Camera Bag Suggestions

[photosytes]

A week ago I finally received my Canon 20D and two lenses.:D Now I'm not sure what to use to carry my new system (and subsequent purchases).
I have an older Tamrac Pro bag (similar in size and style to the newer Pro System 8) but I find it cumbersome when I use it out in the field. (I do a lot of nature, travel, outdoor photography and tend to carry my gear around with me). So, up until now, with my T60 and it's 3 lenses, I recently started using the Tamrac Velocity 7 Sling Pack. I have really liked it. I get to carry my gear without it getting in the way or having to worry about putting it down in dirt or wet conditions. The problem is that my new system is much bigger and I'm still planning on adding a macro and a wide angle lens.
My question is: what camera bag does everyone use for similar equipment and uses? What do you use when you go out in the field? I want to be able to carry a descent amount of equipment comfortably and safely. I need to get down low and climb things, etc... plus be concerned with 'sudden' weather.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to the types I should be looking at? The pros and cons of my options? Warnings of types to stay away from?
I have been considering a Tamrac or Lowepro backpack style bag for field work and using my pro bag for client based work.

[sherlock]

Hey photosytes,

I use a Lowepro SlingShot 200AW. It's great because you can get the stuff out of the bag without taking it off, like your Tamrac. It holds my F100 with 24-85mm attatched and other lens and flash with room for another lens and accessories. For sudden weather it's great because it has Lowepro's "All Weather Cover" which is a cover with elastic that stores pulls out from the bottom of the bag and when pulled over the top of the bag it keeps everything nice and dry. All in all its a great bag. Here's (http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/All_Weather_Cover/SlingShot_200_AW.aspx)the link to it at Lowepro's site. Hope all of this helps.

Edit: Re-read your post. About the stability- it has one strap to sling across your shoulder but it has a stability strap also. It keeps it pretty stable; I've never had a problem with the stability.


Andrew

[photosytes]

Hey Sherlock,

I have looked at the Slingshots before, prior to buying the Tamrac. I chose the Tamrac because I found it more to my specific needs and it was quite a bit cheaper (at least where I got it from). My concern is space. I want something large enough to carry what I need but not so big that I don't want to take it with me. I only bought the Velocity 7 in the fall and now I've outgrown it (I can't use it with my 20D and the 70-200 lense, let alone bringing along my 28-135). So, I don't want that to happen again, at least not for a while :) . I would also not mind having somewhere to attach at least a monopod, if not a tripod.
I'm kind of thinking of one of the following:

Lowepro Computrekker AW
Lowepro Phototrekker AwII
Lowepro Naturetrekker AWII
Tamrac Cyperpack 8
Tamrac Expedition 7

Does anyone have any personal experiences with any of those?

[Bill Markwick]

My question is: what camera bag does everyone use for similar equipment and uses? What do you use when you go out in the field? I want to be able to carry a descent amount of equipment comfortably and safely. I need to get down low and climb things, etc... plus be concerned with 'sudden' weather.


I have the Lowepro Computrekker Plus. It's enormous and would hold everything you mentioned, plus having excellent padding for protection. There's a removable waist strap so that it's totally stable. A plastic cover unfolds from a bottom pocket for those sudden downpours. It also has a foldout strap and bungee cords for holding a tripod externally.

The down side: other than being absurdly expensive (I paid $180 Canadian), it's too big for anything but special outings. Not a bag for everyday use. (I probably should have bought the Computrekker without the "Plus", which is smaller.)

You can find it here:
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/CompuTrekker_Plus_AW.aspx

Regards,
Bill

[photosytes]

I looked at the specs for all of the bags I listed. The Computrekker Plus was definitely too big. That's something I want to avoid, as I said. I don't want it so big that I'd rather not take it with me. The regular Computrekker is quite a bit smaller. Here's a quick comparison of internal sizes:

Computrekker A 11W x 5D x 15H
Computrekker AW Plus 13W x 5.3D x 18.9H
Phototrekker AWII 12W x 6D x 19H
Nature Trekker AWII 11.5W x 6D x 16.75H

So, if Bill thinks that the Plus is enormous then I can pretty much also rule out the Phototrekker. That leaves me with the Computrekker and Nature Trekker from Lowepro. As for Tamrac, that would rule out the CyberPack 8 (12W x 6D x 18H) but the Expedition 7 might be okay (11W x 6.25D x 16H).

I think I should go to a local store to check them out first hand and maybe try them on, then buy it online for cheaper.

Is there anyone who would definitely steer me away from a backpack? How would one of those Stealth bags work for nature/field work?