Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I know, this subject is helpful isn't it?

Let me frame my question a little bit. I have generally always hated single strap bags - you know, the ones that hang over one shoulder. Be it back problems and general comfort, they usually piss me off.

Right now I have a lowepro backpack which if I am honest pisses me off.
This be the bag in question: http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fas ... 086,14.htm

I absolutely hate it.
I tried it on with all my gear (at the time) and it felt comfortable, it felt like it SHOULD have worked. But after 2 years of bulk and annoyance, I am at the end of my leash with the thing.
If I want to use it's fast access slot I cannot have all my gear with me or something is bound to fall out. And frankly, that is the last thing I want.
After walking with it on my back geared up for about 3 minutes the heat between it and my spine gets to sweaty levels which also sucks.

So my question to everyone else out there, what bags do you have, how do you like them once the honeymoon is over, and what would you recommend?

Thanks!

Think Tank streetwalker series.

I've found my Lowepro Versapack surprisingly comfortable and sweat-wise: http://products.lowepro.com/product/Ver ... 171,14.htm

I was sold on it by the video alone and I prefer it over their other two-stage bags because the bag itself does not have a permanent bulk (or is otherwise collapseable).
However, I much prefer my 5MDH for access and for making me carry less. The Versapack comes out when I need to carry more stuff (like food) in the top portion. I also have a mini-trekker, but mostly for storage. Only once have I really brought that much gear, and even then I carried it with my car!

As for sweat levels, that may be highly subjective, unless you really want to load up on all that stuff in a store and try it out. Heading into jacket weather may not help either.

Good luck!

I use the Think Tank Streetwalker. Love it.

I also have the LowePro Fastpack 200 (same as your 250 except no computer storage). On paper, and in theory, a great bag. But I find it frustrating to use. The lower section does not use space very efficiently. The compartment accessible from the side is bigger than needs be. But if you stuff the empty spaces with small items, they will fall out when you open the side access. The two padded compartments above and below the side accessible compartment are too narrow and are partially blocked by the zipper. Tried very hard to live with its shortfalls but finally gave up.

Although they are new, Think Tank has some of the best equipment around in terms of use. The only thing I have complaints about is their padding which is thinner then Lowepro (from personal experience).

These bags look awesome! I'm going to have to take some gear and try one on methinks!
Thanks.

Re: Think Tank StreetWalker series.

One thing to note when checking them out: They stick out from your back more than most backpacks of comparable volume. They are narrower (left to right) but "higher" sticking out from your back. Takes a bit getting used to when walking around in crowds or cluttered spaces.

I don't have an issue with the amount of padding in the bag.

They give you extra dividers so you can use them if you think the padding is not sufficient.

I currently use a Retrospective 5 and found the bottom and sides of the bag to be quite thin. The dividers are pretty good though. Domke bags are also quite thin ... But overall ThinkTank definitely knows what they are doing and I am a satisfied customer.

I use a kata 3N1-30, as a storage and full it up when I go out.
Lots of padding. Shoulder pads are great, I especially like the waist strap that are available on hiking packs.

Maybe if you list out what you like to put on your back, it would be easier to determine what works for you.

I concur with Eric, I have the streetwalker pro and would recommend Think Tank to anyone.

It depends on how much gear you want to carry at any point in time. The lighter you are, the farther you go. If you feel the FP 250 is not large enough, try the Pro Runner 300 series bags. They hold a decent amount of gear and are thickly padded for comfort.

+1 for thinktank. Bottom line is, as a photographer you're going to have a collection of a number of bags. There is no ONE bag that will cover all the bases. Sometimes all you want to take out is your body and a 50 mm, sometimes you need all your gear. Thinktank really does seem to have the smartest and most thought out camera bags.

Personally I don't like to carry bags that look like camera bags. After outgrowing my Domke, I found the Thinktank Retrospective 20 to be the perfect fit. It will hold what I need, and when I leave it almost empty, it doesnt feel like I'm carrying around a huge padded empty bag.

AH yes, further to our conversation.
Advice that applies to far too many of my days with camera!

Thanks everyone!

The Retrospective 20 will hold your D7K with 70-200 attached too! at its capacity, I have my camera w/70-200 + 24-70, 50mm & a speedlight.

yes i have used the national gexxxxxx back pack and sweat like hell
sold it right the way after the trip

What kind of photography do you mainly do? I love my lowepro flipside 400AW - its great for nature/landscape work - because it opens from the back (so if you put it down in dirt u just get the front of he pack dirty and not the part you strap to) Holds lots of gear - my D300s with grip, 17-55 2.8, 70-200 2.8, my wide angle lens, macro lens and flash - plus several accessories.

Jordan

I have multiple modes of travel.

1-Super-light: My iPhone 4S in my pant pocket. Don't laugh, I use it more often than I ever imagined as its always with me.

2-Meh, I might take a pic or two: A small Crumpler knock-off shoulder pack. It can hold 2x camera bodies, 24-105, 70-200 and a few small accessories. Small and low key but it can get heavy if I max it out. Good for street shooting, vacations or a wedding accessory bag.

3-Lets get it done: Everything in Pelican cases. Bump proof and submersible in water. I reserve that commercial work only as I push them around on an upright dolly.

I gave up years ago on the one magical solution. I choose my battles now

Someone recently sent me this link - they have a backpack and a 'purse' and love them.

http://www.onabags.com/about

Ona bags are nice, but very pricey.

Question for those of you who have the ThinkTank bags, do you find your back starts getting hot and sweaty with those bags?

Not to hijack alexanderhosking's thread, but I'm in a similar boat now that I am starting to find that my Kata Sensitivity V is no longer meeting my needs. The Kata UltraLight series has caught my eye though, either the UL-222 or even the MiniBee. I don't know if this matters for alexanderhosking, but for me, backpack is the only way to go as I do anything from urban, to hiking, etc.

Personally, no. I've spent 16 hours walking around NYC carrying a packed Streetwalker Pro. But that just might be me.

No problem here either w my TT Streetwalker.

Awesome, thanks for the input guys.

I wish they made a bag that would properly hold two camera's mounted with lenses -- 1 with the 70-200VR, and the seccond with the 24-70. There is no one bag that does this well.

I think I saw packs on sale by someone here. ThinkTank Shapeshifter and a Tenba. Each looked pretty good when I checked the reviews on them.

A lot of think tank bags would do it, both of mine probably would, but it would be tight, and uncomfortable; so I guess you're right, no one bag does this "well". I don't really understand why one would need that though. I presume keeping the lenses mounted on the two seperate bodies is done so that you can quickly go from one to the other.. but it's kind of a moot point if they're packed away in a bag. I would just keep the lenses and bodies seperate until I actually needed to use them, by that time, I would presume at least one of the cameras/lenses would be out of the bag .

The ThinkTank Airport series will allow for this. The other packs no. The shoulder bag from experience, no way.

I been wearing a Kata BB 220 of late, I just tried the centre run with a 70 -200 , 24-70 , D3 , D300 combo, not even close to fitting. I do currently use the centre run for a 80/400 & 70/200 only with a SB910 on top. Sometimes I remove the 80/400 and add a Leica with 3 lenses in the top.

I also use Billingham and Tenba. Billingham no way...Tenba Yes. I have/use both their packs and shoulder bags and both will do what you want.