Camera Bags

Gazmo1

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I'm beginning to question my logic of getting in involved in photography!! From an outsiders perspective everything seems to be complicated. Whether it be subject matter, camera body, lens ....

Anyway, I'm not giving up and question my sanity on a regular basis, it keeps me in check.

Camera bags. I've seen so many options from cheap chinese crap to quite expensive stuff made by some bloke called Billy.

I need something that can hold a 17" laptop and charger, a Sony A390 with 18-55mm lens and 75-300mm lens plus a notebook, HDD, room to expand etc.

My google search keeps coming back to the Tenba Messenger bag but they seem to get very mixed reviews.

Aside from the obvious storage needs I'd like it to not look like I'm carrying a few thousand pounds worth of kit.

I've been into Jessops and had a look at the Lowepro but there is something that I don't like about them.

any advice, more practical than then mere opinion would be gratefully accepted.

/Gazmo
 
I am not sure I can help, but I ofer the following perspective as an owner of three bags by the man named Billy.

I think as soon as you want to carry a 17" laptop with al your gear that will dictate the choice to a large extent and that will be th first thing you need to look for in a bag.

Messenger type bags are the obvious choice but there are some rucksacks from Lowepro and Tenba that will accommodate the computer as well as your other photo gear. Worth doing a search on those.
 
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I never got on with lowepro bags either, I've had a few. I bought a Vanguard up-rise 45 last year and love it. It fits my D90 with a 70-200 attached, with a quick access on the side, plus 2 more lenses, my flash, and other usual bits. It has a rain cover and tripod pocket/strap/mount also. This model doesn't fit a laptop but I think the up-rise 48 does.
 
I guess the killer is wanting to carry a laptop as well. I need this for two reasons.

1. I'm not at a point where I can confidently capture a shot and be sure I can go home and have a great quality picture. Often I'm fool by the display on the A390 and get home and see nothing but disappointment.

2. I often travel and like to stay in communication and have a camera by my side.

The 75-300 lens is a recent pruchase and being a fool I thought I would get away with using a normal rucksack packed properly. My lens now has a crack in the cap.

I'm due to see family in the USA in October so I need to bite the bullet before then.

/Gazmo.
 
The muggers are starting to cop on to those messenger style bags nowadays. They know you're trying to hide your precious gear in them! Beware.

trouble with those think tank bags ... they don't look very robust, and don't seem to hold near as much as a back pack.
 
What annoys me about amazon and the like, is you get people adding reviews that clearly haven't bought the item. I don't know how they manage that, but I've seen "reviews" from users, for products that aren't even out yet. Real reliable ..
 
The muggers are starting to cop on to those messenger style bags nowadays. They know you're trying to hide your precious gear in them! Beware.

trouble with those think tank bags ... they don't look very robust, and don't seem to hold near as much as a back pack.

The thinktanks are very robust,you can fit a fair bit of gear in them,but then they become a pain to carry around all day.

What i uselly do is camera with lens on a blackrapid strap,then the extras in bag.

:)
 
I do similar, I have the BR-Sport, and will have the lens I plan to use most attached. Flash/other lenses, cards, cloths etc in bag on my shoulder. But, I do like to have the option to stick the camera back in the bag too. If I'm going for something to eat, or when on public transport. Much safer for the cam+lens. I wouldn't mind a think tank for those times I know I'll only be using one lens though.
 
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