Looking for camera bag recommendations... About This Page:

[chelsie]

Looking for yet another camera bag for upcoming cruise. Was originally set on getting a slingshot but read it wasn't woman-friendly. Considering that I will be bringing a laptop along (not necessarily with me at all times) I was thinking a notebook/camera backpack would decrease the number of carry-ons. Anyone have a Fastpack by Lowepro or some other suggestions?

Primarily to fit Canon 40D with 28-135mm lens with room for a camcorder and another lens or two.

[LizardCop]

That's a nice bag. I like the Slingshots series also, but I don't have the problem you do. I know a lot of females that use the Slingshots, none have complained about them.

For traveling, I use the Computrekker AW. I can carry 2 DSLR bodies, usually I have 4 lenses, flashes, batteries, power adaptors, a backup device/card reader, plus my laptop with power cords and some spare stuff to keep me entertained. I carry a smaller bag which goes in my baggage (empty) for when I get to where I'm going so I don't have to lug the big bag around all the time.

[chelsie]

The backpack style felt more comfortable personally. I just wished the Fastpack had the water-resistant zippers, AW cover, and tripod holder. Now that would be my ideal all-in-one travel bag. Your Computrekker AW looks promising only lacking side access. But you gave me a good idea--split the difference between two bags. That just might work. Thanks!

[A & J's Dad]

Check out Kata and Think Tank too. I've got a couple Kata bags, a rucksack and waist pack. They're practically bulletproof and many of them can be modularized with others. Mine can be attached and managed as a single unit or be used completely independently.

Cheers
Craig

[chelsie]

Thanks Craig. I'm going to check out those two on the web now!

[mom2twingirlies]

I have a sling bag and I love it. It's not necessarily the most flattering bag to wear with the strap across my chest, but the easy access of being able to swing it around to get the camera out easy was more important to me, especially since I am usually with my 2 - 4 year olds and need the easy, quick access for pictures without having to take the bag off and set it down. Then swing it back around and still have 2 hands free to hold little hands.

[chelsie]

Lisa-
Which model size? Hands-free is important to with DD around the same age.
How long do you wear the bag for i.e. is it comfortable to wear all day since you can't alternate shoulders?

[mom2twingirlies]

I have a Lowepro Slingshot 200. (My camera is a Sony Alpha100).

On the plane, since I don't have any extra lenses (YET!), I was able to pack a lot of other things (walkie talkies/cell phone chargers etc.) in the bag too, and since it counted as a personal item, I still had another carryon.

[Wantland]

We have the Canon BackPack and it is great> It holds everything and we got a great deal on Amanzon for less than 50.00

[chelsie]

The carry-on rule is what's killing me. Have a laptop, diaper bag, camera bag, stroller/carseat on top of our check in luggage; I think we're covered in terms of cost since we're a party of 3, but lugging everything around... I need to sprout some more limbs at this rate!

I also found another bag possibility from Kata. DR-467 It's definitely the smartest site to figuring out your bag needs. Why can't they all have a bag chooser.

[Gin7274]

DH and I both have Canon cameras and we love the backpack.

[mom2twingirlies]

Originally Posted by chelsie

The carry-on rule is what's killing me. Have a laptop, diaper bag, camera bag, stroller/carseat on top of our check in luggage; I think we're covered in terms of cost since we're a party of 3, but lugging everything around... I need to sprout some more limbs at this rate!

I also found another bag possibility from Kata. DR-467 It's definitely the smartest site to figuring out your bag needs. Why can't they all have a bag chooser.

Are you renting a car, that you need the car seat for, or is it just for the plane? I was going to use ours on the plane, but we decided not to, and it worked out just fine. It would be one less thing to handle. We also took a double stroller for the parks, but the girls didn't need it in the airport, so we pushed our other carry on luggage in the stroller and the girls walked. I also didn't carry my laptop in a computer bag, I purchased a laptop sleeve for it and carried it in my carry on bag, in which I also carried any kid supplies that I needed, therefore eliminating another bag. Hope this helps.

[chelsie]

Originally Posted by mom2twingirlies

Are you renting a car, that you need the car seat for, or is it just for the plane? I was going to use ours on the plane, but we decided not to, and it worked out just fine. It would be one less thing to handle. We also took a double stroller for the parks, but the girls didn't need it in the airport, so we pushed our other carry on luggage in the stroller and the girls walked. I also didn't carry my laptop in a computer bag, I purchased a laptop sleeve for it and carried it in my carry on bag, in which I also carried any kid supplies that I needed, therefore eliminating another bag. Hope this helps.

No car and not needed for the ground transfer but feel somewhat strongly about having it for the cab ride to the airport and for the plane portion of the trip. CAb accidents do happen, I've been in one before, so I don't want to take that chance.
So funny, I had the same idea of using stroller to transport carseat/luggage across airport too. And the laptop sleeve is a really good idea. I'm going to see how much room that takes up in one of our carryons.

You guys all have the best ideas!

[Cam22]

Glad you asked this question as I've been trying to figure out how to carry on my laptop and my camera too.

[mom2twingirlies]

Originally Posted by chelsie

No car and not needed for the ground transfer but feel somewhat strongly about having it for the cab ride to the airport and for the plane portion of the trip. CAb accidents do happen, I've been in one before, so I don't want to take that chance.
So funny, I had the same idea of using stroller to transport carseat/luggage across airport too. And the laptop sleeve is a really good idea. I'm going to see how much room that takes up in one of our carryons.

You guys all have the best ideas!

Definitely need it for a cab ride to the airport.

As for the laptop, I did pull the entire sleeve out of the other bag when going through the airport screening, and there was not question about it. (the sleeve is an approved computer bag) and then put it back in the other bag when we were putting our shoes back on.

When we went DH carried a backpack for his carryon and we carried pullups and wipes etc in it along with other other things - then the backpack was what we carried in the park too.