Camera Bags for your SLR?

[zacharyeoman]

Hey everybody! I do quite a bit of traveling, and I've been looking for something that would protect my Nikon FE while traveling through airports. However, it seems like everything I've found only fits massive DSLRs. Do y'all know if any solutions to this?

 

[GRHazelton]

You might look into Amazon's line of bags. I have two, and they are fine, and they're cheap enough to "experiment" with. Be sure to make certain that whatever bag you choose will fit under the seat ahead of you, specific dimensions are available.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Hi your question is not detailed enough. Do you mean:
1. A bag or pouch for the camera and one attached lens?
2. A shoulder bag to hold the camera body, several lenses, filters, film, etc.?
3. A photographers backpack?

If 1, years ago LowePro made some compact holster-type bags like the Rezo TLZ 10. Other companies made equivalent.
If 2, there are lots of size choices from Domke. Not sure about the other camera bag makers. Go for something used and cheap on ePrey.
If 3, The Amazon recommendation is a wise on, but there are a hundred backpacks out there (but you are right that many of them are aimed at carrying monster DSLRs).

 

[Chan Tran]

if you only has 1 lens perhaps an original Nikon Neveready case?

 

[bsdunek]

For my "vintage" cameras, I find "vintage" leather bags on eBay. To me, they look and feel right.

 

[DWThomas]

Funny this should pop up, I've been researching bags for what seems like the last two weeks. (I can find everything but the one I want!) Anyway, there are a staggering array of bags made, and in this age of compact and mirrorless digi-cams, a whole additional continuum of smaller bags appears to exist. (I'm actually looking for a fairly compact one for a modest Canon EOS M5 mirrorless system at the moment.) Many newer bags will have little pockets for memory cards but a film shooter could use those for sticks of chewing gum or change for parking meters. There are all sorts of holsters, slings, belt pouches, waist packs ...

At any rate, Domke, Lowepro, Tamrac, and Think Tank all make a slew of relatively high quality bags. Many offer one or more padded velcro-attached dividers that can subdivide a space -- or cradle a camera with lens hanging down. The problem is to determine what "features" you do or don't want and how big you want it to be. And there are many other makers. My current bag for the EOS M5 is a sort of fat holster from Ruggard with a separate pocket on the front which appears to be reasonably well made, just not able to handle an extra lens of any size and a few other trinkets I hope to include.

The four makers I mentioned have some varied designs that they offer in a series of two, three, even four sizes. The B&H website is pretty good about listing interior and exterior dimensions of the main compartments. I tend to arrange what I hope to put in the bag in likely configurations and try to measure. (But I haven't clicked 'Buy' yet!)

(I think I may have more bags than cameras -- seems I get a new one for every major trip. )

 

[jim10219]

You might look into Amazon's line of bags. I have two, and they are fine, and they're cheap enough to "experiment" with. Be sure to make certain that whatever bag you choose will fit under the seat ahead of you, specific dimensions are available.

That's my recommendation. I own a few Amazon Basics camera bags and they're all very well made and designed and extremely affordable. In most cases, you get what you pay for. This is one of those rare cases where you get a lot more than what you pay for.

 

[wiltw]

Tenba DNA8 is a messenger style bag,
Exterior Dimensions
10.5 in. W x 7.5 in. H x 5 in.D ( 27 X 19 X 13 cm )
Interior Dimensions
9 in. W x 6.5 in. H x 3.5 in. D ( 23 X 17 X 9 cm )

Tenba DNA10 is
Exterior Dimensions
12.5 in. W x 10 in. H x 5 in.D ( 32 X 25 X 13 cm )
Interior Dimensions
11.5 in. W x 9 in. H x 4 in. D ( 29 X 23 X 10 cm

 

[cooltouch]

I must have a couple dozen camera bags -- all different brands and all different sizes and shapes. I like Tamrac, LowePro, and Tenba the best. Of those three, I usually find the Tamracs to be the ones I prefer most. They tend to have the best padded straps, made from suede leather so they tend to stay on the shoulder well. I can't really recommend a model because all the bags I own are probaby over 25 years old, but a good bag will last a long, long time, so I'm not concerned too much about age. So, don't rule out used bags as well. You can save a chunk of change and end up with a very serviceable bag that way.

 

[Sewin]

As recommended above I've also got an Amazon Basic bag. Very good value.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I like the Lowepro bags, especially the small backpack types.

 

[guangong]

I have a Billingham bag. Use it every day. Carry a camera and lens or two, book, note book, wallet, etc. Still in great shape after years of use.

 

[GRHazelton]

I like the Lowepro bags, especially the small backpack types.

Amen to that! 'Specially when they are on sale. My Pentax 645n kit resides in one.

 

[film_man]

Really like my Peak Design bags, got both the 13 messenger and the 20l backpack. The messenger bag is great for an SLR with lens plus things like books, water, etc. They are very practical. Just got back from a two week trip to Japan, the backpack held the 1N + 50L plus all the stuff I'd need for the day. It was also great taking the 1N, a 300 backup body, the 35IS and a 50L plus 40 rolls of film, a 12'' laptop charger and some extras through security just fine.

 

[slackercrurster]

I got some old APE dslr cases I like. But I don't know if they still make them. I only use them if I carry a dslr in the case on my shoulder...which is seldom.

If I have a lot of cameras to pack I use neoprene covers.

https://optechusa.com/soft-pouch-body-cover.html

For a camera or two I use a Mirrorless Mover

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/969747-REG/think_tank_photo_652_mirrorless_mover_10.html

on the street it is in-hand.

 

[abruzzi]

The problem is that there are as many favorite cases as there are people on this forum. I find myself using Crumpler bags for my medium format gear, and Domke for my 35mm. Crumpler no longer makes photo bags, but the can still be found on ebay (though sometimes for extortionate prices.) If you're shooting a small camera with small lenses (think Pentax MX not Nikon F2) I really like my Domke F-5XB. I attach the two dividers so the camera with prime fits in the middle, then I can put lenses on either side. If you're just shooting small primes, you can actually stack two lenses on either side (though you might want to add padding between the stacked lenses.) That give me the space for camera and 5 lenses (if I want.) I usually add a couple of rolls of film as well.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._F_5XB_RuggedWear_Medium_Shoulder.html?sts=pi

 

[Pieter12]

I like the Ona Bowery bag for 1medium size camera and an additional lens. Not cheap. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141761-REG/ona_ona5_014rt_bowery_field_tan.html

 

[jspillane]

I use various sizes of Domke for everything, big or small, analog or digital. They aren't particularly lightweight nor truly water proof, but I like the way they look and feel and of good quality.
I also have a Thule backpack with dividers that I use for moving larger amounts of gear.

I find the Domke pouches especially useful for giving some protection to a camera that is going in a normal bag with other items as well.

 

[shutterfinger]

I just added two small cases to the classified section that will fit the requirements of the OP.

 

[mgb74]

I like a plain old non-photo messenger bag with a padded insert (cheap on eBay). You can get multiple inserts for different setups and swap them in out as needed.

 

[Kino]

I have had lots of luck finding suitable, cheap bags at Thrift and Goodwill stores. Photo backpacs, single camera bags and SLR holsters appear there with surprising regularity.

If buying new, I like the Ape cases; the Ape Case Compact Envoy Messenger Style Case is inexpensive, well made and not too big.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hey everybody! I do quite a bit of traveling, and I've been looking for something that would protect my Nikon FE while traveling through airports. However, it seems like everything I've found only fits massive DSLRs. Do y'all know if any solutions to this?

Tamron sells a few smaller bags that are just right for the FM and FE-size cameras and a lens or so.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a couple of camera bags, but prefer a small to mid size gym bag with foam inserts that I made myself sized to the camera and lens I carry. I have a few inserts for different sets of lens. I also like that that it doesn't scream please steal my camera. You can make a camera bag from a small cooler, hard sides, canvas covered like those used for a couple of six packs.

 

[Kino]

I have a couple of camera bags, but prefer a small to mid size gym bag with foam inserts that I made myself sized to the camera and lens I carry. I have a few inserts for different sets of lens. I also like that that it doesn't scream please steal my camera. You can make a camera bag from a small cooler, hard sides, canvas covered like those used for a couple of six packs.

Yes, I have a very pretty canvas bag with NIKON stamped on it's side in bold letters and I never understood why anyone would carry such a bag around full of camera gear...

 

[Paul Howell]

I traded in my F2 for a F3 and got a FG as well for second body, I had ordered a FA which the dealer sold to another PJ, to help make up for stiffing me as I had paid in advance and the FA was on backorder he tossed in a metal case, yellow with Nikon on it. Never used it in the field when working, but did store the F3 in when not in use. The F3 and FG are long gone but I have the case and use with carry my Crown and film holders along with meter.