Big shoulder bag

I'm looking for a camera/computer bag that will be used for a variety of purposes (e.g. computer/documents/overnight bag, airline hand luggage for my K20, couple of lenses and computer). I'm a Lowepro fan as I have several of their smaller products so I'm favouring the Classified 250 and Stealth Reporter 650.

I can't find either in stock locally so I wondered if anyone has one of them or has had a good look at them. Apart from general impressions the main thing I want to know is whether you can take some of the padding out and compress the bag for hand luggage? (some airlines have a maximum depth of 20cm or 25cm, while the bags are given as 28cm).

Thanks for quick replies. Stefan, I hadn't thought about Crumpler so will check them out. Matt, thanks for tip re. Amazon - now £87 for the Stealth 650 which is nearly £40 less than Jessops online.

Cheers,
Stan

Crumpler bags are well made and "cool" so they are a bit expensive.
I've now something like the New Delhi 620, if it's full it's heavy on your shoulder though, they do have something like an Y-buckle that secure the bag more on your back and that does help a little bit but it's great to use when on your bicycle (important for a Dutch student).

Thanks Stefan, I'm off to look at the New Delhi 770, Lowepro 650 and 250 in Bristol next week. Only downside to the Crumpler is that it doesn't seem to have a handle to use like a briefcase. I cycle also - usually with a pannier, but occasionally take the laptop down to the station in a rucksack.

Stan

I got a Crumpler Daily 600 (the Daily was the predecessor to the New Delhi, I think) about a year or so ago, above all for taking gear on planes. It is a very capacious and, more importantly, practical bag. It can be used for a lot or a little gear. If you take the insert out it really is very capacious - to the point of it getting too heavy (though this is very useful when you're using airlines such as Easyjet that allow one cabin bag regardless of weight). Have never felt the need for the larger version - it would be too big. There is good padded space for a computer too - I used to have a Sony 15.4" notebook which it accommodated comfortably. Practically, the only downside, as you mention, is the lack of a handle - meaning you always need to use the strap, which can be a slight inconvenience, but no deal clincher.

Moreover, in my experience (I have a Slingshot and a Topload Zoom case), comparing Crumpler and Lowepro the quality of the finish and the materials used are much better in the former. The finish on the Daily is quite superb - both the bag itself and the padded insert (which does have a handle). Crumplers also generally look much nicer - a secondary factor, perhaps, but hell if you can have it all then why not? In this case you get what you pay for (though perhaps more expensive Lowepro products are better?).

I have one of Naneu's 'Urban Gear' backpacks. It fits all of my gear, comes with velcro tabbed padded dividers, has a tripod carrier on the side, and has room for a notebook PC as well.

They have a good range of other bags too.

link

You might also consider products from Think Tank.

I can highly recommend Think Tank. I have one of their bags and they are one of the best constructed bags I have ever owned.

The Photomonk

Thanks to everyone who replied. I chose a Lowepro Classified 250AW for its versatility - camera/overnight bag, laptop/work/overnight with the camera sections removed, and camera/laptop hand luggage. It looks big but fits the Ryanair/Easyjet hand luggage dimensions.

Stan

Another thumbs up for Think Tank...I use one as my standard flight/holiday bag...

Which one?

The Urban disguise 40. Small enough for flight hand luggage, big enough for small DSLR kit (in a smaller camera bag inside the Think Tank bag) also room for slim laptop, in flight goodies etc.

You got my bag!

Actually I have one for a few months, and I love it.

THe Photomonk