Camera bag, which one please?

Can anyone recommend a camera bag that I can put my DSLR in that doesn't look like a camera bag?

Something that doesn't scream 'I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE CAMERA INSIDE OF ME!'

Thanks.

Kata, Lowepro, Tamrac, Crumpler, all have bags that might suit your needs. Only you can know what size you want. There are other makers as well but I can think of any more off hand, but I'm sure somebody will.

My preference is for a bag that has an additional, non-camera related, compartment for wet weather gear, a water bottle, snacks, etc.

Any one on the look out for a camera to nick, and knows his gear, is going to spot a LowePro / Nat Geo / Billingham / Kawa / Tamrac / Vanguard etc. from a mile away.

One of the Chinese bags could throw them, and they are generally really good. Otherwise if totally paranoid then go for a normal backback from the market and buy and cut the foam to fit your gear and the bag.

However do note that BBA (bag buying addiction) is one of the most well known forms of addiction amongst togs (CBA, LBA, GBA and BBA being the main forms of the illness).

What do Chinese bags look like please?

i use Think Tank, excellent quality, as i wanted the same thing. i ended up buying two, retrospective 30 when i need to take everything and retrospective 10 when i just want to travel light.

There are plenty of Chinese bags available on ebay and are available in all sorts of flavours.
Just one example:- canvas shoulder bag

Like all the bags from those name brands above ! They can copy anything - and usually add useful bits and pieces, they are quite inventive and of course most camera bags are made in China anyway (LowePro etc.) ! Check EBay for :
Fancier, Benro, Winer & Jenova which are the most well known (most have their own websites - Google them and check them out) though all are low cost, and usually well made, options.

I have a huge bag from Aerfeis that I use on working sports assignments, zips apart (which are not the highest quality but have never broken) it is as good (or more thoughtfully designed) than many of the top brands - and it cost me US$50 compared to the similar bags from Tamrac, Vanguard etc. costing US$250-300 (so if the zips break after a couple of years just buy a new one and count the $$$ you;ve still saved) !

Nest is a high quality, high class HK brand that makes excellent camera bags, tripods, gimbals etc. and isn't well known outside certain countries in Asia.

Tamrac have the worst clasps in the business BTW - I have a Tamrac bag I love but won't use because of the clasp hassle, don't look when you are inserting the clasp and possibly one of the prongs will slip down the side of the clasp and lodge there - and it's a sod to get them out again, incredibly stupid design.

Lowepro classified range looks nothing like a camera bag.

You don't really have to buy a camera bag, all sorts of bags will do the job perfectly well

Ortlieb make padded inserts which you can fit inside an existing bag or handbag. I used one with a canvas army bag.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Passport-Sling-Shoulder-Camera/dp/B0039NLS3I/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1355661068&sr=1-2

this is the bag I use often as an everyday bag. I has a camera incert and if side expanded room fof purse and other stuff.Sometime I stick a second insert in depending on what I need to take.As the basic bag it replaces my handbag but means I always have my camera. Would use all the time but use a Kata rugsac style bag for work and when walking. The only downside of the Lowpro bag is nowhere to put my IPad

Fancier Easy 20 DSLR Camera Shoulder Bag Case Holder looks good, as does JENOVA which has a Water repellent finish. The Fancier Kingkong II 20 DSLR Digital SLR Camera + Lens Bag looks good, but can you put a DSLR in it?

I have a Lopro at the moment but every time I put my bridge camera in, the padding at the back sometimes gets trapped underneath, and it’s a pain trying to pull it out to straighten it.

i used to use a Lowepro rezo 170 shoulder bag , that was not expensive and held K7/K5 with 16-45 med zoom attached and had room for 2 other lenses ,55-300 and 105 macro usually, plus pocket for odds and ends, also a waterproof cover.untill i bought my 2nd think tank i was still using it ,just my travelling light kit got bigger.

Get a random bag and paint on the side in big letters "This bag does not contain any expensive camera equipment"


That should throw any potential thieves!

Domke bags are 'less-used' in the UK than many other bags... Very subtle IMO but a bit pricey (hence my lack of Domke bags)...

I reckon that to a large extent it's how you wear it... My everyday bag is a Crumpler... A few years ago they didn't look like camera bags and they haven't changed much except in popularity... So now they do...
Your best bet is to go to a couple of shops with a decent range of bags and just pick the one you like and use it...