Best everyday camera bag?

[WDWAtLast]

Just got my Canon T2i and need a camera bag for everyday. I have the 18-135 lens on the camera, so if I might only need room for a spare battery or flash (which is still on the wish list) things like pictures at a school event, a day trip to the zoo, etc. Also, want a safe place (from children and pets!) to keep it at home.

I know that i may need several camera bags for different reasons eventually, (backback or sling at Disney, etc) but what is a good one to start out with? I like the messenger style and have looked at Crumpler 5 million dollar home and Think Tank retrospective 5. Am hesitant to spend that much money now since I just got the camera and don't know my needs yet. But I also don't want to spend $50 now and then in 2 months regret that purchase.

 

[reimero]

I don't know that there's any one right answer. For the moment, I've got a LowePro Adventura 170. It's certainly not the Cadillac of camera bags, but it's adequate for my current needs: I can fit the camera, battery, remote shutter release and lens filters in there with no problem, as well as a couple other extras. I could probably get another (small-ish) lens in there fairly easily as well, but if I were to get a larger lens and an external flash, I'd probably need to get something a bit larger. But it's relatively inexpensive ($40) and does the job just fine.

Just one word of caution: I'm a bit leery of backpack-style camera bags for vacation use because you can't see what's on your back. A skilled pickpocket would have pretty much unfettered access as long as you're distracted.

 

[photo_chick]

The answer is going to vary from person to person. A lot of it is personal taste.

I have a Tamrac Adventure Messenger 4 that I love. It's great because I can use it with my camera in the center and 2 or 3 lenses in there if I want. But more often I keep my camera out and have 4 or 5 lenses in the bag (depending on what I need that day). I've taken my Tamrac everywhere, all over WDW and on nearly every ride, and not had any problems.

Crumpler makes nice bags, my DD has a 2 million dollar home for her little Fuji. The only thing I don't like about it is the super strong Velcro... it's a little TOO strong.

The only bag I've come across that I absolutely do not like is the Shootsac. It's just a lens bag, and it has zero useful padding so if you're a bag dropper like me your lenses will end up broken pretty quickly with it.

 

[nbaresejr]

i have the Lowepro 202aw and the crumpler 5 million dollar home. I actually just purchased the 5 million dollar home. Its a fantastic bag, not to big and not to small. The 202aw sling is a bigger bag and fits more "stuff"

Right now in the 5 mill i have the following:
- canon t2i with attached 18-55
-Sigma 10-20 UWA
-Canon 50mm 1.8
-Canon 430ex ii
- Medium sized rocket blower

also attached to the side is a Tamrac filter case.

Love the bag so far and i highly recommend it. The brand new version is $100 but last years styles are $85 at B&H photo.

I think people have said this before but this hobby is addicting and you will purchase several of the same items that fit different needs. My wife was not happy when i asked to buy another bag but they do serve different purposes.

 

[Shutterbug]

I have the 6 million dollar bag from Crumpler as my everyday bag.
I can carry
7D with 17-50 attached,
70-200F4 L
Rokinon fish eye
430 EX II
50mm 1.8
Filters, cleaning cloths, rocket blower

Of course with that all in there it also becomes a heavy bag as well

 

[littlekidagain]

I will 2nd the Crumpler 6! They also have smaller or larger ones depending on your needs.

 

[WDWAtLast]

Thanks everyone! I am thinking I will go with the Crumpler 5 mdh since it was on my list and several of you recommend it. But maybe last years version - is the only difference the color?

 

[millys]

Well - I've been through a whole bunch of camera bags in the last two years trying to find what is ideal for me and my usage.
I don't think that there's a definitive answer to your question as it depends on many things - your equipment, your style of photography, how quickly you need to access the camera, where you will be shooting/travelling etc etc.
You probably need to go and try some out in the store to see initially what works and then take the plunge and see what you like/dislike about the bag. Then your next purchase will be more focused on your usage.
It took me a long time to figure out what I really needed - I had a massive backpack because I thought that I would spend time changing lenses and composing shots - then I had a simple shoulder bag for just the camera with 1 x lens attached. What I originally thought I would be using just wasn't true - I found with the large backpack that I really couldn't be bothered to stop, open the bag, get the equipment staged etc and it just felt awkward to be carrying all that weight around - then with the small bag I really kept wishing that I had my ultra-wide zoom instead of the walk-around lens.
I finally settled in between with the Case Logic SLRC-205 which will take my camera with lens attached and a second lens & flash with a couple of filters and a battery. It will also hold a small tripod when required.
It's a sling style bag that I can rotate to the front if I'm in a queue or on the train and nervous of potential theft.
It is very comfortable with a wide padded strap so long days/walks are not an issue for me.
Im not saying that you should get this model - this bag may not suit you at all - but what I'm getting to is that you will need to try a couple of bags before you find your ideal one.

I think we all suffer form bag-mania at one time or another so don't worry - just buy one - use it - if it doesn't fit - then sell it and move to the next one!
I have 3 bags currently on sale on eBay - no longer needed as I have settled now

Milly

 

[nbaresejr]

Thanks everyone! I am thinking I will go with the Crumpler 5 mdh since it was on my list and several of you recommend it. But maybe last years version - is the only difference the color?

There are a few little changed in the new model but nothing i felt like i needed. I waiting until the new 1 came out and made a decision to get the older 1. I have the black/ gunmetal combo but it came in brown/ orange, black/ snot, beech/ black and green/ red.

B&H Photo does not have the new versions listed yet on the site.

here is a link
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=crumpler+5+million+dollar+hame&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

 

[d3mckinl]

last year when I gor my D90 with 18-105 kit I piked up the Swissgear Zinc DSLR Camera Messenger Bag. for around $50. it comfortably will hold the kit lens atached to the body plus 2 more lenses plus divided pockets for all the little things, battery, keys, filters ets. it even has a water bottle holder on the side that I never use because I'm worried about moisture next to the expensive gear. My favorite aspect is that it is not obviously a camera bag, its very understated.

 

[wbeem]

I always enjoyed my Crumpler bags. They have great construction and held a good amount of gear when I was starting out. Lately, I'm more of a Thinktank fan. They also have solid construction and hold a lot of gear - even more than the Crumpler.

To be honest, you're not going to have one bag to last you if photography is something that grows with you. Eventually, you'll have more gear to take with you, or different decisions about how you want to take it. I have many different bags, as I suspect others here can also claim. Don't worry about the future. If you stick with photography, you'll buy more bags. Right now, just worry about getting the right bag for your gear.

Brands that I don't like are typical camera-store brands, like Tamrac or Lowepro. To me, they just seem like ugly things with average grade design and components. They work, but they also scream out "Camera Bag - I have expensive things inside me!"

One of the things I liked about the Crumpler bags is that people thought it was a diaper bag. Who wants to steal a bag full of poop?

 

[ireland_nicole]

Can I jump in an ask a question? I have the lowepro sling, but everything feels heavier in it somehow; I can carry it, but it gets uncomfortable. I am taking DS in 4 weeks to WDW on my own. I carry a T2i with a tamron 18-270 lens and will bring my more compact external flash. To keep things simple i am not planning to being other lenses. My DS and I both have disabilities that cause us to have difficulty temperature regulating, so staying hydrated is an issue. My plan was to take the padding out of my sling bag(it velcros) and use it in my 3l camelback. I have test driven it and it seems to work well, there's good separation between the sections and it doesn't seem to cool the conpartment with the camera too much. Also I can't use a neckstrap an l hate my camera falling off my shoulder so I use a black rapid strap which is where my camera will be most of the time when not on rides... I am very open to suggestions and advice on this

 

[chirurgeon]

If you don't mind paying for hand made/custom, check out etsy.com and search Snugglens. Beautiful bags.

Kim

 

[Nik's Mom]

For my every day bag, I just converted a handbag and turned it into a camera bag. I took the measurements of my camera, figured out how big of a handbag I would need. Then I took some foam, sewed on some fabric and velcro. Voila! Instant camera bag. And I can take out the foam inserts and use it as a regular handbag.

Here's a picture of the finished product,

 

[photo_chick]

I know a lot of people who have done what Nik's Mom did, myself included. Just make sure you use the right kind of foam if you need protection from more than just occasional bumps. Standard craft foam doesn't do much. I just ripped the foam out of an old camera bag with a busted zipper when I did this.

 

[WDWAtLast]

Update: just got home with the Crumpler 5 million dollar home bag. REI had last year's model for $85 and with my 20% off coupon and my $4.00 member cash back, I walked out with it for $69! It is smaller IRL than I thought it would be, but will be perfect to start out with and a great size for everyday! Plus a great price!