Okay, let's debate camera bags

Camera bags are always tough. Figure that whatever you buy now probably will not be what you want a year from now as your needs change/grow. There a different styles -- messenger bags, backpacks, etc.

 

Personally, I like using a backpack, and I am on my second one. Currently I am using a Lowepro FlipSide 300 backpack, which easily holds a camera body, 3 lenses (one attached to the body), an external flash, teleconvertor, and filters. It has an internal pouch for extra batteries, charger, cable release, etc., a special pocket for holding memory cards, a tripod holder and an external pocket for a water bottle. A link to the pack can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Flipside-300-Backpack-Black/dp/B000YA33DC

http://www.tamrac.com/Velocity_Video.htm

 

Looks neat. I don't have it though.

You could always combine a backpack with a photographer's vest.  (Those have a bunch of small pockets on the front, where you can get at them easily.)

 

The weight on the front would help to balance the weight on the back.  Then the concern would be how much stuff you could put into the (vest + backpack) before your knees collapsed ...

 

Ron - you still in NJ? The best advice for bags, since they are highly dependent on personal taste, is to get yourself into BH Photo in NYC. It's like Disneyland for photographers. I went there while on vacation in NYC and it was some of the best two hours I spent in the city. They have almost every bag imaginable and you can try each one on while making a decision.

 

Seriously, if I lived within 200 miles of BH I would be there at least twice a year.

My favorite bags:

Messenger style:  Crumpler Six Million Dollar Home (recommended for all photographers with less than a 1 series / 70-200f.8

http://www.amazon.com/Crumpler-MILLION-DOLLAR-Shoulder-Oatmeal/dp/B000W8ZDWA

 

Roller:  Think Tank Airport Security 2.0, the best roller on the planet:

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Tank-Airport-Security-Roller/dp/B00173FOQY

 

Backpack /  15 inch laptop carrier: Crumpler Sinking Barge

http://www.amazon.com/Crumpler-SINKING-Laptop-Backpack-Oatmeal/dp/B000W8U42O/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1280547472&sr=1-1

 

The bag i might get next, messenger style for DSLR and iPad, Think Tank Urban Disguise 35:

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Tank-Urban-Disguise-Saddlebag/dp/B001K2IJLO

 

The big downside to a backpack is that you have to stop and take it off to access your gear. For a small kit and the type of shooting that you are suggesting, I'd probably think hard about a messenger style bag. Keep in mind that I say this and I've used nothing but a LowePro backpack for many years.

Agreed.  I only use my backpack for travel where I want to have a camera AND laptop with me at all times, never for casual use.

For casual, low-profile use I like the Domke line. It also suits my personal style in its classic looks, whereas the Crumpler line is too modern for my tastes.

 

It took me awhile to find my walkaround bag but the F-5XC is what I use the most, followed by the F-6 (the site linked to is also pretty good one for user reviews):

http://www.cambags.com/bag-type/shoulder-bags-menu/domke-shoulder-bags/item/404-domke-f-5xc.html

http://www.cambags.com/bag-type/shoulder-bags-menu/domke-shoulder-bags/item/405-domke-f-6.html

 

Keep in mind the philosophy behind the Domke bags is that they are for working from, not transport, so padding is only what's needed to keep items separated and easy to access.

 

Ron got to see my ginormous backpack at Comic Con - the Think Tank StreetWalker Hard Drive. I was a little concerned how it would do in the crowds, but I only got bumped a few times. My main concern was transport and comfort over five days of constant carrying and it did a great job. Not to say I wasn't sore each day, but it was manageable discomfort and I know I would have been in horrible shape with a one-shoulder sling or messenger bag. Though I don't think Ron will get into day long shooting at this point, a belt system is the best way to go without messing up your back and shoulders, not to mention convenience. You look like a big photo dork, but if you're shooting all day at an event, there's no way to avoid that label so you might as well go all in.

 

In addition, LowePro does make backpacks with an easy access side door - the Fastpacks. I tried one and didn't really like it, mainly because the weight distribution didn't feel right and the top section is not the most efficient with space. For day hikes it might be fine, but for travel with alot of gear I'm somewhat skeptical.

Ron,

 

I am using the current  Lowepro backpack I mentioned above precisely because it does a fine job of allowing me to carry the weight for extended periods of time. Previously, I had a Lowepro slingbag style backpack that was great for accessing your gear without taking off the pack, but was lousy for carrying the weight of all that gear on your back.

 

I have fairly heavy kit, and have hiked for miles with it all using this pack. It does not have room for a laptop, but I never travel with one (don't even own on e), so that is not a requirement for me. Just last week I hiked all over Niagara Falls and through the Watkins Glen gorge with the pack.

 

As for the downside of not being able to access your equipment without taking off the pack, when I am walking / hiking I have my camera out with the lens attached that I expect to use. So, I only need to remove the pack to change lenses or get a filter.

 

I do also own a small Tamrac shoulder bag that I use for short day trips -- usually family events. I can carry just the camera with lens attached, and can squeeze in an external flash and a small second lens (plus it has pockets for an extra battery and memory card, too).

Edited by Scott Merryfield - 7/31/10 at 4:23am

Ron, I would definitely recommend a backpack for the reasons you cite - navigating crowds and comfort.

 

As someone else mentioned, backpacks are less convenient for accessing and putting away your camera, so you basically have to plan on always having the camera out once you're at your destination. There's really no "wander, shoot and holster" with a backpack, though models like the LowePro Fastpack try to remedy that. Although I didn't care for the Fastpack 250 or 350, you might also give those a look. They will hold a laptop and provide the quick access door on the side.

 

Here are some additional user reviews of the CompuDaypack and Fastpack. I'm not a big fan of the upper section with all that open space, but you could mod it to hold more items if you wanted. My other complaint would be the wimpy waist belt, which is helpful for taking some of the load off the shoulders.

 

http://www.cambags.com/bag-type/backpacks/lowepro-backpack-bags/item/13-lowepro-compudaypack.html

 

http://www.cambags.com/bag-type/backpacks/lowepro-backpack-bags/item/44-lowepro-fastpack-250.html

I have the Fastpack 250 and find that I only use it for travel with a laptop. It was the first bag I bought because like you, I thought I would rarely travel without my laptop. While that was true in the beginning, I now find that I do travel a lot with my camera without my laptop. So I also bought a Tamrac Velocity 7X. Between the two bags, my 7D + extra lens stays in the Tamrac 95% of the time, and when I go out and about in SoCal the Tamrac goes with me. Day trips, even quick overnights to Santa Barbara, San Diego, Orange County, Las Vegas, the laptop really doesn't come with me anymore since I have the iPhone. While the Fastpack does a good job in storing and protecting all my camera/laptop stuff, once you start traveling lighter you become loathe to put on all that gear unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

In fact for my next trip to Europe I plan on not taking my laptop, only my iPhone, because I'll be taking a tripod as well and will want to travel light. The tripod will help me get better pictures, the laptop will not. My iPhone will service 90% of what I used my laptop for back in my France 2006 trip, and who knows, I may have an iPad by then as well!

This is the newer version of the bag I use (Sling Shot 200 vs the newer Sling Shot 202):

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/676053-REG/Lowepro_LP36173_PEU_SlingShot_202_AW_Camera.html

 

But it doesn't have a laptop section, strictly a camera bag.

 

Yes, definitely go check out bags in person if you can.  I did that each time before choosing something although B&H didn't have my current bag back when I shopped.

 

If you're looking for a good slingbag, I can recommend the Kata series.  I've been using the Kata T-214 for a couple years now (on a daily basis, riding subway, etc):

 

http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/katat214

 

I checked out the Tamrac Velocity series and didn't like them -- well, I did like and owned the Velocity 5 (until I outgrew it), but that one is more like a messenger-style sling/hip hybrid bag somewhat similar to Sam's recommendation of the Crumpler 6M Home (but smaller).  I find the rest of the Velocity series to be not so easy to sling around for quick access.

 

I've also checked out the more conventional looking Lowepro Slingshot series, but they don't seem as ergonomically sound as the Kata T series plus are designed pretty much exclusively for slinging over the right shoulder and under/around the left side.  I much prefer the other way myself -- although you can do it either way w/ the Kata w/out too much diff near as I can tell.  IIRC, the Velocity (6-and-up) series slingbags are also designed for one way only, ie. right shoulder.  Also, you don't actually need to sling the Kata all the way to the front, but can get good, quick access just slinging to your side (kinda like a messenger bag).

 

The Kata T-214 (and the larger T-216) also has a back compartment that might be useful enough to stow an iPad or maybe a netbook (as some seem to do), and I may do just that w/ an iPad, if I get one.

 

Weight distribution also seems just about as good as it can get for a slingbag.  Since it works best to let it hang a bit on the loose side (for easier access), the bag ends up riding into the lower back w/ a bit of leverage from below.  And since it can be slung both ways, you can always switch shoulders, if need be, though I always keep it on the same side.

 

So if you're considering a slingbag, I'd strongly recommend checking out the Kata series before deciding.

 

FYI, there's also a substantially cheaper Kata DT series slingbag w/ similar basic design, but it's missing a couple features, eg. no front compartment (that's useful for a speedlight), no back compartment, while getting rid of all the extra straps, clasps, etc.

 

_Man_

You're crazy if you want to carry a backpack with a laptop in it through a convention.  Sorry, that's just silly.

 

The benefit of the messenger style bags is that you can slide em so that they rest on your hip throughout the day, not constantly held on your side.

 

Al alternative I would recommend for most event style shooting, and something I use every day is the Black Rapid R strap:

 

http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-7/

Yeah, I was going to say that even though my bag has a laptop section, I had no need to bring a laptop with me to the event. Instead I used it to hold a hard plastic case for all the swag I was picking up.

 

But transport is again another issue. If Ron plans to have the backpack be his only carry on bag he will need the laptop section. Myself, I was bringing enough stuff that I needed a small rolling laptop case anyways, so that took some of the load off my back.

I use the Tamrac Velocity 7x sling pack.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-Velocity-Photo-Sling-Black/dp/B000P3ZB42

 

The thing I liked about it is that it's not huge, even though it holds my D90, 18-200mm and 50mm lenses, SB600 speedlight and extra batteries, memory cards, etc. But it's biggest selling point for me now is that it is unobtrusive if I slide it over my shoulder so it's in front of me. Never have to worry about it knocking into people on a show floor. Also, it takes just a few seconds to open the flap, get the camera out and start shooting right away if need be. I'll probably have to re-assess my needs once I get a few more lenses, but for now this pack is great.

I know everyone wants to keep costs down, but I think as anyone who is a traveling photographer will attest, you're going to want multiple bags. The thing I realized is that I want the bag that will be the absolute minimum for what I am taking with me on any particular shoot.

 

I know Ron said he never travels without his laptop, but he's never had a DSLR where he will want to take it everywhere to capture shots. Going on vacation to Hawaii? Are you really going to lug your 17" Macbook Pro up into the mountains, jungle, or lava flow? Probably not. Going to visit the Florida Everglades? Taking your MBP with you on that Airboat? Hope not. Going to Paris? Want to carry that extra 8-10lbs of computer + bag up all 500+ crazily winding steps of Notre Dame? I only had a P&S at the time and I was winded when I got to the top. My point is that once you realize you always want your trusty DSLR with you "just in case", you'll also realize that you don't want to always have your MBP with you. Vacation evening out on the town with friends? Bringing a holster w/ a DSLR has your friends saying "wow that's a nice camera". Having a full on laptop/DSLR backpack has them asking "what the hell are you carrying around in there?"

 

There are times when I want only the 7D+17-55. I'm going to eventually get a holster only for the body and lens. There are times when I want the 7D + 1 small zoom, that's my Tamrac Velocity 7x. There are times when I'll want my laptop as well, that's the Fastpack 250. And when I eventually get the cash together to buy either the EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM or the f/2.8 II IS USM, I'll have to get a larger shoulder bag than the Velocity because the f/4 and f/2.8 are much too big to fit in the Velocity. This hobby, like most, isn't cheap. And there isn't a one-size fits all otherwise someone would have already created it and we'd have all bought it.

Carlo makes a good point. I've resigned myself to having different bags for different needs. It's kind of annoying, but I suppose it makes me understand women and their purse things a little better. :)

Yeah...except that I paid more for one Gucci purse for my girlfriend than all of my current bags, as well as my desired future bag, combined! 
 

Perhaps a solution would be:  one large bag to bring all of the camera equipment from home to the hotel.  Another, smaller bag to carry just a few items (D90 body, one lens, accessories) to the convention floor.

 

This would allow a person to swap lenses back in the hotel room.  If a person felt that a particular session would require the use of multiple lenses, a person could even drag the larger bag onto the convention floor.  Otherwise, the "dead weight" (temporarily unused lenses, AC adapter, etc.) could stay in the hotel room.

Airlines allow a carry-on that stows in the overheard compartment and a "personal Item" that goes under the seat. That's how I was able to bring my photo backpack in addition to a laptop and other items (my toiletry bag, and additional electronics) without checking them. A standard laptop bag should fit under the seat without problem.

 

Problem now is your clothes. I had to check my suitcase when normally I don't check anything. Fortunately Southwest doesn't charge for checked bags, but they are the exception these days.

I took a similar strategy at the Con. I used the backpack for transport to the event, but when I got there I off-loaded my core equipment to a belt system (which because it was Think Tank also integrated nicely with the backpack). I still had the backpack on my back, but the redistribution of weight was helpful.