Backpack or shoulder bag?

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
So recently acquired a 70-200 F4 at a very good price. So great, except it will not fit my one camera one lens bag. The bag is quite small think elementary school kid. While it is small it would fit either of my cameras with my 70-300 or 24-120 with out issue not so the 70-200, plus considering carrying the 24-120 also. Thinking about maybe a shoulder bag this time around. Any thought or recommendations?

Second issue having lost two screen protectors the hard plastic snap-on kind. Do you use any screen protection? I haven't on the D7100 and the screen has no scratches, maybe just not worry about it?
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
Screen protectors: I have put the stick-on clear kind to all 3 of my bodies. Use them for my phone and mp3 player also.

I have multiple types of bags and sizes. There is no 1 perfect solution IMO.
 

Clovishound

Senior Member
Well, I carry enough gear to necessitate a backpack. They are much easier to carry a lot of gear than a shoulder bag. It is, however, more difficult to get to the gear when needed.

I switched to a backpack when I got the 200-500 F4. It wouldn't fit in my shoulder bag. I now have two bodies, the 200-500, 105 micro, the 24-70 F4, as well as a flash and other assorted small gear and supplies.

If all I was going to carry was one body and one or two lenes, I would probably opt for a shoulder bag.

Unfortunately, all the advise in the world isn't worth much compared to using one for a couple trips out.

I would say to get something large enough that you can fit your next purchase or two. I could shoehorn one more smaller lens into my current backpack. anything beyond that, and something has to be left at home.
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
Oh man, @Needa you are opening up pandoras box with this question.

Short answer - smallish backpack with good construction and weather protection, skip the sling and no screen protector.
Long answer - *takes a deep breath...

I have been on the hunt for a perfect carry option for quite some time. Over the last couple of years, I've accumulated quite a number of bags, mostly from Peak Design. They are on the pricy side but they are extremely well constructed and keep the weather out, (ask me how I know) and I don't think there is a better brand with better options IMO. Every single one that I have is perfect for me, (except maybe one) for a specific carry need. I started with slings, I got the 6l and 10l. The 6l can carry a camera with lens attached and an extra smaller lens. There's still a little room for extra bits and bobs as well as a tablet. If I have to carry a bag but want to stay as light as possible, this is my go to. No matter how much you try to cram in this bag, it only fits so much so it only gets so heavy. This most likely will not work with your proposed carry needs. The 10l carries more, but you need to be careful. If you load it up to max like I did with a Z7ii, 24-70f4, 14-30f4 and a 70-200 f2.8, (I think I snuck a 50 f1.8 in there too) with all the bits and bobs, the bag becomes extremely uncomfortable hanging off one shoulder after a short period of time. Just because it CAN fit doesn't mean it SHOULD fit. Pack accordingly. There's also a spot for a small laptop in the 10l. This sling should work for you with a possible layout being the 24-120 attached to the body, lens pointed down and 70-200 vertical on the other size of the divider with room for more if needed, just heed the advice above. After that, I got a good price on a used 15l messenger bag. I think they're discontinued at this point but it's basically an oversized sling/briefcase kind of thing with a flap with magnetic closures instead of zips. It's my least favorite but holds the stuff I tried cramming into the 10l just a little better but there's still the issue of hanging all that weight off one shoulder. I can't describe the back pain I had the next day after a full day toting this thing around. Ugh. I've heard pro's sing the praise of this bag, I just think the 10l does it better. Then I purchased the 45L travel backpack with a couple small camera inserts, a medium camera insert and a large camera insert. I LOVE that backpack! It carries everything I need with ease, especially with the excellent modular inserts. It has easy access side zips to quickly get to your gear or you can open it from the back or the front to see everything at once. I like the hip belt on this bag too since fully loaded, it can get heavy. The padded hip belt has a very clever hiding spot when its not needed. Very easy to deploy and stow on the run. There's storage spots all over this bag including for a full size laptop. It's what I use for my camera gear when I fly because it's big enough to fit everything and small enough (just barely) to be my carry on. It's just a bit too big for every day carry though, even for me at 6'-5" 250#. If you plan on traveling a bunch, especially by plane, this is probably the best option. Then I purchased the 65l duffelpack. That's great for long car trips where I don't need to worry about space or weight like I do when flying. I usually carry my camera gear (those camera inserts work in this bag too) as well as clothing in this bag and toss a sling in there too so I don't have to carry this behemoth of a bag everywhere I go when I get there, (but there's also a hidden padded hip belt on this bag too if you find you do need to carry a bunch around). It's also a great bag to cram all my lighting stuff in when multiple bags are needed, especially since it can be carried like a backpack or a duffel bag. Most recently, I got a 30l everyday backpack v2. This is the closest I've come to the "goldilocks" of bags and probably the one I'd suggest to you if big bags aren't your thing and a sling may be too small. I can carry a body or two, a speedlight, a prime lens, 24-120f4, 14-30f4, 70-200f2.8 (even attached to a body!) as well as my 400f4.5 and 2x converter at the same time. There's a spot for a full size laptop, ample room for rocket blower, spare batts, filters, etc. The side zips are awesome on this bag and allows very easy access. It can get heavier than the 10l sling, but since the weight is distributed on both shoulders, it's much easier on those long days carrying your gear everywhere you go and its a little more compact than the 45l. That is, walking through crowded areas is much easier with this bag. The 45l pokes out further and can knock people over just by turning around. No hip belt for the 30l but it can be purchased separately if needed. Fully loaded with the above is the only reason I would want a hip belt for this bag but since I don't use this bag fully loaded, its not necessary for my needs. I will say that the 45l feels more secure, you can literally lock it down. The 30l has a flap that can not be locked and although they say its weather protected, it's a flap, (with a magnetic closure latch that's pretty secure really) that can be moved out of place easier than zips. I will not be taking this bag on my snowboarding trips but I wouldn't feel too bad getting stuck in a sprinkle walking through downtown, if that makes sense. This bag has become my everyday carry. I use it as a laptop bag that I can also bring my camera and a lens or two and still have space for whatever I might find throughout the day.

For the screen protectors, I don't buy them for my cameras. I bought one of my cameras used and it had a screen protector already on it. I didn't notice any difference. First thing I do when I get a new phone is put a screen protector on it. That thing gets dropped, kicked, thrown, slid on surfaces and slipped in pockets daily. But I don't treat my camera like that .

Sorry for the long winded response. Hope you can gain something from it though.
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
Thanks every one for your input. I will reread when I have more time.

@TwistedThrottle I will be right over to try them all out. The not being able to put hands is not optimal for choosing.
If you have a bestbuy near by, thats where I bought the 30L. I got the 45 & 65 from REI, if you have one of those near by. It does pay off knowing how it fits, especially for such an expense. Though, Adorama, B&H as well as Amazon , (the other sources of procurement) offer 30 day returns. Otherwise, I'll see ya when ya get here!
HERE is a link for their backpack comparison video
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I am partial to Think Tank backpacks. You can get to your gear without taking off the pack, it will turn to your front on the waist strap and it opens from the back. I have had one for several years, now, and it is showing very little wear even though I use it about three times a week all year.
 

Blue439

New member
Photo bags is such a great subject to discuss! :p

Over the years, I’ve had extensive experience with bags, starting with a shoulder Domke in the 1980s... Since then, I tried so many! My wife mocks me no end on the subject. I’ve had various models from Kiboko (great and very light), Billingham (so classy!), Manfrotto (basic but well designed), even an ugly but oh-so-practical Hama... and of course the Peak Design I’ve come to reckon are the best for me at this point. Some were backpacks, some were shoulder. Today, aside from the aforementioned Hama I hardly dare being seen with, I still own two Peak Design Everyday backpacks, one 20-liter in Midnight Blue (normal kit) and one 15-liter in Bone (light travel kit), plus one 6-liter Sling, which is the shoulder kind.

I tolerate the shoulder-worn Sling because it is very light (will accommodate the 14-30 and the 24-120 Nikkor Z, the Z7 II body goes on a Capture Clip attached to the strap, or can conceivably be stowed inside but it is then a very tight fit), but otherwise my preference goes very definitely to the backpacks, which I can carry without any real problem for hours if need be. The Peak Design backpacks slide around your body almost as easily as a shoulder bag for you to access the contents without having to put the bag down on the ground.

I vote backpack !

Screen protectors: I used to use them on my DSLRs, I never happened to use one on the mirrorless bodies. Don’t know why, really. Maybe I haven’t found one true great product that would enthuse me...
 

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Do you have a camera shop nearby? I know the Delray Camera store has loads of them on display.
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Thanks again everyone. Looked at some of the bags recommended and others. So at least temporarily broke out the one that was being used for storage, will continue to look. 🥴
 

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
You been recently? May give it a shot when in the area.
Not since they moved, but when I bought my bag there for the D7100 and Tamron 150-600mm lens, they had bunches!! I understand they have a lot more now. I still use it for the D500 and Tamron lens.
 
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