janb

Looking for some opinions on camera bags. I have a Nikon d7000 with an 18-200 lens & an 80-400 lens & might be adding a battery grip & need a new bag since the 2 I have will not hold the big lens. I would like to have the option of leaving the 400 attached plus would like an area to carry small items, wallet, phone, nessesarities. I have been looking at Lowepro's but looking at pics doesn't always work. Your opinions on straps was very helpful & I don't want to spend a fortune. Thanks everyone.

Happyclicker Loc: West Mids, UK

Ended up buying the lowepro Backpack 300 - bit of a beast It holds my D7000 with Tamron 70 - 300 and what hopfully will be my next lens the Sigma 120-300. Starting off fresh so thought of buying big to start with. Reckon you coudl live in this backpack!!!

wizbird Loc: Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda, Fl

I have the Lowepro smallest semi back pack. It works fine for me. Can not leave battery pack on camera when in bag but does have space to store it. They make 3 sizes; perhaps one of the next two sizes would work better for you. Also check out Case Logic. I have one of them which has a sling in center for hanging camera and two side compartments for lenses etc. I find I use it the most. Read reviews on each bag that you are considering.

zundapp5 Loc: Portugal

I am happy with my Lowepro Flipside 400 AW! :thumbup:

Happyclicker Loc: West Mids, UK

Nice load of Nikon Glass..............

mikemilton

You have quite the challenge. This is a very personal thing so my first bit of advice is: go shopping.

Secondly, the first decision is are you going to work from the bag or just use it to carry things from place to place? If you just want something that will protect stuff (in your car, for example) as you get to the shoot but will be working with the camera alons you have a lot more choice than if you are looking for a bag that you will use all day when shooting.

I have a huge Lowepro roller I use for storage and transportation. There are lots of other choices but they are not useful walking through a venue or the woods.

Backpacks are sort of a mid-way solution. You can take them along as you shoot but you can't pop your camera in and out and they can be unwieldy and need to be put down at times to get things out. The only exception I've found is this:
http://www.rotation360.com/
In addition to being able to get at your camera, it has a groundcloth option. I funded the kickstarter campaign and will get mine soon. They will be available this year.

My most used working bag is the largest Lowepro toploader. It fits my EOS1Dx with the 70-200F2.8 and GPS unit attached. I think of it as a camera strap with a cocoon. When I want to shoot I just pop the camera out and then back in it goes. The downsize is that it won't hold a larger lens or other accessories.

If I think I'll need more along for the day I use an Urban Disguise as if it were a toploader with the camera/lens in the center and other lenses / accessories in the outer pocket.
The largest one:
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/urban-disguise-70-pro-v2.aspx
will hold apro body with the 70-200 in the centre spot or a longer lens horizontally. It will also hold two more bodies (no lens) in the fron pockets (or other accessories like flash etc)

The next size down (the model 60) has a nice laptop sleeve in the back that I really like.

The urban disguise are also quite inconspicuous and look more like a briefcase than a camera case.

EstherP

Have you considered taking the gear you want to pack to a camera store so you can see for yourself how it fits, and then how the filled bag fits you?
Just a thought - but it may help to prevent you ending up with half a dozen useless bags...
EstherP

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have the Lowepro Fastback 350 - nice bag. Roomy, but not too large to carry easily. I also have the Lowepro Event Messenger Bag 250.

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

I had trouble finding a backpack that would hold my D90 with battery grip and lens attached. Had to do with the depth more that anything else. Nothing works well that was in my price range.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have yet to find the perfect camera bag for any use. I have found though, that the trunk of my car works pretty well for carrying what I "need."

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

Also PM MTShooter - he's putting several new ones through trials.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I'm not sure how you're using this, are you wanting to just transport equipment or are you looking at something to take hiking? I use the Pelican Storm Cases and love them. You can get the pick N pluck foam and customize them for whatever you want. I have an extra set of foam for each of my cases and have several configurations depending on my needs. It's a bit unconventional but it works great for me.

Blues Loc: Duluth, Mn

I was once told by a photo instructor to find a padded bag or backpack that has no name on it. If you use a name brand bag, wannabe thieves know what you are carrying.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If you ship in the cargo section of a plane, you should stencil "Expensive Photo Gear - Handle with Care" onto the outside. :D

janb

Thank you all for your thoughts. Happyclicker, which 300? The Flipside or proTrekker?
Zundapp5, I'm intrigued by the Flipside 400, especially if it comes with a full bottle of wine.
Jerryc41, I'm liken the Fastback 350 for the side entry, we travel full time & you never know when we may set out on foot, bike, car or plane.
MikeMilton, as much as the rotation 360 looks great the $$$ don't work too well for me.
EstherP, I'm with you on taking my gear to a store but I have not found a decent camera store, if any, where I am in Fl. I will go to Best Buy this week & hope they have something I can put put my hands on.
I am also checking out a Tamrac, which I have an Adventure 6 now, but they are heavy compared to the other brands. The search will continue even if I have to wait til I can get to a well stocked store, I hear there is one in Louisville, Ky.
Thanks again for the input & any future suggestions.