Camera Bag

[fitzperry]

and it's easier to pick up children while wearing a vest in the parks, than it is to pick them up while wearing a backpack or carrying any other type of bag.

I'd be afraid they'd smash my lenses!

 

[tigger795]

When I was using my 300D I used a Tamrac Velocity 7. It is a sling-type bag that can be worn as a backpack but slung around to the front when you need access. It held my camera and three lenses, including my 70-300mm zoom. Also held extra battery, memory cards, lens pens, table-top tripod, and remote shutter release. It was a very tight fit but it did fit.

I have wondered about the vest idea, and it sounds pretty good, but I am VERY sensitive to heat and the idea of adding another layer of clothing just doesn't appeal to me, even if it is just a light mesh. With the Velocity bag I can take it off and carry it by the handle if it becomes uncomfortable.


BTW I now carry my 30D in a Velocity 8. The 9 seemed just a tad too big for me.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Yesterday I found the Lowepro Rezo 170 AW...
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulder_Bags/allWeather/Rezo_170_AW.aspx

It will hold my XT with the 70-300 attached, in vertical position. Top load access makes it easy to get into. It also fits my 28-300. Front pocket to hold miscelaneous cards and batt.s. And from the bottom of the front pocket a raincoat pulls out to cover the whole bag for those water rides! check out pic #3 or 4.

I may leave the whole backpack at home and just bring the little bag.
Best buy price was $50
MIkeeee out!

Oh ya! Packing tonight, actualy right now. 4:30 alarm tomorow for an 8am plane!!!!!!!
This trip is very convenient, I do not have any monorail shots!

 

[DizneyDogs]

I concur on the MRock bags. I've got one, and it has been great being able to cut down in size from my previous bag. I feel like everything is better protected, and it is easy to get to exactly what I want to pull out.

 

[Cap'n Keel]

Have you looked at the Crumpler bags?

***Sorry I couldn't repost the URL as DisBoards has some sort of minimum posts number requirement before URLs are allowed in msgs and I'm a newbie to the boards.***

At first I thought you gave out the wrong URL. The web site looked like a kids. Then I began to wonder around and I was quite surprised not only by their unique website, but their bags as well. Actually I laughed out loud more than once. This site is worth visiting just for fun. It makes ya want to pull and push icons just to see what happens. Genuis! Even the product names are funny (bucket, million dollar, barge, etc.) But, no I hadn't tried any of their bags as they aren't sold in our local camera stores. I did find a sports store nearby that sells them so I'll buzz by there and check them out. Thanks for the advice and entertainment!

I also looked at the MROCK line as suggestted by Pisco. Looks promising except there are no local retailers in my area - bummer! Many of the bags tech specs state they fit my camera, but fail to mention if that includes a grip. So ya got'ta try them out in person - sort of like shoes I guess.

 

[fitzperry]

At first I thought you gave out the wrong URL. The web site looked like a kids. Then I began to wonder around and I was quite surprised not only by their unique website, but their bags as well. Actually I laughed out loud more than once. This site is worth visiting just for fun. It makes ya want to pull and push icons just to see what happens. Genuis! Even the product names are funny (bucket, million dollar, barge, etc.) But, no I hadn't tried any of their bags as they aren't sold in our local camera stores. I did find a sports store nearby that sells them so I'll buzz by there and check them out. Thanks for the advice and entertainment!

Sorry--I should have posted a warning along with the URL. It's a fabulous site, isn't it? Every time I visit it, there's a different animal to drag across the screen to get to the bags. Cracks me up! I recently ordered the $4M Home and returned it because I decided it was too small for my needs, but the quality was very good. I also like the colors their bags come in.

Best of luck with your search!

 

[jann1033]

after reading the other bag thread and not wanting to derail it...do you take all/most of your stuff in your bag? PPMH ( poor pack mule husband) said he doesn't mind the thought of taking a backpack on and off( thinking he's really figuring $80-90 for lowepro sling 200 vs $35 for canon backpack) if i get one

but

right now it would take me basically 2 medium bags to fit all my junk in(how'd that happen ) but wondering if I'd rather have the inconvenience of that rather than the weight of it all in one place but that would mean we'd have 2 camera bags, his backpack with sketching stuff, plus something with our other junk to lug everywhere we go & probably not fit through a doorway...(i could leave one lens behind but everything else would probably be useful ) other wise it would be just 2 backpacks and something with our other junk but he'd look like Quasimodo

i don't want to buy another bag( number 4) and not be able to use it although except for an external flash and eventually the 70-300 IS lens i think i've bought all i'm going to buy for awhile so it would fit in the lowepro or canon

 

[ducklite]

I generally leave anything at home that I know I'm not going to want to use. So when I go to shoot a concert I leave the speedlight, the 28-78 f/3.5 and other assorted "junk" at home. I'm not allowed to use flash and that lens is too small of an aperture for that type of photography, so why bother?

The only time I haul it all around is for a family reunion type of thing, or if it's an all day/night outdoor concert where I know I'm going to want to take some crowd shots. I mean you don't want to miss an opportunity like this...

(The best part was when I e-mailed it to his co-host who promptly put it up on the stations web site!)

Anne

 

[mhutchinson]

I also do the same as ducklite, I plan what I need for the trip and how I expect to shoot. Typically I will only have my camera, walk around lens, wide/fast prime, spare battery, extra cards, and polarizer with me at any given time in a fairly smallish all weather bag. I may also bring (on vacation) a wide zoom and a telephoto zoom, but they are not always with me. Anything I don’t need with me on the day I go in the park gets securely locked up in the room.

My walk around kits I tend to use is either my 28-135mm IS with a 24mm f/2.8 or my 24-105mm IS L with my 35mm f/2.

For example: in to Epcot, I will take my wide zoom lens as well as my ‘kit’ … or … in AK I will take a longer zoom. These lenses will all be packed in separate, padded cases that can either attach to my belt, shoulder case, or fit in the ‘family survival’ bag.

I usually find that 90%-100% of the time I only use the walk around lens. I found that finding the perfect bag is the most frustrating for all types of shooting and have start to amass my own private show room for all different types.

Mike

 

[Master Mason]

I think that multiple bags is probably the answer, because no single bag can fit all situations. I have a very nice hard side case that is great for travel, holds everything and the hard sides protect it very well, but not practicle for park usage.

And my search is still going on

so far I like the cannon bag for the price, the slings look good for access, but not sure how I would like it when my back is hurting with the weight being unevenly distributed. But I will get one soon, even if it isn't the right one, it will be a starting point.

 

[mhutchinson]

I think that multiple bags is probably the answer, because no single bag can fit all situations. I have a very nice hard side case that is great for travel, holds everything and the hard sides protect it very well, but not practicle for park usage.

And my search is still going on

so far I like the cannon bag for the price, the slings look good for access, but not sure how I would like it when my back is hurting with the weight being unevenly distributed. But I will get one soon, even if it isn't the right one, it will be a starting point.

My favorite bag for the parks so far has been either the Nova 1 AW or the Nova 3 AW by LowePro depending on the kit I bring (hindsite being 20/20 the Nova 2 AW is what I should have probably looked at). With the camera on my neck, there is not too much weight left in the bag and it loads up easily. Plus it has an attached AW cover for the wetter areas of the park. The Nova 1 AW stows very easily in most ride cubbies as well.

Mike

5 bags and counting

 

[jann1033]

i just ordered the canon eos back pack one, mainly because it will fit everything i need plus has a pocket for a couple of hubs smaller sketch books/ pencil wrap so maybe just maybe we can do it all with one bag( and additional "overflow" in 4 ft by 4 ft box in the car trunk )

 

[jann1033]

i bought the canon bag m1ckeym0use1 recommended and i am so pleasantly
surprised! it fits
my rebelxt with 28-135 lens,
100mm lens,
100-300 lens,
50mm lens,
18-55mm lens,
extension tubes,
macro lens set,
all my paper work( ie lens warrenties etc)
all my cords,
a book i use for notes( 8x10),
memory card wallet,
filter wallet,
lens cleaning stuff,
extra lens caps,
stepup rings
and i have 1 giant zippered pocket, i smallish velcro pocket and a bungie cord pocket thingie, a tripod place( not sure how well that would work,) 2 other strap type holders and a clip ring thing left ( probably won't take it all but it fits!)
plus it looks better in person( kind of sick green online but really brownish olive and black)

thanks m1ckeym0use1

best $46 i ever spent!( could have got it for less but i wanted it for vacation)

 

[Master Mason]

so I think I have finally decided that I like the Lowepro Mini Trekker AW. It is probably a little bigger than I need at this time, but it always seams that what you carry will expand to fill any availible space.

Anyone have experience with this bag, either good or bad before I pull the trigger???

 

[JR6ooo4]

I am a lowepro fan, Never had any quality problems. 5 year old lowepro mini bag and all zippers work etc...
It is also the one that saved "billy's" life in jurassic park III!

Mikeeee

 

[0bli0]

i've lost track of how many bags i have. i use different ones depending on what gear i'm taking with me. generally i use Crumpler bags (good Australian brand). Crumpler bags open from the back and are very comfortable. i recently switched from a schrinkle to a karachi's outpost as my main carry around backpack. the one i use second most on trips is the Lowepro rolling minitrekker AW. i also often use the Crumpler 7 million dollar home which is an over the shoulder bag.

when i'm shooting on the field, and sometimes on holiday, i generally use a vest. yesterday it was 28 degrees (very warm for coming out of winter) and i still wore the vest comfortably. the one i use is nylon with mesh on the inside. it's the Oakley SI AP vest, which is great for holding lots of Lowepro lens cases and 1 series batteries, etc.

 

[Master Mason]

Ok,

I ended up with the Trekker Mini AW. Don't let the name fool you, it isn't mini at all. I have plenty of room for growth when I decide it is needed. It seams very well built and I feel the camera and lenses are well protected inside. Only time will tell how it works out for sure, but I am fairly certain I am going to like it.

Well, I can finally stop buying stuff for the camera for now

Thanks all for the assistance.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I have discovered that I don't usually use my 75-300 mm lens while at the parks so I leave that behind and end up walking the parks with just a toploading zoom case and a regular backpack (for the flash, remote shutter release and batteries.) My travelling tripod, which only opens to about 4 feet when fully extended hangs from my fanny pack like a sword. I had it in my backpack while in DL for a while but found that it as actually more comfortable hanging.

I have yet to find the ideal bag (on my 3rd bag now...and counting). I'd like one that was a sling type but also be able to act as my carry on (be able to hold the camera equipment, lenes, flash, etc along with a change of clothes, book, candy and Advil.) LOL Since you need to be able to take most of that and more into the park, it would be great. I mean, right now, I have a bag that's great for carry on but lousy to walk with, a bag that's great to walk with but not big enough for carry on. Oy.

 

[boBQuincy]

The Crumpler bags, besides having a fascinating website, are often modular. We have their "$4M and $5M home" bags and there are straps on the sides which accept add-ons.
I use a tiny LowePro bag as my "medi-kit", ibuprofen, antiseptic wipes, gum, mints, tiny flashlight, insect sting wipes, etc. The little pouch straps right onto the side of the $4M home.

Water bottles (or lens puches) attach the same way. Other little bags can be attached to the strap of the main bag too.

I may look like a traveling junk man, with all that stuff hanging off my camera abg, but it sure is convenient.

 

[all4fun]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that posted their bag recommendations. I was just looking for a smallish bag that would fit my Fuji S5200 and my mini (Sony) camcorder. I ended up buying the Lowepro Rezo 120 at CompUSA for just under $20 (priced at $29.99 online). I love the bag and it fits both cameras perfectly (just what I need for in the parks).

I looked at some Crumpler bags and while I liked them the stores I was shopping at only had the small ones. I didn't feel comfortable buying online and not knowing for sure if both cameras would fit or not. Anyway, I feel confident from what I have read here and the quality of the bag that it will hold up for many trips to come. Thanks again.