Can we talk about bags for a while

traceyjj

Senior Member
When I upgraded from my D5100 to the D800 I bought a new bag which I thought would be suitable... this is the one I have However, after 6 months I realise the bag isnt suitable, its too small for the D800 with a second lens, and it doesnt sit comfortably on my shoulder :(

Originally I wanted a walk-around camera bag that didnt LOOK like a camera bag, and this seemed ideal, but now I realise its not. Does anyone have any recommendations that will allow me to carry a D800 coupled with a Nikon 28-300 and a Nikon 14-24 (the 28-300 will eventually be replaced with a 24-70 of some form), a mobile phone, purse, and a couple of spare batteries/memory cards.

Many thanks in advance
 

carguy

Senior Member
When I bought the 70-200 I also picked up a ThinkTank City Walker 20 as I did not have a general carry bag that would accommodate such a lens.

I really like this bag, does not stand out and holds a great deal of items, everything you listed (except a purse).

When you say 'purse', do you mean a small clutch type or a bag-style purse?

You may also want to look at purse-style bags that also hold a camera insert such as this one. Might be a better option?

img_340963.jpg
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Well the choice of a camera bag is a very personal one and I'm convinced it's the Curse of the Photographer that we must each pay for at least a half dozen "almost" bags before we reach our own personal Camera Bag Nirvana. For myself, that pinnacle was arrived at with the purchase of The One Bag to Rule Them All: the understatedly named Manfrotto Backpack 50.

Behold!
....
Manfrotto BP50.jpg
....
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
When I bought the 70-200 I also picked up a ThinkTank City Walker 20 as I did not have a general carry bag that would accommodate such a lens.

I really like this bag, does not stand out and holds a great deal of items, everything you listed (except a purse).

When you say 'purse', do you mean a small clutch type or a bag-style purse?

You may also want to look at purse-style bags that also hold a camera insert such as this one. Might be a better option?

img_340963.jpg
Sorry, I meant a clutch type purse - I always forget the language differences :) I will take a look at the 2 options you have given :)
Thanks
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
Sounds a bit dangerous mobile phone and purse in a bag that is going to invite yobs,i keep my phone ect in a bum bag
Thats the reasone I have always tried to get a camera bag thats "in disguise" but having a full frame camera, I have now realised that its not quite as easy to get a suitable bag. I sometimes carry my phone and purse in a zipped pocket, but as summer is (hopefully) just around the corner, I hope I wont need my coat all the time, so I will need a way of carrying them too...
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
Well the choice of a camera bag is a very personal one and I'm convinced it's the Curse of the Photographer that we must each pay for at least a half dozen "almost" bags before we reach our own personal Camera Bag Nirvana. For myself, that pinnacle was arrived at with the purchase of The One Bag to Rule Them All: the understatedly named Manfrotto Backpack 50..

Ahh... bag shopping rookie! I started with, and still have (and use daily, and love) my LowePro AW202 Sling Bag. Granted, I only have 3 lenses, flash, diffuser, spare battery, blower, lens pens, AA charger, remote cable, wireless remote, RF triggers, microfiber cloths, and 3 spare SD cards in it, so eventually I'll need to go bigger. ;) Of course, I have the tiny little D7100... but I think I found my "Nirvana" a little earlier than most.

It's an easy one shoulder bag with quick access to the camera, @traceyjj, and worth a look. The have the 302 as a step up (little larger) as well.
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
Well the choice of a camera bag is a very personal one and I'm convinced it's the Curse of the Photographer that we must each pay for at least a half dozen "almost" bags before we reach our own personal Camera Bag Nirvana. For myself, that pinnacle was arrived at with the purchase of The One Bag to Rule Them All: the understatedly named Manfrotto Backpack 50.

Behold!
....
View attachment 149258
....
I have so many camera bags at home :( Until I went full frame I had a fab Rezo bag that held the stuff I wanted to take out, and a crumpler that held most of the stuff I had for storage, but the added size of the camera compared to the D5100 has meant that that size (and by the look/feel of it that style) of bag is no longer suitable :( so its a case of starting from scratch... unfortunately, the local camera shops only stock very similar stuff to each other, so my choice to "try before I buy" is limited :(
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Thats the reasone I have always tried to get a camera bag thats "in disguise" but having a full frame camera, I have now realised that its not quite as easy to get a suitable bag. I sometimes carry my phone and purse in a zipped pocket, but as summer is (hopefully) just around the corner, I hope I wont need my coat all the time, so I will need a way of carrying them too...
Maybe a Crumpler Seven Million Dollar Home? It's similar to what you have now, in that's basically a messenger-bag, but the Seven Mil' is roughly twice the size of your current bag. I have a couple Crumpler bags and they're very, very well made. If the Seven Mil' is too much, they do make smaller Six, Five and Four Million Dollar Homes as well.
....
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I LOVE Tamrac bags...heck, I believe I own around 6-7 different models. Being a female plus having some shoulder issues, I tend to gravitate more towards convertible bags. Those can be used either as a shoulder bag or worn as a hip pack. Take a look at either the Tamrac Deluxe Convertible 706 or the Tamrac Pro Convertible 709 which is much larger. I use both of these--choosing which one to take depends on how much gear I want to carry. Granted neither is stylish when worn as a hip pack, but it is MUCH more comfortable for me especially when I use the larger bag and have it filled. ;)

Once on Tamrac's page below, you can click on either of these 'Classics' bags to read more info on them.

tamrac | Hip Packs
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
Ahh... bag shopping rookie! I started with, and still have (and use daily, and love) my LowePro AW202 Sling Bag. Granted, I only have 3 lenses, flash, diffuser, spare battery, blower, lens pens, AA charger, remote cable, wireless remote, RF triggers, microfiber cloths, and 3 spare SD cards in it, so eventually I'll need to go bigger. ;) Of course, I have the tiny little D7100... but I think I found my "Nirvana" a little earlier than most.

It's an easy one shoulder bag with quick access to the camera, @traceyjj, and worth a look. The have the 302 as a step up (little larger) as well.
Thanks! I'll take a look at that. The 7100 isnt much smaller than the 800 is it? I dont carry around everything I have, otherwise I would need to be much stronger and fitter than I currently am, as we tend to go on 5-15 mile walks while I am carrying my gear.
I've always resisted backpacks in the past as they always look way bigger than I need, but maybe its time to think that way now.
 

carguy

Senior Member
My biggest 'thing' about backpack style bags is that I need to take it off and set it down someplace to access the gear.
I much prefer messenger or sling style bags myself.
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
I'm with Joe on this. I have a Lowepro - Pro Messenger 160 AW which is my favorite. I also have a Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack (Arctic Blue/Black). I like both bags, but the messenger is my favorite. If its quick trips then this goes with me and if I am shooting sports then I use the [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]backpack for the extra room.

Its not easy picking bags thats for sure.
[/FONT]
 

Chayelle

Senior Member
When I upgraded from my D5100 to the D800 I bought a new bag which I thought would be suitable... this is the one I have However, after 6 months I realise the bag isnt suitable, its too small for the D800 with a second lens, and it doesnt sit comfortably on my shoulder :(

Originally I wanted a walk-around camera bag that didnt LOOK like a camera bag, and this seemed ideal, but now I realise its not. Does anyone have any recommendations that will allow me to carry a D800 coupled with a Nikon 28-300 and a Nikon 14-24 (the 28-300 will eventually be replaced with a 24-70 of some form), a mobile phone, purse, and a couple of spare batteries/memory cards.

Many thanks in advance

@traceyjj if you like the bag you have but it does not fit your new D800,
why not just get another bag like it, but of a larger size?
Jessops website shows several bags similar to what you have (at the bottom of the page).

Requirements: Wouldn't stand out as a camera bag. You are already familiar with its quality. Easily accessible.

I chatted on the Jessops site, and they suggested: the Manfrotto Professional Shoulder Bag 20.
On the Manfrotto site...
 

Daz

Senior Member

I had thhe 180w and I found it was too small for my gear so I headed up to John Lewis (suprisingly they are one of the only shops I have found that have them out to look at near me)

and I looked at this one

Buy Lowepro Nova Sport 17L AW Shoulder Bag for DSLR Camera and Tablet up to 10", Slate | John Lewis

and ended up buying it, It was a toss up between this one and the 35l AW but that was too big for me, I think I went for the right one at the moment, I can carry a camera, 3 extra lenses, 3 flashes and all the kit to go into a mobile studio setup along with my Surface Tablet

I am looking for a sling one soon as its going to be easier when I am just out and about with the camera instead of taking this bag with me
 

cbay

Senior Member
I got the lowepro flipside 400 recently with the Tamron 150-600 in mind along with my other gear. It holds everything well and has very good padding. A second body would be an issue, but otherwise a great backpack. 20150327-untitled-2278.jpg
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
Ahh... bag shopping rookie! I started with, and still have (and use daily, and love) my LowePro AW202 Sling Bag. Granted, I only have 3 lenses, flash, diffuser, spare battery, blower, lens pens, AA charger, remote cable, wireless remote, RF triggers, microfiber cloths, and 3 spare SD cards in it, so eventually I'll need to go bigger. ;) Of course, I have the tiny little D7100... but I think I found my "Nirvana" a little earlier than most.

It's an easy one shoulder bag with quick access to the camera, @traceyjj, and worth a look. The have the 302 as a step up (little larger) as well.

Ditto on the AW202, though the other bags bragged upon also look good. The sling bag style is just too useful unless you need the shoulder for a hiking/camping backpack.

Camera bags in general though are indeed like flashlights. I just need one more to complete my collection.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
I'm a Lowepro kinda guy myself, because I love their quality and build. I have 5 different models of Lowepros, but the one I favour most is the 302 Sling.
When I pack for a client job, I go with my Lowepro Computrekker AW. Holds everything I own! :) They don't make it anymore....it's been updated to some other name which I can't remember off hand. :) Very similar to the Flipside 400. Anyway...good luck on finding the right bag. It's a challenge. :)
 
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