Camera Bag

[tinton14]

Hello,

I'm once again in search of a new bag. I'm currently using a ThinkTank Restropective 20, which is fine when I only want my camera. I'm looking for something that I could use to take my camera and possibly a laptop and a few book. I'm looking at the Tenba Messenger or one of the Timbuk2 messengers. I'll be carrying my 500D attached with the 18-200mm and the 50mm. Anyone have experience using these bags for everyday use? Or any other bags you would recommend? Thank you.

[Nicole]

I have this one:
Tenba - Messenger: Large Photo/Laptop Bag

It's nice if you don't mind being really overweighted on one side. But by the time you throw the camera gear in there and a laptop you're wondering why you ever thought it was a good idea. Which is why I pretty much only use it for my camera stuff and never put my laptop etc in there. Actually, I love that bag for camera stuff. I just don't love the weight when you add other stuff.

So if I'm carrying around camera stuff, laptop, and some other stuff including a book or two, I use a Tamrac backpack: Tamrac - Model 3380 - Aero 80 Photo/Laptop Backpack It's heavy when fully loaded, but it holds my laptop, charger, camera with grip and lens attached plus another 2 lenses fit in the bottom of the bag, and there's still room in the top section for some books or whatever. So that's my go to bag if I'm carrying around everything just because I find it more comfortable with the weight balanced.

I would say go to the camera store with all the stuff you want to carry and put it in the bag. That will let you see if it fits, how the weight is, and how the balance is. It's nice because the store I bought my last bag at has a table there so you can do just that without having to sit on the floor.

[Jamfke]

I picked up a Lowepro CompuTrekker AW a month ago. It's very roomy for everything you would ever want to take along, but it does get heavy when fully loaded. Like Nicole said, though, it's much more preferable to having all that weight hanging on one side.

[inkista]

+1 on the backpack vote. I use a Kata Sensitivy V, which acts like a girdle for my stuff. You can't haul much more than a camera with one lens attached and an additional lens, but the profile of the pack is very compact (if dense): I carry around a 50D, an additional lens, a 13" MacBook, and assorted other electronic devices around. I love that my cellphone is in the shoulder strap. I tried the LowePro CompuDaypack, and it was just too wide for me. But if you need to carry more stuff, then Kata's DR bags are probably closer to what you want.

You might also want to consider a sling bag for easier access than a backpack. The Kata 3n1, or Lowepro Sling Shot might be better.

[danbaileyphoto]

I'm also a big fan of the LowePro backpacks. They offer enough room for all your camera gear, and the slightly larger packs have a space for a laptop. The CompuTrekker, or one of their similar packs sounds like it might be a good choice for your needs.

[tinton14]

Thank you all. I actually do have a Kata sling, but don't use it because the strap is a bit short, esecially after I put my winter jacket on and it only fits my camera (no extra books/laptop). I want to start bringing my camera out everyday even when I go to class and stop giving my excuse that it doesn't fit well with my other stuff. I didn't want anything that would scream camera bag and have easy access to the camera on the move. I know, I ask for so much from a bag. Sadly there isn't really any camera stores in the Syracuse area, at least none that I've been able to find yet.

Nicole: I was wondering if your Tenba squeaks when you load it up? I have a problem with my Timbuk2 Commute2.0 squeak for every step I take, it drives me crazy. Similar hook for the strap, except its triangular.

I'm not too sure about the backpacks mostly because they do take up most of it for camera gear. I can't seem to tell if the LowePro has space for a notebook or two, I don't think there was any looking at the pics from the site, can anyone confirm? I'm looking for both a regular bag for school (dell m2400 with battery stickin out back and a notebook or two) and one that will fit my camera. My TT Retrospective 20 can take all my camera gear without trouble any other time. Does such a bag exist? Thank you all for your help. Always very helpful.

[Jamfke]

You could always set up the inserts to allow for other items besides camera gear in just about any bag you decide on, I would think. The CompuTrekker is roomy enough to set it up for a camera/lens combo, and then maybe another compartment or two for other lenses/gear, and still leave plenty of space for other items. The CompuTrekker has another pouch/pocket between the camera storage area and the straps to store up to a 15" laptop. You can always stow the power cords and such in one of the front access pockets, or in the main storage area.

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by tinton14

Nicole: I was wondering if your Tenba squeaks when you load it up? I have a problem with my Timbuk2 Commute2.0 squeak for every step I take, it drives me crazy. Similar hook for the strap, except its triangular.

It squeaks a bit, I think it's inevitable with the metal on metal. It als partially depends how much weight is in it. Something like a Crumpler bag wouldn't squeak because of how the strap is, but the straps aren't as nicely padded.

What size notebooks are you talking about putting in a bag? You said that they won't fit in most of the ones you've seen, but I can confirm that a normal size sheet notebook does fit in the top of my camera backpack. It's a bit of a squeeze, but it does fit. Meanwhile, I can also fit papers in the laptop section as well.

[tinton14]

Just a regular notebook, sometimes just 1 subject, sometimes 6 subjects that are A4 size. The backpacks I've seen seem to have only a section for the camera gear in the divided section then a section for the laptop.