Bag advice

Yellowbelly

Yellowbelly

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Bob
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I am shortly to be going to America and Canada. I would like a back pack type bag to hold a DSLR and a walk around lens, cleaning kit, filters etc. I also wish to carry with said bag a few non-photographic type articles. For example packable waterproofs. The rub is, is that I don't want it to look like a camera bag.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
I've got an older version of this Crumpler Bag and an very pleased with it, can get a Nikon D80 with 18-135 kit lens attached, Sigma 70-300, SB-800 plus spare battery & cards in the base compartment and then a waterproof, lunch with space left in the upper compartment

Crumpler bag
 
If you don't need to carry a long lens I would recommend the Kata 466i or 476i. It doesn't look too much like a camera bag, the bottom compartment is padded for the camera and lens, top half for personal items, a laptop compartment which is handy for magazines/maps, and the divider can be taken out so you can use it as a normal full size back pack.
 
There Are loads of bag threads on here. My standard answer for this type though is FStop Guru.
 
I use a lowepro fastpack (the big one) and it is perfect for what you want. I use mine as my standard travel bag since it has comfy straps and a computer slot, both of which are requirements for a travel bag for me. It looks like a normal pack otherwise. Mine currently holds a gripped D90 with 300f4 and 1.4x, 18-80, 18-55, 55-200, 35 1.8, 50 1.8, and a SB-600. There is room for more and I can easily put the battery charger, some filters and a holder, and some other stuff (often a t-shirt and socks) in the bottom half of the bag. The top half is wide open still at that point and will fit a good deal of stuff.

Thanks,
Rick
 
Have a look at the packs from Red Snapper -

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/Bags_And_Backpacks.html

Or these -

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/default.php?type=0&man=0&filterwords=rucksack&go=SEARCH&comp=

I use the 190 pack from 7dayshop. It is not big but it holds DSLR + 18-55 lens, 50mm, 70 -210 zoom, spare battery and charger, blower, cloth, filters and has just enough room for a drink and a small amount of food, though getting a waterproof in would be a push.

Also I don't think any of the above shout, "Camera bag"

Dave
 
FWIW I wasn't at all impressed with the RedSnapper bag that my Dad had, it just felt and looked very cheap.
 
Fstop Guru +1 and I hear you can now buy them from an outdoors shop in London.
 
casts_by_fly said:
I use a lowepro fastpack (the big one) and it is perfect for what you want. I use mine as my standard travel bag since it has comfy straps and a computer slot, both of which are requirements for a travel bag for me. It looks like a normal pack otherwise
Click to expand...
Me too, exactly. I have the Fastpack 350, which I think is the biggest one. £50 from Amazon, great value.
 
Thanks to all who have responded. I like the look of the Lowepro Fastpack so it looks as though the wallet is to be drained again.
 
i wouldn't worry so much about what it looks like. Rip/pick the badges off, or gaffa tape over them if you are concerned.
Your accent is gonna scream louder than any bag will ;)
Never let it away from your body, and be aware of your surroundings (depending on where you are going), and you'll be fine.

the biggest thing is, you don't have to be thief proof... you just have to be more thief proof than the person beside you!!

I think the biggest tip i could give about a bag you are about to travel with: Take it with you everywhere for a few weeks before you leave. That way a) it is habit, you are used to having it with you, and wont leave it behind, even briefly by accident, when you are away, and b) it wont look like a shiny new bag on a tourist.
(obviously whilst you are carrying a camera bag around before you leave, empty it of the camera dividers etc. and carry your normal stuff in it)

the more comfortable you are with it, the more comfortable you will look, and importantly... feel!
 
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