Alex A

Think Tank Retrospective 10 for general work but Lowepro backpack for the large lenses.

pendennis

Tamrac must have been a bit inconsistent in tagging their bags. I have a second 610 with no model number, and a couple of 612's the same way. I know the bags pretty much by size. The 612's are a bit larger than the 610's, and the 614's a couple of inches wider/deeper/longer than the 612's. I used to have a catalog with all the models displayed. They made quite a selection, and they were made in a number of configurations within sizes. I believe the 611 had different dividers than the 610, and the 613 from the 612, etc. I customize them to fit my needs, and I have a bunch of the dividers, just in case...

Some time after I bought my last new one, they changed the cover to rip-stop material, which I didn't like. They then moved production overseas.

I still use their N45 neck straps. Those are the best I've ever used.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I use what is referred to as a Tactical Bag (at one time a sapper's pack). I've been carrying my camera around in this bag almost daily for the last 7 years. Price is less than $40, durable, and doesn't scream expensive camera equipment inside. There's ample space for strobe, light meter, filters, cables, etc.
--Bob

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SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

All the good suggestions you have received can help point you in the right direction. But ultimately the decision is up to you.

How long is the hike you take? How much gear do you typically like to carry? Do you prefer the weight well-distributed [backpack, cotton carrier] or is the one-shoulder solution of a sling or messenger bag OK with you? Are you strong, agile, and have great balance?

Those are a few questions that will help. A short hike with just a simple kit you can use a small sling or messenger bag. With more gear and perhaps a longer hike, it is important to consider where the weight will be focused, and whether you need to have your hands free. A backpack for more gear is a good solution if you are able to handle it on all kinds of terrain. If not, it can unbalance you and make falls more likely.

Here is what I do: I have a backpack - not big, holds one camera with lens, one extra lens, and a few accessories. I also have another bag with a shoulder strap, in which I keep a second camera and lens. I also have a "fanny pack" with lots of pockets to hold filters, allen wrench, lens cleaning supplies, snacks, even an extra lens, and wallet, cell phone. Also a lens case that will fit on my belt or use a shoulder strap. All this can go in my car, and when I get where I am going my preference is the "fanny pack", camera, and tripod. I do not do long hikes any more, short ones if the ground is not too rough. So everything goes with me in the car, then I take out what I need, and come back for what I did not take if I decide I need it. If my husband is with me, he sometimes fills in as my "sherpa" so I can bring more gear on a longer exploration!

Hope this helps.
Susan

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...Jerry...you didn’t give a website...?
...no worries...I got your back...

https://shotkit.com/best-camera-bags/

...wait...who are you and what have you done to our friend Jerry...?

Novicus Loc: north and east

LowePro Slingbag...

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

The solution is to have multiple bags, each for different purposes. You simple pack your camera (plus whatever else needed) into the bag best suited for the upcoming project. Restricting yourself to a "daily carry" only make sense if you are doing the same thing everyday.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Think Tank Streetwalker. Recently went on a 3 day workshop and luckily had sewn a patch on mine as there were many think Tank Streetwalkers participating in the workshop!

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

I use a Manfroto Active 1 backpack. I really love it. It holds my camera and three additional lenses, my flash, my laptop and my ipad and doesn't weigh a ton either. The best part was that Costco had it on sale for $69.99 and then a week later took an additional $20 off, so the final cost was $49.99. It was a real bargain. I notice that Costco has another camera backpack (not Manfroto) for sale this year for about $70.

BIGRO Loc: NYC

Two lowepro, a format 150 I got for $20 and a protactic 450 I got as a gift that fits everything, a Canon 77D with 70-200 attached, 3 more lens, flash, filters, 15 inch laptop and can hold my tripod with ease. Both are backpacks but I'm fully mobile

Al Freeedman

In my opinion, Billingham makes the best camera bag. Made in the UK. Not cheap.
I'm sure they are still available at B&H.

Captain Al

DJO

I use a good quality, durable but otherwise ordinary black carry-on duffle bag. It has zipper compartment at each end, a top zipper that allows full access, and a flat bottom that I reinforced for additional weight. No padding, no other alterations, it's just a standard off the shelf American Tourister. It's ordinary, nothing unusual about it. Unremarkable. Which means I easily blend in just about anywhere.

So how is it that all of my gear is in near mint condition after nearly 30 years?

Each lens that I own has a dedicated hard case. Every camera body, flash, light meter, etc., has its own small, easily accessible soft case. You don't have to spend a lot of money for this stuff. You can buy new from Walmart or a fancy store on clearance for next to nothing. Purchase used. I'm not too proud to walk into a GoodWill and walk back out with 3 gently used top brand soft cases for a total of 5.00 that retail for close to 100.00. An original leather Nikon hardcase doesn't have to be pretty on the outside to keep your lens safe and snug.

For me it's also a convenient system. I just grab whatever I need for the day and into the American Tourister it goes.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Has anyone mentioned quality diaper bags yet? Sturdy, moisture proof, segmented - AND very unlikely to be stolen. My niece uses her old diaper bags for that. She even has a new cloth (yes, there was a time before Pampers) which she has cleverly died yellow in certain areas. She uses it as a decoy inside the top of the bag.

PH CIB

There are two potential problems with the Newswear Chest Vest and both have workarounds,,,,the first is the flaps close with Velcro which is noisy to open,,,,the workaround is before shooting open all the flaps and put them behind the pockets now just reach down and pull out what you need,,,,the second problem is I have the waterproof bags and they have an interior sleeve where you pull it out and put your lens in the pouch then velcro close the interior sleeve put it back in the pocket and then close the flap for total waterproofing,,,,I never do this because I have never been in a situation where I needed to waterproof my gear to that degree,,,the problem is reversed lens hoods can get hung up in the interior sleeves which makes for a little bit of untangling and a little more time to get the lens out of the pocket,,,,the workaround is to have the lens hood not reversed on the lens but in its proper position for shooting and it does not snag this way,,,,the other workaround is to take the lens sleeve out of the pocket close it tightly with its velcro closure and put it back in the pocket and then put your lens in on top of it,,,,now the lens will not snag whether you have the lens hood reversed or not....

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Excellent critique! 👍👍👍