What is your preference for camera sling bag or backpack?

Shakey · 05-15-2017, 05:03 AM

I currently have one of the smaller Tamrac backpack bags. I like it but as I gain gear it's getting too small. Would like to carry two bodies and multiple lenses.
I've looked at the Tamracs but really can't decide. Anyone have a suggestion based on experiance....Tamrac or another brand? Style / trype?

Thanks

alamo5000 · 05-15-2017, 05:27 AM

I wore a sling bag for a long time but I have since moved over to a regular back pack. I think the choice comes down to how far and long you plan to carry your stuff. I found the sling type to be really nice and easy to use but if you have a lot of gear and you wind up walking for 5 or 6 miles with a pack full of stuff... you will want the back pack. Basic reason is it spreads the load from one point to two and is to me at least a lot more comfortable.

Jonathan Mac · 05-15-2017, 05:38 AM

It depends on how much gear you're going to carry and for how long. I often carry a lot of stuff (9 kilos is my record) so I go for a backpack in order to be able to distribute the weight. The downside is changing lenses/cameras is more time consuming.

BullsOnParade81 · 05-15-2017, 05:53 AM

I usually use a lowepro backpack or a domke f-2

Shakey · 05-15-2017, 06:32 AM

Right now I have five lenses and two bodies. I'd like to be able to have them with me whether in the car or on a trip (carry on a plane) or walking in the woods. Plus accessories. Your thoughts?

steve_k · 05-15-2017, 07:13 AM

I use a Tamrac Expedition 8x for storing my gear and hauling it in the car. My days of long hikes are over. But I find it convenient to have all my gear with me. The expedition 8x holds K3 II and battery grip with sigma 18-300 attached, Sigma 50-500, Tamrom 70-200 F2.8, tamrom 17-50 f2.8, Pentax 16-85, Pentax-A 50 f1.4, Pentax-A 35-105 f 3.5, Sigma 105 f2.8, Sigma Flash, 6 Spare batteries and 3 Battery chargers plus all the cables and accessories that go along with it.

Also can carry my Manfrotto 190 tripod.

**Spodeworld** · 05-15-2017, 08:02 AM

Love the Lowepro Messenger Sling....just the right size and so convenient.

ChatMechant · 05-15-2017, 09:02 AM

I love my old version (orange inside) Crumpler Karachi Outpost. It's big, but super comfy on long hikes and it's nice having extra room for water and/or snacks. It also has a removable laptop sleeve and can convert into a regular daypack. Very versatile.

C_Jones · 05-15-2017, 09:31 AM - **1 Like**

Lowepro Flipside 400 AW backpack for travel (flight under seat in front of you) or hiking.

bm75 · 05-15-2017, 10:52 AM

I always use my Tamrac Expedition 7x where I am or keep it in the car. But it's HUGE. Sometimes I just carry 1 camera body+1 lens, with its strap without bag. I'm considering a small bag for 1 body plus 2 lenses more.

jab2980 · 05-15-2017, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by C_Jones

Lowepro Flipside 400 AW backpack for travel (flight under seat in front of you) or hiking.

I have this exact bag and love it. Plenty of room, well built, keeps stuff protected in the rain, and the "flipside" feature is brilliant.

ChristianRock · 05-15-2017, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by Shakey

Right now I have five lenses and two bodies. I'd like to be able to have them with me whether in the car or on a trip (carry on a plane) or walking in the woods. Plus accessories. Your thoughts?

For that much gear, I would use the backpack.

Having said that, I usually use the sling bag with just one camera and 2-4 lenses, mostly primes.

C_Jones · 05-15-2017, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by jab2980

I have this exact bag and love it. Plenty of room, well built, keeps stuff protected in the rain, and the "flipside" feature is brilliant.

I agree it is a nicely styled, well built pack.

**aslyfox** · 05-15-2017, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by C_Jones

Lowepro Flipside 400 AW backpack for travel (flight under seat in front of you) or hiking.

I agree with the recommendation of the lowepro

the back pack has a waist band and a chest strap which really help with correctly carrying the weight of your equipment. I can fit two camera bodies, the 150 - 450 pentax zoom and multiple other lenses in it without any problems at all.

I use a Optech USA utility strap

Utility Sling - Neoprene Quick Release Camera Shoulder Strap | OP/TECH USA

and a joby ultrafit hand strap with ultra plate

Camera Hand Strap | Ultra Fit Hand Strap With Ultra Plate

abruzzi · 05-15-2017, 07:49 PM

I just picked up a Crumpler 4 million Dollar Home for my new K-3 II. It's way to small for what your looking to carry (it will hold the camera with a 18-135, plus a small prime at most), but I really like the design and build quality. So you might want to look at one of the larger sling bags from Crumpler like the 6 or 7 Million Dollar Home.

05-15-2017, 05:03 AM	#1
Shakey Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 211	What is your preference for camera sling bag or backpack? I currently have one of the smaller Tamrac backpack bags. I like it but as I gain gear it's getting too small. Would like to carry two bodies and multiple lenses. I've looked at the Tamracs but really can't decide. Anyone have a suggestion based on experiance....Tamrac or another brand? Style / trype? Thanks

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05-15-2017, 05:27 AM	#2
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	I wore a sling bag for a long time but I have since moved over to a regular back pack. I think the choice comes down to how far and long you plan to carry your stuff. I found the sling type to be really nice and easy to use but if you have a lot of gear and you wind up walking for 5 or 6 miles with a pack full of stuff... you will want the back pack. Basic reason is it spreads the load from one point to two and is to me at least a lot more comfortable.

05-15-2017, 05:38 AM	#3
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,887	It depends on how much gear you're going to carry and for how long. I often carry a lot of stuff (9 kilos is my record) so I go for a backpack in order to be able to distribute the weight. The downside is changing lenses/cameras is more time consuming.

05-15-2017, 05:53 AM	#4
BullsOnParade81 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 287	I usually use a lowepro backpack or a domke f-2

05-15-2017, 06:32 AM	#5
Shakey Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 211 Original Poster	Right now I have five lenses and two bodies. I'd like to be able to have them with me whether in the car or on a trip (carry on a plane) or walking in the woods. Plus accessories. Your thoughts?

05-15-2017, 07:13 AM	#6
steve_k Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Shelton, CT Photos: Albums Posts: 708	I use a Tamrac Expedition 8x for storing my gear and hauling it in the car. My days of long hikes are over. But I find it convenient to have all my gear with me. The expedition 8x holds K3 II and battery grip with sigma 18-300 attached, Sigma 50-500, Tamrom 70-200 F2.8, tamrom 17-50 f2.8, Pentax 16-85, Pentax-A 50 f1.4, Pentax-A 35-105 f 3.5, Sigma 105 f2.8, Sigma Flash, 6 Spare batteries and 3 Battery chargers plus all the cables and accessories that go along with it. Also can carry my Manfrotto 190 tripod.

05-15-2017, 08:02 AM	#7
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370	Love the Lowepro Messenger Sling....just the right size and so convenient.

05-15-2017, 09:02 AM	#8
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	I love my old version (orange inside) Crumpler Karachi Outpost. It's big, but super comfy on long hikes and it's nice having extra room for water and/or snacks. It also has a removable laptop sleeve and can convert into a regular daypack. Very versatile.

05-15-2017, 09:31 AM - 1 Like	#9
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,079	Lowepro Flipside 400 AW backpack for travel (flight under seat in front of you) or hiking.

05-15-2017, 10:52 AM	#10
bm75 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Italia Photos: Albums Posts: 354	I always use my Tamrac Expedition 7x where I am or keep it in the car. But it's HUGE. Sometimes I just carry 1 camera body+1 lens, with its strap without bag. I'm considering a small bag for 1 body plus 2 lenses more.

05-15-2017, 11:25 AM	#11
jab2980 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 578	Originally posted by C_Jones Lowepro Flipside 400 AW backpack for travel (flight under seat in front of you) or hiking. I have this exact bag and love it. Plenty of room, well built, keeps stuff protected in the rain, and the "flipside" feature is brilliant.

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05-15-2017, 12:01 PM	#12
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by Shakey Right now I have five lenses and two bodies. I'd like to be able to have them with me whether in the car or on a trip (carry on a plane) or walking in the woods. Plus accessories. Your thoughts? For that much gear, I would use the backpack. Having said that, I usually use the sling bag with just one camera and 2-4 lenses, mostly primes.

05-15-2017, 01:00 PM	#13
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,079	Originally posted by jab2980 I have this exact bag and love it. Plenty of room, well built, keeps stuff protected in the rain, and the "flipside" feature is brilliant. I agree it is a nicely styled, well built pack.

05-15-2017, 07:49 PM	#15
abruzzi Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New Mexico Posts: 788	I just picked up a Crumpler 4 million Dollar Home for my new K-3 II. It's way to small for what your looking to carry (it will hold the camera with a 18-135, plus a small prime at most), but I really like the design and build quality. So you might want to look at one of the larger sling bags from Crumpler like the 6 or 7 Million Dollar Home.