Day bag

[HughofBardfield]

I currently have a Tamrac Expedition 7 and a Crumpler Geekstar. The former is pretty much OK and I can just about get all of my kit in it for an extended trip or a reduced set for hiking. The latter carries enough of my kit for most other purposes, and I prefer the shoulder bag format when I don't have to carry it too far.

I am thinking about getting a smaller bag for walking around town/holidays - sufficient for a body, attached lens (14-54mm), and maybe one-two extra lenses (11-22mm and either Sigma 105mm or 55-200mm). I prefer shoulder bags, and preferably ones that don't look as though they're actually camera bags! I hate things with camera/lens badges with a passion.

I currently mostly use an E510, but have ambitions to get an E3 when prices drop a bit. I also have an E1, but I would only want one body in the "day" bag.

Does anyone have any suggestions of which bags I should consider? I know bag choice is a very personal thing, and there is no such thing as the "perfect" bag, but it would be good to hear other people's experiences and narrow the search list!

[Hiding_Pup]

[Andrew Riddell]

Re: Day bag

Hugh,

I'm in virtually the same spot as you (except that all my old bags are now unsuitable for one reason or another).

Two bags that seem promising are the Think Tank Urban Disguise amd Lowepro Omni ranges. They both come in various sizes. The Lowepro is designed to be an insert into a hard shell, but seems to work equally on its own. I need to find shops who sell both of these to try them side by side.

Andrew

[peak4]

Re: Day bag

Hi, Personally I'm using the Naneu Pro Lima, currently on sale from Fotosense.
http://www.fotosense.co.uk/shop_deta...productID=5817

Main section will take Oly 50-200, 7-14mm & E-3 with 12-60 fitted, but without grip. The outside pockets will take EC-14 & EX-25 in one and 4 batteries in the other. I understand that an FL-36 would fit into one of the pockets instead.
The other combination I've used it for is, 50-200, 14-54, 11-22, 50mm macro (just about) & any body without grip in the main section.
There's a couple of other pockets for a few filters, instruction book, memory cards etc.
It does not immediately jump out as a camera bag, especially in green.
Don't rely on the compass though, it only points north if you point the bag in the right direction!!

http://www.naneupro.com/products/mo-l/

[shenstone]

Re: Day bag

I am thinking about getting a smaller bag for walking around town/holidays - sufficient for a body, attached lens (14-54mm), and maybe one-two extra lenses (11-22mm and either Sigma 105mm or 55-200mm). I prefer shoulder bags, and preferably ones that don't look as though they're actually camera bags! I hate things with camera/lens badges with a passion.

Hmmm . My Perfect in that size range still has Pentax written on the side and it's best selling factor is it's survived me for over 20 years which has to be a recommendation. However your chance of picking up such a device is minimal and therefore I also like my LowePro Nova's - I have the 2 which is probably a little smaller than you need and the 5 which is larger than you suggest, but they are very reliable and have been hammered by me all over the place.

The 3 http://products.lowepro.com/product/...W,1974,20.htm# sounds about right for the spec you suggest - if not the 4

Regards
Andy

[Xpres]

Re: Day bag

Mine is a Billingham Hadley pro - doesn't look like a camera bag to the untrained eye, holds a camera and lens plus two extra and flash plus bits. there's also a pocket at the back for a note book. Well made and lasts for years.

[E-P1 fan]

Re: Day bag

Mine is a Billingham Hadley pro - doesn't look like a camera bag to the untrained eye, holds a camera and lens plus two extra and flash plus bits. there's also a pocket at the back for a note book. Well made and lasts for years.

These have got to be the ultimate surely - style - top materials - strong and last a lifetime.
Not cheap to buy but worth the expense when spread over 20 years.

[HughofBardfield]

Re: Day bag

Thanks for the suggestions - I am particularly liking the look of the Billingham and the Naneu as neither has that "I'm a camera bag - steal me NOW" look. The Domke is also promising.

Anyone know of any Naneu stockists in East Anglia? Their website simply lists a distributor in Ireland.

[shenstone]

Re: Day bag

I am particularly liking the look of the Billingham and the Naneu as neither has that "I'm a camera bag - steal me NOW" look.

Yup - as this picture I posted in a similar prior thread shows the Billinghams make excellent handbags !!

The good lady (featured) insists that her camera was in the bag at the time therefore making it a real camera bag !



Regards
Andy

[David M]

Re: Day bag

I don't know if there's a Tenba importer/distributor in the UK nowadays but I like the Messenger bags;

http://www.tenba.com/pc-964-12-messenger-large.aspx

http://www.tenba.com/pc-963-12-messenger-small.aspx

Or you can buy the insert to fit in any suitable nondescript bag;

http://www.tenba.com/pc-965-12-photo-insert-for-all-messenger-bags.aspx

[E-P1 fan]

Re: Day bag

http://www.tenba.com/pc-964-12-messenger-large.aspx

http://www.tenba.com/pc-963-12-messenger-small.aspx

Or you can buy the insert to fit in any suitable nondescript bag;

http://www.tenba.com/pc-965-12-photo-insert-for-all-messenger-bags.aspx

These are great - if I was in the market for a bag I'd be looking seriously at these.

Ideal for the daily commute to tinseltown too.

[theMusicMan]

Re: Day bag

Hi Hugh - I am delighted with my free Olympus bag, but before this I used on of these:

http://www.caselogic.com/slr_computer_backpack/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=57080

Light, small and easy on the shoulders.

[Garrie]

Re: Day bag

I use a Tamrac Adventure 6 for my E510, kit lens, 40 - 150 and has enough room for atleast another lens. Has enough room in the top for you phone, keys, wallet, Ipod, snacks etc.

The bag is small and east to carry on the shoulders.

Great thing is the bag doesn't look like a camera bag, just an normally backpack well untill you strap a MODO to the bottom of it like mines.

Cheers
G

[Melaka]

Re: Day bag

I use a Lowepro AW200 Slingshot. It holds the E3/HLD4/14-54 combination plus the 50-200, an FL50 and an E500 body (or another lens) together with spare batteries, memory etc.

The freebie Olympus bag is a fine piece of kit but rather large for my purposes so I may be looking to move it on.

[Ijay37]

Re: Day bag

The freebie Olympus bag is a fine piece of kit but rather large for my purposes so I may be looking to move it on.

May I express an interest if you do.
John