Bag buying advice
Some people naming no names (RR) have to be swanky and buy the leather one costing at least twice as much!
Seriously. I have a proper camera bag which is OK but brands you a photographer and is rigid, a back pack which is well cushioned and has neat compartments. Then I have the light but voluminous messenger bag made of nylon. No compartments but my lenses all have their own pouch or bag.
It's almost always the messenger bag I go out with.
Mike
You can see some of my shots at my Flickr account.
I keep getting very tempted by the look of the national geographic bags, but need to see one "in the flesh" as I suspect they might be very slow to undo and do up again.
Expensive but you do get what you pay for
My H-14 takes the K20 + grip + DA* 50 - 135 + spare lens + batteries etc. etc.
Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T
But the best thing is I dont get shoulder ache anymore like I did with a shoulder bag.
My Flickr page
John, I did find myself looking at the National Geographic bags at lunchtime and I have the same concern, the fastenings all seem a bit too fiddly. I may look again though, try opening and closing them a few times.
K30, A-50(1.7), DAL 35, DA 16-45, DA 55-300, Sigma 70 EX Macro, Metz 48-AF1.
I keep getting very tempted by the look of the national geographic bags, but need to see one "in the flesh" as I suspect they might be very slow to undo and do up again.
I Have one of the backpacks (the small, though there is little discernable difference between this and the medium)
No worries with the undoing/doing up on that at least, and seems perfect so far for my needs, gx-10 and 2 extra lenses, cokin filter holder and a rocket blower in the main comparment, and lots of extra pockets for auxiliaries.
Luckily I live in Norwich so went into W.E. and actually handled them to check. The shoulder versions i looked at were also ok, but a bit limited when it came to internal partitioning/arrangement (same issues as the Domke bags I originally looked at)
Can post some pics of it with kit in later if anyone wants to see
Primes: DA*300 F4 | DA40 F2.8 Ltd. | SMC-A 50/1.7 | Sigma 30mm F1.4 | Sirius 28/2.8
Macro : SMC-A Dental 100 macro
Zooms: 12-24 SA | 18-55 SA | 50-200 SA | 28-80 FA | 35-80 F | Vivitar 28-200
Other: Bellows | Tube sets | Vivitar 2x PK/A Tele | SEF-36PZF Flash | SBG-D1V Grip | Billingham 335
My Flickr
It is imho always best to actually handle a bag before buying it - check the weight, the comfort and whether you really can fit all your gear in it, with room for some new toys at a later date too maybe.
There are smaller in the range'i took my gear with me to try out in the shop
If it's a backpack your after the Lowepro vertex 300AW is excellent.
I currently have 2 sling bags, a crumpler pretty boy L (cool looking bag but small) and a larger sling bag where I can fit the body plus 5 lenses and some bits. I've been using this one more lately because I've been carrying larger/more lenses.
I'll admit its easy to reach things, but its a pain to carry.
I'm now in the market for a Kata 3n1-20 sling bag, its a sling bag that doubles as a backpack, its better for your back and it also provides easy access to gear. Its damn expensive though
At the moment I'm tempted by the National Geographic Earth Explorer (Medium), it looks like it's a useful size and it's not so obviously a camera bag as som of them.
Maybe another trip to Digital Depot is required tomorrow lunchtime to have another closer look...
K30, A-50(1.7), DAL 35, DA 16-45, DA 55-300, Sigma 70 EX Macro, Metz 48-AF1.
I've got a backpack that houses (just) all my gear for when I'm on a mission to take photos at a specific location, but if you're just out for a wander you'll more than likely leave it all at home, whereas you'll be more likely to throw the messenger bag over your shoulder & off to go !
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
33 posts
15 years
Macclesfield
Until recently I've been managing quite happily with one of the smaller Lowepro shoulder bags for transporting my gear around. A number of recent purchases mean I can no longer get all the gear I want with me in the bag so I'm looking to get hold of something with a bit more space.
Basic requirements are:
Needs to fit a K10D with grip and DA16-45 fitted plus an extra lens, flash, spare battery, memory cards.
Ideally a shoulder bag rather than a back-pack
As compact as is possible while still fitting everything in.
I'm not too fussy about manufacturer but it's easier to justify if it's not too expensive.
Any ideas, suggestions of things to look at?
K30, A-50(1.7), DAL 35, DA 16-45, DA 55-300, Sigma 70 EX Macro, Metz 48-AF1.