did'nt buy one when i bought my camera, any suggestions? what about a backpack type setup?

 

I have a shoulder bag/back pack set up by a company called pelican...known for their hardcases....and it fit right inside a pelican 1550 case.

I also like Lowepro.

 

I have a Lowepro all weather mini trekker backpack and it works very well. I have no negative comments with it. I bought mine from B&H Photo.

 

I had bought the the regular trekker before i went to London..and decided I liked my pelican better....

BUT I owned more shit then the trekker had room for comfortably...lowepro makes some great larger ones...but those get to be $$$

 

I likely don't have as much equipment as you do. I am considering a hard case for travel in the near future. I will certainly look into pelican.

Here are some pictures of my bag. I took them fast so they came out crappy...sorry. Please don't bust me on my cheesy tripod. It was free and it's circa 1990.

 

My tripod is a shitty velbon i got with a even shittier video camera I bought in high school.

I never use it though.

 

Also...pending travel...there is no need for a hardcase...only time i used the the 1550 was to ship my gear when I had to leave with my folks for a couple months.

Aside from the that I carry it on the airplane with me.

 

Do you think a bag like mine is fine for airplanes? I'm going to be flying to arizona in the spring and I was thinking about a hard case. You travel a lot don't you? Perhaps I don't need one if you have no problems. What about a tripod, will they allow that as a carry-on?

(sorry for digressing on your topic zeroday)

 

Here is mine. The camera loads in on the side/top. So its quick easy access if your using like a shoulder bag. But you can take off the shoulder strap and hidden back pack straps come out. I use as a back pack the most. Also the big puches on each end are both expanable for more room. Each goes from like an inch to 5 inches on each end. Tripod holder on the bottom.

 

Carry on...over head bin. Stick the tripod in the case holder meant for it.

I have been all over the country and recently overseas with nothing but the softcase in an overhead bin.

You're good to go

 

I like the lowepros alot. Tamracs seem nice also. Problem is they are expensive. As for pelican, I haven't seen a backpack from them. What about Kiesel? I really like their TR300. Doesn't appear to have a tripod holder though. I'm trying to keep this cheap, like under 60 bucks; i'd rather spend my money on lenses etc. I definitely want a backpack though. I'd love one that could fit my laptop also but that starts getting expensive.

 

I know nothing of Keisel.

The pelican I posted..the one i own IS a backpack. Thats how I use.

and yes these bags arent cheap. they usualy go from 100-400 bucks. I think my pelican was 140.00

 

And think of it this way....you spent how much on your camera....then your lense...whatever lenses you buy in the future....plus accessories?

1-200 on a case is nothing. and well worth it.

 

My advice on bags is, if possible, figure out the kind of bag you want first and then worry about brands. A kick ass back pack won't be much good if you hate working out of a backpack. The same holds true in oppposite direction of course. A great shoulder bag or sling bag won't do you any good if you want to carry more stuff than you can fit in them.

Now with all that said, a couple of other brands I would recommend looking into are Kata and Mountainsmith.

Personally, I have the Lowepro Nature Trekker II AW backpack which is awesome. I'm also debating picking up one of Tamrac's sling bags for winter shooting since I'm not too fond of the idea of repeatedly setting the backpack down in snow.

 

Almost everyone I know recommends Lowepro for backpack style and Domke for the shoulder style.

I'm picking up a lowepro backpack style one soon as that is how I am more comfortable carrying things as opposed to on my shoulder. I do know that some of them list that they fit under airport seats in their description if I remember correctly. When I travel I don't like to put anything in the overhead if it is a short flight so that is what I am looking for myself.

 

I had a Lowepro backpack, which I loved. I sold it with plans of getting a laptop/camera combo backpack but I haven't done it yet.

I have a Tamrac combo bag, it's either shoulder or it has a waist belt. Very neat, but can get heavy after carrying it around all day. I still prefer the backpack but it sucks getting lots of stuff in/out in crowded places.

 

Since I wanted a small pack for leisure shooting and hiking I got a Tamrac 5546 Adventure pack. It's a small daypack that will hold the camera, two lenses and a flash in the lower part and whatever up top. $51 at B&H

 

Some thoughts and musings regarding bags.

For lighter loads, sling bags are fine. I wouldn't want to carry a lot of weight on just one shoulder,but I use a simple sling a lot when I only carry one lens or two.

I also hike, which means something that won't swing around and off my shoulder when I'm climbing. I have used the Tamrac Sling bags (the Velocity series). They are a cool hybrid between a backpack and a sling back. It stays put like a back pack, but you can pull it around and easily grab your camera out. Unfortunately their design wastes a lot of space - don't expect to carry much more than a camera and a lens or two.

Prior to my last trip to seattle I settled for buying the Tenba DB-15C. I'm pretty
happy with it. It's a camera/laptop backpack, and so it's pretty huge. I've gotten asked to stick it in the 'carryon size test box' and it JUST fits in. It literally just slides right in.

It is suprisingly quick to take the bag off, pull out a lens, and then throw it back on. I recommend a bag with straps that you can easily adjust while wearing it. Sometimes I just loosely throw it on, to save time (if I'm with someone) then as we are walking I finish adjusting the straps so it's comforable.

With a backpack, if you have a waist and chest strap, clipping them makes the bag feel much lighter. My bag maxed out weighs roughly 25 pounds, and it's not a big deal walking/running around with that.

A good bag should last you a while. It's protection for your gear, and makes it easier for you (and your body) to carry it around.

No bag is perfect, don't be surprised if you end up with a couple of them.

 

thanks for the input everyone. i've decided to budget 150$ for a bag. leaning toward lowenpro. i'll probably buy from B&H since that seems like a reliable and resonably priced vendor. the bag bdog posted is cool but looking at the dimensions, it's really small. i'd really like something i could throw my laptop in if need be...plus i really like the tripod holders on the others posted.

 

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that's a backpack huh? having trouble picturing that. how much $ is that bag?

 

I don't recommend the laptop/camera bag from lowepro ( the compu trekker) I almost got that one....but the laptop sleeve it postion right against your back...a good place for it get busted in many ways.

Find a high end photo store near you...and see if they have those models. Take you camera and and stuff and try them out.

Then order them from B & H if you wish.

The thin I like about my bag is it is a back pack...and a sling/shoulder bag when I want it (which is rare.)

Like Chod said the adjustable straps are key.most are.

You could very well end up with multiple bags...I have a few...but I really try and use one. And delegate older cases to other gear.

I really wish lowepro would come back out with a backpack that was toploading for the camera. and side laoding for access to lenses and stuff...much like my pelican..I've gotten really used to that style.

 

I think it was 140.00. I got it two year ago...I'll try and take some pics so you can see what I'm talking about.

 

OK, these pics were a total rush job...so yes they look like total shit.

Also...i automated everything to get it uploaded...which i usually do manually....soooo I'm not sure how big these pics most end up being...but here it goes...

 

Pelican case


side door open


top load open


back side of pack


back side of pack...backpack straps revealed


on my back


from front


inside 1550 case


case closed

 

well pics look like ass...but the autothing worked as far as resizing them.

 

thanks for those pics; i really like that alot. the only thing is, i dont have nearly as much gear as you have and i want to use this on ski trips so that might be a bit too big. what do you think of this smaller version for 75$:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

 

I dont know if the smaller version can be a back pack, too. You'd have to find one in person.

I always throw extra shit in when traveling like chargers for computers and unrelated camera stuff.

You'll be fine with the lowepro. I was just trying to show the versatility of my bag because I don't think most people got what I was trying to say about it.

 

it says in the specs that it has backpack straps. i like this a little more than the lowepro because it can be a backpack and a regular bag. the price is right too. may pull the trigger on this tonight.

 

Actually, I think lowepro makes the softcases for pelican.

I have a 1450 hardcase...with a lowepro inside I got YEARS ago when I first got a Nikon SLR.
I'm sure this is the newer better version. but too small to be a backpack.

 

OHHH well, if it has the backpack straps....by all means, if you like it.

 

oh yeah, If you're plunking any sort of decent cash on a bag, make sure you try it on in a store somehow. A comfortable bag for one can be a total pain in the hip for another.