HI all, which camera bag do you use/recommend for the 100fs? I want
one that will also take a couple of accesories (like flare guard),
along with extra batts etc?. I prefer the rectangular case type
rather than the downward facing type.
I've tried a few bags, and all have their merits.
Easiest access would go to the classic shoulder bag. I have a Lowepro Nova 1 (I think) and it holds the cam with a lense on it, along with some accessories. If you want to carry an external flash and a Raynox around with you, check this one out. They make several dozen different models, so one is likely to suit.
I also have a Lowepro Off Trail 2, which is a nice toploader that holds just the cam and lense in the main bag with an excellent shoulder sling. It comes with a pair of sidecar lense cases that can hold smallish lenses or normal sized flashes. I like this one to stuff in my luggage and use while around town.
Second easiest access goes to the sling bags. I have a Lowepro Slingshot 200, which holds the cam with lense and several extra lenses and other accessories. There is a smaller one and a larger one in the line. The smaller 100 would probably be suitable. These carry like a backpack with one strap and they slide around quickly with a portal unzipped for fast access to the cam. Not bad to use but a pain to get at the accessories. Easier on the back that the shoulder cam for long days of trekking.
Most equipment carried belongs to the backpacks. I own three of these.
One is the Compudaypack, which has a comprtment at the bottom for camera stuff, and a moderate sized compartment above for travel items and a few clothes. I used this bag for a trip to the UK where I took a tour to Stonehenge and got to run around inside the circle for an hour. I brought the D2Hs (huge pro cam) and the D70s, along with the 18-200VR and the Sigma 10-20. It all fit and carried quite well. Oh yeah, the laptop was in the back. However, my back was a wreck at the end of the day because this really isn't a properly designed backpack, for example there is no chest strap so the shoulder harness slips off all the time.
My primary carrier for heavy travel is the Lowepro Computrekker AW ... this is a great all weather bag (has a protective water proof cover than can be deployed in seconds from a pouch in the bottom) that holds massive equipment. Last year, I travelled to my old home town with my D2Hs, D70s, 300 mm F4 AFS, 18-200VR, Sigma 10-20, Sigma 105mm, a flash and lots of other accessories. Worked a charm. It also carries a laptop in the back. This year I took the same back to the UK and carried the D300, the 18-200VR, the 105mm 2.5 AIS, the 28mm 3.5 AI, two flashes, and a bunch of other stuff. And my laptop of course, as this was a business trip. Access requires that you take the case off and open it up, but one quick zip can do it so it does not take long.
For that same UK trip, I picked up a used Lowepro Micro Trekker 100, a very small back pack that can carry a camera and a few lenses or a lense and a flash. It is a tight squeeze and I ended up not bringing it. Not sure what I will do with it. I like the bag, but I also like to carry more equipment than it can handle. If you want a backpack, this would fit the S100fs and a few accessories very well. And I think Best Buy sells these as well ...
Anyway ... you probably don't need the big bags, although they can carry a lot of stuff on the plane, so might be useful as primary transport. I like the smallish toploaders for stuffing into luggage for local use. But you wouldn't need that with a standard shoulder bag or a sling.
Why Lowepro ... because they make excellent bags at reasonable prices. They temd to do the ergonomics better than Tamrac, according to my inspections of similar bags in the store, and to this discussion by a working pro:
http://www.bythom.com/bags.htm
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