Camera Bag

[spinetnglr]

I have been looking at the Express line of bags from Tamrac. You can see the whole line here http://www.tamrac.com/Express Spread_08.pdf Alot of the bags are designed with a section for camera gear and a separate section for personal items.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

My husband got me a shootsac for my birthday, but I did not like it. I've been waiting on Tracy Joy's new bag to come available..

 

[mvazul]

Or one of these (if an unpadded bag is okay):
http://www.ebags.com/overland_equipment/donner_shoulder_bag/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=109695

I bought that bag last year for my trip to Disney World. I absolutely HATE that bag. The shoulder strap is horrible. It kept sliding up and digging into my neck (it does that even with all of my camera gear out of it). The front pocket flap is very awkward to use. The only thing I did like about it was the side pockets for water bottles. I used it for a couple hours our first night there then switched to a backpack I had taken with me just in case. I really wouldn't recommend this bag.

Just my two cents.

Michelle

 

[fitzperry]

My primary bag is this Kata backpack: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518285-REG/Kata_KT_DR_465_DR_465_Digital_Rucksack_Black_.html

Messenger bags and slings both hurt my back. I've tried both the Crumpler $x million home line and the Slingshot 200, and I just find backpacks to be much more comfortable. This one distributes the weight very well and I find it to be quite comfy. It also comes in some fun colors that weren't available when I got mine, but then I'd have even worse chances of getting dh to carry it for me.

It holds my D300 with lens attached, plus two other lenses (neither a monster sized zoom--you might be limited to one additional lens in that case) and a flash in the bottom compartment. There are pockets above for memory cards, batteries, my iPod, etc. And I use the very roomy top compartment as my "purse"--you know, wallet, cell phone, snacks for the kiddies, dd's little p&s camera, and so on.

When I first saw this bag on line, I passed over it fairly quickly. But after ruling out several others in my local camera shop, I noticed it and decided it was far and away the best option. I've been really happy with it.

Good luck in your search!

 

[annnewjerz]

Just curious....are either of those bags padded? If not, is it okay to carry a DSLR around in an unpadded bag? A salesman led me to believe that a slight bump can destroy a DSLR...is that being overly cautious?

As for the one I posted, it is not padded...which is the only thing I don't reeeeeeeeeeeally like about it. That being said, every single day I carry my D60 in the exact same bag (but a tote style instead) to and from work and just toss it into the car. Call me less cautious than I should be...but I can't walk around with the camera and really enjoy it if I am treating it like a dozen eggs each time I take it out. Sure, I don't throw it, I don't intentionally bang it into a wall, I don't swing it by my wrist and hope that it doesn't hit something/someone...but I also don't feel the need to keep it in a padded bag at all times. If it breaks, that's my fault completely and I take responsibility for it....but it seems pretty sturdy and unless I was to slam it into something hard I can't see how an unpadded bag could be that horrible.

I plan on keeping my camera around my neck while walking around WDW and on the table if we are eating somewhere. As for the lens that will be in my bag, I plan on keeping that in some sort of case, whether soft and padded or a hard case, the lens in my bag will have some sort of protection just in case.

If you are worried about it/clumsy/whatever I'd say go with a padded bag. I wanted the least amount of bulk as possible so this was the trade-off I made.

Happy shopping!

 

[DebºoºS]

I've accumlated quite a few bags over the years but it seems now I stick with 2 faves for WDW trips. I find messengers are easier to get in and out of. I wish they had backpack straps as well as shoulder straps. Now that would make sense. When I carry a lot of gear I use the Domke F-803. My tripod goes at the bottom and well there's room everything and more. Fits under airline seats nicely. The strap on the front holds pins collected or traded on that trip. Here it is at SS in May modeling a new pin which later covered the WHPP label.

For short trips I use the F5xB. I'll clip a water bottle to the outside if needed. The Domke logo is handy for pins.
I modified it a bit to meet my needs. I stripped the velcro from under the flap. It made a RIP noise that could turn heads on a quiet ride! The zipper and flap closure is more than enough. Took out dividers to make one large long padded compartment. Another reason I like Donke. You can move dividers around to fit your needs. In it I can get my D200 with the 18-200 & hood attatched + another small lens or flash. I put spare batteries, caps, filters although I never use them, cards, flashlight,wipes all along the long side and short side of the padding. It's a tight fit but I have it memorized so in the dark I can find it without looking or taking anything else out. The strap is great. Non slip gripper and very comfortable. Basic black bags are more easily pawned off on DS or DH.

 

[klmall]

I am very unfashionable when I travel and I use this bag. It holds my large wallet, a Canon G9 (PnS) with its accessories, makeup, tickets, etc. etc. and worst of all it's a waist pack! It also holds 2 small water bottles.

I take it off and use the carry handle when I'm going into restaurants etc. I may go to a sling style bag but I really like the convenience of a fanny style bag to reach in and out of while I am going places including rides and traveling.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It's interesting to see what everyone carries.

What I'm trying to do is create a "system" which flows easily for transferring mainly my wallet, keys and cell phone from my pocketbook, to my work bag, to my camera bag - primarily so I won't have to have two bags either for work or for trips w/camera gear. (I keep a few other essentials in each bag to simplify.)

The biggest problem, I think, is that I use a travel-style wallet for everyday use and it's big and oblong (but I love it). It's kind of hard to fit in most bags.

Currently:

My "pocketbook" is from REI and I bought it primarily because it was substantial and would hold my wallet and my Canon S3. There are no dividers, though, and it's really not big enough for all the equipment I have now.

When I got my dSLR, I bought a Slingpack 100 and I like it but there's nowhere to put the wallet. I don't mind the Slingpack, but otherwise am not a backpack person.

I ordered a Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home which just came yesterday. It seems nice, but I was disappointed the darn wallet wouldn't fit in either of the pockets. It will fit in one of the interior compartments standing up, LOL. This weekend I'm going to load it up with everything (DSLR body, 3 lenses, two lens covers, external flash, various batteries, CF cards, cleaning kit, filters, manual, and eventually gorillapod and shutter release - did I forget anything??) and see how it feels. I don't mind shlepping a lot of stuff, either. I deliberately bought a light camera system, and DH will help carry it if need be. I do like the fact that it has a padded strap and seems very sturdy and well made. It'll probably work. It does look like a camera bag to me.

I really like the Tracy Joy bags, too, have never seen them before. Had I not gotten this one, I might have ordered one of those (still might - I want to get it right so this will be the last time I have to purchase). They look like a regular large style pocketbook yet seem roomy and sturdy also. Hmmm. Did someone say they're not available?

Thank you again for all the input. I looked at every bag. All of them are nice. Keep the ideas coming!

FYI I also have the LLBean bag (smaller version) and my DH uses a (REI) large size fanny pack also (S2/3) - he loves it!

 

[Chikabowa]

One thing to note about the Tracy Joy bag and the Shootsac is that they are shoot bags... not travel or storage types of bags. They are specifically designed to hold your lenses and accessories when you are out shooting. They are not well padded and they are not going to protect your equipment if the bag is dropped, etc.

With that said... that's exactly why I travel with all of my equipment in a Pelican rolling bag and then carry my Tracy Joy when I'm out shooting.

 

[Sha]

Deb, do you happen have any photos of what the inside of this bag looks like?? I cant find any online. TIA

 

[DebºoºS]

Deb, do you happen have any photos of what the inside of this bag looks like?? I cant find any online. TIA

I'll see if I can find one. This bag is really my catchall. I've carried 2 bodies (one with 18-200 w/hood) sigma 30mm in it's case, 50mm in a sack, travel tripod, flash and all the small gear. Wallet, magazine & book, tickets, water & snacks, mp3. You're supposed to be able to put a laptop in also but I think I might tip over if I were to carry anything else in it.

 

[SueInBoston]

For my last trip, I used a Timbuk2 medium messenger bag and was happy with how I can fit my necessities, speedlite and Sigma 30mm. I carried my camera around my neck most of the time but can fit it in the bag if needed. I also use an OpTech pouch for my camera to give a little protection.

 

[Sha]

I have a lowepro sling bag, but that sometimes is too much for my neck and shoulder (having had surgery in past) and I leads me to use a couple different sizes of Fossil bags (that are basically purses) because they do not strain my neck or shoulders because how I can position them. I put some padding in them, but very careful what I do with the bag.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Taken from another thread:

Im taking a Tamrac Expedition 4 to take all my kit from England, but in the parks I use a Tamrac Velocity 9 which is just big enough for my camera body and two lenses - three at a push (I rarely take more than two out at a time so it works out well!).

Thanks, Allie!

 

[sherry7]

I bought that bag last year for my trip to Disney World. I absolutely HATE that bag. The shoulder strap is horrible. It kept sliding up and digging into my neck (it does that even with all of my camera gear out of it). The front pocket flap is very awkward to use. The only thing I did like about it was the side pockets for water bottles. I used it for a couple hours our first night there then switched to a backpack I had taken with me just in case. I really wouldn't recommend this bag.

Just my two cents.

Michelle

I carried the aforementioned bag (Overland Donner) for the first time yesterday. While I think I'll like it for everyday use (non camera), I agree that I definitely won't like it for carrying my DSLR. I only took the camera and the kit lens, along with a minimum of other personal items. Within minutes the strap was digging into my shoulder. I will probably take it with me anyway, for the days that I just carry my P&S (Panasonic TZ5). As it was, the bag is unpadded, and I was somewhat paranoid about bumping it into something.

I think I will probably end up using the Tamrac Velocity 7x sling bag that I bought recently. I'm not happy that it doesn't have a water bottle holder, but that can't be helped.

I recently saw a (nice) knock-off of the Lowepro Slingshot 200 at Sam's Club for around $40 (which I believe did have a water bottle pocket). I think I may buy that this week, and see how my stuff fits into it.

 

[Bumpy Grumpy]

I purchased a Vera Bradley Backpack for my S5. Since ithe backpacks various pockets used magnets to close I did a little surgery and removed them. In place of the magnets I sewed in velcro strips. It worked for me on my last trip to the world as it had enough pockets for my glasses and wallet.

Arlene

 

[sherry7]

I purchased a Vera Bradley Backpack for my S5. Since ithe backpacks various pockets used magnets to close I did a little surgery and removed them. In place of the magnets I sewed in velcro strips. It worked for me on my last trip to the world as it had enough pockets for my glasses and wallet.

Arlene

This is probably a dumb question.....but I didn't realize that magnets would harm a digital camera. Is this correct?

 

[annnewjerz]

This is probably a dumb question.....but I didn't realize that magnets would harm a digital camera. Is this correct?

Here's a link to a whole thread about that.

http://http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=26209192

For the most part, it seems for the most part it's an urban legend. Chances are, the strength magnet that they put into any sort of bag as a closure wouldn't be strong enough to damage a memory card, an LCD screen or anything else...probably not even enough to demagnetize your credit card. Maybe the previous poster was more concerned with the lack of security a magnet provides. They come undone much easier than a good heavy duty velcro...personally, I wouldn't want to reply on a magnet to secure all of my expensive camera equipment.

On a side note, thanks to Chikabowa, I have put in an order for the Tracy Joy Kristine bag (I'll be getting it as a Christmas gift). Can't wait to test it out. I really like the purse I have now to use for shooting, but since it has no padding and it's a litttttle smaller than I'd like, I figured this might be a nice alternative!

 

[Nicole786]

I need to get a camera bag before my december trip and I need some help! Im deciding between a semi-hard case from canon that I can just put into an existing sports bag I usually carry around disney (those nylon nike bags that you see in sports stores) or a Crumpler 4 Million Dollar Home. I plan on having the camera out most of the time around my neck, I also usually wear a lanyard that holds the key to the world card amongst a few other items. I'm looking for comfort + convenience. For those with Crumplers, is it easy to quickly take the camera in and out on a whim? Also, How uncomfortable is it to carry around a messenger bag in disney (thank goodness it wont be that hot) with a pin lanyard and a camera around your neck?? I'm leaning towards the crumpler but could really use some re assurance! Thanks, you guys rock!

 

[sanilacjack]

I have the Crumpler 5 million dollar home for my sld. We took it on our last trip to disney and it worked perfect. I could fit my camera, an extra lens, small wallet, 4 rain ponchos and my cell phone. I can easily say hands down this is the best bag I have owned. I even take it for long weekend trip when I just take my plain point and shot digital and use it as a tote bag. I love the padded adjustable dividers, the velcro, easy in and out of the camara, all the pockets. I even purchased the add on shoulder pad, but we don't use it. The webbed strap is wide, soft, very comfortable and sturdy.
Have you seen Crumpler in person? I didn't before I bought and I was nervous as they are quite a bit of money.
I have never been disappointed in this purchase.

Kim