Which Bag???
 

Hi, after taking some recommendations from this forum i have finally purchased a Tamron 70 -300 VC and need a bag it fits in!

My kit list at the moment is 400d, Sigma 17 - 70, Tamron 70 - 300 VC and 430EX II.

I think i want a bag that can carry everything and probably with the 70-300 mounted. I have been looking at the crumpler range of bags which with so many different sizes was wondering if anyone can recommend one?

Any advice would be great!

As the amount of kit that you own is likely to increase over time, I would suggest that you buy something a little bit bigger than you think that you need at the moment. I presently have my kit spread over 2 bags, the largest being a Lowepro Nova 200 AW but I am now considering upgrading to a backpack as it just gets too heavy.

What bag you buy depends on what kit you want/need to carry about. What make is another thing all together.

There are so many bag manufacturers on the market that trying to choose the right one for you will be a bit of a nightmare. I have purchased so many different bags in the past that it doesn't bear thinking about. Some have been good from an ergonomic point of view, and others haven't. I now use a small Billingham bag, for my day trips with one lens, and a Kata DR467i rucksack/daybag if I want to carry more gear on longer treks. How you configure your bag is a personal thing, but my criteria is always good protection first, WATERPROOF second — not water resistant, and comfort third. The rest usually follows and will be down to budget when you come to buy one.

I have one of [URL="http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON08C000011&Prod_name=&CAT_CODE=&SUBCAT_CODE=&MANU_CODE=&Minisitetype="]THESE[/URL] and I love it!
It's tough, yet really comfy when it's full and even with a heavy tripod on board too.
Loads of pockets and really easy access to all your kit.

I would suggest that you do not need to fit all your gear into the bag. Only what you need for any specific shoot. I therefore have a Kata 3n1 20, which is great when out and about, leaving studio type gear and other bits at home in a different bag.

I have a Kata 3n1 33.
Loads of room for all my kit, laptop and even loads of extras

Bags are really personal - I've been through more camera bags than any other bit of kit!

From my experience of using Lowepro, Tamrac, Kata, Crumpler, and ThinkTank I would suggest you're best off with Crumpler or Kata. The Lowepro stuff never seems particularly good to me although I've never really been able to put my finger on really why.
Tamrac stuff is excellent value for money but can look a but cheap.
Crumpler stuff is pricey but very well made.
Kata kit is excellent. Also expensive compared to Lowepro but much much better quality.
ThinkTank stuff is brilliant but VERY expensive!

In the end, I have 2 bags. I've got a Kata backpack and a Crumpler shoulder bag. Both have recieved pretty rough treatment over the years and both have withstood everything I've thrown at them (which includes being run over by a car for the Crumpler).

Thanks for all your replies.

I think i have decided on a crumpler bag but there are so many! From reading your comments i dont think i need a bag to carry everything at once but one that can handle the body with 70 - 300 mounted and then room for either spare lense or flash.

Chris which crumpler bag do you have and what can you fit in?

I think i may have to take all my kit into Manchester to visit the crumpler shot and see what fits!

Thanks

I've got a Muffin Top 7500 and you'd be suprised what fits in it. it currently contains:

Nikon D90 with battery grip attached
AF-S 18-105mm VR
AF-S 35mm f/1.8
AF-S 70-300mm VR
AF-D 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6

As well as memory cards, cleaning stuff, cable release and some basic filters.

It's basically full though and I really can't get any more in. The whole lot only fits in one way and I have to keep the 35mm mounted on the camera to fit it in the bag. I'll take a picture when I get home and post it up here so you can see.

Your biggest restriction is keeping the 70-300mm lens on the camera. That means you have to have a long bag. I stand mine up and it only takes up the space of the diameter of the lens rather than it's length (at least, in terms of "floor plan").

OK here is my Muffin Top 7500 as I normally carry it. I know people say you don't have to carry all your kit but, if it all fits in one bag thats not too heavy, why not?

When you open the bag this is what you see:

[url=http://www.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/chris-p/slide1.jpg][img]http://www.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/chris-p/slide1.jpg[/img][/url]

On the right hand side is the AF-S 70-300mm G VR stood on it's front end with lens hood attached. In the middle is the D90 on it's MB-D80 grip with a 35mm f/1.8 attached (forgot to label that in the pictures). Notice the 35mm sitting over a flap. On the left is an AF-D 85mm f/1.8 sat (with lens hood attached) on top of a Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6.

If you take the AF-D 85mm f/1.8 out you can see the rear lens cap of the Sigma 10-20mm...

[url=http://www.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/chris-p/slide2.jpg][img]http://www.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/chris-p/slide2.jpg[/img][/url]

Finally, if you lift the camera out you can lift the flap covering the 18-105mm VR...

[url=http://www.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/chris-p/slide3.jpg][img]http://www.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/chris-p/slide3.jpg[/img][/url]

In my experience camera bags can be a pain. This is literally all my main kit (excluding tripod anyway). But I'm after a Sigma 150mm macro which is never going to fit in this bag (with everything else in anyway) and I'm also after a flashgun so I can start learning the art of directed lighting. That also wouldn't fit in this bag as it is at the moment.

My advice is to buy a bag that you can fit everything in and allow some extra space. When I got the 85mm f/1.8 and the Sigma 10-20mm I managed to fit them in and that saved me a lot of hassle hunting around for yet another camera bag.

The only other thing I would say is, if at all possible, try to keep the bag you buy in good condition. I've had loads of bags and I've sold every single one on eBay when I've replaced it with a new one. Crumpler bags are especially easy to sell as they're relatively expensive and very popular (read that as trendy). I actually sold a "Pretty Boy" and a "Messenger Boy" for more than I bought them for (they were bought new in a sale and I sold them for non-sale retail prices) but they were in excellent condition.