travel question: So I am looking for a travel bag that will handle camera gear for a trip but also have room for other things. I have a camera bag and another back pack but I am...

keith k

So I am looking for a travel bag that will handle camera gear for a trip but also have room for other things. I have a camera bag and another back pack but I am looking for one bag that will do both for a River Cruise this spring. Will be traveling light as possible with camera equipment but still needs protection. Would like room for other things too in this bag as carrying two bags on air plans is not practical.

Any suggestions for a combo pack?

Thanks
Keith Kittinger

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

You're not providing enough information. How long is your trip? How much camera gear do you expect to carry?

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

Consider the Tenba Messenger 15

Well designed, great quality.
It has segmented interior that you can pull out. Big enough for a laptop. Zipped access w/o folding the large flap back. Strong velcro to anchor it to a small roller case for airport travel, fits under your plane seat. Plenty of protection. Comes with detachable straps. You can’t go wrong.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

nimbushopper wrote:

You're not providing enough information. How long is your trip? How much camera gear do you expect to carry?

I purchased this to take to Iceland.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1353765-REG/manfrotto_mb_nx_m_igy_2_messenger_bag_gray.html

It worked out great as it has top access without opening the flap. I do like it a lot.
It should fit under an airplane seat also as long as you don't over-stuff it.
BUT, if you have anything small, like keys, if you don't put them in one of the zippered pockets, they can fall out when the bag is turned upside-down, like at airport security screening...
The top is a flap and does not seal (by zipper) on the sides.

I carried two spare batteries, battery charger, a filter pouch, angle finder, 50mm lens and the camera with an 18-200mm lens. Plus little stuff in the zipper pouches.

bikerguy

For the past six years we have traveled extensively with carryon only. Including Iceland, Alaska, Galapaogos, Norway in March and other parts Europe and Patagonia. My camera bags I use depending opon the amount of gear have been the LowPro Photo Hatchback AW 22L (my preference) or the Fastbpack 250 (Slightly larger). With either one the bottom is padded for the camera gear and the top functions like a small backpack with plenty of room for essential items. Also, both have slots for a tablet or small laptop.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

keith k wrote:

So I am looking for a travel bag that will handle camera gear for a trip but also have room for other things. I have a camera bag and another back pack but I am looking for one bag that will do both for a River Cruise this spring. Will be traveling light as possible with camera equipment but still needs protection. Would like room for other things too in this bag as carrying two bags on air plans is not practical.

Any suggestions for a combo pack?

Thanks
Keith Kittinger

If you are flying be sure it meets the size and weight criteria. Weight is checked at a lot of international flights. Google carry on restrictions for your airline. Edit - I meant to add that Manfrotto has a nice back pack with compartments and it meets the size limits for a carry on. It also has a matching shoulder bag that meets the accessory size limits. I think they are called "Manhattan".

repleo Loc: Boston

keith k wrote:

So I am looking for a travel bag that will handle camera gear for a trip but also have room for other things. I have a camera bag and another back pack but I am looking for one bag that will do both for a River Cruise this spring. Will be traveling light as possible with camera equipment but still needs protection. Would like room for other things too in this bag as carrying two bags on air plans is not practical.

Any suggestions for a combo pack?

Thanks
Keith Kittinger

If you will be using European airlines, note that most of them allow carry on bags up to 16" (400mm) wide versus 14" typical of American airlines. 16" bags are fairly hard to find but you can get them on Amazon with bit of searching. The extra 2" is a big bonus. However, your carry on bag including any under seat 'personal item' may be weighed together and subject to the weight limit - policies vary - check with airline. If you are overweight your carry-on may end going in the hold with a hefty fee. To reduce weight, stuff your lenses in the pockets of a jacket until you get through check-in.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

keith k wrote:

So I am looking for a travel bag that will handle camera gear for a trip but also have room for other things. I have a camera bag and another back pack but I am looking for one bag that will do both for a River Cruise this spring. Will be traveling light as possible with camera equipment but still needs protection. Would like room for other things too in this bag as carrying two bags on air plans is not practical.

Any suggestions for a combo pack?

Thanks
Keith Kittinger

How much and what gear?

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Search Amazon for Messenger bags, many types and costs. I went with 15", 5-1/2" wide, with two front pockets & 2 side pockets for extra stuff, inside zip pouch for passports and folding money. Then search for bag inserts -they are padded rectangular shaped with movable dividers, which gives me extra protection for camera and lens. The two parts cost around $50 for me, works wonderful, fits under airline seats.

Bags at mentioned camera stores will run 3-4x more and are meant for more regular use versus just a major couple trips per year.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Be sure to get a bag with a photographic logo on it for travel. Maybe "Nikon", "Canon" or at least "Manfrotto" so you and everybody else can keep your luggage straight and know what's inside.

More seriously, use wraps, towels, heavy socks, etc to pad your gear and use any "off brand" bag of any shape or size the fits carry on requirements.

Google search for "Domke Color Coded Protective Wrap".

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

This is an issue I deal with on every trip. My wife asks if we can travel with just one carry on each. I say, it depends on what you want to take? Because I know that she assumes that I will have space for her extra needs. Until you can define what you want to pack, it is pointless to choose a bag.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

keith k wrote:

So I am looking for a travel bag that will handle camera gear for a trip but also have room for other things. I have a camera bag and another back pack but I am looking for one bag that will do both for a River Cruise this spring. Will be traveling light as possible with camera equipment but still needs protection. Would like room for other things too in this bag as carrying two bags on air plans is not practical.

Any suggestions for a combo pack?

Thanks
Keith Kittinger

You are the one that knows what he is taking and what dimensions he needs, so keep looking and good luck!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

What I usually do is place the camera bag into the backpack. When I need access to the camera gear, I simply take the camera bag out of the backpack; all the camera-related stuff remains together.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

keith k wrote:

So I am looking for a travel bag that will handle camera gear for a trip but also have room for other things. I have a camera bag and another back pack but I am looking for one bag that will do both for a River Cruise this spring. Will be traveling light as possible with camera equipment but still needs protection. Would like room for other things too in this bag as carrying two bags on air plans is not practical.

Any suggestions for a combo pack?

Thanks
Keith Kittinger

How much camera gear?
There is a limit to size and weight you can physically schlep around.
A standard back pack of any maker works just fine.
Then you need to decide how to divide camera and "Other things".
Bag is not the issue but your willingness to carry weight and size.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

keith k wrote:

So I am looking for a travel bag that will handle camera gear for a trip but also have room for other things. I have a camera bag and another back pack but I am looking for one bag that will do both for a River Cruise this spring. Will be traveling light as possible with camera equipment but still needs protection. Would like room for other things too in this bag as carrying two bags on air plans is not practical.

Any suggestions for a combo pack?

Thanks
Keith Kittinger

There are lots of solutions for what you want - but you need to make a list of what you expect to carry, THEN go looking for a bag/backpack