Tamrac

[April]

Hey everyone,
Hope you all had a great holiday and are enjoying the new toys Santa has brought you. Mine is a Nikon D40X (as I've probably mentioned 2-3 times already, I'm pretty excited!). Anyway, I got a kit that included a bag, and wouldn't you know it, the bag is kinda flimsy. I was looking online for some bags that might be good, I don't want to spend a fortune on one, but I know it won't be cheap. So far, all I'll be carrying is the camera and an extra lens (70-300mm), probably spare battery, possibly some filters, maybe a few small odds and ends. Saw a nice one by Tamrac, the 5501, anyone had an experience with this particular brand? Good? Bad?
Thanks

[badpickev]

i have 2 tamrac bags. they are decent enough. my experience is all the major brands are about the same.

[jfrancho]

I recommend Domke bags. They are a little different, but much nicer to use than anything else I've tried, including a couple of Tamracs.

Here are some pics of my "Little Bit Smaller Reporter Bag."

[cyclohexane]

Tamrac and Lowepro are about the same. Nothing to go crazy about, but they don't make bad products. Good bags for the money, provided you're buying from somewhere like B&H which doesn't mark 'em up too much. If possible I'd avoid slingshot type designs (Lowepro Slingshot, Tamrac Velocity) as they don't provide enough support. The smaller ones are okay, and with your fairly small and light kit (D40x, 70-300, etc.) you should be fine. If, however, you want to carry anything else, you'll find the slingshot designs woefully inadequate. Your shoulders, neck, etc. will thank you. Besides, these slingshot-type bags usually cost more than shoulder bags, without providing any more support or significant accessibility advantages.

I like Domke shoulder bags for smaller amounts of gear (one body, two lenses, one flash), but they're a little expensive and you're paying for the name and looks more than any added quality. As stupid as it sounds, there's no bag that looks more fashionable than a several-times washed, well-used Domke. =)

ThinkTank Photo makes some of what I consider the finest bags and carrying equipment around, in terms of construction quality and usability, but their stuff is more expensive. Still, I thought I'd point them out in case you wanted to take a look.

[April]

Thanks for all the info, I'll definitely be doing more researching. And as for slingshot bags...are those like backpacks? I'm kind of a camera bag virgin here, be gentle.

[cyclohexane]

Slingshot type bags are sized like small backpacks, but use only strap to allow one to bring the bag around to one's front and access the equipment without removing the bag. Unfortunately, I've found that these bags don't really work particularly well, and tend to compromise support for their purported accessibility. Usually, I end up just taking the bag off anyways, and then they are no more convenient than a backpack, which would offer much better support.

If you need access to your equipment quickly I recommend a shoulder bag, as they're always at your side, usually easy to open and load/unload. Of course, shoulder bags are crummy for support, so watch how much you carry in a shoulder bag. At sporting events where I have more stuff I hang pouches off of a belt kit to spread my gear around and keep the weight off of my shoulders.

Have you looked at CamBags.com - Camera Bags Review Resource for D-Slr cameras. OVER 400 REVIEWS AND 1700 PHOTOS OF CAMERA BAGS FOR CANON & NIKON DIGITAL AND OTHER SLR CAMERAS ? Also, try reading this article: Carrying the Camera 101 by Thom Hogan

[gryphonslair99]

Depending on what you shoot, you may want to look at more than one bag. My main gear bag is a Tamrac Super Pro 14. It is huge, holds a ton of lenses(9), 2 bodies, 2 flash units, 3 pocket wizards, 1 Sekonic flash meter, filters, step down rings, 4 extra camera batteries. 16 rechargeable AA batteries, three battery chargers, 1 large rocket blower, lens cleaning kit. Lens mount ring for a 100mm macro, 2 rain covers, wired shutter release, wireless shutter release, pens, notebook. small flashlight, pocket tool and a bunch of other accessories I can't remember along with a laptop. This thing is heavy but sturdy. It is my in the vehicle bag.

I only use the bag that way when I am taking all that stuff in my vehicle. I have three other bags of various types plus a vest that I use when I shoot. I have a waist bag for shooting sports, a small 2 body bag that will hold about 5 lenses total and a very small bag that hold one body and 2 other lenses and a flash unit. I use what ever bag I need for what I am shooting and only carry the gear that I need. It only takes a couple of minutes to load up what ever bag I need.

[April]

I used to be able to carry my camera in a backpack because all I had was a Fuji S5200, and I liked the backpack idea, but the nikon is of course heavier, especially with an extra lens to tote around. I don't want something too big just yet, as I don't have a whole lot of gear and probably won't for quite some time. I just didn't want to buy one on line and get it and find it as strong as a paper bag, so had to get a few opinions on some brands before I bought anything. I can always count on a camel! Thanks again!

[badpickev]

my current quick bag is a 4 lens 1 body bag with 3 pockets. i picked it up at ritz for $30. i also have a quick tamrac 3 small backpack, medium tamrac bag, and a large tenba photo back pack. the tenba hold all of my gear but the cd burner and 650-1300 lens and weights about 75 pounds.