Bag and Tripod for travelling?

Will James

Will James

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Hi all,

I'm looking for a decent camera bag that will hold my 500D, 17-50 2.8 OS, 50mm 1.8, 70-300 VC USD and 430ex II, plus small accessories - for a holiday in France and 6 weeks of travelling in Asia in August/September. I currently have a Lowepro Rezo 160 but now I'm buying more kit it just isn't big enough anymore. My biggest concern when travelling in Asia would be security - I don't want it to stand out as an 'expensive camera inside' bag. Are there any bags that are better in this regard? Maybe one that I can padlock? As I have never been travelling before, I'm not sure if I should get a big bag that holds everything including my camera equipment or two separate bags?

I would also like to know if any of you take a full-size tripod when travelling or is a Gorillapod SLR Zoom a good option?

Many thanks in advance for any help/advice, it'll be very appreciated.

Will.
 
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I'm currently in Asia using the F-Stop Loka bag and Gitzo traveler tripod. Both of them are pretty much the best you can buy but if you can afford I would recommend them without hesitation. If you haven't seen my thread about backpacking photography it may have a few bits of info that may be of use to you. Over the next 2.5 months I will be adding Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and S.China to the blog too
 
Funnily enough I just came across the F-Stop Loka bag and thought it looks pretty good.

That's brilliant info. thanks for the help! I'll look them both up and will have a read of your thread :thumbs:
 
Will James said:
Funnily enough I just came across the F-Stop Loka bag and thought it looks pretty good.

That's brilliant info. thanks for the help! I'll look them both up and will have a read of your thread :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Sorry for the plug, there's also a review of both the tripod and bag on my website if you need more info (on my phone so can't link)
 
My advice get one of these...

http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/lowe-alpine-airzone-centro-45-10-litre-rucksack-lr1140.html (cheaper elsewhere, just as an example)

& fit one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Folding-P..._Camera_Cases_Bags_Covers&hash=item25708ab1d5


You'll have a far better harness system than any dedicated photo backpack, can carry a hydration bladder if needed, fit in loads of personal gear, have a built-in rain cover, you won't look as though you're carrying expensive camera gear, can carry a tripod centrally mounted on the front strap system if needed and have great access to your camera through the side panel

I tried several of the very expensive photo backpacks (F Stop Loka, Clik Elite Contrejour, Lowepro sport) & really wasn't fully happy with any of them...I certainly am with this though...perfect solution if you fancy doing a bit of hiking in the UK when you get back too:thumbs:

Simon
 
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I would also consider a lowepro Pro Trekker 300AW

It has lots of room and pockets for gear as well as a pocket for a bladder hydration pouch and also a tripod holder and raincover, Also its not too big as hand luggage for most airlines so you dont need to worry about your gear getting bashed around or lost.
 
Another vote for the FStop gear bags, although I took a different approach to Jacob and used a Satori EXP with small ICU as my main bag for the trip.

I just took a Gorillapod and would advice yaki v a proper tripod if at all possible.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. Although the Gitzo traveller tripod looks great, it's way out of my budget unfortunately.

Craikeybaby - what did you find most limiting about the Gorillapod? What would you have used instead?
 
Will James said:
Craikeybaby - what did you find most limiting about the Gorillapod? What would you have used instead?
Click to expand...

The main difficulty was being able to position the camera where I wanted it. I had to rely on rocks/driftwood etc and even the it was hard to get the camera steady and level.

I would have gone for a lightweight normal tripod if I could.
 
Try eBay for the bag bought a nice canvas bag on there from Japan dosnt look anything like a camera bag
 
im in a similar situation and have bought a slingshot 101 which can carry my camera and 3 lenses plus a flash - easy to tag a tripod to it too - when i want to carry everything i have the lowpro 300 great bag and not to expensive !
 
I have the Lowepro flipside 400 which is a great bag as the opening is on the side that is against your back, so its secure from people just unzipping it and pulling out your gear. I travel everywhere with it and it fits all of the following in its well padded core as well as having a handy outer pocket which I put my filters, spare batteries and lens cloths into.

D70+70-300 mounted
D7000+ 105 f2.8VR
14-24 f2.8
70-200 f2.8 VRII
SB800

As a bonus it has a built in tripod carrier as well as a built in fold away rain cover. The cool thing about this extremely comfortable bag is that it has waist belts which not only helps to spread the weight but I also use it to help me change lens by slipping off the shoulder straps I can turn the bag around and access the rear compartment, which means I don't have to put the bag down at all. There are smaller models in the range to suit your needs.

I also carry a Manfrotto 190CX4 carbon fibre tripod which is really light around on my trips.
 
jacob12_1993 said:
I'm currently in Asia using the F-Stop Loka bag and Gitzo traveler tripod. Both of them are pretty much the best you can buy but if you can afford I would recommend them without hesitation. If you haven't seen my thread about backpacking photography it may have a few bits of info that may be of use to you. Over the next 2.5 months I will be adding Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and S.China to the blog too
Click to expand...

+ 1 for the Loka and Gitzo Traveler....:thumbs:
 
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