Camera Bag

[garris3404]

I have smallest Lowepro Slingshot, the AW100. I take it everywhere. Mostly I throw it over my left shoulder. If I'm going to be doing a lot of walking I pull the strap on over my head so that it crosses my chest. I thought it would look dorky that way but it's comfortable so I got over it.

Currently the AW100 has:
Top Compartment: MiniDV Camcorder, an extra MiniDV tape, the camcorder USB cable and the D80 USB cable.
Front Pocket: Dell Pocket PC, Bluetooth USB adapter, USB Thumb Drive, USB memory card reader
Main Compartment: Nikon D80 with 18-135 lens attached and hood reversed, Nikon 70-200 with hood reversed, SB-600 Speedlight, Small bag for extra AA batteries and the base for the Flash, Laminated D80 quick reference guide, extra memory card.

And that's the smallest Slingshot

Jann, I'm not sure what you mean by holding the bag horizontally. I pull the bag under my left arm to the front of my body. This leaves the pack on it's side with the front of the pack perpendicular to the ground. To get out my camera I only have to partially unzip the main compartment. I only unzip the side that is now on top. I don't undo the buckles to completely unzip the main compatment unless I am changing lenses. I can get my camera in and out pretty easily without taking the pack off. I just pull open the velcro into the section with the flash if I need it.

That's one of the larger packs in the picture but that's the position for getting the camera in and out.

Is that the 70-200 F2.8 lens?

 

[Steve's Girl]

Guess I'll put in my customary plug for the Crumpler bag. I don't like backpacks or slings worn on my back since I find myself always leaning forward to compensate and by the end of the day, I'm a hurtin' puppy. I use a Crumpler $5 mil home and wear it messenger style and find this works really well for quick access to the camera and is the most comfortable for me. Others with better posture really like the backpack/sling idea - wasn't a good option for me.

 

[PoohJen]

I'm looking for a small, "quick" day bag, so I'll be interested in your experience with the toploader. I assume there is room only for the one lens (on the camera)?

Do you anticipate looping this throuhg your belt? Also, is it padded inside?

Have fun on your trips!

 

[jann1033]

Yes...this was certainly the most difficult part of completing my total package of camera equiptment. It took me 2 good months of trial/error to finally decide.
Even harder than deciding what camera to buy..
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/classic/Micro_Trekker_200.aspx
For a day case..Humm..got a Toploader TLZ 2:
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Toploading/classic/Topload_Zoom_2.aspx

I'll know more after I trial it out on my solo May Disney trip and also have 1 mo. in Europe happening in June/July on a Danube/Rhine river cruise...so we'll see how it goes.
Hey...as long as the case also holds the instruction book on the camera, Im happy!!

deleted the rest for space...please post how you like the toploader if you don't mind after your disney trip..this was the one i was considering( unless there is a larger one)..i have a canon backpack that holds almost everything( really need to stop buying but that is another thread) but was looking at these as a day to day bag. I had been using a sony camcorder bag for day to day but it only fits my rebel body with 70-200 f4 and cleaning stuff etc, but i really want one that i could cram at least one more lens into, ok maybe 2, and if i keep my 28-135 as my walk around no way it would all fit but wasn't sure the toploader would be that much bigger. Circuit city has crumpler bags now i was told so i have been meaning to get over there to look at them. i wonder if they'd think i was nuts if i took my stuff in to try one out
sorry op, not trying to hog your thread

 

[Steve's Girl]

DH and I are going to WDW for a few days at the end of this month. I think I am going to try to take my tripod for some night shots. Do you put the tripod in a checked bag of in a carry on? I've heard of camera gear getting stolen out of checked bags. But if I put it in a carry on, I don't want security to think I'm trying to smuggle a pipe bomb on the plane.

 

[senecabeach]

Guess I'll put in my customary plug for the Crumpler bag. I don't like backpacks or slings worn on my back since I find myself always leaning forward to compensate and by the end of the day, I'm a hurtin' puppy.

Steve's Girl ... Yes, I was also concerned about that too! Im no young chippie anymore and didn't need carrying all that weight either. I found the micro-trekker.."hugs" my back, hits the top of the small of my back and isn't long to create that "gap" at the small of your back area. For a guy, probably even shorter.

I assume there is room only for the one lens (on the camera)? Do you anticipate looping this throuhg your belt? Also, is it padded inside?

PoohJen... Yes, camera and attached lens and outside pocket for other stuff. Yes, padded. No..because I dont always wear a belt.

i wonder if they'd think i was nuts if i took my stuff in to try one out

Jann... yep..will let you know. Actually I didn't get any weird looks when I pulled out my stuff and started packing it in thier bags. Of course...since Im now a senior citizen...they probably felt sorry for the old lady.

The best advise I can give is..bring your eqpt with you and try it out in the bags!!

 

[ktulu]

I'd just stick mine in my luggage and put a lock on it (the TSA approved ones). I doubt they'll think you're trying to bring on a pipe bomb, I bet they've seen a tripod or two

 

[dcg0317]

Have a look at this site, you can pick the type of bag you are interested in or by camera type. Very good site with pics of different type of photo gear in the bags.
http://www.cambags.com/camera_bag_mainpage.htm

 

[sk8belle]

When flying SW this weekend, I saw a woman who'd been turned away by security checking her tripod. So it looks likely that they'll frown on you carrying the tripod on.

 

[tinksdad]

I pack mine as well. I pack the pants and lay the tripod over, then all the other stuff on top of that. Camera is carry on since it's more fragile (obviously)!!

 

[mabas9395]

They say that any "clublike" item needs to be checked. That covers baseball bats, pool cues, hockey sticks, etc. I don't know about you but I could probably do more damage with my tripod than I could with a baseball bat.

 

[garris3404]

... I don't know about you but I could probably do more damage with my tripod than I could with a baseball bat.

That might especially be true if you are 'under exposured'!

 

[MICKEY88]

the perfect bag for WDW is a vest, you can carry everything, the weight is evenly distributed, no risk of forgetting a bag somewhere.....



and vests can be found for a relatively low price.

 

[KrazyPete]

Is that the 70-200 F2.8 lens?

I mistyped. It's the 70-300 f4.

 

[KrazyPete]

the way the saleswoman used it she opened the whole thing up and held it perpendicular to the ground...like you would open a back pack, basically lay it flat( like a turtle on it 's back)..if you leave it partly zipped( like if a backpack was partly zipped) would you be able to get into stuff on the bottom? or would you have to completely turn it on it's back and open the whole thing..not explaining this well so maybe i just need to go to another camera shop to see one without the "trying to be helpful" saleswoman

Hmm... would I be able to get into the stuff on the bottom? like a turtle? I don't know. It's designed so that you can easily get your camera out of the bottom compartment. If you need anything else you might have to take the pack off.

 

[DVC Jen]

the perfect bag for WDW is a vest, you can carry everything, the weight is evenly distributed, no risk of forgetting a bag somewhere.....



and vests can be found for a relatively low price.

Wouldn't that get hot though in the summer? And how do you deal with the vest if it starts raining or you are on a ride where you get wet?

I have been going back and forth with this decision as well. Finally I found a brand new LowePro Slingshot 200 on Ebay for 67.??, with free shipping. I couldn't pass it up and I am expecting it in a few days.

I wanted something that had quick and easy access. Something that was large enough to store my XTI and 1 or 2 more lenses as well as other "park essentials". I also didn't want it to be something uncomfortable for me HUSBAND to wear.

I am really hoping it fits all his (my) needs.

BTW chirurgeon we will be checking in on June 4th. Maybe we run into each other.

 

[deletedpenguin]

I have smallest Lowepro Slingshot, the AW100. I take it everywhere. Mostly I throw it over my left shoulder. If I'm going to be doing a lot of walking I pull the strap on over my head so that it crosses my chest. I thought it would look dorky that way but it's comfortable so I got over it.

Currently the AW100 has:
Top Compartment: MiniDV Camcorder, an extra MiniDV tape, the camcorder USB cable and the D80 USB cable.
Front Pocket: Dell Pocket PC, Bluetooth USB adapter, USB Thumb Drive, USB memory card reader
Main Compartment: Nikon D80 with 18-135 lens attached and hood reversed, Nikon 70-200 with hood reversed, SB-600 Speedlight, Small bag for extra AA batteries and the base for the Flash, Laminated D80 quick reference guide, extra memory card.

And that's the smallest Slingshot

Good god man, that thing is a black hole, how'd you do it? I've got the same bag with the Canon 30D, a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX, and the Canon 70-200f/2.8L and I'm just BARELY getting it closed. I'd love to get my 580EX flash in there somewhere as well and can't get anywhere close. What sizes are those lenses?

 

[MICKEY88]

Wouldn't that get hot though in the summer? And how do you deal with the vest if it starts raining or you are on a ride where you get wet?

I have been going back and forth with this decision as well. Finally I found a brand new LowePro Slingshot 200 on Ebay for 67.??, with free shipping. I couldn't pass it up and I am expecting it in a few days.

I wanted something that had quick and easy access. Something that was large enough to store my XTI and 1 or 2 more lenses as well as other "park essentials". I also didn't want it to be something uncomfortable for me HUSBAND to wear.

I am really hoping it fits all his (my) needs.

BTW chirurgeon we will be checking in on June 4th. Maybe we run into each other.

I wear my vest all the time in the summer...a good cotton vest, well ventilated, the back is mesh... as for rain I have a vinyl poncho that I stick in the large back pocket of the vest, when rain is expected.. I don't do water rides when in photographer mode so that's not an issue for me..

 

[0bli0]

i have had a set of legs stolen from my bag last year- thank goodness it was a set of aluminium legs and they didnt steal the head. the airline just quotes the warsaw convention and limits what they have to pay you based upon weight and 'standard drawing rights'. i picked up another set of cheap manfrotto legs for travel in HK. DW & i are going to China and Tibet next month and i'd prefer to take my mag/fibre 4 section but i dont want to risk getting it taken.

it's funny - you can buy a tripod on the air-side area of most international airports here in the region, including at the airports here in oz. at Changi - they had a set of manfrotto 190's (which are much heavier than the usual slik you normally see) when i was there 3 weeks ago. but yes, they consider the tripod a 'clublike' weapon and prohibit carry on.

 

[KrazyPete]

Good god man, that thing is a black hole, how'd you do it? I've got the same bag with the Canon 30D, a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX, and the Canon 70-200f/2.8L and I'm just BARELY getting it closed. I'd love to get my 580EX flash in there somewhere as well and can't get anywhere close. What sizes are those lenses?

I'm not saying it isn't tight. But, to prove that it can be done:

I do worry where I will put that 50mm prime I've been looking at.