Another camera bag query.

[rubyfalls]

So, right now I use a giant neoprene Built bag that looks like a diaper bag. It works fine for transport, but isn't particularly comfortable for any amount of walking.

I will be carrying mamiya 645 pro TL, three lenses (usually two), two back, ten rolls or so of film, small meter, backup kit of batteries, cleaner etc., a filter, small collapsible reflector, and maybe even a second smaller camera. The body has the power winder. Ideally I would love a sling so that I could access the camera without taking off the bag, but realistically I'm probably looking at a back pack. I am also fairly petite, though obviously I am cool with carrying all this stuff.

Any recs for a good pack/bag would be greatly appreciated. I started sifting through options online and quickly got overwhelmed.

Also? If anyone has any advice on places to see and shoot in southeast US, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks! ruby


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[Rolfe Tessem]

The Domke F2 will hold what you want and has an option for a backpacking attachment for when you don't need immediate access to the bag's contents. So, to be clear, it can be used traditionally over one shoulder or with the attachment it will ride up on your shoulders like a backpack.

 

[bdial]

My favorite is a Domke F2, and my Hasselblad kit lives in it.
However, they are pretty big, and if you are petite, it may not be a good match.

Since you're considering a sling bag, you might want to look at a Lowepro Slingshot. They come in three sizes. The mid or large one should be able to hold your stuff.
To me, they have seemed like they might be a little fussy to use, but I like the concept, and they are a little more compact than an F2.

 

[jeffbennett]

MindShift Gear has a couple of backpacks in their 180 Rotation series that have a lower section that can be rotated on the waist belt to come to the front, at which time you unzip the top and access your camera gear. I just picked up the smaller (and less expensive) of the two, called the Panorama, and it is a very nice piece of gear. The rotating part of the pack is not real large, it would probably hold a camera body and two or three lenses, but other gear can be put in two upper compartments. The upper compartments are not configured specifically for photo gear, though you can buy a photo insert that configures the larger compartment for more gear.

I have also been using a Think Tank Streetwalker Hard Drive backpack when I want to carry more gear. It is a more traditional photo backpack that you have to take off to get into, but it is very well made, holds a lot of gear, and is very comfortable for carrying for hours at a time. I believe there are several backpacks in that series that are slightly different in size and features (e.g., room for a laptop).

Lowe makes a series of sling bags in various sizes. I had one of the largest in that series for awhile. It was a pretty nice bag, but when loaded up it was nowhere near as comfortable to carry long distances as either of the backpacks I mentioned above. But those bags do give you the ability to swing the bag to the front for access to your gear. For me, that one went away as soon as I got the Think Tank backpack.

 

[rubyfalls]

Fabulous! Thanks, all. I will check these out.


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[pixelrandy]

MindShift Gear has a couple of backpacks in their 180 Rotation series that have a lower section that can be rotated on the waist belt to come to the front, at which time you unzip the top and access your camera gear. I just picked up the smaller (and less expensive) of the two, called the Panorama, and it is a very nice piece of gear. The rotating part of the pack is not real large, it would probably hold a camera body and two or three lenses, but other gear can be put in two upper compartments. The upper compartments are not configured specifically for photo gear, though you can buy a photo insert that configures the larger compartment for more gear.

I have also been using a Think Tank Streetwalker Hard Drive backpack when I want to carry more gear. It is a more traditional photo backpack that you have to take off to get into, but it is very well made, holds a lot of gear, and is very comfortable for carrying for hours at a time. I believe there are several backpacks in that series that are slightly different in size and features (e.g., room for a laptop).

Lowe makes a series of sling bags in various sizes. I had one of the largest in that series for awhile. It was a pretty nice bag, but when loaded up it was nowhere near as comfortable to carry long distances as either of the backpacks I mentioned above. But those bags do give you the ability to swing the bag to the front for access to your gear. For me, that one went away as soon as I got the Think Tank backpack.

I thought I'd chime in as both a former ProTL owner and that I work for Think Tank Photo / Mind Shift Gear. (thanks for your support Jeff!)

The Panorama's waist pack has just enough room for the body, back and a single shorter lens attached (like the 80). I have my 645 1000S here today and you can see that with the 80 1.9 attached it takes up the whole waist pack:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelrandy/13633009785/

The bigger Rotation 180 Pro offers a bunch more room in the waist pack. Here's a shot of my old ProTL, 80 f/2.8, 150 f/2.8 and two backs in the 180 Pro:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelrandy/12602364145/

Hope that helps!

Cheers,

Randy

 

[rubyfalls]

PixelRandy - thanks! The pictures help. I'm kind of leaning toward the bigger pack. I used to do a fair amount of backpacking, so I am unreasonably delighted by all the pockets and zippers and compartments. Thank you!


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