Reading mode: Light Dark

Camera bag recommendations?

Go to last post
J

Joo

Senior Member
Messages
4,270
Reaction score
240
Location
US
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
 
You need the Lowepro Stealth Reporter. Bad name Great Bag.

This was specially designed by Lowepro as a photo journalist bag. I have one for carrying my gear with me when I travel on business. It is expensive 109 UK pounds but it's fantastically made and well thought out.

The only thing it dosent have is somewhere to attach a monopod but other than that I have no complaints.

Pat

ps One more thing just a word of warning. When completely stuffed out with camera gear, fully speced notebook, two days worth of clothes and a stack of documents it weighs an absolute effin ton so get to the gym.

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/stealth/stealth.htm
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
 
I bought two bags that will carry a laptop and a computer. The first is a ProMessenger 9 by Tamrac (they make different sizes). It looks like a brief case rather than a camera bag. The second in a tamrac 619. Actually look at tamrac's web site. They sell a number of different bags that carry laptops. I am leaving for a trip today and I am taking hte promessenger 9. http://www.tamrac.com . Good luck. mark
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
 
I'll second the LowePro idea. I prefer their padding and overall construction to Tamrac's. If it weren't for the laptop and clothes, I would have recommended the Canon Professional 1EG bag. I just got one as it is the best overall construction of any bag I have seen. The just don't make that large of a selection, but what they do make it awesome. Ballistic nylon that is Polyurethane coated and built like it is meant to go to war. Large steel buckles and great pouches at the ends and front that not only have zipper but velcro closures. Not like that cheap and non protective Domke stuff. The padding inside is like Lowpro's but more of it and more flexible layout. I paid only $75.00 and it is comprable to bags costing easily $200
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
 
Yeah it was the ability to carry a change of clothes and all the things that go along with that that swung me in the direction of the Lowepro.

Do you have a webaddress for the canon bags. If it's as good as you say I'd like to take a look as I'm looking for another bag for when I'm not going to be travelling.

Pat
Lee Rothman said:
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I actually got my Canon bag at Pictueline and ordered it, it came in 3 days. B&H has a picture of it at their site but also didn't have it in stock. Since it is their largest I guess it is not their most popular, but the whole series is made the same way, bulletproof....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com
http://www.pictureline.com
Pat Brogan said:
Do you have a webaddress for the canon bags. If it's as good as
you say I'd like to take a look as I'm looking for another bag for
when I'm not going to be travelling.

Pat
Lee Rothman said:
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
thank you all for hte recommendations. I'll check out hte Lowepro when I get to the local camera store again. I'll also try to look into the Tamrac models.

Another question though... Have any of you heard of Domke bags?

Joo
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
 
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
Check out the Lowepro photo trekker or their other photo backpacks . These are MUCH more comfortable when you're carrying a load than the hip/shoulder bags.

--Paul
 
I use the Bob Krist bag from LL Bean and love it.

Lifetime Guarantee and full return if you don't like it for any reason.

Peter
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
 
Yeah. I ordered one due to the huge pro recommendations I see. It was a piece of %$#@ if you ask me. I ordered a F1X (their largest) ballistic nylon. It offers like NO protection and virtually NO real padding on the bags perimeter at all. Just in the center, and that was weak to start with. The overall construction was CHEAP and lightweight. I would NEVER even consider one again. I paid $105 or that. Returned it and got a Canon Pro 1E bag. Larger, WAY better built, Tons of adjustable padded dividers, water proof and just a Mercedes compared to that what ever you would call it.
Joo said:
Another question though... Have any of you heard of Domke bags?

Joo
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I have the outpack by domke and the Stealth reporter from lowepro both are great bags and highly reccomend them...I use the lowepro to shoot out of and the outpack for longer trips....both will carry a wealth of gear!
Joo said:
Another question though... Have any of you heard of Domke bags?

Joo
Joo said:
All,

I'm looking for a camera bag that can hold the following:
  • Canon EOS D-30
  • Three Lenses
  • Flash
  • Notebook computer
  • a change of clothes
  • Power bricks for D-30 and notebook.
  • various accessories (toothbrush, cables, comb, etc...)
Ideally, it would also be small enough to be used as a carry on for
airplanes. I definitely don't want to trust the camera and notebook
to baggage handlers.

Any recommendations?

thanks.

Joo
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I also use a Tamrac Photo Messenger 9. It holds a ton (at least it feels like a ton:-), protects it reasonably well and doesn't scream camera bag. It has a pop top for speedy access, which I also like.

One nit - the laptop side of the house is basically just a padded pocket. It gets the job done, but I'd prefer a bit more structure (e.g. a separate pocket for the computer power supply.

-- Erik
mark kay said:
I bought two bags that will carry a laptop and a computer. The
first is a ProMessenger 9 by Tamrac (they make different sizes). It
looks like a brief case rather than a camera bag. The second in a
tamrac 619. Actually look at tamrac's web site. They sell a number
of different bags that carry laptops. I am leaving for a trip today
and I am taking hte promessenger 9. http://www.tamrac.com . Good luck.
mark
Click to expand...
 
Lee Rothman said:
Yeah. I ordered one due to the huge pro recommendations I see. It
was a piece of %$#@ if you ask me. I ordered a F1X (their largest)
ballistic nylon. It offers like NO protection and virtually NO real
padding on the bags perimeter at all. Just in the center, and that
was weak to start with. The overall construction was CHEAP and
lightweight. I would NEVER even consider one again. I paid $105 or
that. Returned it and got a Canon Pro 1E bag. Larger, WAY better
built, Tons of adjustable padded dividers, water proof and just a
Mercedes compared to that what ever you would call it.
Click to expand...
Lee

You are confusing camera bags for carrying kit and camera bags, like the Domke range, that are designed to work out of. It is not a coincidence that the vast majority of PJs use Domke, we are not sheep that just get what the next guy has. The padding is less because "over padded" bags don't sit on your shoulder properly, the Domke bags almost mould themselves to your hip. The insides are made to be extremely configurable and easily replaced. This all adds up to a bag that offers protection without bulk.

I am not trying to convert you to using a Domke, every person who carries a camera has a different need for a bag. Jim Domke called his original model the "shooter's bag" and he was right. He realised that there was a trade off between protection and every day usability and he never claimed that his bags were suitable for airport baggage handlers or stopping bullets! A bag to carry cameras, computers, clothes et al has to be a compromise of a different sort - one I would never be prepared to make.

I love Domke bags, you don't. I hate Tamrac, you love them - it's no big deal, but please bear in mind that bags to transport equipment (and clothes?) are just about the most personal item a photographer owns.

Neil.

http://www.dg28.com
 
[my favorite subject... better than speculating about "next year's camera"]

The LP Stealth is ok, but extended use has shown up a few weaknesses, from my perspective.

(1) The notebook insert is big, which is ok if you have a big PC, but a waste of space if you don't. It's over padded for any PC I have, and takes up a lot of space. If you take it out, the bag loses the stiffness the insert provided and tends to flop like an experienced photog's gut ;-) This makes it hard to get things in and out unless you can lay the sack flat, which you don't want to do on the average floor.

The insert itself is lousy to carry around on its own; it's too big, and it's much less usable than most small slip cases (you can't comfortably sensibly carry it without using the strap for example).

(2) The hip-belt and chest strap are useless. That's not unknown with low-tech sacks, but I'd expect better from LP.

Overall I still use this bag, but I find that other bags are getting more use for everything except the "need a PC, camera, plus change of clothes" jobs.
 
I agree that you need to understand the roll of the Domke shooter bags. I am someone who works in two photo-related worlds: I am a photojournalist and a nature photographer. You need one bag for transporting your equipment from place "A" to place "B" and another to work out of. Lee's opinions not withstanding, most every photojournalist I know uses Domke and loves them. I have owned all the big name brand bags. I find them heavy, very expensive and a thief magnet. Domke bags are lightweight, affordable and they don't scream "STEAL ME I HAVE A CAMERA INSIDE!"

There is something to be said for extra padding when you have to throw your gear into the belly of a plane or train. But for wearing it on your shoulder, the Domke is great. I have used mine in rain storms and found the lightweight material to be water repellant. I have never had a scratched camera as a result of less padding.

I have also used the Domke Outpack which offers more padding and is more suitable for long trips and converts to a backpack with many compartments. I have used it extensively for six years with no complaints.

Just my two cents.

Scott Bourne

http://www.earthportraits.com
http://www.photodiary.com
Neil Turner said:
Lee Rothman said:
Yeah. I ordered one due to the huge pro recommendations I see. It
was a piece of %$#@ if you ask me. I ordered a F1X (their largest)
ballistic nylon. It offers like NO protection and virtually NO real
padding on the bags perimeter at all. Just in the center, and that
was weak to start with. The overall construction was CHEAP and
lightweight. I would NEVER even consider one again. I paid $105 or
that. Returned it and got a Canon Pro 1E bag. Larger, WAY better
built, Tons of adjustable padded dividers, water proof and just a
Mercedes compared to that what ever you would call it.
Click to expand...
Lee
You are confusing camera bags for carrying kit and camera bags,
like the Domke range, that are designed to work out of. It is not a
coincidence that the vast majority of PJs use Domke, we are not
sheep that just get what the next guy has. The padding is less
because "over padded" bags don't sit on your shoulder properly, the
Domke bags almost mould themselves to your hip. The insides are
made to be extremely configurable and easily replaced. This all
adds up to a bag that offers protection without bulk.

I am not trying to convert you to using a Domke, every person who
carries a camera has a different need for a bag. Jim Domke called
his original model the "shooter's bag" and he was right. He
realised that there was a trade off between protection and every
day usability and he never claimed that his bags were suitable for
airport baggage handlers or stopping bullets! A bag to carry
cameras, computers, clothes et al has to be a compromise of a
different sort - one I would never be prepared to make.

I love Domke bags, you don't. I hate Tamrac, you love them - it's
no big deal, but please bear in mind that bags to transport
equipment (and clothes?) are just about the most personal item a
photographer owns.

Neil.

http://www.dg28.com
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top