Recommend a Camera Bag Please

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nheather

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Hi,

I'd like a camera bag, most likely a back pack, but doesn't have to be.

Ideally, I would go to a well stocked shop selling lots of different brands but I don't live close to any and those shops I have visited have had a limited choice. So it will have to be a blind purchase based on reviews and recommendations.

I don't want anything too big or shouts out "hey, I'm a camera nerd".

Want something of pretty good quality and well made.

This the the equipment I have ...

Canon 650D
SpeedLite 430 Flashgun
Sigma 17-70
Sigma 18-200 (*)
Tamron 70-300
Gorilla Pod (*)
Small Tripod (*)

(*) These are optional.

If I were using the walkabout I would most likely just have the camera and lens with me.

I don't use the tripods very often so wouldn't normally carry them around with me.

If I did have occasion to use them it would be nice if the could fit into (gorillapod) or attach to (tripod) the bag, but not essential.

In other words I would rather have compact to suit most needs than huge to suit every possible need.

No further purchases planned other than perhaps a 40mm pancake and I should be able to squeeze that in.

Need to be able to store thye camera with the lens I'm using at the time attache and be able to access it quickly, preferably without having to take the backpack off.

Soft protected interior so I could consider leaving the lens cap of the camera\lens I'm using at the moment.

Would appreciate suggestions for makes and models.

Budget - upto £100 - doesn't mean I have to spend all of it though.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
I'm a big fan of LowePro bags and have a few. The backpack I use is their MiniTrekker which holds a D800 fitted with a Nikkor 24-120 or 70-300 along with the other, a 12-24, an 8mm fisheye, a 50mm f/1.8 and a 105mm macro. It also holds a few spare batteries and cards as well as filters, a cleaning kit (lenses and sensor) and plenty of other odds'n'sods. Fits into the hand baggage guide but holds too much in the way of weight, so I usually have to put a lens or 2 in pockets while the bag's being weighed. There's a tripod holder on the back of it which velcros neatly away when not in use and a Gorillapod SLR Zoom can be strapped on easily without extending the holder's foot bag.

TBH, I wouldn't recommend stuffing lenses in any bag without caps on unless you're a pro who needs instant access to the kit (although in that situation, surely you'd have the camera around your neck/shoulder?). Mine go in capped with their hoods reversed.

Not sure there are any backpacks that can be accessed by the wearer without taking it off the back, although there are some bags that sling across a single shoulder. I used to have a (LowePro) Slingshot of this type and while it allowed easy access to the camera while on, getting at the other kit needed the bag to be taken off to make sure other kit didn't drop out... Pretty much all the dedicated camera bags look a bit camera geeky - at least to fellow photographers - but they do the job they're designed for well.
 
Keep checking Argos clearances, I got a Canon bag for really cheap compared to RRP.
 
At the moment i like Thinktank retrospective range they often come up on here in sales threads i have brought 3 of here the 10-20-30,sold the 30 use the 20 for my DSLR kit,and they don't shout camera bag :)

Backpack type i like the Kata range

:)
 
Nobody makes a camera bag like Bilingham! It'll blow your budget, but you'll not regret it!
 
Aledafis said:
Nobody makes a camera bag like Bilingham! It'll blow your budget, but you'll not regret it!
Click to expand...

I'll second that, over the years I have bought and sold many bags but was never 100% happy with my purchase, until I returned to Billingham.
 
You could have a look at a Tenba Messenger (shoulder bag) and Hama Daytour 230 (backpack).
 
Paul Deavall said:
Rubbish! KATA All the way....
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In your opinion but there are other makes!

Lowepro takes some beating and I would imagine they are the industry leaders. I have had 4 and all were excellent.

There are other makes that are very good. Don't overlook Tamrac or ThinkTank Photo either.

At the end of the day it is all down to how much you are prepared to spend. Good luck!

Andy
 
Paul Deavall said:
Rubbish! KATA All the way....
Click to expand...

:thinking:.........................:gag:

I have a Kata 3n1 pl 25 as well, there's a Lowepro slingshot 202 in the cupboard beside it as well that's about the same size as the Kata and a lot cheaper too. I think the slingshot very much looks like a camera bag though so didn't suggest it.

The Kata is smaller than the daytour 230 I have yet was almost double the price. I didn't bother mentioning it because it is well over the OP's £100 budget. The Kata I own has softer padding within the bag but in my opinion, which is derived from owning both bags it's not worth the far higher price.

I haven't used the Tenba Messenger but have read very favourable reports regarding it.
 
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