Camera bags (1 Viewer)

[Craig Thayer]

I have a Canon 40D with 100-400mm lens (although I may purchase Canon 7D soon)
About 2 years ago I bought the LowePro Toploader 75AW bag which is perfect for my camera/lens. However disappointingly the bag has begun to fall apart after just 2 years !! Does anyone know of any other bags (different brand) similar in size/configuration that would accommodate my equipment ??


THANKS

Craig Thayer

 

[James Lidster]

I know this does't answer your question but i would be on to Lowepro very quickly! They make top quality (expensive) gear and a bag falling apart so soon just shouldn't happen. Hopefully their staff will read your post and contact you for a replacement.
Good luck
James

 

[Jaff]

A Lowerpro Minitrekker AW handles that rig very well but definitely have a go with James' suggestion first.

 

[tony.saw]

Hi
I had a Lowepro computrekker aw that I use to carry my equipment abroad. The stitching was coming out on one of the shoulder straps. I took the bag to Lowepro UK distributors and, although I had no warrenty with me, they kept the bag for checking and sent me a new one within a week - pretty good service I thought!
Tony

 

[Roy C]

I would also recommend the Lowerpro Mini trekker AW. I have had one for years and it is still going strong. I even use it for the 300/2.8 + tc + Camera and it just fits so the 100-400 + 40D will be no problem. Pretty handy for taking abroad as well as it is within the hand-baggage size.

 

[sparrowbirder]

Ive just purchased one of these


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camera-Back...r_1_2?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285883256&sr=8-2
very good product for the price

 

[Keith Reeder]

I know you've asked for "other brand" recommendations Craig, but Lowepro really is as good as it gets, as a rule.

On the assumption that you want something fairly small and compact, I'd suggest the Inverse 200 - I've been using one for about a year now (gripped 7D + 100-400mm) and it's just right.

I've got loads of larger-capacity bags, but this one is really nice in use, either as a shoulder bag, or as a belt pack (which is why I bought it).

It's excellent.

 

[NixAvianPix]

I recently bought a Tamrac Expedition 7. I can fit my 7D with 400 f5.6 & tc attached & therefore ready to shoot plus room for other lenses & binos.

I'm not sure but I think this is probably the smallest bag you can get that can do this. It's very well made & a fair bit cheaper than equivalent Lowepro products. I picked mine up prestine condition on ebay for £80 but I think you can get new for around £120.

 

[Jaff]

I recently bought a Tamrac Expedition 7. I can fit my 7D with 400 f5.6 & tc attached & therefore ready to shoot plus room for other lenses & binos.

I'm not sure but I think this is probably the smallest bag you can get that can do this. It's very well made & a fair bit cheaper than equivalent Lowepro products. I picked mine up prestine condition on ebay for £80 but I think you can get new for around £120.

Which with the minitrekker can do at a fraction of the cost of your Exp 7.

 

[NixAvianPix]

Quote:
"Which with the minitrekker can do at a fraction of the cost of your Exp 7."

It comes down to personal choice and maybe even brand loyalty. However Lowepro specify the mini-trekker has a max internal dimension of 37cm and my camera+lens+tc is 38cm so I wouldn't be trying to squeeze my valuable gear into that space.

The Exp 7 has 2 velcro straps to anchor the camera lens securely in the bag. It's big enough to use as my carry-on bag on laug-haul trips & even includes a lap-top pouch but is still light & comfortable enough as a day bag. I only wanted to buy one bag so this does both jobs for me. I did plenty of research before I chose the right bag for me which may not be the right bag for someone else. It may cost more than the mini-trekker but you get a lot more bag for your money.

And I'm darn sure it will not be falling apart in 2 years time.

 

[Roy C]

Quote:
However Lowepro specify the mini-trekker has a max internal dimension of 37cm and my camera+lens+tc is 38cm so I wouldn't be trying to squeeze my valuable gear into that space.

The 400/5.6 + 7D + tc fits in the Mini trekker no problem. I used one with the 400/5.6 + camera attached for three or four years and have been using it with the 300/2.8 + 7D + tc attached for almost a year. The bag is still going strong. Maybe not the best bag you can buy but it is almost certainly the best value for money bag IMO - the price you can get them for these days is ridiculously low.

 

[AndyMc]

Mini-trekker will fit 7D with 100-400 attached - including the hood, leaving some space for a few other bits & bobs such as std lens & bins, bits & bobs. Ideal for keeping your kit in one place instead of throwing around the car or filling your pockets.
The only gripe I have is the short back length (I'm 6' 1'') which can be uncomfortable with the weight on a trek. A bigger bag would of course rectify this but I'd only fill it with more stuff, increasing the weight.

Picked mine up for £20 on ebay - bargain.

 

[davem]

Another vote here for the Tamrac Expedition 7. When full it's got the capacity for a 1D with 100-400 attached, 70-200 in another compartment, walkabout zoom, converter, space for the spare body if need be, and extra space for the Hoodman Loupe, Jobo storage device, spare batteries and the inside of the lid has lots of flat zipped compartments for cards and such like.

Not sure you could get a full-size laptop in the front pocket but a netbook would fit and apart from the storage capacity, the best thing I have found about this bag is the intelligent way they have built all the lumbar supports and strap padding in makes it very comfortable to carry about a large amount of weight should it ever need to be full (which is very rare).

 

[mdb2]

I have the expedition 6 with 50d and sigma 150-500 and other lenses included its about 9 months no problems so far. regards mike

 

[Keith Reeder]

Guys - Craig wants something small (similar in size to his Toploader 75), not a bag he could use to move house!



That's why I suggested the Inverse 200.

Come on Craig, I know you've visited the thread a few times since your original post - any word from you?

 

[mrmarklin]

I use the Tamrac Velocity series. These are sling packs and very handy. There are various sizes available.

But I've tried a lot of stuff, and haven't yet found perfection.

 

[Craig Thayer]

Thanks

Thanks for all the replys !!! I am surprised how much discussion my inquiry generated. Keith is right.. I just want a bag to house my Canon body and the 100-400mm lens . I intend to visit one of my local stores in Chicago and explore some of the various suggested options. Perhaps for now I will keep the toploader until it completely falls apart !!!

Craig

 

[bren-escape]

I would also recommend the Lowerpro Mini trekker AW. I have had one for years and it is still going strong. I even use it for the 300/2.8 + tc + Camera and it just fits so the 100-400 + 40D will be no problem. Pretty handy for taking abroad as well as it is within the hand-baggage size.

Roy, been looking for a new bag myself, is that with the hood reversed with the 300mm? wondered more about the diameter of the 300mm fitting, is it very snug?

Thanks

 

[Craig Thayer]

As an update, LowePro USA has indicated that if I mail them my Toploader 75 AW they will either repair it or replace it so I will keep everyone posted on the outcome.

Out of curiosity, are the LowePro bags purchased in Europe made in China (as are the bags purchased in USA) or are they manufactured in Europe ? I ask only because before current failed bag I owned a USA made LowePro product that lasted 20+ years with no problems !!

Craig T

 

[Roy C]

Roy, been looking for a new bag myself, is that with the hood reversed with the 300mm? wondered more about the diameter of the 300mm fitting, is it very snug?

Thanks

Hi Bren, The 300 and Camera fits snuggly with the hood reversed (I took the 300 with camera attached to Spain earlier in the year as hand luggage so it certainly fits) To be quite honest I prefer to keep the hood in the shooting position so I transport via an holdall in the car but always take the backpack when I go walkabouts just in case it rains. I bought the bag specifically for the 400/5.6 several years ago so and would not necessarily recommend it for the 300 but it serves my purpose.
If I was in the market for a new backpack specifically for the 300 I would look for something that takes the combo with hood in shooting position but that means quite a large bag.