shoulder bag or backpack?

Nirmal · Feb 11, 2004

I am buying a 10D and 28-135IS to start with. I intend to add some telephoto lenses and a flash to my list soon. Can you tell me if I should go for a shoulder bag or a backpack? Also please suggest a brand/model

Thanks in advance

Nirmal

Roy van der Woning · Feb 11, 2004

A backpack is generally more comfortable to wear if you intend to lug around lotsa gear. A shoulder bag generally allows more quick and easy access to your stuff. So it's a matter of preference really. Many (like myself) bought more than one bag and pick the one that fits the occasion.

If you really can't decide between a backpack and a shoulder bag, check out the Tamrac Velocity 7 or 9. They're so called swing packs. That's basically a backpack with one shoulder strap which allows you to swing it around your body to the front so you can quickly take out your gear for that fleeting photographic moment. A great compromise. I own a Velocity 9 (in addition to a few LowePro bags).

Roy.

John Pinches · Feb 12, 2004

I have a shoulder bag and can tell you that by the end of the day, this is not very good for your back. Backpacks need to go on and off everytime you need to change something.

My solution for walk/hike and shoot was to invest in a Lowepro S&F Belt and Harness with lens holsters, pouches and AW70. I will even stick the water bottle attachment on during hot days.

The harness keeps the belt on your waist and transfers much of the weight across your shoulders. Much like a backpack does. You can change lenses on the fly and store the camera in the AW70 while walking/hiking which I find more comfortable than leaving it strapped around my neck.

I find I can go many hours with all my gear on the belt. I shot 4 hours with it strapped on last weekend and it was just beginning to bother me at the end. I have a bad back to begin with. So someone with no back problems should be able to go all day with it on. Worth every dollar spent.

John
-
http://www.jbp-photography.net
Equipment List In Profile

Godfrey · Feb 12, 2004

I have more different kinds of bags than I can easily enumerate, but here's what I use the most:

normal walk around kit: Domke F803 Camera Satchel - shoulder bag

Typically this is the 10D, Hakuba wrist strap, 28/50/100 lenses, spare battery and memory card, sometimes filters and flash. It has room for other stuff, like a book and journal, more or less lenses, accessories. Wear with nice, wide strap across shoulders and back.

long-lens solitary bang around: Lowepro Topload 75 AW - holster bag

10D fitted with BG-ED3 and 300/4L, possibly 1.4x Extender, spare batteries, cards, etc. Nice big holster type bag which takes modular accessory pouches if you want to carry more. Strap on a monopod and this is the kit for going to the races and doing wildlife.

tripod carry, short lenses: Lowepro Mini Mag AW - shoulder bag with waist strap

10D fitted with RRS L bracket, 20/28/50/100 lenses, spare battery and card, remote/timer, filters and compact, lightweight tripod. Very easy to carry, very easy to set down and work out of.

tripod carry, long lenses: Tamrac 5605 Pro - shoulder bag

10D fitted with 300/4L, 70-200/4L, 1.4x Extender, cards/battery/filters, remote/timer, lightweight tripod. Versatile enough for several different mixes of lenses and accessories. (Lowepro Mag 2 AW is very similar in size/form factor and in some ways I like it more.)

long woods or city walk, general photography: Tamrac Velocity Pro 9 - sling backpack

10D fitted with 70-200 or 300, 28/50/100, filters, spares, etc. Plenty of room and versatility for different mixes of equipment, sits snugly on your back and doesn't catch in brush and stuff, waist belt helps support it, swings under your arm to the front for reasonably easy access. Topload design makes it less likely you'll spill everything on the ground if you forget a zipper. Big enough to handle camera with BG-ED3 fitted.

There are a LOT of bags out there. Look at the Crumplers, the Billinghams, the Lowepros, the Tamracs, the Domkes, the Tenbas... Depending upon what you want to carry and how you want to use it, there's something to suit your need.

I guess I use the Domke F803 the most. It's very versatile and doesn't even look like a camera bag. It's great for my daily bung around use as I normally carry the camera with just the 50 and 28mm lenses, Hakuba wrist strap.

Godfrey

keef · Feb 12, 2004

It's true, shoulder bags are a pain in the ne—shoulder after a few hours of walking. A small back pack, which I use, is very comfortable and I can carry it all day, even on a bike, and hardlly notice it. (Of course I am an incredibly fit chap!!!!) The problem with a back pack is getting stuff out. And its a real problem. Usually Im with my girlfriend, and she kindy passes me lenses as I need them. But when I am alone the only safe way is to take it off and put it on the ground before opening. So this is a real issue you should think about.

I am going off to Thialand shortly for 6 weeks and I am going alone. So I am in the middle of this conundrum. One solution I am considering is buying a kind of string (mesh) photo vest which has a punch of soft pockets in which lenses etc can be kept. So if I am hiking or riding I will use the back pack, but as I use lenses, I will gradually transfer them to pockets of the vest. This is one idea. Theother idea:

My QUICK QUESTION: I finally managed to find a shop that stocks the Tamrac Velocity 7 / 9. I had no gear with me at the time, but my impression was that the bag slides around from back to front quite nicely, but the storage system inside seems to make it very awkward to get stuff out (and in). Also, there seems no way to attach a tripod.

So, any one using one of these bags? Please comment on how easy they are to actually use, not just carry. And how about a tripod????

Thanks

http://www.waddo.net

Keith

Rocky Carver · Feb 12, 2004

Nirmal, you can get a Fishing Vest that has so many pockets that you can carry about anything you want. Most have large back pockets to slide a tripod into, or slide your large Lens into. There are so many on the front of them, to put spare batteries, CF cards, smaller Lens, a snack, you name it. You can carry it.

Just go searching for "Fishing Vests". You will find just the right one for you. They also make the Vests designed for the Photographer in mind.
I don't think anyone has ever thought of this. LOL
Rocky

billg · Feb 12, 2004

Bad news-- there is no perfect answer. It depends on how much gear you need to carry and what you plan on doing.

If you want something just to transport your gear from place to place, either will work just fine. I would give the edge to a shoulder bag just because sitting it down and working out of it is easier. If you load it down with gear, it becomes a literal pain in the back to carry all day.

If you want to have quick access without putting the bag down, you need a shoulder bag. I tend to think that smaller is better.

If you are willing to sacrifice ease of access to get greater comfort, then a backpack is better.

Ultimately, most photographers seem to end up with a collection of bags and will choose one based on the expected activity at hand.

If I had to choose only one, it would be a combination backpack like the Lowepro Rover AW.

Juli Valley · Feb 12, 2004

I have a collection of bags. I like the Lowepro F & S approach too. But most of us have several bags for different situations.

maljo@inreach.com · Feb 12, 2004

I use a shoulder bag with waist belt for walking around San Francisco or Rome
taking photos. The camera is immediately accessible.

For hiking in the mountains, I used a backpack, which carries the weight
more evenly and is more comfortable. To take a photo, I have to stop, take off
the backpack, etc.

Different tools for different jobs.

maljo

tdhg566 · Feb 12, 2004

Zoom 19 holds the lens you mentioned plus BigEd on my 10D. I also attach another lens or two to the sides with the add-on lens carriers. Bought it after I got the 10D. I also have the 750 Daypack, but it was purchased prior to the 10D and I should have gotten the 752.

Jeff Peterman · Feb 12, 2004

First, the bag lacks any place to attach a tripod. Second, I actually find it reasonably easy to take things in and out of the bag while its on my shoulder.

You need to wear the bag the correct way. When worn as a backpack, you put the strap over your sholder in the normal way. However, I use it reversed (bag in front, sholder over the back) and that makes it easy to get things out/in while keeping the bag close to your chest (or under you arm) where it is very stable.

--
Jeff Peterman

Glenn Haley · Feb 12, 2004

If you're traveling light then I recommend a Hip Pack. No back strain, very easy to carry all day and easy access. If you're carrying a lot of gear then go for a Backpack. I have both and carry a laptop in the backpack but it is heavy!

Glenn

rgojr · Feb 12, 2004

i've never wanted nor used a backpack... why? well, I was out in NYC one warm saturday afternoon and wound up down by Battery Park. A tourist with a backpack full of camera equipment put his SLR in the backpack, swung it around onto his back and, unfortunately for him, he forgot to zip up the bag and his camera and what appeared to be a 100-400 zoom went flying like a circus monkey right out of the bag, crashed to the cement and shattered ....

hard lesson to learn....

--

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so

Diane B · Feb 12, 2004

I'm not even going to read the replies because it really is personal. Since I have several or both LOL--I can say that it depends upon the situation. Even then, there is a difference in 'what' backpack or shoulderbag.

For instance, I have a relatively cheapie Delsey backpack that I love for urban shooting. It will sit on its bottom and camera/lenses don't fall out, easy to change lenses 'in' it, and it holds a lot. However, I found it really not great for hiking--particularly in areas where I had to scramble up rocks or whatever, so I bought a Minitrekker with sternum strap and waistbelt that holds the bag close to my body.

Then, as to shoulder bags, I have an Orion AW--I rarely use the top daypack, but the bottom is a nice size for a medium shoulder bag and everything sits nicely 'down' in it and is easy to work out of. Then--I have an S & F 75 (I think) holster bag with the big belt and shoulder harness--this works fine for some circumstances and I occasionally add 2 lens cases for more versatility but I will say this is the least used bag and I realy should sell it. Then I have a small holster bag for my D30/28-135IS and my BIG Magnum Pro for my commercial work--its a shoulder bag but it takes a BIG shoulder LOL--and so I usually have it on a rolling luggage carrier plus my laptop and tripods and carry my light stands, etc. in another bag which I carry.

So--you see it isn't just a choice about shoulder or backpack. I would consider how you plan to use the camera--where, under what circumstances, how many lenses and other gear you plan to carry most of the time. I've found that the bag I choose the most often is the Delsey backpack--it holds a number of lenses upright plus the camera with a lens (usually the 24-70L), maybe a flash, cleaning stuff, extra batteries and CF card wallet. Its not my first bag--and it wasn't the last (the Minitrekker was), but I found that for me, personally, it worked the best. It may not for you.

Good luck with your choice--I personally like Lowepro bags, but as I said, the Delsey is my pick most of the time for use so go figure LOL. I also have an older Tamron which wasn't even mentioned and I think they are well made also. Just turned out that I've found what I needed most often with the Lowepros and like their accessories--I have lens cases from them, my CF card wallet, a pouch to add to other bags, etc.

I can almost guarantee your first bag won't be your last.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries
B/W lover, but color is seducing me

Paul Grupp · Feb 12, 2004

Several others have nailed the differences -- the backpack is most comfortable for carrying your gear from place to place, particularly for a long period of time.

The shoulder pack is best for using your gear while you walk -- you can keep it in the bag, and then pull it out when you need to shoot very quickly and easily. Changing lenses or getting out a strobe are also easy. With the backpack, you have to take it off, hold it with one hand while you try to open it with the other -- a hassle.

I have a good selection of both backpacks and shoulder bags, and I much prefer shoulder bags. Take a good look at the LowePro Stealth series -- they are very unobtrusive, have nice thick strap pads, and are easy to work out of while walking. I carry several heavy lenses and two bodies in mine for hours on end, and it's reasonably comfortable.

Regards,
Paul
http://www.pbase.com/pgrupp

Simon-Ph · Feb 12, 2004

There are a few bags on the market that can be used as a shoulder bag and convert to a backpack. Or try a Tamrac Velocity 7 or 9.

--
Simon-Ph

Jesse Custer99528 · Feb 12, 2004

I'm pretty sure none of the available bags prevent one from being stupid and destroying some or all of ones gear. A shoulder bag, incorrectly zipped, in the rain will result in plenty of wasted money too...

AYR · Feb 12, 2004

I had the same problem when I got my new 10D and gear. I ended up getting a Lowepro Micro Trekker 200. It was a good compromise to fit 10D, 3 lenses, flash, manuals, cards, batteries and portable hard drive. I usually end up flying somewhere so carry-on size and weight is critical. I also have a Lowepro Nature Trekker AWII backpack and I find it WAY too big to bring as a carry-on. Like many have already suggested, if you don't plan on walking or hiking far the shoulder type would probably be a lot easier to change lenses etc. but for walking any distance the backpack is nice. I find the inconvenience of accessing the backpack is made up by the comfort and mobility advantages gained vs. other types of bags.

--
pBase: http://www.pbase.com/prob1t

Bob Gates · Feb 12, 2004

Looks like no one has mentioned this yet, which I have and like a lot. It has a holster-like central section where I have the 10D with 24-70L 2.8 usually mounted, and beneath that, reversed, two lens hoods. It has two side round lens cases, in one is my 70-200L f4, in the other my flash, or the 50mm 1.8 or a water bottle.

This is a hip/waist bag, with one shoulder strap, so it often feels as much like a pack as a bag. I like it a lot.

See here for a review and photos:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=004jPc

Bob

--
Bob Gates, Syracuse NY USA
http://www.pbase.com/bgates

Solmissus · Feb 12, 2004

A slightly larger hip/shoulder bag that will fit a few more things than the Off trail is the Off Road. I have been very happy with mine and it fits a good amount of stuff, including flash, etc.

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/offroad.htm

Kevin

shoulder bag or backpack?

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