Need a new bag - any and all suggestions appreciated.

[MOmilkman]

My current Canon branded bag is slowly but surely shrinking and I know now is the time to upgrade. My current situation forces me to keep my 70-200 on my camera all the time when stored in the bag. If I take the 70-200 off and use another lens, I have to change back to the 70-200 before I can store the camera away. Changing back and forth all the time is getting tiresome. I want to just put the camera back in the bag no matter what lens I have on it.

Based on my current lens setup can anyone please advise what they might suggest I look at?
I'm thinking anywhere between $100 and $200 would be a good price range.

7D Body
Canon 70-200 Lens
Canon 100mm Macro Lens
Canon 17-40 Lens
Canon 50mm Prime lens
Canon 24-70 Lens (don't actually own this one yet but it is next on my list to buy so I wanted to add it to the list)
580EXII Flash
430EXII Flash
plus all the extra's associated with camera gear, Cactus recievers and transmitter, remote wireless shutter, filters, cords, etc....

Please help me with this. There are so many bags out there I don't know where to start and my local camera store doesn't have much to choose from.

[Sime]

Simple :-)

Streetwalker? Backpack - Think Tank

And, if you use this link, you get some free extra stuff.

[dlambert]

How do you want to carry the bag? Are you looking for something you can load & unload w/o taking the bag off? I think that'll help narrow down your choices.

[MOmilkman]

Originally Posted by Sime

Simple :-)

Streetwalker? Backpack - Think Tank

And, if you use this link, you get some free extra stuff.

Thanks Sime. I'll look into that bag.

[MOmilkman]

Originally Posted by dlambert

How do you want to carry the bag? Are you looking for something you can load & unload w/o taking the bag off? I think that'll help narrow down your choices.

Excellent question. I meant to add that in to my original post and omitted it.

I want to be able to use it as a backpack (mainly) as well as a swing around and possibly access a side compartment for easy access to the camera. But first and foremost one that will carry all my gear comfortably.

[dlambert]

Originally Posted by MOmilkman

I want to be able to use it as a backpack (mainly) as well as a swing around and possibly access a side compartment for easy access to the camera.

I looked at one of these a while back:

Lowepro - Primus AW

I ended up passing on it for a couple reasons. First, I wanted something that I could carry mainly hung on my chest with any sort of backpack I want on my back. When I'm mainly just photo-hiking, I've got a small pack that I use for my flash, accessories, extra lenses, etc., but I keep my body and a couple lenses up front where I can get at them quickly. The second reason I passed was that there's no place for a hydration bladder, though I really haven't seen this in any photo backpack.

Anyway, the sales guy I was talking to said that some people aren't crazy about the side-load design on this pack -- it sounds like it would be best to try it out and see what you think, though I understand that won't be easy.

[MOmilkman]

Originally Posted by dlambert

I looked at one of these a while back:

Lowepro - Primus AW

I ended up passing on it for a couple reasons. First, I wanted something that I could carry mainly hung on my chest with any sort of backpack I want on my back. When I'm mainly just photo-hiking, I've got a small pack that I use for my flash, accessories, extra lenses, etc., but I keep my body and a couple lenses up front where I can get at them quickly. The second reason I passed was that there's no place for a hydration bladder, though I really haven't seen this in any photo backpack.

Anyway, the sales guy I was talking to said that some people aren't crazy about the side-load design on this pack -- it sounds like it would be best to try it out and see what you think, though I understand that won't be easy.

I like the pack but it is a bit out of my price range. Thanks for the response, I appreciate it.


Anyone else?

[Krusty79]

Here are a couple of earlier threads on buying a camera backpack that may help:

Buying a camera backpack

Camera Bags - Backpack vs Sling.

And here is a link inkista sent me for a site that has a lot of reviews on a lot of models. I just wish I could try them on!

Reviews - Cambags.com Camera Bag Resource.

[OsmosisStudios]

For the gear you have, there isnt much that is gonna be cheap. The Lowepro has a great bag finder tool that should give you a rough estimate.