Does such a bag exist?

Hi all

Just wondering if people have any recommendations for kit bags. I'm after something to use as a kit carrier and also general purpose rucksack for when I'm on holiday or out walking. I put together a list of things I'm looking for and things that would be nice to have:

Must-haves:
- Space for kit (GX20, Sigma 100-300, walkaround lens, 1 other lens or flash, plus some accessories such as filters and spare batteries)
- Separate space for sundry stuff (layers, water, book, binoculars etc)
- Easy access to kit, or at least the camera (I'm thinking of those side access or separate openings)

Nice-to-haves:
- Tripod/monopod holder
- Some pockets for organising sundry bits (like the filters and memory cards)
- Potential space for other kit (e.g. another couple of lenses/flash)
- Something that doesn't scream "camera kit" to deter thieves

Preferably I'd like it to be big enough for me to keep the camera and big Sigma lense attached and readily accessible. Again, I'm thinking of something like the Lowepro bags with side access but one wide enough to accomodate that lens. I don't take a laptop with me so a laptop compartment isn't needed.

Does anyone have anything to recommend? I'm planning on taking a trip to Jacobs at lunch to have a look at their range and may also try Calumet. Jessops have an appalling range, I've discovered.

Cheers,

WG

Billingham Hadley range - it will fit all you need with no wasted space.

The Hadley bags always look a little too shallow to store a body with an average sized lens on. That's my impression anyway, I could well be wrong.

Tamrac Aero Speed pack 85 Doesn't have a tripod holder though, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Kata 3n1-30.

Both will look like a camera bag though.
The only way not to look like a camera is for the bag to not be a camera bag. So buying inserts, which means, not very easy to get a fast access functionality.

I kind of gave up on the whole idea of fast access and just carry the camera on my hand the whole time, and stop when changing lenses.

Thanks for the images John, very informative. I only wish they were a little less shallow to allow a gripped K20D to fit in, then it would be getting ordered (I'm in the market for a new bag myself).

Thanks guys. The Hadley looks a bit small for the Sigma (and a few bits of non-camera kit). I'll have a look for it when I go to window shop though.

The Kata and Tamrac look like they definitely have the room. I wasn't sure if you were saying you wouldn't recommend either though. If so, any reasons why?

To be honest, it would be nice if the bag didn't look like a camera bag but that probably isn't possible.

You should look at Crumpler bags or National Geographic.

Good point

Thanks for the links. Both seem to be fairly good bets as well.

The Tamrac does what you wnat except for having a tripod holder and still looking like a camera bag.
The kata can come with a tripod holder, but the "other stuff" compartment is smaller. Still looks like a camera bag.

The National Geographic ones look less like camera bags, but if you use a tripod with, it becomes a camera bag...

I wouldn't buy a shoulder bag for heavy loads, especially when walking about in the countryside.

To put this another way, I wouldn't carry heavy loads when walking in the countryside.

Travel light is my motto.

Good point. But easier to get a proper load distributing bag than changing the desire to take lenses and more lenses and a tripod and filters and spare batteries and lunch, and jacket and...

Oh wow that's a lot Mat, is that while also using the upper compartment for lenses?
If so do you protect them or anything?