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In light of Peter McKinnon's new camera bag, and his pursuit for 'the best' camera bag, I feel the exact same way.
Every camera bag out there always seems to miss out on one thing or another that prevents them from being perfect.
Too small? Too big? Can only carry Camera gear? Cant fit in flights? Too heavy? Not water resistant?
what are your gripes with camera bags? have you found one that fits your needs perfectly? what wold you like in the camera bag that would be ideal for you?
for me, after trying several camera bags for years, I concluded to Lowepro Protactic 450 as the closest it gets to perfection. Though missing a few key things, and does have its issues, it is the most robust thing i've come across so far.
what i look for in camera bags is its likelyhood to travel with me, and keep up with my never going requests:
1) access from the back. I dont want anyone walking behind me and have access to the camera gear
2) does not look like a camera bag. Sure, those looking to steal a bag will know exactly what is and isn't a camera bag, but dont want to make it too obvious.
3) something that can securely hold my camera body, a few lenses, and gives me room to carry my other travel gear like jackets, food, shoes, toiletries, etc
4) something that is easy to access. I dont have to move one thing just to get to another. everything is available upon demand
5) something i can fit under flight seats
Where I find the Lowepro protacting 450 to be lacking is that it may be a bit TOO big. Or there is LOTS of wasting room. So If i place my bag on the ground, and open from the back, I have a good 3-8 inches of clearing above my camera gear that I could easily store more stuff in, if it was organized better..OR i could carry a smaller bag that would be lighter, and easier to walk around with in crowded areas. with the 450 on my back, i need to be careful when i'm turning around in a busy area as I may wack someone accidentally with the bag. But that is fine, if i could store more gear in it to the rim.
So for my use, perhaps a protactic 400 would be best. the 350 is too small and wont fit the K1 with the batter grip. Moreover, it will make things difficult to access from the top and side pocket access. So maybe if lowepro makes a protactic 400, i'll be all over it.