Suggestions for a new Camera Bag

[trentchau]

Hey guys, this would be of great help (and trust me I've been looking a while). I'm looking for a new camera bag that isn't $150+...only problem is I have some pretty crappy requirements. I would love to be able to fit both my laptop and camera in it (not both, but could be nice).

things going in it

Canon 5D w/ grip
24-70 L
70-200 L
430 Ex
All the spare stuff
17" Dell Laptop (so 19" size...which is where the difficulty has been)
Extra accessories
Tripod.


Any suggestions? I prefer Tamrac's design colors, but willing to look up anything else.

[cyclohexane]

Try something from ThinkTank Photo. Best stuff I've ever used to carry my crap around in; hopefully there's something in your price range that'll hold all of that. In general, I don't think any bag maker's going to make a bag under $150 that'll hold all of your gear plus laptop and tripod (you can get two of the three).

[trentchau]

Thanks Michael, it's definately been a bear, but dragging pelican cases around doesn't make things too fun.

[cyclohexane]

Careful though, I know a guy who just finished his four years of college and already threw out his back. I had to cover a soccer game for him one morning because he couldn't get out of bad. He uses a ThinkTank rolly-case for everything now. "My chiropractor loves me" is what he says when asked where his shoulder bags went.

I have a Pelican 1510 w/ reusable dividers but it usually just sits around filled with unused odds and ends.

[badpickev]

you want to have even more fun. try fitting 4-5 lenses, a flash and 1-2 bodies for under $100.

[rastarocket]

just go big

Lowepro Photo Trekker AW II Camera Backpack

[trentchau]

Originally Posted by badpickev

you want to have even more fun. try fitting 4-5 lenses, a flash and 1-2 bodies for under $100.

It's not really the camera part, it's the laptop. Most bags are for 15" screens...I use a 17" screen one, and so no bag compartments fit well enough.

[badpickev]

tamrac has a few for a 17" laptop

[cyclohexane]

Well, if you really need to have your laptop in the same bag, the ThinkTank Urban Disguise 60 will hold everything you've listed here (except maybe the tripod); only problem is that it's a little more than $150. I don't think you're going to get something that'll hold a 17-inch laptop, tripod, and all of your kit for under $150, and also isn't a Pelican case or a backpack, unless you get a big bag of some kind and wrap your gear in socks*.

*one can substitute lens wraps for socks.

[trentchau]

agreed cyclo, probably wishful thinking on my part.

[Crotographer]

Let's see $175.00 to have a quality bag to protect how many hundreds or thousands of dollars of equipment. Hmmmmm.

I spend extra on bags and backpacks. My first priority is the protection of cameras, lenses, Filters, meters and my lunch. What would I do if my can of sardines got broken open?

[JDArt]

The LowePro mini trekker is the best bag going. Admittedly it's not designed to hold a laptop, but I'm sure you could get a small one in there, and there may be another LowePro bag with those dimensions you could use.