In search of the perfect camera bag...

[ChrisU]

Or actually two... I'm hoping someone can help, as a part time photographer who has the luxury of a full time job that pays for the hobby - I find that I'm in need of two camera bags - both that are appearing to be increasingly elusive.

The first bag I'm looking for, is one that I can take with me when I travel with work, it needs to look smart (I'm generally suited and booted), be able to carry a 40D plus a lens or two, plus paper work and ideally a small laptop. Something that I can take on my day trips to London with work, but can still escape and do some photography at the end of the day before heading home again.

The second bag needs to be a little bigger, something I can take on short overseas trips, big enough to fit a camera plus lens etc, but also a change of clothes etc whilst being small enough to be hand luggage on the plane.... ideally it also needs to be suitable for carrying around in the evenings with just my camera in, or have a detachable inner / outer etc so that I'm not carrying a half empty bag in the evenings when I'm not working...

Am I looking for the impossible? Any suggestions or ideas would be gratefully received!

[chris-p]

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum

Surprised no-one has answered this yet. Anyway...

A smart camera bag is relatively tough. What about something like the Crumpler New Delhi 510? The list price is pretty expensive, but then all Crumpler stuff has a high RRP and you can usually get it much cheaper. According to Crumpler it holds an SLR, 3 lenses/accessories and a laptop up to 33x23x3cm. It's leather and relatively smart. It comes in 2 larger sizes as well if needs be...





There are a lot more bags which fit your second requirements (apart from the removeable section but it's still possible). Personally, I use a Kata DR465 which I use for hand luggage. The top section isn't huge but has enough room for a single change of lightweight clothes. The bottom camera section can be removed so you get the whole of the bottom of the bag as well (there is still the divide between the 2 sections though).
There are also things like the Crumpler Muffin Top Half Photo, Crumpler Messenger Boy Half Photo or the Lowepro Versapack Range.

I think I've got through more bags than anything else... In case it helps to work out what you can fit in what, I use a Kata as mentioned above and a Crumpler Muffin Top 7500 which they don't make any more (hence the link to pictures on another forum). I can fit ALL my kit in both bags and that consists of a Nikon D90 with grip attached, 10-20mm, 18-105mm, 70-300mm, 35mm and 85mm lenses and a couple of filters, spare cards etc. I'm always amazed it all fits in either bag but it does...

[ChrisU]

Many thanks for the suggestion - I'm now off to the local camera shops to see if there is one I can get my hands on!

[marteee]

Hey Chris

Do you - or anyone else - know anything about the Kata Bumblebee DL-210? I find I'm in a similar situation - I need a bag (backpack) that will take my camera, a couple lenses and bits and pieces, my laptop and a few personals that I can use as airplane carry one, and double as a daypack while I'm away. I was looking at the Kata DR 467i DPS (which seems to be a slightly larger version of your 465) but then saw the DL-210. It's not that I'm set on a Kata bag but they seem to fit my requirements better than anything else - and I've looked through the Tamrac and Lowepro options.

I'm also trying to make my mind up about a tripopd that I can use for travelling. I think I've settled on a Giottos MTL 8350b, but am open to suggestion if anyone can suggest something better that won't break the bank...

[chris-p]

I've not seen a Bumblebee bag in person but they look pretty good. They look relatively large (but bags with room for a laptop always do). Whether or not it's small enough to be hand luggage will depend on the airline but it ought to be OK.
I'm very impressed with my Kata bag. It doesn't get as much use as my Crumpler shoulder bag (but thats because I prefer to carry a shoulder bag) but it's in great condition and has sruvived everything I've thrown at it (so far!).

As for tripods, I've not a clue about travelling with one. I've never tried (and I probably won't). I will say that Giottos stuff is excellent value though. I've just bought some Giottos legs and they're rock solid and cost me £60. The nearest I could get in Manfrotto was over twice the price.

[KeithT]

I must have had every make under the sun over the years. I'm back with Billingham because they are quite simply the best. I do have a Kata 467i ruck sack which I won from AP mag and that is superbly made. Should I stear away from Billingham again Kata bags will definitely be my first port of call.

[Markulous]

Just about to go on holiday and my Tamrac (Expedition 7) won't fit the overhead lockers (nor take a laptop) but picked up a brand new pacsafe B200 for £30 which is ideal as it doesn't look like a camera bag with nothing on the outside at all (totally 'clean' look and even the zips can be tucked away and locked). Absolutely perfect for holiday needs! Fits my 30D (leaving my 7D behind), 150-500, 15-85, 10-20 all in lens pouches (not necessarily easy to access but it's a holiday!!) & TC. Comes in just under 10 kg

Tripod-wise, we're taking some cheap and cheerful thing as I won't be needing one that much

[amandak695]

Originally Posted by ChrisU

Or actually two... I'm hoping someone can help, as a part time photographer who has the luxury of a full time job that pays for the hobby - I find that I'm in need of two camera bags - both that are appearing to be increasingly elusive.

The first bag I'm looking for, is one that I can take with me when I travel with work, it needs to look smart (I'm generally suited and booted), be able to carry a 40D plus a lens or two, plus paper work and ideally a small laptop. Something that I can take on my day trips to London with work, but can still escape and do some photography at the end of the day before heading home again.

The second bag needs to be a little bigger, something I can take on short overseas trips, big enough to fit a camera plus lens etc, but also a change of clothes etc whilst being small enough to be hand luggage on the plane.... ideally it also needs to be suitable for carrying around in the evenings with just my camera in, or have a detachable inner / outer etc so that I'm not carrying a half empty bag in the evenings when I'm not working...

Am I looking for the impossible? Any suggestions or ideas would be gratefully received!

Thanks you for the post.

[amk1977]

Originally Posted by ChrisU

The second bag needs to be a little bigger, something I can take on short overseas trips, big enough to fit a camera plus lens etc, but also a change of clothes etc whilst being small enough to be hand luggage on the plane.... ideally it also needs to be suitable for carrying around in the evenings with just my camera in, or have a detachable inner / outer etc so that I'm not carrying a half empty bag in the evenings when I'm not working...

Am I looking for the impossible? Any suggestions or ideas would be gratefully received!

A Lowepro Slingshot 350AW might fit the bill. Its comfortable to wear, has plenty of room inside, including room for a laptop and easily would be able to house a rolled up pair of jeans, light sweater, etc. It also has an all weather protective cover which you pull out from the bottom, to keep all your kit dry. Might be worth a look.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/...-AW,2117,4.htm