[Jim]

The zip is fuct on mine so needing a new one soonish. Any recomendations for a dslr with a biggish lens on?

Tarlymuchly

[GCW]

I've had a LowePro for ages, got it cheap and it's been solid.  Older version of this I guess.
Depends how big yon lens is.

[slackline]

I started with one similar to GCW but found it a bit bulky.

Opted for one of these and find it excellent.  Holds the D50 with 18-100mm lens (quite large) fine and space in the front pocket for lens hood and 50mm prime.  Only down side was that the shoulder strap was just the cord, but swapped the padded strap from the other bag over and its very comfy to carry.

Have heard some people rave about Crumpler Bags but haven't tried one so can't comment.

[dave]

I can totally recommend a Lowepro Nova 2 AW - bood build quality, lifetime guarantee, raincover (very worth having) and loads of room without being too big - i regularly carried 2 bodies (or 1 and a flash) plus 3 lenses and a shit load of batteries/cards/film/filters. Personally I woulnd't go bigger than the Nova 2 for a shoulder bag cos when full it can be heavy, so anything bigger would be murder to carry (if you need more space get a small rucksack). The only thing i would say about the Novas is the shoulder straps are shite - they're curved to be carried on one shoulder like photojournalist, but for any duration  you want it across the opposite shoulder like a bandolier, so it will cut in like fuck - i replaced mine with any old flat strap off ebay which is great. The other thing to watch out for is make sure you get a recent model with metal end clips on the straps - not so long ago they were plastic only and when loaded up mine failed dropping the bag to the floor at magic wood - luckily it was fine but had it happened at the top of stanage or whatever i'd have trashed the gear. hence why they switched to metal ones.

I've also got an old Topload Zoom 1,  which is great for just a single body, going light etc, but i wouldn't really recommend this style of bag as your main bag unless you're a comitted 1-lens-fits-all shooter, cos you only need to buy another lens or a flash and a few filters and hey presto you've outgrown it.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Another vote for Lowepro. I've used/checked out several makes in the past and always go back to Lowepro. Some makes are silly prices. Some have feeble/bulky padding. I think it should be quite high density but quite thin like in most Lowepro's. Work has some Crumpler camcorder cases and compact cases. Reasonable well designed and funky colours but I still prefer Lowepro. Used to have a mini-trekker before it got nicked along with all my 35mm kit.

[Jim]

was thinking of getting the nikon system bag. anyone got one or used one?

[dave]

nikon don't make bags so it'll be another maufacturer's model rebadged - looks like it could be Crumpler? if its cheap, and you want a Crumpler, it could be a good buy. I got a lowepro rucksack on clearance for well under half price because it was a nikon branded one.

[Jim]

they used to be £35 and are going for about £20 so seems like a good buy

[Bubba]

I've got a crumpler and they're super burly. And nice colours and stuff.

[SA Chris]

And the models have good names; Warm Shower, Pyjama Pride and Opulent Rooster.

[DubDom]

i use one of these for various cameras and find it a good bag:

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Photo-Runner,1991,7.htm

[SA Chris]

Am looking for a rucksack type bag for carrying camera, 3/4 lenses, maybe flash and or tripod.

Got a crappy old shoulder bag, but way too bulky and uncomfortable to carry.

Lowepro minitrekker looks like a good choice, anyone got any alternatives?

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Mini-Trekker-AW,1965,14.htm


Also, any clues as to where photo was taken?

http://www.lowepro.com/

Probably sandstone, but looks vaguely british / grittish. Apart from blue sky.

[slackline]

Quite a few people seem to rate the Crumpler bags

Never owned/tried one so can't say if they're any good or not, but they seem a popular choice (and are less obviously camera bags).

[cofe]

Lowepro minitrekker looks like a good choice, anyone got any alternatives?

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Mini-Trekker-AW,1965,14.htm

i've got one. it's good. i can get plenty of stuff in it. never used it to carry a tripod though - i just stick that over my shoulder. might be easier with lighter tripods.

lowepro also do some newer ones which open from the back. makes sense.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Flipside-400-AW,2116,14.htm

i like the look of the f-stop bags but it's nigh on imfuckingpossible to find info about them in UK.

[SA Chris]

Quite a few people seem to rate the Crumpler bags

Never owned/tried one so can't say if they're any good or not, but they seem a popular choice (and are less obviously camera bags).

As per your earlier post on this topic

Look pretty dear, and can't see one that will carry a tripod. Get the feeling that fashion is overruling function.

[SA Chris]

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Flipside-400-AW,2116,14.htm

Flipside looks like a good alternative, but is a bit bigger and doesn't have tripod carry function, which I would quite like to have, given some plans I have for taking pics.

Plus is the description it says it only has storage for 3 memory cards

[Tris]

Am looking for a rucksack type bag for carrying camera, 3/4 lenses, maybe flash and or tripod.

Got a crappy old shoulder bag, but way too bulky and uncomfortable to carry.

Lowepro minitrekker looks like a good choice, anyone got any alternatives?

I have got the Slingshot 200, it takes my SLR and 4 lenses. It's great as you don't have to take it off to get the camera out, you just slide it round. A big plus when climbing...

http://products.lowepro.com/product/SlingShot-200-AW,2035,4.htm

The thing I like most is the padding, my kit seems very protected to me. You need this carrying a few grands worth of kit up a mountain
I have taken in on big multi-pitch climbs in the lakes no problems!!

It cost me £30 on Amazon..

Not sure it will fit a tripod though

[dave]

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Flipside-400-AW,2116,14.htm

Flipside looks like a good alternative, but is a bit bigger and doesn't have tripod carry function, which I would quite like to have, given some plans I have for taking pics.

The tripod thing on the minitrekker is like carrying iceaxes on your rucksac axe loops. I.e. you wouldn't be seen dead doing it. It puts the tripod in the worst possible position for carrying a heavy object i.e. miles from your back, will swing around the place and probably twat you or other people in the face when you take the bag on or off, and will make it awkward chucking the bag in your car etc, and makes it less likely you'll be bothered to get the tripod out and use it. Like Cofe says, just use a seperate tripod strap or man up and carry it in hand.

An alternative to the minitrekker is the microtrekker 200. I've got both and the 200 is only marginally smaller, and a lot cheaper. You can still get in it say a DSLR with lens, medium format with lens then plus another 5 lenses/flashes, and thats without having to resort to the big outer pocket. The flipmode bags look good but i remember the smaller ones are quite long and narrow making them unsuitable for some stuff. Plus since they're newer you're less likely to find them going cheap on deals etc. Its not uncommon to find brand new minitrekkers for £50 and micro200 for £30. always worth buying new rather than second hand with lowepro cos you get lifetime guarantee.

the only downsides to these bags are the carrying systems are pretty basic, but to be honest i've not found it to be a problem, and my micro200 is often overloaded up to fuck.

[slackline]

Look pretty dear, and can't see one that will carry a tripod. Get the feeling that fashion is overruling function.

The impression I got too, hence not having purchased one.  But since others like them thought I'd repeat myself (I've not done enough of that lately  ).

[SA Chris]

Will need to rethink the tripod carrying options if that's the case, as not ideal carrying it by hand when on bike or snowboard.

[cofe]

it's even trickier if you have stuff in the front pocket of the microtrekker as the tripod (obviously) won't bend around it. it might not be too bad if it's a cheaper, lighter tripod, but then do you need to carry it in that case?

for biking i use a deuter transalp bag with a lowepro nova 2 AW inside the top bit (straps and clutter removed). this holds camera and 2-4 lenses, including heavy ones. and i've also carried flashes and the like. done some decent length rides without too much discomfort - it's a proper backpack which helps. i assume it would be fine for boarding too.

[SA Chris]

Hmm, the more I think about it, it may be a better idea to go for one of the slingshot types that is big enough to hold all the kit I need and can be used on its own, but is small enough that I can put into one of the numerous packs i have if needed, for skiing, biking etc.

Cheers for the help people.

[dave]

Will need to rethink the tripod carrying options if that's the case, as not ideal carrying it by hand when on bike or snowboard.

i've just thought, the microtrekker 200 has got 2 straps on the base for carrying extra shit, you could put a trppod across there if it was very compact (say 12-14" long) without it interfering with anything or getting on your tits.

[SA Chris]

Cool, will go into town and see if they have any so i can get an idea of suitability. I think tripod may be a bit long to sit comfortably though.

List of shops to look in;

1) Jessops

(Aberdeen shopping sucks)

[Johnny Brown]

I've had two Mini Trekkers, really rate them. Try and track down the 'classic', it has a better front pocket doesn't bother with a tripod mount (straps on base tho). Bit big for boarding and biking.

For that kind of stuff I've got a Lowe Inverse 100 which is a hybrid bum/ shoulder bag. Very good.