Camera Bag Suggestions

[James Wheeler]

This site has reviews for lots of different bags.

Might be worth looking through:

Camera Bag, Backpack & Lens Case Reviews

[Hadrian]

Hugh I have been using the Lowepro CompurRover for about 4 years, it will carry a **D and grip, 70-200 f2.8, 17-40, 24-70, 2x ext and extension tubes, filters all spares etc. and then you have the top compartment for food, beer vodka, wine etc and your waterproofs will fit in the laptop compartment. You know me, I don't mind a wander uphill and down dale, and it is comfortable enough to lug around for 10-12 miles ( although I would n't want to do it day in day out!!!) Plus you get the sliplock system for etxra lens cases, water bottle holder too.
It looks and feels/carries like a proper rucksack rather than a camera bag, if that makes sense!!. Well worth the money, but like all things it may not be to your liking, try a few out first rather than following someone else's opinion....
HTH Hadrian

[Hugh]

Hi Hadrian,

That does look liek a good bag and just what I am looking for - the price is out of my range at the moment (way too high).

But thanks for the info.

Hugh

[Hadrian]

Hugh, I had a look at one of these recently Red Snapper | CompuCam Backpack
Not quite as well kitted out as the Lowepro, i.e. Waterproof cover isn't attached to the bag, no cable bags etc.. Looked well made, not up to the standard of Lowe or Tamrac but for the price it did seem to be of good value, Well worth a look see....

[Alun]

Hadrian's Compurover is very good and I would suggest you do try a few if possible or else join me in owning an assortment of barely used bags! I always find myself returning to the Fastpack 350. It takes my 5D with grip and 17-40, 180mm macro, 24-70F2.8L and 100-400. I can store my coat and hat in the 17" laptop section and a front flap allows me to tie on other stuff. The top compartment is used for food, headtorch, batteries, memory cards, anglefinder, 1.4 extender. I use a carabina on the front strap loop to clip on my tripod and counterbalance the weight, It is very comfortable but less robust looking than some models and comes without a rain cover. With practice you can take out your camera and lens without removing or swiveling the harness. Not a great video but it gives you the idea: YouTube - Lowepro Fastback 350 Photo Backpack at PMA 2008
HTH.

[STUARTINPERTH]

Cucumber sandwiches - weirdo!
couldnt you just take the special brew in case get pissed and come back and tell us about the pics that got away

[Hugh]

Cucumber sandwiches

Need to attract the wildfilfe with something

[James I]

Hugh I have just bought a Tamrac expedition 7 bag and have a lowerpro mini trekker AW for sale if you are interested I am going to take a few snaps and get it in the classifieds on CFF.

James

[Hugh]

Hi James,

I am really looking for soemthing with two compartments - one for camera gear and one for other stuff - don't think the Mini Trekker has that.

Hugh

[James Wheeler]

The mini trekker has a pocket on the front which is actually quite sizable, I had a hi-vis jacket in mine, a fold up waterproof jacket, some sun screen, a couple of bottles of water and enough room for some sandwiches.

Depends on how much you want to fit in there I guess, a full on jacket might have difficulty fitting in.

James' photos demonstrate though, the problem I had mentioned with the camera standing proud of the protection offered by the base of it.

Hugh, me thinks you need to find a large camera retailer that carries a good stock of bags so you can see and handle them for yourself.

Maybe this photo whatsit show at the NEC in March is worth a try? I bet there will be more stock there than you can find at any one retailer.

[Hugh]

Hi James,

Thanks for that - I had only seen photos of the bag so had assumed that the front pocket didn't have much capacity. The mini trekker will definately be on the short list.

I think this supports the view that the best way to check them out isto pick them up and hold them - so that is what I am going to do. Will hold on until FOI and check out the Lowepro and Tamrac (and others) stands.

Thanks for all the recommendations and help.

Hugh

[James I]

Hi Hugh, I have bought a Tamrac Expedition 7 bag, it came yesterday from Morrisphoto and is fantastic! It is deep enough for body and grip, it is even deep enough for a 70-300mm IS Canon lens to stand on end and allow the bag to close easily! It is a great bag, very well made too!

James

[Hugh]

Hi James,

Thanks for the info on the Expidition 7 =- it is a bag I have been looking at. I will make sure it is one of the ones that I have a good look at when I go to FOI.

Hugh

[Hugh]

Had a good look at bags at Focus on Imaging and then went to the Jacobs stand and managed to get a Lowepro Vertex 200 AW. Now I know this was not really meet my original specification but the price was very good (under £100) and I was impressed with the look and feel of it.

Looking forward to using it properly now.

Hugh

[James Wheeler]

That's the same bag I now have, Hugh.

I have a fold up karrimor waterproof jacket thing which fits nicely in the laptop section.

I also have a folded up hi-vis, a folded up waterproof lens/camera cover thing in there too.

If your sandwiches are thin enough they would slide in as well :D

If you find a use for the large central pocket on the inside of the lid I would like to know - I couldn't fit anything in there without it squashing down onto gear below.