Camera Bags

[StarHalo]

My father was a semi-pro photographer who had and carried loads of camera equipment whenever we'd go to events; as a kid who was getting into photography myself, I got a lot of experience carrying at least one rather large camera bag, either with SLR/lenses or my own camcorder (circa late 80's, when camcorders were a lot to carry). As I got older I found carrying so much equipment was really a hindrance; anywhere you went with your giant bag(s), you spent so much time and effort carrying equipment/setting up that rather than participating in and enjoying where you were, you simply became the photographer. So over time I focused on how I could get the best quality images while carrying as little as possible.

Sony's Cybershot series of digital cameras are your typical compact point-and-shoot units, but what a lot of people don't know is that the top-of-the-line model has full SLR manual abilities. A full manual mode, settable ISO/F-stop/aperture/shutter/etc - a pocket SLR (with just the one general use lens). Add to that how small camcorders have gotten, and now you've got one very tiny but versatile camera bag:

This bag contains my camera AND my camcorder AND a pair of blank tapes AND a spare battery AND a spare memory stick for either the camera or the camcorder, all weighing in at right around one pound. Throw on the shoulder strap and presto, it's completely out of the way. I can enjoy whatever's going on, and when needed, only then become the photographer/videographer..

 

[LEDobsession]

I like some of the LowePro slings but I use a Kata Sling. Fits my D90 with vertical grip, battery charger and all other cables, 3 lenses, memory cards, remote shutter release, filters, and my ipod or flash.

 

[DoctaDink]

I am still using the original canvas Domke bag, but have had to attach flash pouches to the D-rings with carabiners.
I would really like some of the Think Tank bags (Roller bags for travel, Belt system for events, and perhaps a backpack thrown in for good measure :cool: )
When I traveled to remote Africa, I used a homemade backpack system for airline travel, and wore a photo vest on location. Worked pretty well, though the ThinkTank stuff would have been better.

 

[hurricane]

Of the brands I know, LowePRO has the best designs, but their quality is absolutely nothing special. I've always been underwhelmed by the camera bags out there ... considering how important they are. I've only used LowePRO. They've worked thus far in pretty horrific conditions at times. I have a top load zoom which I chest mount.

 

[Andy80F]

I have a beautiful Billingham 335 bag but rarely use it in favour of a Kata Bag which is smaller and lighter. An old Lowepro is used to cary flashes should I need them. On the go and needing just camera and lens a Crumpler messenger style bag is used. It's a bit like torches, no one bag does it all, I would like a good photo rucksack though.

Andy

 

[will]

Of the brands I know, LowePRO has the best designs, but their quality is absolutely nothing special....

I have a number of LowePro bags, everything from a single point and shoot bag the size of my fist, to a huge backpack. The only problem I ever had was a broken plastic snap connector that I received that way from an EBAY purchase. I sent an email to LowePro and they sent me 2 replacements. I could have sent them the entire bag and they would have fixed it free of charge. ( shipping would have been a few dollars ) It took me just a few minutes to replace it.

Other than that, no quality issues of any sort. The bags I have all have nice and straight stitching, no rips or tears, zippers that work effortlessly..