Debate on camera Bag

I have a Tamrac Expedition 5. I open it just enough to get the camera with attached lens (often the Bigma) out, without the need to open the whole thing up. The reason I chose that bag was because it will take the Bigma on camera or off, and leave room for lots of other lenses too, and it is (just) carry on legal. It is very comfortable, even when loaded to the gunnels.
It is heavy, though not as bad as that Kata!
Camera bags are a real problem though, especially for flying. I am hoping to get to a shop which stocks Think Tank bags to look at their range.

I'm currently using a Tamrac Adventure 7 when I need to carry everything (GX20,17-70,50-150,50,10-17,TC,SEF36,Blower + MSI Wind Laptop and usb hard disk in top part). But have recently ordered a Crumpler Jimmy Bo 500 from SRS (who have taken it off their website now for some reason?) for when I just want to take the camera and one other lens when out and about and not wanting to haul everything with me and need quick access - hopefully it will be here today.

Gwyn
seems like this is exactly what I am looking for. if you can manage to take your Bigma attached without opening all of the flap then seems pretty suitable.

I was quite leaning towards the expedition series but thought they didnt have that ability to open partially and remove the camera with a long lens attached. I should go back and review them then.

You mention about flying, is the expedition you are using not suitable? I am flying to Portugal in a few weeks time and I would need to take it with me. Ideally I would like to slot my 11" Vaio in it too but that's not a big deal if its going to overcomplicate the choice of camera bag as the Vaio has its own slim case and I can give it to the wife to slot it in her bag , its pretty small anyway

Thanks Gwyn, you really pointed me to the right direction

Amin, have you looked at the Tamrac Aero Speed Pack? I considered it my self only I felt it wouldn't hold enough gear.

link

Speed packs are at the bottom of the page

EDIT: PS Lowepro also do the "Fastpack" which is simalar.

Spider

the aero speed pack look good, nice and light but dont think it will hold camera with the DA*300 attached.

The Expedition 5 is carry on legal on most airlines, but you would need to check what your airline allows. It will take up to a 12" laptop.

The Aero Speed Pack 75, will hold a camera with a 7.5" lens attached it says. It too is carry on legal.
Maybe you should find a stockist and take your gear along to try it out. Always the best idea really.

Hi,

If anyone fancies something different, try these:

http://figitalrevolution.com/bare-bones-bag-camera-bag-leica-lomo-lca-zeiss-rang...

http://www.cambags.com/

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/cms/hackKits/camera_bag.htm

http://www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=domke

http://www.artisanandartist.com/

cheers Steve....

There's an extra strap that clips on to stop that. It also holds it securely in place so it doesn't slice your neck open as it swings round when you bend forwards.

I'm very happy with my Slingshot but my recent lens addition means it is now crammed rather full.

I bought the tamrac expedition 6X. Quite happy with the layout and the size. My only pick on it is just the weight. But this is just my very personal opinion. Other than that this is an extremely good bag.
Until I find something as good as this in all other ways but slightly lighter this is definitely one to keep.

Choosing a bag is such a pain, gosh, I never thought it was so complicated . At one time I had Lowepro, kata and Tamrac websites open and going through bags (backpack) individually and I got so frustrated I just packed it up. Even after narrowing them down to my requirements which were: Backpack, being able to take body with DA*300 attached, space for extra few lenses, and a very slim laptop, a Vaio 11", still I just couldn't hit the right one.

I am almost close to deciding to end up with two bags, this Tamrac expedition 6X and get one from lowepro, one of the very small light weighted backpack the flipside 300 that will just take basically only the body with the long lens attached and just couple more lenses, they are just slightly over 1 kilo in weight.
When I go into the woods I want to be able to just carry the body with the long 300mm attached and probably just the macro and the TC. The benefit of this is I can strap a tripod along the back.
I wonder if the smaller version, the flipside 200 would also take the 300mm attached to the body. It would be great if did as seems SRS has it. Lowepro describes it as being able to take 80-200 f/2.8 attached to it plus couple more lenses, this bag would be a merely 1kg in weight. Excellent to carry on my back .
But Ideally I would just love to have one bag only, slightly lighter than this tamrac expedition 6X which weighs 5lb and it would just be ideal

If I do go down this route then I will have the Kata 3N1-20 to get rid of and will be selling it off.

Amin

Hi Amin,
I also have big problems with bags, Iwant one where i can carry more then only the camera kit but they just aren't out htere.
I wonder how those nature and mountaineering photographers do it.
Does one one has a idea on that?

Lowe pro has lens bag that will fit on the waist band of bags, are they any good?