Let’s face it, I have bought a few camera bags. Shall I list some?
Shootsac (yes, I know it’s not “really” a camera bag)
A Tracy Joy (it doesn’t have enough structure/sturdiness to it)
A Crumpler (don’t ask which one, just know it’s not big enough)
And, a Jill-E Large Rolling Bag…herein lies my problem.
I fly a few times a year. I do a few events and am doing some second shooting for weddings. The Jill-E isn’t cutting it. It’s NOT convenient to get in and out of when you keep your laptop with you. I really need a bag that:
- Rolls
- Holds two camera bodies, multiple lenses (50 1.2, 35, 24-70, 70-200, and maybe one other. I realize some can be on the camera bodies).
- Holds two flashes and battery packs.
- Holds a 17 inch Macbook Pro and the power cord.
When I pack a bag for a wedding, it never is easy to get lenses out of or re-pack. Never goes back the same way and usually I can’t zip it at the end of the night. When I travel, a neatly packed bag loses that neatness after you go through security. The laptop comes out and putting it back in is like wrastling a raccoon. That was “so” my Georgia roots coming out.
I really like the lay-flat bags, like the Think Tank, that open up and you can see EVERYTHING, right there for your hands to grasp. Everything has a place. I will purchase a Think Tank, if I have to, but I’m curious to know what kind of bag, like what I need, that you use currently. I’m not looking for a shoulder bag. I can take one I have with me in a suitcase for that purpose. Just something that travels with a good bit of gear. Something that is sturdy and convenient to get things in and out of. Something that isn’t going to keep me from buying gas for the car for the next month.
P.S. Looks do NOT matter to me. I am not buying a bag because it’s cute or pretty!
What do you use?
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Rebekah - I use a Lowepro Pro Roller x100. It is wonderful! They made the front pocket for laptops though, but I never put mine in there. I put mine in a sleeve on top my equipment and zip it up…maybe not the best solution, but I don’t like it being in the outer pocket. I’ve travelled with it a few times and I can put all my gear in it, 2 camera bodies, 4 lenses (one is a 80-200) 2 flashes, battery pack and all my cords and cables plus my laptop. It fits great in the overhead bin.
Shelly Waldman - Hi Holly,
I bought a Think Tank bag (the one with back pack straps) thinking that when I travel it’s sometimes easier to host the bag on my back and walk down the stairs to the train, so this will be perfect. I got the bag home and tried organizing my gear into it. There’s a lot of pluses to the Think Tank – it’s strudy, well constructed, has lots of secruity features and locks… but for me it just wasn’t right. It was really heavy with nothing in it. And after my gear was packed inside, I thought I’d have throw out my back lugging it in and out of my car, let alone hoisting it over head in an airplane. I returned the bag and hunted some more.
As my birthday approach last year, friends of mine gave me a rolling Tamarac bag. It fits 2 camera bodies, 2 pocket wizards, 70-200mm, 24-70mm, and one more lens plus two flashes and a battery recycler for my 580 ex11. There’s a large front pocket too that I can put a laptop in, but I use it for various other items. I wish I could remember the model number but it’s similar to this (http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-Wheels-Rolling-StrongBox-Camera/dp/B00013J6I8/ref=sr_1_84?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1309305981&sr=1-84). It’s a great rolling bag that isn’t too heavy with all my gear and if I need a few extra peices I pack them in my Crumpler (7 million dollar bag) and off I go.
Best of luck on the bag search.
ashley nacke - I just bought a bag from http://epiphaniebags.com/ today! I spent two weeks debating between those bags and a Kelly Moore bag. I got the belle bag in hot pink. I like how easy it was to access all my equipment and it seems really sturdy!! GOOD LUCK!
Kylie - I have the crumpler Karachi outpost. It fits all that and more. There is a perfect spot for 17-inch MBP – easy accessible at security. Not a rolling bag, but there is another model similar that hold the same and rolls. Highly recommend.