sigh The list is long and never ending, but the need for a new camera bag is at the top of the list. I'm currently using a Tamrac Adventure 8 Backpack, but it only holds 1 camera and two lenses.... it does have lots of neat pockets and little compartments. But the lack of camera space makes it no longer work for me. Looking for something that's waterproof with durable fabric as I tend to walk through some forested overgrown thorny woods. And it has to hold 2 35mm bodies because I want to shoot both film and digital.... and be able to hold at least 4 lenses. Film, filters and accessory compartments would be nice. It really doesn't matter if it's backpack or over the shoulder...... There are so many choices out there that my head is spinning..... I did come across a company called Crumpler.... crumpler.com...... they look interesting... Any recommendations or should I say what are you using for a bag and are you happy with it.

Hi Michelle, well I have an amazing camera bag that would work well for you. ;) Hold two cameras and plenty of lenses...tripod and all those extra compartments. Even comes with another detachable bag. Although it's not waterproof they do have it in a waterproof version. It also is extremley comfortable to wear even when it feels like 100lbs. It's from the Lowepro backpack series...You'll find a vast array to choose from. Mine is the Nature Trekker AWII...hope this helps!

Oh, and I can send you lot's of pictures of it inside and out if you need...because most of the time you can't tell through their smaller pictures.

No one says it has to be specifically a camera bag,bought at a camera store. Some of those outdoor fitting shops have really good bags for most purposes. waterproof..easy to carry. For now with the limited stuff I carry day to day I use the case the cam came in ,and put it with a flash ,adaptor and a few extras in this water resistent travel bag. Holds perfect for me and is easy to trek around with. when i get my new gear I will be looking too.

I have just purchased a bag - but much smaller than would suit your needs - however as above: Lowerpro seems to be the one wildlife photographers have.

I suspect you are looking for something fancier, but this is what I use. Waterproof silicone tent spray.

It does not provide the greatest "bang-around" protection, but I've had no problems. Closest thing I found on the web is this, $20. [Search for "surplus medical bag"]. I suspect it has a shoulder strap. I wish I could see inside it to know if there are any internal compartments. The pouches on the outside would not seem to give much protection. I've found back packs to be inconvenient. I've been thinking about one of those tough Pelican cases with the foam cutouts for travel.

Hi Michelle...thought I would go ahead and upload some pictures for you to see if this might be what you are looking for. Sorry you may have to scroll to see everything but I wanted you to be able to see all the details. Oh and another great feature about this bag is that it can be used as a weapon. lol. ;)

Oh as you can tell I've got 2 35mm camera bodies in there along with 6 lenses, remote cord, film, closeup filters and then there are 3 seperate compartments above it. Then outside on the front of the bag is another compartment. It also has bungie cords on the side with a holder for attaching things like a tripod which I've done...then as previously stated, it comes with a detachable bag that you could pretty much use anything for. also the part where your back is positioned is padded along with some very well padded shoulder straps that are completely adjustable and a heavily padded waist strap...there is NO discomfort in using this bag. This bag is specifically designed for nature trekkers and holds up to even the toughest of abuse. The do offer it in rain resistant and regular. It was definitely an investment that paid off for me...now I just let Andy carry it. lol. just kidding.

I have a couple of do's and don'ts as far as bags go. My most recent failing attempt was a pretty big "don't" - if you're doing a fair amount of hiking, you probably DON'T want to go to something as big as a Pro Super Trekker - this sucker, while it holds virtually everything I own (including my photo gear), and weighs in at close to 100lbs loaded. It DOES make a nice base pack to get everything into the car, and from there load smaller packs as needed. For the past several years, I've been happy with a Photoflex bag (designed by Galen Rowell - I have no idea where you can get one, I won mine). It's a shoulder bag that's also a fanny pack - and a pretty comfortable one at that, considering I carry two SLRs, four lenses and a good size flash, along with a 300mm clipped to the outside. As far as what to look for in a pack, look a good bit deeper that just what it can hold - it's gotta be comfortable and sturdy, and offer protection for your gear. That being said, I wouldn't even consider anything that didn't have some sort of internal frame and a waist strap. I would consider looking at packs that weren't made specifically for photography and modifying them. A friend of mine wrote a pretty good article on how to build your own pack, and if I can get permission from him, I'll post it here - otherwise you can find it here: How to Make Your Own Photo Backpack Nature Photographer, January/February 1993 It's old, but still applies. Wolf

These are all great recommendations! Mel thanks so much for the pics, this gives me a good feel for what it looks like. It looks like exactly what I need, but it looks huge too! As Wolf pointed out weight might be an issue for me. If my husband plays assistant for the day, not a big deal, but I usually go out on my own more often than not..... I'm going to see if I can find one locally to check it out. :~) This way I can be sure it's right for me. Here's a couple of other issues I have with the backpack I have now..... in the summer especially, the shoulder straps tend to chafe my shoulders...... after about an hour it kills to wear the thing. Ok so I realize I shouldn't wear tiny little tank tops but with the humidity and heat I can't bear to be covered up...... so my shoulders are exposed and it rubs and rubs.... ughhhh... also, the fact that everything is strapped to my backside gets to be annoying.... when I carry more than one lens I have a tendency to switch a lot.... so what happens is I'm constantly taking it off putting it back on..... over and over again. Or I end up just throwing a lens inside my pocket where it could possibly fall out and break, because I get tired of dealing with it. This is why I was also opening up to the possibility of an over the shoulder strap kind.... so I could swing it to the front and grab what I needed without taking it off and on constantly. There have been lots of times where I've left the pack in the car taking only the few things I could carry easily.... sure enough I forget something, and discover I really could've used such and such.... but that's means a long hike back to the car.... That article sounds interesting..... I wonder if the article exists on a website somewhere? I'll see if I can hunt it down...... sigh does the perfect bag really exist?

"shouldn't wear tiny little tank tops" -I suppose it helps attract big strong guys to help carry the stuff...

I have the Promaster version of Donalds bag. I carry 2 bodies a 70-200 2.8, the 50mm 2.8, 18-125mm 3.5-5.6, a 2x extension, film and all the little ditties including releases and a 20gig portable HD and I have room to spare. With the Bogan tripod and monopod attached it wieghed in at 32lbs (including all my other carry-on crap) when I went on vacation last month. The advantage to the Promaster version compared to the LowPro is it cost $80. The only thing it is missing is the additional padding on the waist strap. I lugged that thing all over Progresso and Freeport and I never even got winded. My shoulders only hurt at the airport from putting it on then off then on then off then on.... Fits in the overhead compartment too. Magick Michael

"I suppose it helps attract big strong guys to help carry the stuff..." In the middle of the woods all by myself, this is not my idea of a good thing. I did google for surplus medical bags.... found not only medical bags but lots of other strange things.... would have finagle some sort of padding/seperator system. zhounder..... what bag does Donald have? I didn't see a reply from him here on it.

Sorry, I meant DrmzRmyne. It was late and this flu is making me see things. Could have sworn I saw rocks in another thread too. Maybe it was hair...

Hehehe... too much Nyquil.... that it explains it. Looking at Domke bags right now at their site.... I like the way they look, inconspicuous, roomy, pockets, but they don't hold a tripod. The tripod I own weighs 7 lbs all on it's own. I hate carrying it, even with the carry case it came with. My head hurts.....

Hey Michelle, how about a Camera Vest instead?? I HATE camera bags - they are always getting in the way of a quick shot! Always falling off my shoulder, and just a pain in the back and shoulders to lug around. There are a ton of vests on the market that hold lots of equiment and film. If you sew - you can even make your own with the perfect pockets to meet your camera needs :) Dee-Marie

Sew...??? Moi??? LOL! I pride myself on being the anti housewife, housewife...... hahahah! But seriously I do wish I could sew.... it's that crooked problem I suffer from, I can't draw, cut or sew a straight line.... :~) I'd like to get a vest or one of those neat little jackets... maybe as an addition to a good bag....

Chelle be sure to check out the Lowepro line they have many different bags and come in all different sizes. I am very pleased with mine and it even has its own little rain pauncho. It also holds quite a bit too! Brenda :)