[Closed] Recommend me a Camera bag

I've got a Tamrac Expedition 6. The camera + lens will fit in the central area with enough space for another (smaller) lens beneath it and several around the outside. Laptop slips in, tripod etc straps to the outside. Plenty of pockets for batteries, filters etc.

It will be used for flights and walking to/from shoots, so not extensive hiking.

Do you like it?

Not at all 😆
Only because I hate carting loads of stuff about.

I usually use a Tamrac holster and some lens pouches on a belt or a National Geographic shoulder bag.

But... when I need to cart a load of stuff about it does it well. I can't think of anything that it does badly or doesn't do.

I have a Computrekker AW. I like it plenty, but I use it mainly as storage. It does come out with me sometimes but it's not the best rucksack. My Oly kit is quite light but if it was loaded up with heavy optics and a tripod it might be a bit much. It's big though - takes two bodies and half a dozen lenses at least, but not much larger on the outside than a normal day pack. The rain cover has saved the day on at least one occasion too! The tripod carrying system is ok I guess, I only have a monopod and it's a little annoying that you have to unclip it to get inside the bag. Well.. you could get around that I suppose - there is a variety of methods you could use to attach it. Plus a few more small pockets for gubbins might help too.

I really want the Lowe Camelbak style thing for biking but it's £200!

I have the LowePro CompuPrimus and love it. Space for body, 3-4 lenses plus bits, compartment for personal gear (normally houses spare clothes and waterproofs), rear-loading so you don't get straps covered in mud when ratching for gear, AW cover and it's own cracking little laptop case. Brilliant for shipping all the kit plus the mandatory "change of clothes for when your hold luggage gets left at Heathrow". Including shoes.

Downsides: If you're being dead strict, it's millimetres over the carry-on luggage size limits. I've never had it questioned, though, and a friend who uses the same bag dodged it by saying "there's x-hundred quids worth of camera kit in here. You think I'm puttng that in the hold?!"

That looks lovely. My Computrekker has very limited space for other stuff - just a thin-ish space in the top lid. Could get a light weight pair of trousers and tshirt in there I suppose.

I always get away with at least two carry on bags (BA) as the rucksack counts as a laptop bag (no matter how large it is).

That was part of the reason I went for it. A lot of the shooting I do is adventure sports stuff, where I need to be carrying my camera kit and enough warm/waterproof/spare kit for the day, plus (sometimes) stuff like climbing harness/helmet etc. the CP has enough space for that. It's a big bag, for sure, but I picked it up, brand new and bagged, for £80-ish on FleaBay

I think I'll go for the Tamrac as a start, just for carrying the kit between places..

thinktank stuff is very good. i use one of the airport rollas as i have too much gear to carry on my back, will probably get the airport antidote for traveling lite. have tried them all tamrac/lowpro/crumpler/tenba/peli and will not be going back.

On a separate note, the two lenses I bought from the US should be delivered by my in-laws on Thursday 🙂

Anything special?

I use a lowepro Fastpack 250, has a separate zipped pocket with side access for a laptop plus plenty of camera/accessory space. May not be big enough if you want to carry any clothing though. Easy access to camera gear by slipping one strap off the shoulder & swinging bag around to the front.

Anything special?

Yes, I reckon both are. Sigma 30mm f1.4 with HSM and the excellent Olympus 8mm fisheye, complete with 180 degree field of view!

Personally a huge fan of crumpler bags. Also quite stealthy compared to many traditional bags.

Anyone recommend a DSLR bag for my D5000? Don't need to carry lots of extra stuff. Have been looking at the LowePro toploader. Any advice?

Bit cheeky I know but I've got a Crumpler Farmers Double in the For Sale section. It's a sizable bag that can carry a lot of stuff.

http://www.laptopshop.co.uk/crumpler-farmers_double_navy_and_silver_17inch-laptop_case-1-cc2.htm

Can send some photos over if you are interested.

Depends innit, CM. I've spent a lot of time agonising over bags. Depends on the usage. Since you have to have your camera with you in order to take pics, and if it's an encumbrance you won't bring it along when doing other stuff, then you need to make sure you have the right bag 🙂

Bit big that farmers bag. I need to be able to order from amazon, otherwise i have to buy it myself, also whilst we are here, how about a monopod?

For the bag, In terms of size, its more to protect the camera rather than carry loads of stuff, maybe spare battery, but that would be about it. I'd like to be able to carry it round my neck or stick it in a bigger rucksack. Also want to be able to take the camera out of the bag with them both still round my neck. Does this help with advice?

Price up to about £50 for each.

Just got one of these for casual portage duties:

http://www.golla.com/#/en/products/preview/G1011

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Ive got a Thinktank Shapeshifter stored away somewhere if interested

[url= http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Press-Release/Think-Tank-Photo-Shape-Shifter-Backpack-Press-Release.aspx ]Thinktank[/url]

I swear by the thinktank stuff, use their combination belt system for the majority of weddings etc. Purchased the Shapeshifter when was doing a lot of traveling around, but just don't get on with packs to work out of on a day to day basis instead relying on Pelicases / dome bags hence its hardly been used.

Its a very handy design though featuring a range of neoprene drawcord pockets inside, so everything is stored vertically so the pack is not as deep as others (ie lowpros etc) and will swallow a 17 inch MBP with ease.

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Re monopods - I got one for my birthday from my folks. At first I thought what a load of rubbish, but then I bought a ball head and read up on how to use it, now I think it's fab! Helps reduce shake a lot when using my 300mm and far more convenient than a tripod. It's also surprising what you can do with it - I took some pics of lightening on exposures up to 30s by bracing the monopod against a railing with my hand - got pretty steady shots.

Another Thinktank fan - I have loads of their stuff - a rolling bag for airline use and holsters for "action" and a 'retrospective' shoulder bag for town use. What I like about their stuff, in contrast to Crumpler, is that it is not OVER padded. Camera gear isn't made of eggs, and there's no point carrying round massive packs filled with padding. My 2 cents, anyway.

Over-padding..hmm.. I have a swordfish bag that I gave up on because it had no padding on the bottom. So if you wanted to put it down on the floor you smacked the end of your lens onto the concrete. D'oh!

was going to go for a manfrotto monopod. are they ok?

what's a ball head?

Thanks fr the offer of the shape shifter, but too big!

@mol - I have the impression that TT bags are made and used by photographers, and the padding they have is in the right places 🙂

On a related note - anyone else use Black Rapid Straps?

They were recommended to me someone I met at Goodwood and having tried one, I'm really impressed - really handy esp with bigger lenses.

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http://www.blackrapid.com/

On a related note - anyone else use Black Rapid Straps?

Yes, the genuine article isn't exactly cheap...

CM - ball head is a ball joint for the top of the tripod or monopod, allowing you to adjust the position. With a monopod, you don't just perch the camera on it, you have to angle it towards your body and brace it by leaning your body into it. There are videos online.

Manfrotto are the good stuff, btw.

ah, I'd better go buy one of them then.

cheers

You can get cheap ball heads, manfrotto do a nice quality but simple one that screws into your camera, or more expenisve ones that have the quick release plate. Then there are ones with easily moveable handles rather than just a screw to tighten. I've got one from Jessops that was £15 with a quick release plate. Works fine for the price - there's a knob to ajust it but it only needs 1/4 turn and can be done one-handed.