Kit Bag which one?

Just wondering what bag do the majority recommend on here? Any bags to avoid? What is the easiest to use in the field, top loader, backpack or slingshot type.

If I'm going on an all day trek, I use a Lowepro Mini Treker AW Rucksack. This is very comfortable, and there is room to carry drinks and clothing.

For a few miles ramble, I use a Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW. This is more usefull for accessing your camera but does tend to be uncomfortable on your shoulder, on long treks.

For walkabout photography, where I want to constantly access my kit, I use a Billingham Hadley Large. This bag easily takes a Pentax K10D with attached 55-300 and fitted Lens Hood, a Pentax 17-70 and a Sigma 10-20, a 2x Converter, 4 spare batteries and a set of Cokin P Filters.

I have a a Lowepro AW100 pre-slingshot design. It was down from £65 to £30 in my local camera shop. It is quite taxing on the shoulders when doing long treks through the country. If you plan to do some long walks you really need something with decent back padding/strapping and support.

I think the Tamrac expedition series takes some beating!....so comfortable and a size to suit everyone!..........the price takes some beating for a very well made product!......................Ken

Sue and I both use the Billingham Hadley Pro for general trips out and about.

In the studio something bigger may be necessary, but the bulk doesn't matter there.

For me the criteria are ease of access and a compact size. I travel as light as possible.

Personally I prefer a backpack, for me the comfort factor far outweighs any inconvienience in getting kit out compared to shoulder bags, the slingshot is/was a good concept but as others have said it can be uncomfortable on the shoulder, plus can only be worn over the right shoulder, you could consider the newer alternative to the sligshot which is the Lowepro Fastpack or the Tamrac Aero 85 both are rucksacks but allow access in a similar fashion to the slingshot.

Like Ken (beginer), I can vouch for Tamrac too, my old one lasted me 10 years and is still in service with my son, my new one (Expedition 5) is extremely comforable even full laden.

I too have a Tamrac Expedition 5, which is very comfortable. I too find a back pack more comfortable than a shoulder bag, especially when carrying a lot of kit. I can't imagine carrying the Bigma over my shoulder for any length of time.
Check the empty weight of a bag - some are so heavy empty they must be unbearable when loaded. If you can take a long your camera and your biggest lens, and laptop, and try out a few bags to see which you find most comfortable.

Hi pete it's a Tamrac expedition 5 and a tamrac pro 12 for me

I have:-

Tamrac expedition 8X, which is huge, but very comfortable, even fully laden. Takes upto a 17" laptop. Very Highly Recommended if you need the capacity! My favourite bag by far, even if it gets the lightest use.

Lowepro Fastpack 300, replaced a Slingshot 300 as it was too uncomfortable with a lot of weight in it. Used when not so much kit is needed, 2 straps instead of 1, takes a 15" laptop, but not as much room inside as the 300 slingshot and no waterproof cover either.

Kata 3in1 30, gives the best of both worlds if you cannot decide between slingshot or back pack. It can be adapted to sling either left or right, has a pass through feature which could help you take a very large lens if needed, but has no laptop capacity.

The Kata and the Lowepro above are in no way as comfortable as the Tamrac when you have a good amount of weight in it, that Tamrac bag really does spoil you with its comfort and quality. Having said that, the Kata gets used the most at the moment, mainly because it is not as deep as the others (doesn't stick out so much when its on your back!), the side access is very large and very quick and because the inside is highly configurable.

It all comes down to personal preference, and you'll never know unless you go and try some, or more likely, buy one and think 'this feature would be great if it had it' then buy another and keep on that track until you develop some kind of bag fetish!

Tamrac expedition 4 here, swallows all my gear.

K20d, 10-17mm 14mm 30mm 50mm 70mm 70-300mm flash, filters, cleaning equip, spare batteries, remote etc...
Plus I then strap my tripod to it.

I'm looking for a smaller bag to just pack the K20d & 3 or 4 lenses ready for the summer as carrying all my kit everywhere may lead to a perspiration issue !!

I use the Lowepro Mini Trekker AW. Takes 2 bodies and a good number of lenses and accessories as well as the tripod and a laptop up to 15"

And I think your a Masochist

Bags are a very personal choice.

Many people these days use backpacks, but I cannot bear them. They make my back sweat, which makes carrying them uncomfortable and they are impossible to get fast and easy access to the gear.

I much prefer a simple shoulder bag. But there again, many people like Lowepro & similar bags, but again I do not. I find many Lowe bags (and similar) to be over complex, with far too many flaps, pockets & zips all over the place...and often many of them are of little use.

I prefer simple, fast, well made and good ergonomics....and in my experience, this includes:

Billingham (UK), Domke (USA), CCS (UK), Fogg (UK) and also 'Artisan & Artist' (Japan).

cheers Steve.

Unlocker which bag did you take to the US with you?

I use a Slingshot 300AW. I can fit everything in it except my tripod.