Help choosing a bag!

DoubleT

DoubleT

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Matt
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hey guys.

ive been looking for a bag to carry my stuff.

i want a bag that will be comfortable on my back, for walking, would carry all my stuff with room for additions, so d80, 2 lenses ( at the moment) and a flash, plus over flow pockets for filters, wipes etc and also the option to hold a tripod/monopod.

i thought i had made my mind up with the

lowepro mini trekker AW, as i think this will be the perfect bag
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mini-trekker-classic-big1.jpg


then i stumbled across the
Tamrac Expidition 5, again perfect for what i need.

Tamrac%20Expedition%205%20300.jpg



BUT!!

after reading some reviews got me thinking that these arent really all that practical for grabbing the camera quick, as you have to take the bag off, lay it on the floor, open it, take camera out, rest camera on floor, do bag up then put it back on your back.

so!

that lead me toward the
Lowepro slingshot range, but it wont hold my tri-pod ( i dont think)
lowepro_slingshot.jpg


but im not sure if this would be what i want??? i think maybe i should go to a shop and have a good look at the range of bags.

i want a bag that will take all my stuff, and be practical and easy to use once out on the feild.

currently i have a
Nikon shoulder bag ( came with my f65)
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and a
lowepro TLZ-1
erez



im also thinking maybe i can get a bag that detaches for the bulkyness such as the sling shot, and leave the rest of the stuff in the car/house but wohat would be the piont of that?

maybe i just need 2 bags?

like the trekker and another one for carry around places where i wont need all my kit?

is there a bag available that will suit my every need??!

PLEASE HELP WITH MY DILEMA

:bonk:

:wave:
 
I have a minitrekker AW and I have to say I honestly can't fault it. It's biggest strong point is that even fully loaded it's really comfortable on your back - it has a waist strap and chest strap to make it even more balanced and take the strain off your shoulders, and even fully loaded and with my Manfrotto 190PRO Tripod and head attached it still doesn't give me any problems. Second biggest strong point would have to be the all weather cover - Having got caught in several absolutely downpours when we were on holiday last year at no stage did the bag even get mildly damp under the cover - the water just runs straight off.

I know where you're coming from with the thing of having to take it off to get what you need out and yes, it can be annoying, but to be honest the benefits outweigh the negative points easily.
 
Witch said:
Having got caught in several absolutely downpours when we were on holiday last year at no stage did the bag even get mildly damp under the cover - the water just runs straight off.

I know where you're coming from with the thing of having to take it off to get what you need out and yes, it can be annoying, but to be honest the benefits outweigh the negative points easily.
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I second that! The mini trekker was invaluable on my trip to India. Easy to lug around, very capacious (is that a word?) and tough as old boots. The AW cover came out during the downpour we suffered and the bag remained as dry as a bone.

Travel tripod hooked through a side loop.

Wouldn't be without it!
 
I have the Tamrac expedition 5 which is bulging at the seams at the mo :embarrassed: I didn't think I'd ever fill it when I got it as looked huge :lol: Like you say, not practical if you want to quickly grab your camera, but it has been great in every other way. It doesn't have the rainproof cover like the Lowepro bag does. It does have lots of room for accessories and attachments though. The only thing with these huge rucksacks is that they are really heavy when they are full.

I tend to keep all of my kit (well, what I can fit) in the Expedition 5 and have a smaller bag for when I go out, taking only the body and lenses I need.
 
BUT!!

after reading some reviews got me thinking that these arent really all that practical for grabbing the camera quick, as you have to take the bag off, lay it on the floor, open it, take camera out, rest camera on floor, do bag up then put it back on your back.
Click to expand...

I don't really agree with the reviews (in respect of the Mini Trekker at least) - Because the camera is stored in the top of the bag when you need it in a hurry you can swing the bag round on one shoulder & whip the camera out of the top quite easily - probably not as good as the bags designed to be carried in front of you but still decent enough imho - I agree with the comments about the Mini T comfort-wise although I tend not to load mine up too much as the old back isn't up to "yomping" anymore!
Paul ;)
 
I have the Slingshot AW200 and am very pleased with it. Very comfortable on the back and has the all weather cover too although I'm pleased to say I haven't had to use it yet! If you're coming to our club meeting next wednesday, you're more than welcome to have a good look and try it on
 
Paul makes a good point - my camera gets dragged out via a partly unzipped top on a regular basis. Can't do it with the 70-200mm attached though....! :thinking: :shrug:
 
Witch said:
Paul makes a good point - my camera gets dragged out via a partly unzipped top on a regular basis. Can't do it with the 70-200mm attached though....! :thinking: :shrug:
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I presume the 70-200mm is a bit of a beast then? My 70-300mm is usually on my camera & I have no probs whipping that out (so to speak!)
Paul ;)
 
Double-T - here's another vote for the Lowepro Slingshot AW 200, it takes my 20D, 17-40mm, 70-200, 50mm & 1.4x Teleconvertor PLUS lens hoods OR if I need them all my Cokin filters and filter holders etc.

Bags of room, if you pardon the pun - and Grendel has said the AW cover is damn useful too!

What's impressed me, is that I'm not a small bloke by any strech of the imagination - and the bag fits comfortable over my shoulder stays there, even with my winter coat on....

One thing to note - there's a Slingshot 300 due out soon, that's slightly bigger again.

Just my tuppence worth! :)

Matt
 
PaulBoy said:
I presume the 70-200mm is a bit of a beast then? My 70-300mm is usually on my camera & I have no probs whipping that out (so to speak!)
Paul ;)
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I whipped mine out on a regular basis :naughty: with my 70-200 attached - no problem!!! Keep the side straps locked and there's no danger of the front zip flap flopping open whilst still able to retrieve the camera plus lens,
 
I got the Lowepro mini Trekker AW for christmas and its fantastic! at the moment I have all the kit in my sig and a few other bits and it no where near full. Also, as said, very comfy indeed. Not a bad price either.
 
I have the Tamrac Velocity 9 Which will hold my camera (30d) + grip + 3 lenses (inc 70-200 f/2.8 IS) + 580 EX flash. It also has extra space for filters etc.

You can swing it round and get the camera out without taking the bag off your shoulder.

Only problem may be the tripod. There are some side straps that may work though.

It can be found for around £40
 
Got to this thread a little late sorry Matt!

Bags are my biggest headache! For storing (almost....) everything at home I use a Tamrac Speedroller. For those outdoor treks when I've the 300mm attached and kit i know i'm going to need if i dont have it, i use the Tamrac Expedition 7 (with tripod attached). For air travel i use the Lowepro Nova 5 AW. For one camera, 3 lens disciplined days i use the Lowepro Orion Trekker and for camera with 24-105mm attached i use the Lowepro TopLoad Zoom2.

I'm yet to find a bag that does everything and weighs nothing!
 
Jonnyreb said:
Got to this thread a little late sorry Matt!

Bags are my biggest headache! For storing (almost....) everything at home I use a Tamrac Speedroller. For those outdoor treks when I've the 300mm attached and kit i know i'm going to need if i dont have it, i use the Tamrac Expedition 7 (with tripod attached). For air travel i use the Lowepro Nova 5 AW. For one camera, 3 lens disciplined days i use the Lowepro Orion Trekker and for camera with 24-105mm attached i use the Lowepro TopLoad Zoom2.

I'm yet to find a bag that does everything and weighs nothing!
Click to expand...

:eek: - Certainly not "Rebel Without a Bag" jonny :lol:
Paul ;)
 
to be honest, i couldnt be without at least 2 different bags (not at the same time though).

wouldnt be without my minitrekker for a long day out in the countryside as i can get everything in there with a spare jumper or raincoat in the back pocket and a tripod strapped to the back.
I wouldnt use it out and about in town as i wouldnt want to be taking it off to change lenses. tried swinging it onto one shoulder as PauBoy said but i nearly lost a lens!
i also use a crumpler bens pizza XXXL. it will hold a 20d with 24-70 2.8, flash, a couple of primes and a 70-300 along with a few filters, cards and batteries and other bits.
 
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