Which Gadget Bag/s do you use?

[Not4wood]

Now that I have my first DSLR Nikon D80 w/several memory cards but only the one kit lens. I was looking around at what to carry it in. I've seen several things that are offered and I'm starting to lean towards the backpack style for comfort for local and travel/adventures. But I'm not 100% positive yet.

Questions:

Which do you use?
Which do you wish you had instead?

Or......

If you new then, what you know now - Which one would you get?

and I think the last should be:

What do you use it for?

Since we are all over the place as far as equipment and intent goes, I thought this last one would be a real zinger.

[GaryK]

Hi

At the present time I am using a backpack style as well. No sure how much I like it but I definately like it more than my older "bag" style.

It is a little warm for hiking and cycling and such but I can't think of an alternative that gives hands free carrying.
I did have a big accident with mine due to carelessness but it may be something to look at when buying yours.
I had the bag on my kitchen counter and was darting out of the house. Grabbed tha bag, slung it over my shoulder and the camera fell out. I didn't have it zipped up even though the flap was closed. Broke my lens but the camera seems ok.
A quick closing clasp for the flap may have helped.. something to look into.
If this will be your first bag then maybe it won't be an issue. My first one was a top loader so nothing would fall out unless I turned it upside down.. so just slopiness on my part.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I have a Lowepro All Weather Shoulder Bag type and I love it. I had several other types before but this one just suits me. Its big enough to take all my things but looks OK if I am going to something like a wedding ... I guess being female means that is a little more important to me

Wendy

[Chuck S.]

I use a Lowepro backpack, Model MicroTrekker 200, for my Canon 30D and lenses. There are so many choices....

[Not4wood]

Thanks all.

I was positive that at least some of you would be using the Tamarac Bags. I haven't heard of the Lowepro but I will check it out.

I know its still early and I'm sure we will have a lot more input. I will be using it for travel and dont want it to really look like a camera bag. I think I forgot to mention that in my first post. LOL

When we travel, we've been doing the bus tours and were allowd to have a shoulder bag with us on the bus as well as the cases underneath. I figured that I can also put some clothes and other things as well inside this besides the camera. I have seen some of the ads mention that it can also hold a laptop. I would rather use the space for other things and I'm curious to see what others do as well.

[Chuck S.]

Mark, Lowepro is pretty big and has a terrific variety. Here's a link to their website:

Lowepro

They're also available at Wolf/Ritz camera stores, which is where I purchased mine.

[GaryK]

Chuck

I think you have the same one as I do. It holds just the right amount of gear for me, even if they do fall out.


Mark

I have had a look at the notebook ones as well, not convinced I would use it. The part against your back would be hard as a laptop.
It really is a toss up.If you are an avid photographer, then likely, there is not a one size fits every situation bag.

[Larop]

I use the Lowpro stealth reporter. It's a fairly big gear bag with plenty of room and many extras including pouches, weather cover, ditty bags and a zipper opening in the top flap so you can grab and go. I had a Lowepro back pack bag that I used with my medium format gear before I switched to digital I found it easier to carry but clumsy to get gear out of. I was always having to put it on the ground and then finding whatever the bag was on on my back after I carried it again.

I carry my D-80 w/28--70 lens, Sb-800, Simga 70-200, Sekonic L-358 and tons of gadgets and an occasional 3rd lens and my various manuals and still have room left. The wide shoulder strap makes it relatively comfortable to carry and the semi soft sides allow you to cram into small places when you have to.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shou...er_650_AW.aspx

[GaryK]

Hi Larop

Do you find you are constantly "digging" for stuff. I had a similar bag, mind you 25+ years old, and that was why I got my new bag. Well that, and cycling was a bit tricky.
It wasn't the "reporter" kind, more of a shoulder bag (Tamrac). I just found I was always taking stuff out to find things on the bottom.

[Chuck S.]

Gary, your comment about digging deep into the gadget bag prompted me to go to my closet and dig out the two gadget bags in there filled with gear from my film days (Honeywell Spotmatic F, Canon A-1 and Canon EOS Elan). Some treasures emerged, including some still usable batteries (camera and AA), a LensPen cleaner, some cords, and - best of all - a perfectly serviceable Vivitar 283 flash!

I should root around more often.....