DSLR Bags?


Leif

Leif

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Well I returned my SX40 HS and just went DSLR or bust, all be it an entry level one.

I picked up the Canon t3i (600d)

I have no bag for it though. We have some at my work, but they are less than pleasing, and not set up the way I would like. Unfortunately my Maxi remora is not big enough for it either.

What are you guys using? I know there is quite a few DSLR users on here now.
 
Lowepro and Think Tank are my two favorite brands. Tough as nails and easy to work out of.
 
petrifiedwood said:
I lucked out big time last year when our local walmart was renovating their photo/video dept. I got an actual Canon Rebel bag that came with a few accessories and a spare battery for like $25 on clearance. It's very similar to the Lowepro bag I had for my 35mm. Plenty of room for a flash, teleconverter, macro rings, a 75-300 zoom, instruction manuals spare batteries, charger, lens cleaning supplies, spare SD cards, etc. It has a couple of straps on the bottom to lash on a small tripod (though most of those little tripods scare me when you hang a big heavy lens off the front).

If I could have my ideal camera bag, it would be a padded case with a smooth exterior free of any pockets or straps with just a zipper closure that could carry the camera and an extra lens and a few accessories, and be dropped into a regular day pack.

I've seen the camera backpacks but I wouldn't want to put a wad of dusty tinder or a cold wet package of food, etc. (normal day hike stuff) in the same pack as a camera.
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I take all my gear with me + my kit. So across the chest sling or the like it the winner for me.

You got a steal, over a deal on that bag and extras! Very nice.
 
To be honest dedicated camera bags are kind of annoying. They have backpack setups, hip packs,etc. Most of them are filled with hard inserts or foam and it ends up being very bulky. More real estate is taken up by the material protecting the camera.

I bring a big dslr with my and I usually just carry it on my neck. This way it's always ready to fire. Ive been using my gi poncho bag(weatherproof but not waterproof) to protect it overnight when I sleep. I'd say find something nice to wrap it up with and keep it close to the top of your pack if you have the room. I still vote for carrying it on the neck though.

Dry bags are nice but my camera is very large and most small dry bags aren't big enough for my camera. I guess just try that it before buying. Everyone's setups are different and who knows, if you go on a Viking battle, you might just need a dedicated shock proof case.
 
I don't have a big DSLR (Panasonic GF2 MFT camera here) but I like my Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack for a camera bag. It doesn't have the padded inserts for lenses and such but if I'm carrying two lenses, one is always inside a neoprene case anyway so I'm not worried about it. I'm not sure how comfortable the Jumbo would be for backpacking & hiking but I've used it traveling worn with and without a backpack and it worked well for that.

If you're looking into camera specific bags besides LowePro another one I hear mentioned a lot is Crumpler, they get a lot of positive press. Good luck in your search.
 
I have used and been happy with Lowe, Tamrac, and Think Tank bags.

I prefer not to carry one if I can avoid it. Too bulky. If I'm carrying a pack, the camera can be stowed inside the pack in a protective cover. If I'm carrying it, it's rigged around my neck and shoulder. Smaller cameras and gear or my fixed lens travel in my pockets, assuming I'm not on sketchy ground or in bad weather.

Best bet is to try a few out in a retail location to see how they feel to you, and how you might be able to rig one up, and then, obviously, buy online. Sorry, Best Buy.
 
Maxpedition might have a bigger gearslinger that could work as a front pack. I think Kifaru has a front pack too.

You could always put the camera in the Remora and the lens in a separate pouch.

I carry a heavy pack and like the convenience of the front-pack setup as well. Sometimes when I find a good sized bag with a flat back panel (for comfort against chest), I sew a wide piece of webbing on top of it and a D-ring or fastex buckle on one side of the bottom like how the Remora is set up. It is relatively quick and easy to do with good results.
 
I have a like new Tamrac backpack style bag I'm no longer using if you're interested. Wouldn't take much of a trade to own it. Want pics?
 
I have a Tamrac backpack bag I carry all my stuff in....love it...figured out I could wear it as a chest carry with my other backpack....a little awkward but it will do as long as I'm not walking 40 miles :)
 
I've been using Domke bags since the early 80's.. they last forever and are a tough as old boots. They don't have lots of hard unnecessary padding, just enough to protect the gear.
As I'm only toting one body and 2 lenses at the moment I've using the F3 : http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=domke&itemnum=700-30S. Could get a second body in at a pinch.
But for a full kit of 2 bodies, 3 lenses plus 2 flash guns the F2 is an excellent bag.
I've never liked backpacks for camera gear. In run and gun shooting you have to take all your gear out or mess around with the pack. The Domke bags let you swap lenses fast and stow a body quickly.

I don't know if they are still made in the US, but mine has the Made in the USA label.

cheers
Gareth
 
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I have a photo backpack and an ape case. I dont use either when I have my pack with me. I have been using my 5.11 push pack, it holds the body with attached 75-300 lens and some other small stuff. My Glock fits in it too.
 
On editorial assignments, I use canvas Domke bags exclusively. I've flown with them to Europe, the Middle East, and Malaysia and no one gives them a second look. Plus..they are CANVAS!

Regards,

ezra
 
Hey SkogKniv,

There was a cool thread in the Bags area about using an Everest Messenger bag as a bushcraft bag (http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55234). Well, I noticed someone on the Canon forum using the Everest as a camera bag by including a foam insert, like the Camera Kit Cube made by Mountainsmith. That means you've got two bags in one (talk about multipurpose). It's a combo I've been seriously considering, as well.
 
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Couldn't find any other threads on this subject so wanna bump this one up. Really interested to see what options I have for woods and edc rigs. First can I ask what dslr stands for? Yes its actually a serious question.
Planning on posting up a pic of how I'm carrying my camera in the woods with pack and other gear but I'm wanting more ideas. Also looking for better set up for non woods carry. Right now I use a Sitka as an edc bag and keep my camera seperate but would like to combine the two. The camera in its case doesn't feel Like its a good fit when I stuff it inside my Sitka. Guess I'm saying I wanna keep my camera with me as much as possible in my every day basic travels but don't want to haul two dedicated bags around all the time. I have the Canon power shot so don't need the extra room for multiple lenses and such but do want some protection for my camera.
Anyway... Bump for more ideas and pics.
Skog, what did you end up going with ? Details?
Thanks
 
I went with a lowpro slingbag,

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IamLegend said:
So this bag goes into the woods along with other gear/pack etc...?
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Yeah. Ruck on the back, sling on the front, where I can access it when I want it. I don't whine about weight or what "looks good".
 
I have a basic zoom bag, but it always stays in the garage. The only camera bags I have ever liked are the backpack ones, but they are incompatible with the backpack I carry.

I pretty much have my camera on my neck when I'm in the woods so I don't worry too much about where its at. I've had to unbutton my coat or shirt and tuck it in there to keep it from swinging a few times while doing light climbing etc. The only thing I do keep for protection is a 2L dry bag in my pack that is very compact and I can wrap the camera in it if things get really nasty. I also have a little nylon side carrier, like your typical possibles bag, that I can stow in a couple extra lenses if I am bringing mutliple lenses. I wrap one or two of them in a hankercheif/dewrag for some protection. The most dangerous place for the SLR is in the canoe I think. But I feel that if I'm too scared to ruin my camera while its in the canoe, then there isn't a point to bringing it. I usually take the risk.

Then again, I toasted at least one DSLR camera and totaled a really expensive zoom lens (but that was a bad drop not due to how I was carrying it).
 
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raiffnuke said:
I use a HoldSlr and this works well for me while hiking.

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That's similar to how I carry mine now. Camera case just big enough for my camera sbiner to my chest strap for easy access. I don't think my camera would be as near secure riding in that holdslr setup. Looks like the camera could fall out very easy unless you have a longer lens on it. Also seems like it could come unhooked from your chest strap easily.
 
IamLegend said:
That's similar to how I carry mine now. Camera case just big enough for my camera sbiner to my chest strap for easy access. I don't think my camera would be as near secure riding in that holdslr setup. Looks like the camera could fall out very easy unless you have a longer lens on it. Also seems like it could come unhooked from your chest strap easily.
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The "case" if you will, expands to hold a pretty long lense. There is a waterproof cover that can cover the back of your camera if you want to use it, and it helps hold the camera in. I have never had an issue with my camera or holder falling off, but it would be pretty easy to add a S-biner to the holer as a backup. YMMV.
 
SkogKniv said:
Yeah. Ruck on the back, sling on the front, where I can access it when I want it. I don't whine about weight or what "looks good".
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I guess I'm pretty much doing the same thing only my little case is just big enough for the camera. I use s biners to connect it to my chest strap or just use the sling and keep it within easy reach. I'm not so good with my camera like some of you dudes so don't feel the need to carry much else except maybe my cheap monopod.
 
raiffnuke said:
The "case" if you will, expands to hold a pretty long lense. There is a waterproof cover that can cover the back of your camera if you want to use it, and it helps hold the camera in. I have never had an issue with my camera or holder falling off, but it would be pretty easy to add a S-biner to the holer as a backup. YMMV.
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The lens on my Canon power shot sx40 hs is not very long. Don't think it would ride well unless I secured it better in that rig is what I was saying. So what do you use as a camera bag? For toting your camera gear I mean.
 
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