What kind of bag do you prefer for your SLR equipment?

[Venturi]

I have a waist pack, a backpack/sling, a shoulder bag and a "glove" (not holster). What I use depends completely on where I'm going, what I'll be doing and how much I think I'll need. Sometimes that means more than one bag/pack.

[flippedgazelle]

Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt

My advice is to carry a minimum of gear.
A classic shoulder bag is easiest to work from.
Be sure to check out the Domke line.

Chris

This.

I have the Domke (runs over to look) F6 ("Little Bit Smaller"), and I usually sling it over my left shoulder so it lands on my right hip.

As mtngal points out, access is important, and I can access my gear in the F6 w/o removing it from my shoulder.

I also like the fact that the Domke F6 doesn't scream "I've got a camera!".

The Pelican cases I've used (for non-photographic purposes) have proven to be protective and durable; I've shipped them around the globe w/o incident. However, they are bulky and conspicuous.

[sumo]

Used to have a backpack but it was a pain in the butt to get stuff out and not very conductive to shooting on the street. Now I use a Billingham Hadley Pro. Compact, tough and speedy to use. In the mountains however I use an Osprey backpack with lots of bubble wrap

[GerryL]

I have 3 shoulder type bags..one holster, one small tamrac shoulder and one domke bug bag.
I'm still planning to get the versa bag ang sell the tamrac one.
Easy to access and if you get the right strap, you wouldn't even feel the weight.

[Finn]

I use a Billingham bag, which I love. Pretty pricey (luckily I got it as a gift), but it doesn't look like a camera bag, so I don't mind it anywhere.

[Driver3]

I had to click other. I use all of the above depending on the mission for the day.
I've got a Lowepro TLZ AW, a Tamrac Adventure4, a Naneu Pro Alpha back pack and a Pelican 1510 wheeled carry on.
I lust after camera bags...it's kind of sad, really.

[ChrisPlatt]

First we had CBA, then LBA. Now it seems we can also add BBA...

Chris

[monochrome]

I carry my gear on outings in a slingbag (Lowepro Slingshot 100).

Sometimes I travel light. If I am using just the SP-F or MESuper and 2 lenses, plus 2 rolls of film, 2 hoods and 4 filters (my common light kit) I use a second-hand Domke F5 shoulder bag.

EDIT: I have no reason to use the Slingshot other than that I bought it 2nd hand here and so I have it.

Thinking about what I actually use on an outing, yesterday I tried the Domke shoulder bag with K10d and grip, FA35/2 detached, A50/1.4 in a slot and DA55~300 detached in another slot. 4 filters in the front slot. I left cleaning supplies at home since I rarely use them in the field. Spare card in the filter pouch. Aside from having to mount a lens every time I took the camera out it worked fine.

OBSERVATION: With a freshly charged battery and a spare I wouldn't need the grip.

END EDIT.

I store the extra lenses, bodies and accessories in second-hand Domke (2) F2's.

[Reportage]

different bag for different requirements,


When compared the TLZ2 with the 75AW Pro, found the 75AW practically not really worth paying more then 2x the price of a TLZ2. Used when i do specific media events where its not possible to get real close or simply when i need to travel light. add a waistpouch for memory cards and so on and its good to go. For around the same size, the TT digital Holster was an expensive indulgence.


Got this for about $5 at a camera store clearing freebie bags. Works remarkably well just that more or less its a camera bag only.


Replacement for the above when i need to carry more and require more padding plus it can double up as a day to day bag and fits a netbook. Got it at a trade show for about $30.


One thing i hate about camera backpacks is that they are murder on the shoulders, for $20 at clearance the targus is a great solution. All i needed was to get slr inserts and its as good as any camera backpack i tried. I use this when need to carry lots of gear for hours at a time. barely feel the load on my shoulders thanks to the cushioned padding. has compartment for macbook and so on.

[ChrisPlatt]

Interesting poll results so far. Traditional shoulder and messenger bags
are at least as popular as backpacks and sling bags, despite all the buzz.

I would probably give up photography if it required a backpack full of gear.

Chris

[dadipentak]

I use a holster-style shoulder bag with side-saddle lens cases. It probably looks a bit goofy (and certainly screams "camera") but it works for me.

[mickeyobe]

I posted this in March. Since then I have made some minor changes as some of my equipment has changed. But for what it's worth it stills serves my purposes very well.
Mickey
Old 07-03-2009, 08:18 PM #25
mickeyobe
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Slingshot 200.

My Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW with my home made insert. I found the Velcro inserts provided did not suit my needs. My fault. Not Lowepro's. So I used a campers' sleeping pad made of closed cell foam ($10 - $15 Can). It is about 1/4" thick, 20" wide x 6' long and cuts easily with a scissors or Exacto knife. It is tough and lint and crumble free and offers excellent protection against bumps. One pad will suffice for many projects. I use Lepage Pres-tite Contact Cement to join the various parts.


e.g. One small 3"x 6" piece and 5 minutes work gives me a platform to keep my batteries from rolling around when being tested. It tales tiny button cells and AAA up to D cells.

The camera in the photo is a Canon T90 for which this insert was not designed. It was made for my Pentax K100d



Empty Slingshot and easily removed insert. Camera manual in a Zip Lock bag always ready beneath the insert.
All equipment is still accessible with the bag half open.



The ugly but useful insert. Long rectangle on left is for Tamron Adaptall 80 to 210mm lens. A strip of foam across the front of it keeps the lens from sliding out. ( this was recently altered slightly to hold a Quantaray 70 to 300 mm macro zoom. The strip at front is no longer needed so it was removed. 31/10/2009 ) The strip is secured on the side by a small piece of Velcro. Lens on right is SMC Pentax 12 to 24mm DA. An extremely wide brute when with its lens hood. Centre section will take the Pentax K100D with any of the three lenses mounted. The triangular flap in front of the W/A lens compartment keeps the camera securely in its place. The open rectangular cut at the bottom front is for a mesh pocket in the Slingshot. I now always put the lens cap in it so I don't lose them any more.



Mickey
Last edited by mickeyobe; 07-04-2009 at 12:38 AM..
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[Canada_Rockies]

I use an original issue LowePro Photo Trekker for the full kit. It holds everything, including lunch, but I use a 2 litre water carrier on its own strap. I use a LowePro 100 AW sling bag for light days.

[smc]

I usually choose one lens and grab a small shoulder bag. I also have

a small backpack that can take a couple of lenses
a larger shoulder bag that is small but deep enough to take my 300mm
a backpack to haul 67 gear...not small...lol

[Marc Langille]

Larger backpacks for full-on trips, smaller for day trips.

I loved the capacity of the Lowepro Slingshot 300AW, but only one strap was the killer for me. It was a great bag otherwise! I am usually walking AND carrying the spare gear, so comfort is very, very important.This is especially true for extended hiking.

I'm getting a K5 tomorrow so I'm very curious if I can somehow attach or pack a long lens case on or in the backpack. For example, a Kinesis L622 case opposite the Gitzo tripod on the outside of the backpack or simply remove the internal inserts and put that case inside. This would be to carry the FA* 250-600/5.6. Much about the configuration would depend on the hike involved, customization, etc.

Regards,
Marc