounted and small padded softcase for my 85mm prime. Then put them in a regular backpack and that worked pretty well for me.

TCampbell · Apr 12, 2012

I have a Tenba Shootout medium backpack. It holds my 5D II w/battery grip & 24-70 f/2.8 lens attached, 70-200 2.8, 100mm macro, 135mm, 14mm, flash, filters, and several misc small items.I actually did get caught in a torrential downpour (and I do mean torrential in the severest sense -- massive trees down, hail, structures being ripped apart, etc. and I was stuck in it with no shelter to be had. I put the gear back in the bag when I realized I was about to get nailed and threw the rain slick (comes with the bag) on. Everything was drenched on the outside... But not a single drop of water on the inside. I was definitely impressed.You can get them with or without wheels.

2WheelPhoto · Apr 12, 2012

Yeah Tenba products have done me right too. And a deep student discount at bhphoto.com/edu

Big Mike · Apr 12, 2012

I have a few bags made by LowePro, including a backpack...the CompuTrekker AW. I've toted my camera gear around the world in that bag.

Choosing the bag that is right for you, can be a very personal decision. You may look at something on-line, read reviews and get recommendations, but until you actually get your hands on it, try it on etc...you won't know for sure. So I suggest you find a well stocked camera store and see what they have.

Keep in mind that you're unlikely to find a 'perfect' bag. Mainly because different outings will be suited to different types, sizes of bags. As someone mentioned, on a full day at Disney Land, you probably won't want to be lugging around all of your gear in a large bag...so a smaller one for just a camera and lens, might be better. But when traveling on a vacation, you'll probably want to have plenty of gear with you, in a bag that will travel well.
This is why I have something like 10+ camera bags & cases. I use whatever will suit my needs that day.

If I was going to buy a new bag, I'd look at something from ThinkTank. They are great camera bags, rather expensive.....but it's protecting some rather expensive gear, so you don't want to cheap out.

Dao · Apr 12, 2012

Big Mike said:
I have something like 10+ camera bags & cases.

My wife thought I was crazy to have 1 camera backpack, 2 camera shoulder bags, 1 smaller camera only bags and couple padded small bags for lens. But now ... need to let my wife to see this thread!

Village Idiot · Apr 12, 2012

Most any bag company will provide something that fits your need; it's preference and tastes that will most likely dictate what you go with.

I like Crumpler because their bags don't look like the typical black camera bags that so many other companies offer. Their Million Dollar Home series have always treated me nice. I like their backpacks too, but they're a bit pricey.

bhop · Apr 12, 2012

I believe the lowepro fastpack 350 will hold all your stuff. What I like about it is I can get to my stuff without taking it all the way off, it's a two strap backpack, but it kinda swings around on one strap and you take your gear out from the side. It also has a water bottle net on the side which is convenient. Here's mine before a motorsport event.

Race Shooting Gear 2012 by bhop, on Flickr

Lowepro Fastpack 350 bag
-D300 with grip
-D200 (grip contacts in body stopped working *shakes fist)
-Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 ED-IF AFS
-Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR
-SB-600 (flash)

Not pictured, inside the top compartments
-circular polarizer (to help with car reflections)
-diffuser for flash
-sunscreen
-hat (for avoiding sunburned bald head)
-notepad (for taking notes)
-Macbook pro (in case I take too many pics and need to clear my cards)
-earplugs (race cars are loud)

o hey tyler · Apr 12, 2012

Camera Bags & Digital Camera Bags

I use Crumpler products. They have excellent design, they look good, they're ruggedly built and are weather resistant. I have the customary barge deluxe and it holds two full frame bodies, 5 lenses (two of which are pretty large), and two 430EX II flashes. As well as some flash triggers and such.

vipgraphx · Apr 12, 2012

Thanks gang, you have provided me with many options. Unfortunately where I live they only carry like one or two brands. I never have looked into anything more than a cheapo because thats all I needed I have a case logic right now and it is small. Big enough for my camera and small lens and thats it. Works great for what I have needed thus far.

Thanks again and I will look at them all.

O hey tyler, I like your avatar way better, for some reason I could not stand that other one and I hate to admit this but it is the truth, some how that previous avatar increased anything you said and made me get in a way more defensive mode...I know stupid but true...and I don't know why!