Camera Bag for Travel and Mirrorless Photography

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iaminneedofhelp

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Hi,

I'm looking for the 'perfect' bag for travelling and photography. My current style of photography is travel first, photography second but I really want to get a bag that will carry round my kit securely for a long period.

My kit is currently only the Sony a6000 with the kit 16-50mm lens but I want to upgrade to include a 30mm lens (either the f2.8 from Sigma or the f1.4 from Sigma) and perhaps (very strong perhaps, would ditch the idea if needed) a 70-200mm. I'd also want to carry a travel tripod and a set of filters etc. (plus a few standard accessories).
I would like a camera bag that acts as a secure storage and quick access camera bag but also has enough space to shove in food and a jumper.

I've looked at the Photo Sport 200AW but am still unsure (and it's a bit pricey) and also the Hatchback, both by LowePro.

Any suggestions?
 
iaminneedofhelp said:
Hi,

I'm looking for the 'perfect' bag for travelling and photography. My current style of photography is travel first, photography second but I really want to get a bag that will carry round my kit securely for a long period.

My kit is currently only the Sony a6000 with the kit 16-50mm lens but I want to upgrade to include a 30mm lens (either the f2.8 from Sigma or the f1.4 from Sigma) and perhaps (very strong perhaps, would ditch the idea if needed) a 70-200mm. I'd also want to carry a travel tripod and a set of filters etc. (plus a few standard accessories).
I would like a camera bag that acts as a secure storage and quick access camera bag but also has enough space to shove in food and a jumper.

I've looked at the Photo Sport 200AW but am still unsure (and it's a bit pricey) and also the Hatchback, both by LowePro.

Any suggestions?
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The lowepro flipside's (and flipside sports) are good (if you want a backpack) as the opening is against your body so no-one can sneak up behind and knick all your gear easily. That have a tripod attachment too.
 
Stick it around your neck the prime in your pocket and lose the tripod;)
 
I have a lowepro 102aw and carry an e-m1, 12-40 f2.8, 7.5mm fisheye, sigma 30mm f1.4, 9-18, 40-150 f2.8 + TC, 2 spare batteries, Panasonic flash, an nd grad, a few 10 stoppers and a few memory cards. I did carry a gorillapod too.

If I'm honest, it's just a little bit too small for all that so I'm looking at the 202aw - only around an inch larger but we all know an inch makes all the difference.

Shame you don't have access to the classifieds as there are a couple of Lowepros for sale at the moment
 
rjbell said:
Stick it around your neck the prime in your pocket and lose the tripod;)
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I've been using it with a tiny little camera bag in South America recently and it's always felt a little bit restricting. When I want to transport it etc. That's one of the main reasons I want a camera bag, for transport and so everything is in its place when I need to transport it rather than being loose in my bag.
As for the tripod, it's the one thing I've been yearning for since coming to South America, really want one for longer exposures etc. (mainly enjoy shooting landscapes at the moment).


damianmkv said:
I have a lowepro 102aw and carry an e-m1, 12-40 f2.8, 7.5mm fisheye, sigma 30mm f1.4, 9-18, 40-150 f2.8 + TC, 2 spare batteries, Panasonic flash, an nd grad, a few 10 stoppers and a few memory cards. I did carry a gorillapod too.

If I'm honest, it's just a little bit too small for all that so I'm looking at the 202aw - only around an inch larger but we all know an inch makes all the difference.

Shame you don't have access to the classifieds as there are a couple of Lowepros for sale at the moment
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What are the classifieds? As for your setup^ I could choose that option but really want a bag that's suitable for hiking and general use as a daypack etc. but also has a smaller compartment for camera equipment. I need to retain the main functionality of the bag as a bag, not a camera bag.
 
Classifieds are the for sale bit - min 25 posts and been a member for 60 days
 
I have a Photo Sport 200 and it is perfect for my travel, fits my m43 kit in (body and 12-40, 40-150 pro lenses) in the camera bit and I can actually fit the PL100-400 in the main part easily enough with plenty of room for a fleece, coat, bits and bobs and the external stuff bit is perfect for a coat/fleece. It also fits a 12" Macbook in the bladder compartment.

I've taken it to Alaska and Hong Kong and it keeps doing the job well.
 
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damianmkv said:
Classifieds are the for sale bit - min 25 posts and been a member for 60 days
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Damn, better get posting! :)

Nawty said:
I have a Photo Sport 200 and it is perfect for my travel, fits my m43 kit in (body and 12-40, 40-150 pro lenses) in the camera bit and I can actually fit the PL100-400 in the main part easily enough with plenty of room for a fleece, coat, bits and bobs and the external stuff bit is perfect for a coat/fleece. It also fits a 12" Macbook in the bladder compartment.
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Yeah, I think maybe I'll end up ordering that off Amazon and seeing what it's like in reality. Good to hear a mini-review from you, what sort of travel do you do?
 
iaminneedofhelp said:
Yeah, I think maybe I'll end up ordering that off Amazon and seeing what it's like in reality. Good to hear a mini-review from you, what sort of travel do you do?
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What we tend to do is buy flights somewhere and organise a first activity and then wing it, taking trains/buses/hiring a car and going wherever sounds good from talking to other people. For example in Alaska I booked three nights at Glacier Bay to do a glacier cruise, and then after talking to people we ended up drive-camping all over the place and and then doing lots of bear watching, flightseeing and hiking.

For that trip I had 24-800mm equivalent (with 24-300 bring at f/2.8) and a fisheye, 2 bodies, 5 batteries, a screw in filter pouch, laptop, binoculars, charging equipment, tripod and a warm primaloft jacket, hat all in the bag. I didn't carry all of that much of the time when out and about but it demonstrates that if you have small camera gear then you can take a huge amount of stuff in a hand luggage bag. Photos are on my Flickr
 
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For general use I like my Lowepro passport sling, takes all my MFT gear with room to spare and it's easy to get the camera out and put away on the hoof, no tripod carrying though. The other thing I use a lot is an insert in a standard rucksack, just google Camera Bag Insert, there are loads at all prices and it is a really flexible option because you can keep all your gear together in the insert and use it in a variety of bags and suitcases.
 
Nawty said:
What we tend to do is buy flights somewhere and organise a first activity and then wing it, taking trains/buses/hiring a car and going wherever sounds good from talking to other people. For example in Alaska I booked three nights at Glacier Bay to do a glacier cruise, and then after talking to people we ended up drive-camping all over the place and and then doing lots of bear watching, flightseeing and hiking.

For that trip I had 24-800mm equivalent (with 24-300 bring at f/2.8) and a fisheye, 2 bodies, 5 batteries, a screw in filter pouch, laptop, binoculars, charging equipment, tripod and a warm primaloft jacket, hat all in the bag. I didn't carry all of that much of the time when out and about but it demonstrates that if you have small camera gear then you can take a huge amount of stuff in a hand luggage bag. Photos are on my Flickr
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Yeah OK. I'm currently backpacking so it's good to know you're not quite sitting in a spa all day [emoji23] cheers!

Hogboy said:
Tale a look at the Think Tank Mirrorless movers, come in 5 sizes, and will suit your current setup perfectly
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/mirrorless-movers
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Trouble is I am really looking for a backpack rather than a sling carry bag. The backpack means it's good for transport as well as use out and about.

sirch said:
For general use I like my Lowepro passport sling, takes all my MFT gear with room to spare and it's easy to get the camera out and put away on the hoof, no tripod carrying though. The other thing I use a lot is an insert in a standard rucksack, just google Camera Bag Insert, there are loads at all prices and it is a really flexible option because you can keep all your gear together in the insert and use it in a variety of bags and suitcases.
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I could buy that standard insert but I wouldn't have access like these camera bags give me and I would need to buy a new backpack anyway as my current one has 3 thin pockets which I doubt would fit an insert.

Both of you suggesting messenger style bags, what do you think of their usefulness for backpack style travelling? Thing is, I already have a small camera case that can be worn as a messenger and have found that it's generally only useful to protect my camera on the inside of my bag and hence don't really use it much on the outside of my bag. Just leave it inside and take my camera out. I fear that using the messenger recommended above would not help this situation out much that's all. Thanks!
 
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I was just suggesting some options, things that work for me. I can't see that a Photo Sport 200AW is going to be big enough for
iaminneedofhelp said:
backpack style travelling
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so I was assuming you would have a big rucksack for clothes etc. and either put the insert in that or carry a big rucksack and have the sling with you camera gear in it over your shoulder.

FWIW my rucksack has a side zip to access the body as well as the usual top opening so I can get to the camera in the insert quite easily.
 
I've got a LowePro Hatchback 22AW.
It works well as a waterproof mountain day pack - m4/3 camera, several lenses & other bits in the bottom, lunch & waterproofs in the top, water in the side, map in the front pocket.
Plus it's easily converted into a full size day sack if you take the camera section out. It'd be way too small for full on backpacking.

The rear access is a minor irritation rather than a security feature - it's easy to forget to do that part up and tip all your gear out on the floor - and you'd have to bodge a tripod strap but otherwise no complaints.
 
sirch said:
I was just suggesting some options, things that work for me. I can't see that a Photo Sport 200AW is going to be big enough for so I was assuming you would have a big rucksack for clothes etc. and either put the insert in that or carry a big rucksack and have the sling with you camera gear in it over your shoulder.

FWIW my rucksack has a side zip to access the body as well as the usual top opening so I can get to the camera in the insert quite easily.
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Just to clarify, I have a 70l backpack already but was looking for something to replace my current 28l daypack. If I could find a rucksack with a side zip as then an insert could definitely be the way to go. Do you know the make and model of yours?

juggler said:
I've got a LowePro Hatchback 22AW.
It works well as a waterproof mountain day pack - m4/3 camera, several lenses & other bits in the bottom, lunch & waterproofs in the top, water in the side, map in the front pocket.
Plus it's easily converted into a full size day sack if you take the camera section out. It'd be way too small for full on backpacking.

The rear access is a minor irritation rather than a security feature - it's easy to forget to do that part up and tip all your gear out on the floor - and you'd have to bodge a tripod strap but otherwise no complaints.
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Okay, interesting. Space to fit a travel tripod inside or no? Like I said above, I've got a big pack already, just need a daypack. Is the rear access comfortable and do you ever use it by flipping the thing around on your body like they show in the photos?
 
iaminneedofhelp said:
Okay, interesting. Space to fit a travel tripod inside or no? Like I said above, I've got a big pack already, just need a daypack. Is the rear access comfortable and do you ever use it by flipping the thing around on your body like they show in the photos?
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The hatchpack I've got doesn't flip around, it's got two straps and you need to take it off to get access to the camera opening.
I sometimes attach a Peak Design clip to one of the shoulder straps and carry the camera there if I think I might want quick access - that's ok for a medium-sized body, not so good for the D750.
Yes, it is comfortable, I've regularly worn it all day and it's my first choice daypack even when I'm not carrying camera gear.

It certainly wouldn't take my Manfrotto BeFree which is fairly compact - but it would be fairly easy to attach it to the outside with reusable cable ties.
 
juggler said:
The hatchpack I've got doesn't flip around, it's got two straps and you need to take it off to get access to the camera opening.
I sometimes attach a Peak Design clip to one of the shoulder straps and carry the camera there if I think I might want quick access - that's ok for a medium-sized body, not so good for the D750.
Yes, it is comfortable, I've regularly worn it all day and it's my first choice daypack even when I'm not carrying camera gear.

It certainly wouldn't take my Manfrotto BeFree which is fairly compact - but it would be fairly easy to attach it to the outside with reusable cable ties.
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Cool, I've been looking at reviews and photos on the internet and I think this is a better, more useful choice than the Photo Sport or Fastpack. I will definitely get that Peak Design clip you mentioned so I don't have to take my bag on and off all the time and have my hands free otherwise!

Quickly, do you think the space in the top will be big enough for... let's say: a thick(ish) rain jacket, a jumper, lunch, and various other small bits and bobs? I'll just need to be able to carry enough for day trips out and I've currently got a 28 litre back pack so don't know if I'll be missing space. I like the fact that I can take out the camera compartment if I really need to.

About the tripod; would it be possible, looking at the zip style on the bag, to tuck the head/feet into one of the side pockets and then tuck the head/feet into the top compartment slightly, under the zip?

Thanks for the recommendation :)
 
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iaminneedofhelp said:
Cool, I've been looking at reviews and photos on the internet and I think this is a better, more useful choice than the Photo Sport or Fastpack. I will definitely get that Peak Design clip you mentioned so I don't have to take my bag on and off all the time and have my hands free otherwise!

Quickly, do you think the space in the top will be big enough for... let's say: a thick(ish) rain jacket, a jumper, lunch, and various other small bits and bobs? I'll just need to be able to carry enough for day trips out and I've currently got a 28 litre back pack so don't know if I'll be missing space. I like the fact that I can take out the camera compartment if I really need to.

About the tripod; would it be possible, looking at the zip style on the bag, to tuck the head/feet into one of the side pockets and then tuck the head/feet into the top compartment slightly, under the zip?

Thanks for the recommendation :)
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The Peak Design clip - I had one of the first generation. It failed; luckily I had my camera on a strap round my neck too. They sent me a v2 replacement - it seems much better made but I wouldn't completely trust it.

Tripod - you could put one or two legs in a side pocket, probably not all 3. I don't think the head would fit under the top cover, just 'cos of the way it opens.

Spacewise.. you could get all that in but it would be a tight squeeze. What I sometimes do is use one of the lens compartments in the bottom for my sandwiches so they don't get squished. That still leaves enough for a m4/3 body, 3 lenses & a couple of filters, batteries etc. Or the D750 and two lenses, so long as they aren't monsters.

One of the best features is the way the waterproofing works - the camera section has it's own drawstring cover which you can tuck out of the way when you don't needed and the pack as a whole has an integrated cover. You'll still get some moisture down the back in really bad weather but nothing to worry about.

You might want to look at the Flipside Trek 350 - they're a bit bigger, I think, but I haven't seen one in the flesh. They weren't available when I bought mine.
 
I'll have a look at the Flipside but I think it may be quite a bit more expensive.
I'd be using the Peak Design Clip with my Sony a6000, did it fail with your dSLR or with your m4/3?
 
iaminneedofhelp said:
I'll have a look at the Flipside but I think it may be quite a bit more expensive.
I'd be using the Peak Design Clip with my Sony a6000, did it fail with your dSLR or with your m4/3?
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With the m4/3 - the design has changed quite a lot in the newer model but it's still reliant on a small spring to hold the camera safely unless you use the optional thumbscrew too.
 
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