Best camera bag (Page 2): I just spent an hour looking hands on for a backpack at Pictureline. The good news is that the quality of gear is much better than my Tenba and Lowepro packs...

Burkley Loc: Park City

NP Hound wrote:

Usually, my wife and I each have a backpack for our gear, but we are planning a trip to Scotland, and I want to condense everything into one bag. Below is a list of what we will be taking. Of course, it still needs to fit under the seat, if possible. I would like to stay under $250, but would go higher for the perfect bag.

R7
6D mkII
100-400
RF100-500
16-35

Thanks, Mike

I just spent an hour looking hands on for a backpack at Pictureline. The good news is that the quality of gear is much better than my Tenba and Lowepro packs of 7-10 years ago. All the major brands had good to excellent products. I would take the time to look at a local photography store in person. I found that my tastes pushed me away from many products that I had originally considered based on online research. For carrying a lot of camera gear, there are several excellent packs around $200-300. But each had a different fit and some did not fit my wide shoulders well.

I was interested in a travel backpack that carried both camera gear and had space for a jacket, a few personal items and had a trolley strap. I found that I needed at least 35 Liters and was most impressed with packs that have a modular internal system. The brands that were most impressive were F-stop, Nomadic and Shimoda. They are expensive but are extremely well designed. I can buy a large internal Module for a safari when I carry a lot of camera gear, and a medium sized camera module for when I want to travel with only a body, 3 lenses and a few accessories along with a jacket and travel items for Europe or Asia. I didn’t buy yet, but will head back to the store with my actual travel setup to see which system works best with my gear.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

[quote=nikon123]

NP Hound wrote:

Usually, my wife and I each have a backpack for ou... (show quote)

The 13” Peak Design bag is a nice bag and my wife owns one and uses it for overseas travel.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

I place my Lowepro Protactic 350 inside my roll and take a Peaks Design 6L bag for under the seat. For that size gear you might try the 450 model and a Peak Designs 10L. I choose daily what I need and carry the small bag.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

I typically use a ThinkTank suitcase with wheels, however it is not suitable for all environments..i.e. backpacking or going through swamps...Knowing I needed 2 bodies (Nikon D-850) & at least a 500mm & a few other lenses, I settled on the Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW II Black Pro Modular Backpack Great expandability

clemente21

NP Hound wrote:

Usually, my wife and I each have a backpack for our gear, but we are planning a trip to Scotland, and I want to condense everything into one bag. Below is a list of what we will be taking. Of course, it still needs to fit under the seat, if possible. I would like to stay under $250, but would go higher for the perfect bag.

R7
6D mkII
100-400
RF100-500
16-35

Maybe a second R7 if there is room.

Thanks, Mike

The bag I'd choose, besides to fit all these, would be able to attach a tripod, a water bottle and be able to put on the ground without concerns of getting it wet. I have an old Case Logic bag I bought for $50 that can do most of this plus a laptop. Can't find the model number though but it is similar to model 3204534.

Tonym2s Loc: Florida

Tons of adjustable space, dividers are VERY strong firm but soft, pockets all over, fairly easy access $95.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093X16PXP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
see my review Almost Perfect for pics.

NP Hound wrote:

Usually, my wife and I each have a backpack for our gear, but we are planning a trip to Scotland, and I want to condense everything into one bag. Below is a list of what we will be taking. Of course, it still needs to fit under the seat, if possible. I would like to stay under $250, but would go higher for the perfect bag.

R7
6D mkII
100-400
RF100-500
16-35

Maybe a second R7 if there is room.

Thanks, Mike

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I use a small rolling suitcase for transport through airports, and even in cars. It fits under the seat and holds 3 DSLRs and their peripherals. But if you need something for walking around, then it does require a backpack. Actually, I like to carry the camera on a chest carrier that's quite secure and keeps the camera at the ready. Then I have a very small backpack that carries any peripherals I need during the day (like an extra lens, extra batteries, filters, etc.). And my little SX50 fits in it also.

neillaubenthal

I've got a Nya Eco 26c and it easily carried Z8, Z7II, 100-400, 24-120, 14-30 and the PCs in the lower section using their medium size camera insert…which leaves the top separate section where I had all my charging gear, power strip, and UK travel adapter and my wife's Z50 with 16-50 lens, her 50-250 was in her carryon. The bag also has a laptop/table section which took my 14" MBP and 2 iPads…and the bag was pretty full but fit fine both under the seat and in the overhead.

There is provision for attaching a tripod to the bag while hiking but my travel tripod was in one of our suitcases. I've also got a ThinkTank Airport Commuter but it mostly sits on the couch at home because it doesn't have the top section and different size camera inserts…so it's my at home hold everyone that I have out for ready use at the pond out back keep it all together function. Like others…I've spent way too much money on backpacks, straps, vests, and assorted other ways to carry things in search of the 'perfect' solution…and have concluded that such a thing doesn't exist as each of my solutions was pretty good for some things but not very good for other things.

LDB415 Loc: Houston south suburb

There are Domke bags. Then there is everything else. YMWV

cathy.ahles

Think Tank Airport Essentials for sure. Its square-ish, rigid design holds tons more than soft side or wheeled backpacks. Fits under the seat and in the tiny overhead compartments of small commuter planes like CRJs. I took mine to Africa with two Canon bodies, a 100-500, a 24-105, a 15-35, a 15” laptop and accessories, and still had room for some snacks. It also has a cable lock which I’ve used a few times when my attention could not be 100% on my gear (like light snoozing in an airport). $219.

Burkley Loc: Park City

Suitcase style wheeled bags like the Think Tank or Tenba products are great, but I struggle to use mine unless I am traveling to a specific single building shoot or only sitting in a car. They simply are inconvenient for walking around a tourist city or hiking any distance from a parking lot. Given the gear you want to take with you, if possible I would go to a local photography store with the gear and put it in different bags before deciding. Even if you don’t like a specific bag at the store, it will give you an idea about the size: 30 Liter, 35 L or 45-50 L. They all can be carried on.

philo Loc: philo, ca

you can buy a insert that will fit into any carry on bag. cost about $50

delder Loc: Maryland

MtManMD wrote:

What works perfectly for me, normally carrying that much gear and more, is a carry-on size suitcase with handle and wheels. You can easily transport the gear inconspicuously on planes, in the car seat next to you, between auto and hotel, etc. I added a couple strips of foam to separate lens and bodies. Accessories go in exterior or inner zippered pockets. When working out of the auto with it on the passenger seat, a flip of the lid closed, and no one knows there is any photo gear there.

I LOVE your "Stealth" mode!

CKAlbion Loc: Mendocino, CA

Make sure to check your airline's size requirements. Everything I usually used was officially too big on our last trip. I really liked my Osprey messenger bag, but as it was too large and I was too stubborn to buy a new bag, I made do with a newer older one that turned out to be nothing but annoying.

Think about the way you want to use your bag. If you're the sort who likes separate compartments for everything, then you're in luck. Most of the newer backpacks have a ton of separate sections/compartments. That didn't work for me, my R5, and its 100-500 lens, plus my Sony RX10. What has worked since then was an old-fashioned backpack, the kind with one or two exterior pockets and a large interior. I rolled up socks and shirts for cushions around my gear. The older backpack squished under the airplane seat.

I always enjoy these threads, if only to see all the variations in bags.

dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

NP Hound wrote:

Usually, my wife and I each have a backpack for our gear, but we are planning a trip to Scotland, and I want to condense everything into one bag. Below is a list of what we will be taking. Of course, it still needs to fit under the seat, if possible. I would like to stay under $250, but would go higher for the perfect bag.

R7
6D mkII
100-400
RF100-500
16-35

Maybe a second R7 if there is room.

Thanks, Mike

For that kit, and not knowing exactly where you're going in Scotland, I'd advise a Mindshift Backlight 16L backpack. I would also question the two long lenses, and I'd have something in the 35-105 mm kind of range in place of one of them. But if you're after puffins or whales or the like, then the long lenses make sense. But for castles, gardens, seascapes and the like, you'll want a second short-medium lens. Just my thoughts having been there.

Cheers,
Dick