Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I'm having some trouble looking for a multi-purpose bag for work/shooting. I want a small form fitting shoulder bag that fits a 13 inch laptop, a TLR and a Nikon F3. I want it to have dividers for the photo gear and a slot for the laptop. Something like the Crumpler Considerable Embarrassment (a messenger bag with a laptop slot) that I already have, but it lacks dividers for photo gear.

I tried the Think Tank Urban Disguise 60 which has all the features I want but it was too big..

The search for my perfect bag continues... =(

maybe just buy dividers without bag

Crumpler doesn't have dividers for sale. And the bag that I have doesn't take velcro dividers.

Sounds like you need to learn how to sew, and get cracking !!

Eric,

Don't know if you've seen this or not . . .
http://vimeo.com/9831500


David Alan Harvey's camera bag obsession knows no bounds.
A short film made for the 2010 National Geographic Magazine Photographic Seminar

Cheers,
Dave

Dave, Thats a fun video.

But back to Eric's original question. I had the same problem finding the 'right' photobag for my trip and had to make my own.

Crumpler sold me individual insert dividers 18 months ago at their store on Queen west and I added velcro strips inside a MEC messenger bag to create the bag I wanted (and it had a laptop sleeve).

Good luck luck finding what you are looking for, but head back to Crumpler and see if someone else there can find the inserts to sell you.

Thanks for the tips guys. I guess I'll go over to Crumpler and take a look.

Or...you can take a backpack that holds a computer and photo gear and clip a shoulder strap to it. Which ever is easier for you.

apart from the potential problem with form-fitting a 13-inch laptop (unless you're a plank, that is) the donkey 802 fits your description. at least it has done for me (including the word "perfect") for auld lang happy time

to think of it, if you stick the F3 in one end and the Rollie in the other, it will fit your form even with a laptop in--try it to believe

Hm. Interesting. Thanks guys. Trip to Henry's, it is.

i could have sworn i saw a box of dividers in headshots that i think(?) they were giving away for free

So I went over to Queen St. Crumpler today.. no dividers for sale nor did they have any extras from defective bags. I'm going to see if I can make some kind of divider to put into my laptop bag.. ... ... anyone have extra Crumpler dividers for sale? lol

if you're going DIY, check out some of the inserts available on eBay. They're cheap and decent quality:

http://shop.ebay.ca/?_from=R40&_trksid= ... Categories

look up the tenba messenger insert. it's a block to easily go into a medium sized messenger bag. in my bag, i'm able to hold my 17 inch macbook, my 5d2 with 24-70 attached with hood facing outwards and if i wanted, a flash and other shit for the 3rd pocket.

plus it's like only 30$

doesn't that kill your shoulder?

Okay I went ahead and bought the ebay Fossoux RF insert. For future reference, the RF is a bit bigger than the LC version.

I received the insert and it's a perfect fit to my bag. Thanks everyone!

Can I ask what size bag you have? I'm looking for an insert for a medium Timbuk2 so was curious if that would fit.

ebay Fossoux RF into a Crumpler Considerable Embarrassment.

Another update... I've bought a Tenba Large messenger. It's big but fits everything I need. Lots of pockets and insert is useful. The Tenba insert did fit into my Crumpler but I just need more space.. hence the Tenba large messenger.

have you checked already crumplers Brazillion dollar bag? I'm thinking of getting this one before I go for a month vacation back in my country... it could fit up 15.6" laptop also...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/retrocactu ... otostream/

http://www.crumpler.com/US/Camera-Bags/ ... ?SKU=BZ01A

I've seen the Brazillion and the new 8 Million. The brazillion is way too big for a shoulder bag. (Scott might disagree..)

The 8 Million is a good try at adding a laptop compartment but it's just a big divider that goes into the bag. Not really a built in separate compartment.

AHAHAHA! I DO disagree! I love mine! However, it is very heavy when fully loaded and it can sometimes make you a bit lopsided, but it still is a marvellous bag. I would say the 8MDH is a better bet unless you really want to carry TONS of stuff and kill your back by the end of the day like I do

I actually carry my laptop in another bag most times (Considerable Embarrassment or Dreadful Embarrassment) as it can get way too heavy to keep all of it in one bag and it then evens me out.

One thing that I've noticed about a lot of these laptop/camera bags are very front-heavy. The Tenba, Crumpler Embarrassment series, etc.. they all weigh towards the front more when they're are fully loaded. I've tried the ThinkTank Urban Disguise 50 too. It's heavier built and don't wobble towards the front as much but I just didn't like the style.

Have you checked out the Timbuk2 Snoop camera messenger bag?

The problem with these bags is that once they're fully loaded, they're quite bulky and heavy, and not the best to carry on one shoulder. I much prefer a backpack.

Yeah I did. It's about the same size as my Considerable Embarrassment + Tenba insert combo. I'm liking the size of my Tenba large messenger.

It's not that I have a lot of heavy gear to carry inside, it's more that everything's kinda bulky.