What Bag do you use? Looking for the all around perfect bag

[Woodrow72]

I am on a never ending quest to find the perfect camera bag or bags. I recently purchased this bag

http://www.tenba.com/products/Messenger-Small-Bag.aspx

so far I really like it. I am a 1st year photography student and am still in the learning stages so I enjoy walking around the city taking as many pictures as possible. I am required to use film and digital for my class so I am looking for a bag that will hold two SLR's and maybe an extra lens. My problem is I dont want it to look like I am carrying lots of equipment.

So I would like to know what everyone uses, why you use it, what you like about it, and what you dont like about it.

One more thing, I have noticed a few HDR photos of Las Vegas on this site, I am traveling there in a few months and would like to know if its relatively safe to carry your camera around and if so what do you use. Thanks for the help

 

[NintendoChick]

I use the Crumpler 7 million Dollar home. It suits my needs as an "all around" camera bag. I've re-arranged the dividers to fit my 13" macbook, as well as my D40 with an attached lens, and 2-3 other lenses...

Being a messenger bag, it's terrible for hikes, exceedingly long walks, etc.

 

[jaduffy108]

For general use...the Kata 3N1-30 with tripod holder. See reviews on youtube.

B&H has a good deal on it with a rebate. $100. after rebate.

Love the quick access and various strap configurations. Don't like that it doesn't
lay fully open easily.

 

[Cliff3]

I am on a never ending quest to find the perfect camera bag or bags.

No such thing. Several nearly new examples from my quest will be going on Ebay in the next day or two.

 

[Digital Skunk]

No such thing. Several nearly new examples from my quest will be going on Ebay in the next day or two.

I agree, and I have about 7 photo bags of various sizes that never completely worked for my work.

Right now, it's based on what I need to carry, what I am shooting, and where I am going.

Journalism w/o 17" mbp = Stealth reporter 400 (older one & workhorse)
Journalism w/ 17" mbp = Stealth reporter D650 (heavy & workhorse)
Camping/outdoors = LowePro Dryzone 400 (larger one with camel back)
Studio/wedding = Delsey backpack but may change to D650

the others are just used when the need arises to carry small amounts of gear. I am looking to get a D40/60/replacement of either to go with the 35mm DX so I can just carry around a LowePro SR D100 as a carry all the time setup.

By the way, this is NOT including the many bags I have for just carrying the portable editing gear, video gear, just the laptop, and my "personal everyday survival pack."

When you find the perfect bag, let me know. I have a feeling it will be an amorphous blog of straps and handles and inserts that you have to use your mind power to form to whatever you need for that moment.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

I use the Crumpler 7 million Dollar home. It suits my needs as an "all around" camera bag. I've re-arranged the dividers to fit my 13" macbook, as well as my D40 with an attached lens, and 2-3 other lenses...

Would you mind posting a photo of this configuration?

 

[FX120]

I've only got one bag, a Tamarac Adventurer 9 backpack that I use when I go further than 5 minutes away from my truck.

The rest of my time all my gear lives in storm cases.

 

[Kebabselector]

I have a number of bags....

From L-R
Orion-mini, TLZ, Old Jessops bag (contains my Mamiya TLR)
Nova 2(i think), Nova 4,
Jessops Tripod bag, Free Canon Leather bag, Mini Trekker

Vertex 200 and 2x Lens 4 bags on the side (used for flasks and food - it's my walking up a relatively small hill side in Wales to photograph aircraft for several hours bag), weighs a lot when full.

Still not found the perfect bag yet. And I need to replace my old Nova 4, but I don't like the new versions

(Nova 4 on the left, the new ones seems to hold less! may get a stealth reporter instead)

I have no idea why I bought the TLZ (slr top loader)

 

[md2427]

Tamrac Velocity range

I cannot recommend these bags enough.

I've got the velocity 7:

http://www.tamrac.com/frame_velocity.htm

Which can house my Nikon D80 complete with a Nikon 80-400 attached!
There's still room in the side compartments for my 50mm/1.8 and 18-135mm zoom.

Talking about Vegas...was there in March last year (actually where i got the 80-400!) and happily walked around with my camera and took approx 1000 shots. Mostly during the day, but did take it out at night a couple of times. I was warned in one camera shop to stay on the strip - not to go walking out of town with my camera on show.

Sorry - just re-read your original post and noticed that you want to carry two SLR's - this bag will only hold one.
On the plus side it doesn't look like a camera bag!

 

[jaseone]

On the plus side it doesn't look like a camera bag!

It doesn't? To me it does, it certainly doesn't look like an every day kind of bag.

 

[butterfly0fdoom]

It doesn't? To me it does, it certainly doesn't look like an every day kind of bag.

I concur.

If you want a camera bag that doesn't look like a camera bag, get a Crumpler.

 

[jaseone]

I don't think there is a perfect bag out there and am starting to think it is a conspiracy of sorts to just keep you buying different bags in your search for the perfect one.

The closest match I have found is the Lowepro Fastpack 250, carries all my camera gear + my laptop comfortably on my back, it doesn't have a built in rain cover though (but I'm told hiking bags don't usually come with one and there are aftermarket solutions available that I need to look into). Nor does it have any extra external straps to be able to attach things like a tripod, I think that is the main negative of the bag, if it had that then I'd be happy!

btw I took the Fastpack on a hike along a creek bed climbing over and sliding down rocks (think canyoning but not as extreme) and the whole time I was thinking the bag was going to come off looking nice & used afterward but I got home and it looked brand new!

 

[Cliff3]

I mainly use 2 bags.

For travel, I have a Tamrac 5618. It holds a _lot_ of stuff (photo). It fits in the overhead compartment of regional jets as well as under the seat. It slides over the handle of my rolling luggage, making it easy for me to move around.

My walking around bag is a Lowepro Specialist 85 AW. It will hold the body, a couple of pro lenses, a strobe or two, and miscellaneous stuff. It comes with a shoulder strap. It also mates with Lowerpro's Street & Field gear such as their waist belt and shoulder straps. You can attach lens cases and other accessories to the outside to carry more stuff.

I normally use the Tamrac as a transport bag, and pack the Spec 85 in my luggage to support me once I arrive at my destination.

 

[ajpl]

There is no perfect bag. Which any experienced photographer will tell you.
I have numerous bags and which I use depends on the job, just like Digital Skunk described above.

Though my latest is particularly nice as it is very nearly waterproof [tiny gap at zip closure means it won't survive if placed completely under water], it has a very comfortable harness, which comes off and back on in seconds, and you can then wheel it around [which is very useful when you carry 18kg+], it clips onto my bike rack in a fraction of a second and goes on a plane too. Incredibly versatile. Cheaper than my Think Tank and LowePro bags too. You can buy it as an empty shell, with businessman's insert, with camera+laptop insert and with or without harness or bike adaptor.

How it fits on a bike should you be inclined. Not my bike, way too clean!

With height adjustable harness

 

[ProwlingTiger]

There is no perfect bag. Which any experienced photographer will tell you.
I have numerous bags and which I use depends on the job, just like Digital Skunk described above.

Though my latest is particularly nice as it is very nearly waterproof [tiny gap at zip closure means it won't survive if placed completely under water], it has a very comfortable harness, which comes off and back on in seconds, and you can then wheel it around [which is very useful when you carry 18kg+], it clips onto my bike rack in a fraction of a second and goes on a plane too. Incredibly versatile. Cheaper than my Think Tank and LowePro bags too. You can buy it as an empty shell, with businessman's insert, with camera+laptop insert and with or without harness or bike adaptor.

How it fits on a bike should you be inclined. Not my bike, way too clean!


With height adjustable harness

What brand is that? I'm interested in it sorta...