Toronto Photography Meetup Group

In searching for the perfect camera bag (I'm sure it does not exist) I've decided to take a poll and see what everyone else out there is using and loves....

I have two bags, a Crumpler Whiskey and Fox backpack which I use when I need to carry a lot of gear, it's pretty comfortable and a Timbuk2 courier bag with an insert which I love. It's a six year old bag, warn but comfortable and usually carry a body and two lenses with it.

Timbuk2 just released a new camera bag and I'm debating picking it up, can't have too many bags They have a small bag which would fit the other thread better.

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/lim ... -messenger

That's kinda neat. Im not sure I like the messenger style though. Im not a big person and I can see that bothering me on one side. And where do you put your "stuff"? Like a jacket or water, or whatever else u need to carry with you?

I don't believe there is 1 bag to rule them all. Someone posted a video of a dude who has a garage full of bags accumulated over his years of photographing and I believe it is starting to happen to me too.

I enjoy Crumplers for their unique design, comfort, and versatility. (Currently using a backpack the "This") It has a clean design, easy to access the compartments and has room for other items. It isn't big enough for all my stuff now so I am considering something else (maybe a keystone but there is no storage for other items on there)

I like Lowepro bags because they are great for travelling and have lots of options. (rain coats for the bag, tripod holder, space for other stuff etc) their slingshot series is great, and allows quick access to the camera, but because it's a sling style, carrying it for a length of time is a pain. Thinking about purchasing a versapack because it is very light, has a rain coat and tripod holder and has room for other stuff. again limited space for the camera but if i am travelling i am not going to carry everything with me.

These are the only two companies I have used so far, but they have been quite reliable for what I do.

I have a medium and it holds quite a lot of stuff, usually my D700, 35 f/2 and a 105 2.8vr. and there's still a lot of room in it for other stuff. Not sure how much the small would hold though. Personally, I'm used to the sling/courier bag but don't use it on extended trips 5/6 hour trips.

The versapack sounds pretty good. I've never heard of it until now.
Here's a great user review and video of the bag:

http://mpouliotphoto.wordpress.com/2010 ... blackgray/

I might get one depending on the price....

This bag looks like a good one too.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Cla ... W,2121.htm

The video is interesting. Sexy bag.

I HATE "camera bags"...they're full of wasted space. The padding is fine for travelling by airplane, but a waste for walking around town.

Personally I just use an ordinary backpack (that doesn't scream "CAMERA INSIDE"), and just toss the equipment in. OK, not toss it in, and each lens is in its own pouch (just enough material to protect it from getting scratched)...and the body (with either the 28-84 or 80-300 on it) is in a semi-hard SLR case.

In my larger backpack in addition to the camera and two extra lenses I can also have my laptop (15"), book, binder, drink, etc. etc. etc.

I do the same thing - when I travel I have a lowepro rolling computrekkar, which fits my camera gear plus has a front pocket for the computer/wallet/pda etc, but once at the destination, or when out shooting in general, I have a regular MEC backpack into which I stuff my lenses, food, camera, food, wallet, food, accessories, food...did I mention I'm a glutton?

Domke J2 (ballistic nylon) for storage or when travelling with more gear
Billingham Hadley for everyday use (doubles as work bag - room for a netbook, papers/notebook, a few rolls of film and a rangefinder camera).

The Billinghams are expensive but I haven't bought or even been inclined to buy another bag in almost 2 years... (saving money in the end)...

I bought the classified 160w a few weeks ago and love it. It has a lot of good features (rain cover, top zip to access your gear without taking off the bag, specific spot for my ipad/filters). The only issue I have with it is filled with gear it gets quite large (there are zips that expand the main compartment).

Check Craigslist, someone was selling one for about $70 which I think is a steal.

I'm happy with my Tamrac, reasonable price, well built, works in the rain and has held up well. Tamrac licensed part of the design from crumpler but actually improved the design. The tamrac remains dry while my crumpler allows water to get in at the point where the straps attach to the bag.

I have several favourites:

- Lowepro Flipside 400AW for shooting around the city
- Boda Dry or my Think Tank Speed Racer for weddings
- Lowepro Photorunner if I need to travel light
- Tamrac Adventure 8 for travel
- Kata HB-207 if I need to bring a lot of gear


I am also looking at the Think Tank Retrospective Lenschanger 30 for shooting around the city.

tenba messenger bag

I like the black ones because they can go with all my outfits

Because of what I shoot for my own personal work (slowly it's creeping into my wedding work) the Domke F-803 is what I reach for..

Dave

I also have a Domke F803 which I kind of liked. Though I ended up getting another bag (Artisan and Artist Penn's Pad & Pencil Satchel) as I wanted something with a top zipper so I could reach in without having to open up a flap. The A&A bag isn't perfect, but it's fine for now. I'm not one to carry multiple bodies and lenses, so both of these bags are on the smaller size.

is this a fanny back design (for lack of better words). how does it hold up to 5+ hours of use?

I have three favourites:

1) for carry most of my gear without getting in the way or people knowing its a camera bag I use my Crumpler Brazillion Dollar Home

2) for carrying everything I use my ThinkTank Airport Security V2.0

2) for carrying just a few things plus extra personal goods i use my Crumpler Whickey and Cox Backpack

+1 on the domke F-803. I have the wax wear version. Fits my rangefinder, 2 lenses and a TLR, plus some film.

You should try a pink one on days you want to jazz it up a bit.

I use a kata 3N-10 when I need to bring a lot.
A lowepro 180AW when i need to travel light
A knockoff crumpler that you can get at black, medium size when I need to be really light.
Or just camera and a lowepro lens case when I do a lot of walking.

Hi Wahini101

After reading all the posts I'm curious about what you would be carrying in the bag. Usually this is a good way to figure out what bag to use.

One of the most useful sites on seeing how equipment fits in a bag is "http://cambags.com/".

As for me I have two bags:

(1) Lowepro Stealth Reporter D300
-My favorite because it is sturdy and carries what I need. Plus the raincoat which is built into the bag is great for securing the bag in crowds and airports. Also not only does it fit on top of my carry on but fits under the seats when I fly places.
-Only want for this bag is a way to have my Canon ef 70-200 F2.8 mounted on body while in bag.

(2)Lowepro Flipside 400 AW
-Very comfortable and spacious. To be honest the first bag seems to get all the action since this one has never been in the field yet. Maybe it will see some action when I start traveling again.

I carry a Rebel T1i + the kit lens, maybe one extra lens if Im in the mood (50mm 1.8, or 24mm 2. and lots of accessories (puffer, cleaning stuff, a filter or 2, lens hood just in case), big wallet, make up bag (filled with stuff thats not make up! ) 400ml Nalgene bottle (sometimes 2, one filled with OJ), food (apple, cookies, bagel etc), I need space to put a hoodie or jacket incase I take mine off- I hate carrying it ontop of the bag, it always falls off, cell, ipod, keys, sunglasses and little random things I cant think of at the moment. The camera gear gets lost amongst everything in my back pack. I use an Eddie Bauer Adventurer.

Im leaning towards the Versapack. I have to see it in person though. Vistek has it one sale.

Hi

Sounds like a backpack is the perfect choice since it distributes weight better then a side bag. Personally when I pack a lunch for a day of shooting I am definitely using a bag which has an extra compartment for wind breaker, water, food and wifes stuff

Oh and before I forget it is really important to get a back pack with a good waist strap since since it takes the weight off your shoulders and distributes this to your waist. Your body will thank you.

Since you are checking out the Versa at Vistek I was also going to recommend you check the follow site to compare prices. I've taken the lowest price here and then had Henrys match it.

http://stores.ebay.ca/Prodigital2000

(the flipside 400 aw is $98 here)

BTW on a travel point I do prefer one bag over a purse + camera bag. You would be surprised how fast some one can walk away with your valuables. In fact I often keep a waist back or holster as a decoy in places I am not familiar.

I think I still have the original Boda bag from a few years ago - it wasn't "bad" but it certainly wasn't "good" - far too flimsy for carrying larger or heavier slr lenses; the waist strap kept slipping; and I didn't like the fact that you had to stack one lens on top of the other on one side of the bag.

They have, obviously, redesigned the bag since then but you know what they say about first impressions . . . .

Dave

Very pleased with my Crumpler 8 Million Dollar Home - plenty of room for gear and a nice wide pocket for my iPad. The best thing is it's really deep, and seems more rigid (less crumply?) than the 7 .. Better strap too. I don't get tired carrying it.

Im surprised how many people use Crumpler. I think all the velcro is terrible. Velcro is for a 3ry old who can't tie shoe laces, not a grown up. I know the bags now have "silencers" which goes to show that people were requesting less velcro, but how about using just half the amount or magnets?

My backpack is heavy when its empty. That could be the problem for me. I believe its 35L. I think I might look into their smallest bag (eddie bauer) called a Trailhead. I was wondering around Cabbagetown yesterday with my Adventurer and even though I was carrying my camera in my hands, my bag felt like it was full of bricks.

In Toronto their $79, and in Buffalo they're $49. Now I just need to find online coupons.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/produ ... &viewAll=y

This bag looks great. But for me, there's too much bag. Too much padding. But as a pro in the field I can see this being very useful.

Lowepro Primus AW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PEpvQj9 ... r_embedded

I would avoid a backpack that is heavy when empty - I don't get that - why design a bag that is heavy to start out with.

I use a Lowepro Fastpack 250 - big enough for two bodies, 70-200, 28-75, 135mm and 50mm. The top compartment can hold quite amount of other stuff and it has a notebook compartment as well. The straps are very comfortable which is very important to me. And it provide quick/easy access to my camera gear.