Hi,

Thanks a bunch for your help with my previous bags post. I finally got to try plenty of shoulder bags and a few rucksacks in Newcastle last week.

After lugging all of my camera gear around Newcastle for the day in an old hiking rucksack, I decided that a shoulder bag, with all of my gear in it, was going to be way to heavy for me to carry comfortably.  So a rucksack is in order.  If you just want to help with the rucksack, please skip down to the question below!

For the shoulder bag I settled with a North Face messanger bag.  There's no padding but I have some old camping mats that I have cut to suit, so now I have a weatherproof bag that holds my camera and 17-55 easily with flash, cards, jacket, flask, wallet, phone etc.  Perfect for days out in town etc.  Also I've liked these bags for ages and this will double up without the camera for when I'm cycling into town, the pub etc.

Out of the shoulder bags I tried here are a few "reviews" (my kit consisted of D300 with 17-55 f2.8, 80-200 f2.8, waterproof jacket (paclite), keys, phone, wallet, and consideration for flash and notebook/guidebook:

The Crumpler Daily 490 fitted everything in, is well made and well thought out, and very comfortable.  The only downside is the bag is HUGE.  The range of bags are larger than any other that I came across.  What I mean is, that for the inside space, the outside of the bag was quite a bit bigger.  I guess the extra padding and material contributes to this.  But I wouldn't have been comfortable carrying such a large bag around all day.  Plus as has been said, the weight with all of this kit in, whilst comfortable in the store, would be to much for me to carry all day.

The Crumpler Daily 350 was a nice size bag and fitted everything without the 80-200.  I probably should have opted for this bag and am not sure why I didn't.  Well I am, at the time it didn't fit the 80-200 and that was a consideration (not now thoughm so would have been fine).

Billingham - I don't know the model but think it was the Hadley Original.  This bag fitted the camera, 17-55 & 80-200 in it (not with the 80-200 attached) and was just lovely.  I REALLY loved this bag.  It is superb quality, lovely "feel".  The price was way to expensive though and it wouldn't fit my jacket in.  It would without the 80-200 and I suspect I'll buy one of these bags in the future.  Mmm

Think Tank Urban Disguise 40 - Masses of room for a small looking bag.  Did the job, really well thought out and well made bit of kit.  Comfortable, and as I say, a bit of a tardis!  The only downside for me (not living in "the City") is it looks a lot like a laptop bag.  Personally I don't like that style, and also think it draws attention.  Walking around Keswck for example with a laptop bag in the middle of a sunny BH weekend, I don't know, it just doesn't feel right

 

Of the rucksacks that I tried:

The Crumpler bags seemed difficult to access the bottom photo compartment.

The Lowepro Fastpack 350 did the job

The Tamrac Adventure 6 also did the job.

Kata

BUT none of these bags had room for a tripod or anywhere to secure one!!!

So, my rucksack question:

Something to fit the above kit in (plus 100mm filters and holder), comfortable for days out, not needed for trekking or hiking, but must be able to carry a tripod (my 190XPROB with 460MG head).  Oh, and as far below £100 as possible.

I'm thinking of setting up my own business making custom bags for people, as I'm sure that there is a market!

 

 

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I've read so many rucksack/backpack posts over the previous months that my eyes are starting to spin. I never thought choosing one could be so difficult but obviously it is. Anyway, that be as it may wasn't it you Martin who posted a short while ago about something or other you were lugging around not being waterproof and everything inside got wet? If that is indeed the case and you really are going to be lugging your gear around in all sorts of weather then your choices are pretty limited - in short, a waterproof rucksack. Finding one that is 100% waterproof is another matter of course and one that I looked at, Lowepro I think certainly was waterproof and looked it - the most unattractive piece of kit I've ever set my eyes on. Pays your money and takes your choice I suppose - appearance or practicability.

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Click Me

I've never seen a bag that lets you carry a tripod well. My old Lowepro has a tripod carrier but it's a bit rubbish....

Save yourself some grief. Get the bag you want and then get either a big bazooka bag from ThinkTank or an OpTech tripod strap.

And if you need to carry them a lot then consider a CF tripod. I generally just stick a strap on my Manfrotto and sling it over a shoulder. Very comfy and it bangs about less than any built in holder I've tried.

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Check out my Soup - pretty cool for one of the best
wedding photographers in the UK.

Alan, not sure which thread you are reffering to, but  I do use my gear in all weathers, and my rucksack did give on me this weekend proving not to be waterproof at all (which it claimed to be)!  But anyway, that isn't a concern for this rucksack.  To be honest I'll use Nikwax gear proof on the bag which keeps out most of the water, and I have a carrier bag handy for if it's torrential rain.  For backpacking/hiking I have a dry bag that I can pop the camera in.  But I buy cameras that should be able to take some weather.

Jonathan, I wouldn't go with a seperate tripod bag as when I'm using the tripod it's something else to try and hold on to, and also would slow things down (taking it in and out).  Thanks for the Optech idea, their website is great, I'm currently looking at all of the products!  The only thing I don't like about them so far is the logo in bright white plastered over everything!  They have some well thought-out kit though (including the camera strap with quick release buckles that I am about to order).  I think a comfortable tripod strap might be the way forward then.  I might also customise a bag myself by getting some straps sown on like my hiking rucksack has for carrying poles/ice axes/water bottles etc.  It should be easy enough for the camping store to do.

So the Lowpro Fastpack might actually fit the bill.  Cool

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find the bags you want, and search them on flickr a lot of poeple have photos of there gear in the bags, its great and if your a gear geek like myself you will spend along time doing so,

well i have a mini trekker aw and its pretty nice bag i fit a lot in it, you wll fit all of your gear in it no problems. you of course will have figure out the best way.

cheers

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www.bradwakefieldphotography.com

I just brought a Lowepro Pro Trekker AW II Black to fit my Nikon 400mm 2.8 lens and it just fits. Might be a bit big for you, it also has a day bag , which you attach to the back. It a has a special foot to hold a tripod, but no good for my new Manfrotto MN 058m triaut tripod, so had to buy a bag for that.              

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SK
The Best Photographer in the world 4th November - 5th November 2006 & 17th-18 November 2007
Oldboy’s Gallery

My god, people actually have a Flikr "group" for Kata bags!  Sorry - I have obviously had my head buried deep, dep in the sand   Thanks Bradley, it is really useful to see photos of what actually fits.  I'm interested in the Kata bags as these seem tough, well thought out, and made for travel sowould double-up as a day bag/camera bag for travelling with (when not in the mountains I'll travel with a camera backpack and a North Face kit bag).  I did see the DP 465 (I think) at Focus and was very impressed with it for my E-1.  The Nikon, or more correctly the lenses, are quite a bit larger though!

OB - That rucksack is rather large for my needs.  For backpacking, camping and mountaineering I wouldn't bother with a camera rucksack as the camera isn't my main priority (sorry folks, but my sleeping bag, food, stove, down jacket and tent are No.1!).  I'll pop my camera in a holster type bag inside a normal rucksack, and I have a collection of cheap compact camera bags from Tesco (£2 each!) that are ideal for a flash gun, a charger, batteries and cards etc. 

I'm getting there, with the OP Tech stuff and now the Flikr pics, I'm flexing my "buy" finger...

Cheers guys!   

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martin_hurton:

I'm getting there, with the OP Tech stuff and now the Flikr pics, I'm flexing my "buy" finger...

Cheers guys!   

Oh yeah. Did I mention to only get the pro OpTechs if you're buying camera straps? Worth the extra over the narrower ones.

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Check out my Soup - pretty cool for one of the best
wedding photographers in the UK.

Thanks Jonathan, I haven't placed the order yet.  The tripod strap is a definite (have been using 1.5" webbing and a bent paperclip for a while now and it is uncomfortable!).  I'm just looking at camera straps on Kata's website, love the idea of these:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=406&cid=36&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

The strap can be removed (same as Op Tech) but with the Kata you are able to the attach the camera to the D-rings of a rucksack with the clips that are still attached to the camera.  With the SLR pouches that OT also do I think this could be a good set-up for hiking.

Finally, I might be getting somewhere!

 

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Hi Martin,

A certain LowePro Primus landed on the doorstep today!

I've only had a quick look at it so far and the camera hasn't been near it as yet but it certainly seems to fit your requirements... It's even got a tripod carrier built in.

I'll rattle off some pictures later on if you're interested.

Best wishes,

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Si
DCM
spiritflier.com
My Flickr
BPITW x 4

Hi Si,

I did see one of these when they first came out and said I'd have one for backpacking.  But now I don't want one for backpacking (as above) I think it is to big for lugging around a city or even on a plane as hand luggage?  I might be wrong here though and if you want to show off your new bag I'd be interested to see how all of your gear fits - there aren't any pics on Flikr of this bag  

Thanks,

Martin.

PS - so far it's the Kata R-101 that's winning me over.  I have to go into town tomorrow so shall look at Jessops for the Lowpro Mini Trekker and get an idea of size with my kit in.  Then I can compare this with the Kata/others.  The more I've been looking the more I've decided I don't need seperate compartments for jacket and sandwiches, these would fit in one of the lens compartments as I won't be carrying 5 lenses etc.

 

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Oldboy you have a 400 2.8 your must be like a dog with two d**ks i have been using a 500F4 at work and its lovly Canon of course :P lol

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www.bradwakefieldphotography.com

Hi Martin,

I've just had a play about and managed to get my 40D with battery grip and Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 on it in there along with my 10-20 and the 18-50mm f2.8.

The top compartment's a fair size and I'll have a mess around with it tomorrow. If you want pics, I'll sort something out in the morning 'cos it's a bit dark now.

One thing does stand out though... there's loads and loads and loads of pockets!

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Si
DCM
spiritflier.com
My Flickr
BPITW x 4

Bradley Wakefield:

Oldboy you have a 400 2.8 your must be like a dog with two d**ks i have been using a 500F4 at work and its lovly Canon of course :P lol

I did think about a 500mm F4 but when for the 400mm F2.8, and used a 2x converter to give me 800mm F5.6.

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SK
The Best Photographer in the world 4th November - 5th November 2006 & 17th-18 November 2007
Oldboy’s Gallery

Thanks Si, but no need for pics as I have had a look on Lowepro's site and this bag is a bit big for my needs.  Thanks anyway.  Bet it's perfect for a days backpacking though with room for loads of weather gear, sandwiches etc

I'm just shopping around for prices now...teh Kata doesn't quite meet my under £100 requirement.  But it might meet all of my other needs and you can't have everything!

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