camera bag

[Jakov Minić]

Dear All,

I have many camera bags.
But somehow, I am not really happy with any of them.
During our recent Slovenia trip I used an ordinary Crumpler gym bag, and found many benefits. Easy and comfortable to carry, and in one single movement, unzip, and all your gear available.
Ever since, I have been searching for a bag that would suit my needs.
The perfect camera bag for me would be the Ortlieb Travel Zip.
The only problem with it is that it's not a camera bag, hence no padding and padded dividers, and lack of internal pockets for bits and pieces.
What does this Ortlieb have that I like so much and I haven't managed to find in other camera bags:

- two handles and a shoulder strap;
- no flap that gets in my way whenever I want to grab my gear;
- the one handle on the flap on Domke bags are a hazard. I already see myself spilling all my gear out of it when picking up the bag without the flap being strapped into position (and uncomfortable for carrying);
- the waterproof feature is definitely an advantage, but I would be able to live with weather proofing.

In case you know of a camera bag that looks just like the Ortlieb, and that is in fact in a shape of a gym bag, please let me know.
Alternatively, if you have any ideas on how I can pad the Ortlieb, I am even prepared for that

Thanks, Jakov

[RobOK]

This may be more "messenger" than you want...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/peak-design/the-everyday-messenger-a-bag-for-cameras-and-essen

It's not available until later in the year, but I saw one in person and was impressed enough to order one. I like the laptop/camera combo for planes, etc.  Your needs might be different.

[rosko]

.I am going to follow your thread, Jakov, as I have never found something satisfactory neither.

I use a normal rucksack where I put what I need but each lens are (separately !) inside a suitable neoprene bag.

I would prefer a sling bag, for quick access with a well padded shoulder strap.

I think is better to have 2 different ones depending the trip, local or far (flight).

Cheers, Francis

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Buy some padding inserts for your Ortlieb. Oh man, that lime green colour is cool. One must wear shades at all times to match.

I think a car is the perfect camera bag, by the way.

[Jakov Minić]

This may be more "messenger" than you want...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/peak-design/the-everyday-messenger-a-bag-for-cameras-and-essen

It's not available until later in the year, but I saw one in person and was impressed enough to order one. I like the laptop/camera combo for planes, etc.  Your needs might be different.

Thanks Rob!

The bag is promising, and is probably the best I have seen thus far.
Still, it has one carrying handle and a flap. Whenever I wanted to reach for gear I had to use one hand for holding the flap. And let me not repeat what I already said, it is not comfortable and hazardous

[Jakov Minić]

.I am going to follow your thread, Jakov, as I have never found something satisfactory neither.

I use a normal rucksack where I put what I need but each lens are (separately !) inside a suitable neoprene bag.

I would prefer a sling bag, for quick access with a well padded shoulder strap.

I think is better to have 2 different ones depending the trip, local or far (flight).

Cheers, Francis

Francis, I have two Crumpler camera rucksacks, a Crumpler shoulder bag, a Lowepro urban reporter 350 shoulder bag, and two Lowepro Pro Rollers 100 and 200 for air travel (but with new carry on air travel constraints, probably not suitable any longer).
I love the Crumplers for the design, comfort, and quality. The Lowepro bags are top notch too.
The problem I have with the shoulder bags that I have (apart from the flap and one carrying handle) is that they are not comfortable after a while.
The rucksacks are very comfortable, but whenever you want to reach for something you need to lay them down...

[Jakov Minić]

Buy some padding inserts for your Ortlieb. Oh man, that lime green colour is cool. One must wear shades at all times to match.

I think a car is the perfect camera bag, by the way.

Bjørn I agree with you on both accounts.
Just help me with the purchase of the padding

[Jan Anne]

Looks like an awesome travel bag, not so sure it would suffice as a camera shoulder bag to walk around with all day with its round profile.

Still extremely happy with the Billingham Headly Pro shoulder bag which I use almost everyday:
- Camera bag: room for one body with 3 medium sized lenses
- Transit bag: Same camera gear but will squeeze in a MacBook Air, charger, etc
- Work: Ultrabook in neoprene cover, papers, charger, office stuff, rain jacker, etc (insert taken out)
- Daily use

It's an expensive bag but I'm using almost everyday and it still looks good after years of use.

[elsa hoffmann]

There is a saying about camera bags - you never have the right one.
and there is a saying about studios - you never have a big enough one.

[Chip Chipowski]

Great thread!  This is one of life's great unsolvable questions.  For me, part of the problem is figuring out what camera stuff to bring along - let alone how to carry it.  I have recently purchased a Pelican 1150 hard case and one of their padded dividers.  Works pretty well for me - the size forces me to prioritize, although you can always supplement with a few extra lens pouches.  I also like using a waterproof backpack like this http://www.rei.com/product/868841/seattle-sports-wanderer-dry-daypack-special-buy?cm_mmc=cse_PLA-_-pla-_-8688410001&mr:trackingCode=B9B8AF50-ABAF-E311-90E9-BC305BF82162&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=55518665680&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=70498161520&msid=cl1t0Ijr_dc|pcrid|55518665680|&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA&gclid=CO75ka72n8cCFUuTfgod32sDBw and throwing in lens pouches + camera as needed.

[Almass]

Padded camera bag inserts to tailor your Ortlieb,,,,,

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/camera-bag-insert

[chris dees]

IMHO there's no one-fit-all camera bag.
I use different kind of bags for different outings.
Most are Think Tank, but I have Tamrac, Crumpler, Kata and Dome as well.
The Dome is the smallest for 1 camera and some MF-lenses or a Nikon 1 set.
The Kata is the largest, it fits a 600 + camera and a 200-400 + camera and then there's room for a lot more.

[Jakov Minić]

Padded camera bag inserts to tailor your Ortlieb,,,,,

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/camera-bag-insert

Almass, thanks a bunch!
These Ciesta inserts look like something that would fit...

[Jakov Minić]

IMHO there's no one-fit-all camera bag.
I use different kind of bags for different outings.
Most are Think Tank, but I have Tamrac, Crumpler, Kata and Dome as well.
The Dome is the smallest for 1 camera and some MF-lenses or a Nikon 1 set.
The Kata is the largest, it fits a 600 + camera and a 200-400 + camera and then there's room for a lot more.

Chris, when I grow up, I want to be just like you

[PedroS]

  no camera bag is THE bag...
I have other issues, as I much like to photograph, I hate to carry the gear... and I really not like (hate?) the small cameras and so on... so a dilema here...
So I just use bags to transfer gear from home/studio to car, and then from car to the shoot...
Must have on my bags:

• butterfly openings
• light, should I say light?, prefer the gura ones, that are made from sailing tissue
• whenever possible wheels, I have tailored a small cart to gura bags...
• water resistant