Spindrift62 Loc: Dorset, England. U.K.

Sell the lot and buy Micro 4/3rds. Our camera club members are all gradually moving to the 'light side' and the quality of our photos seem to be improving according to our competition results.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

There is no such thing as the perfect camera bag. Just the closest that you can get to the perfect one for you. Ansel Adams loaded up his station wagon to be versatile. You can't always do that!

I have become a huge fan of modular systems because of their versatility, plus using a good solid brand because your equipment is expensive and fragile.

My solution is to have lots of different bags, but there is a theme. I'm fond of Tamrac as a very resilient brand with a high quality of construction.

My main bag is a Tamrac 5768 Velocity 8x Pro Photo Sling Pack (Black) (http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-Velocity-Photo-Sling-Black/dp/B000P3ZB88/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1396802678&sr=8-5&keywords=tamrac+velocity+camera+bag), augmented with the Tamrac M.A.S. accessory system.

The main bag holds a Canon T3i with battery grip and a 18-135mm zoom walk-around lens, 10-22mm zoom, 70-300mm zoom, 60mm macro, 50mm prime, and a variety of smaller accessories etc. It works as a shoulder pack and also as a hip-level top loading bag when you are on location. A tripod or monopod can be strapped to the side of the bag if you wish. Velcro ties work really well for that.

With a couple of M.A.S. attachments on either side of the velocity bag I generally carry a flash in one side pocket and a fisheye lens on the other. The side pockets are interchangeable, so it's very quick and easy to swap other M.A.S contained items. The M.A.S. items can also fit on a belt if you really want to pack a lot of lenses etc. (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tamrac%20M.A.S.%20bag)

This is a very comfortable and flexible bag system for the majority of my uses.

I also have a bunch of other bags (Amazon basics are inexpensive and versatile although not as robust as Tamrac). (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_14?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=amazon+basics+camera+bag&sprefix=Amazon+basics+%2Caps%2C252&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aamazon+basics+camera+bag)

Essentially I store things in a set of bags I can just grab and throw in the car. When on my location I can then assemble the things I think I need and adapt the configuration of the Tamrac Velocity bag. I then have all the things that I have selected in an easy to carry yet robust traveling package that transforms to a very versatile waist level equipment store when I want to change lenses equipment easily while doing my work.

It's a complex system, but is amazingly versatile.

Good luck!

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

O.K. let us look at simplifying this problem:
#1 buy a second D5100 Body (used from $300 up)
#2 Buy an op/tec type dual camera harness
#3 buy a quality hunting/fishing shirt/jacket/vest with all sorts of pockets.

With this setup the tripod is easy to handle - but as stated - seldom needed with fast shutter speed.

My primary bag that holds all I need on a photo trip is this $30 bag from Amazon - I fill my vest or jacket from it to fit my needs for the trip.
http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-Velocity-Photo-Sling-Black/dp/B000P3ZB88/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&... augmented with the Tamrac M.A.S. accessory system.

Works for me

mbs1925 Loc: Tampa

Thank you for your suggestions, I will definitely check out the links. Thanks again

cntry Loc: Colorado

I have one of these, bought it back in the mid-90's for my 35mm kit. Used it a few times, but found it too heavy and awkward to get into - it's strapped on your back, you're hiking, you see a deer, oops wrong lens, get the pack off, get it open, switch lenses, stand to take the shot, deer gone. I use it now for storage - my 35mm stuff is in it as well as an assortment of filters, etc that I don't need anymore.

I have a Tamrac 8 that is smaller, but easily carries a body and a couple lens and has smaller pockets on top and the sides for filters, extra batteries, water bottle, etc. It has straps on the bottom to carry a tripod. It's a lot lighter than the Mini Trekker and I found I didn't miss the extra stuff I could carry in the larger bag. It's also comfortable to carry over one shoulder, something that you can't do with the Mini Trekker, or at least I couldn't it was too big. http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-5248-Adventure-Photo-Backpack/dp/B00004X0ZM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397007399&sr=8-1&keywords=tamrac+adventure+8

My all time favorite and the one I use the most...the very first one I bought (of course) when I bought my Maxxum. A LowePro Orion shoulder bag, it's crescent shaped to fit against your waist comfortably, and has a waist belt to ease the strain on your shoulder. I have my A65 and 3 lenses in it right now. I also carry CPL's for each lens, a cleaning cloth and spare batteries. I've found that for 90% of time, that's all I use anyway even if I take a larger bag. And it has straps on the bottom to carry a tripod. The new ones are smaller but here's one exactly like mine http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOWE-PRO-Orion-Belt-Pack-SLR-DSLR-2-3-LENSES-ACCESSORIES-/221405187555?pt=US_Camera_Cases_Bags&hash=item338cc70de3
Looks like this one is missing the shoulder strap, too bad, it's a really comfortable strap, but a good OpTech strap will work.