Happy post Christmas everybody. I hope you all got what you wanted. I actually did get some money to put towards a new camera bag and was wondering if anyone had thought about what to get.

My camera for the forseable future is the Olympus C8080wz and it is pretty much the size of a DSLR. It is 5 1/4" wide (13cm), 3 1/2" tall (9cm), and 6" long with the lens hood attached (15.5cm). I use a wrist strap so there is no bulky neck strap. I need a case/bag to carry that, a spare battery, cards, filters and other odds and ends around. No additional lense compartments needed.

I'd like something that isn't bulky but well padded, that I can hike with over my shoulder or on my hip. I'd like something well easily accessible if I need to grab my cam.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Any personal experience with a good bag?
Thanks!! =o]

Message edited on: 12/27/2005 10:30

Attached Link: Camera Bags..... Recommendations

in case you missed this one.. ;] i didn't get what i really wanted, much too expensive.. (a DSLR, accessories & a bigger, faster PC).. but happy with what i got :D

Thanks for the link Cyn. A great thread and it reminded me to add that I need something waterproof too. Unfortunately, I think my needs go the other direction of Michelle's. I need something smaller, less cumbersome and easieer to access. "Does the perfect bag really exist"? ;] Here is what I'm currently using, my wife's old Polariod camera bag, with large central chamber closeable my a double zipper strip, and to pockets in the front. Sorry to hear you didn't get your dream set-up...but I'm not sure how many people did. ;] As long as you are happy with what you got. It is the thought behind the gift that really matters.

is it ripped there on the seam? looks like a new bag is indeed in order :] good luck on that.. mine's just right.. small.. bought it at Circuit City.. but then i have little to put in it with the 5050, batteries, cards & polarizer.. i'm none too picky really.. happy ;] if i were to quit smoking.. a new PC has been promised.. should be easy.. yeah, right.. New Year's resolutions right around the corner!!.. really should try again..

Uh, yeah actually, it is starting to rip. Good eyes! I guess the smoke isn't effecting them too badly! Good luck with that resolution, I know it 'taint easy! Who's gonna get you a new PC if you manage to quit??? (I keep getting the SSQUL: Too many connections message today when I try to post, but trying again usually goes through- FYI)

dear hubby said he would.. doesn't want me to end up lugging around an oxygen tank if & when i get old.. not to mention it's a stinky expensive unhealthy habit! yuk! :P now that i've said it out loud i will have to give it a good try.. mind over matter & all that.. sigh.. ommmmmmmmmmm.. keep sight of that new PC.. was reading about the change to 64-bit which will make all our 32-bit obsolete again.. but the software isn't ready for it yet.. hmmm.. back to our featured thread.. ;] i'm babbling outloud..

Attached Link: http://www.tamrac.com/g_holstertelezoompac.htm

Kort, checkout Tamrac! They have the hip/holster style that you might be looking for!

The Travel Zoom 5 looks like it might fit the bill, thanks Joe. Do you use a Tamrac?
Hey, the Travel Zoom 4 is "MAS" compatible...is someone trying to tell me somthing? LOL!
Anyone else have any thoughts?

Message edited on: 12/27/2005 13:24

those are nice! & plenty of room for your zoom..

Goodness knows I need room for my zoom... ;]

Attached Link: http://www.tiffen.com/domkecat01.htm

Well FWIW..... I ended up going with a Domke F-2 Original.... it's huge with lots of pockets and holds 2 slrs, along with my 3 lenses and flash unit, a lightmeter, a diffusion dome and a myriad of other accessories like batteries, film, etc.....

Unfortunately it's so heavy with gear that it does not go into the woods with me, but it has become my daily work bag. Location shooting means I never know what I'll need until I get there, so I have to have everything with me.

I've learned that hiking means traveling light with minimal gear.

What I like about the Domke is that it's a shoulder bag, and everything is easily accessible unlike my backpack which has to be taken off my back before I can get at anything.

The link is to their catalog..... they have a nice selection of smaller bags as well..

I'll also second a vote for Tamrac.... they make great bags as well.....

Message edited on: 12/27/2005 13:49

Thanks Michelle. I'll check out the Domke line as well. I searched on Amazon, but with litterally hundreds of possibilities, it isn't easy to decide. I like the idea of having a big work bag, and a small travel/hiking version.

I like a bag that can take few extras so although my cam is only small I use one like shown Here [I would like a larger bag really]

It has movable padded partitions inside and I have sewn leather loops into the top for a lightweight tripod.

But then I like to carry all those little extras that I find so essential to a day out with the camera :)

Now that would make an interesting separate thread - what do you have in your camera bag :D

Message edited on: 12/27/2005 13:55

OK... well I may be a bad one to suggest anything here for you here. But I see no reason not to get a packsack type. This one is not cumbersome and if I want it even has a compartment underneath for my laptop.Mind you that is when it gets too much to trek around with.I normally do not have the lappy in the bag, unless I know I may not get a chance to get to a certain area again.I hate coming home, and finding out they were blurry. But having a bag like this, you can even carry a lunch in it LOL. [Made by Lowepro]

I like the idea of both. A large sack to carry all the odds and ends, and a smaller pouch just for the camera and a few accessories when I need to travel lite. Thanks Richard and Doug, I'm getting bag envy now. ;]

That's an impressive looking camera bag,Doug.I was looking at one like that recently.It comes with a silver reflector cover to put over it so it doesn't get too hot in strong sun conditions,and the cam is also accessible from an opening in the front as well.Right now mine is like Richard's,but perhaps a bit smaller.I feels nice and light even when loaded up,and it never feels like it's pulling on my shoulder.It has movable compartments,and everything is visible and quickly accessible.Until I start traveling with multiple lenses it's really all I need. Sorry it's a crappy pic.I didn't think it needed to be art,lol.

It HAS to be art Marlene, do it again! ;] That looks like a spiffy bag. I like the two side pockets and one front. Thanks for the feedback. I noticed you said "until I start traveling with multiple lenses..." Does that mean you got that present you were hoping for?

...and I remember saying to Michelle back in that other thread ...why not go to some outfitters and buy a cheap outdoor bag of some sort. Naw....when I finally got my new camera I found out those would just be stupid. They need the padding. I do have a good travel bag though which fits just the camera, the flash and one lens fine.

I used a Tamrac for my Canon G6! It was an over the shoulder hip style! Worked out but did have a habit of getting in the way at the most un-opportune times! I'm actually thinging of getting something like this to lug around my new camera: Tamrac Velocity series I really like how these bags convert from a backpack to a holster style for easy access to the camera! When it comes down to it though, it depends on your needs!

(((Big smile)))I should have it shortly,Kortalouche.Now I just need to figure out what lenses I want to start with...It's hard but I could think of worse decisions to make! :^) Wow that's alot of equipment LostPatrol.Do you always carry all of that with you?

Not if I can help it lol Just an idea of what can fit in the bag, not fit enough to lug that lot up a hillside!

Doug has a larger version of a Lowepro than I do. The one I have will cost you in US $ something from $45 to $60. This is the Nova Pro2AW, by Lowepro. The bag is essentially water resistant with a "goretex" or similar lining beneath the outside fabric. Mine has been drenched in rain and all inside is cumffy and dry. I would not immerse! It does keep the rain off. This one will hold two extra lenses and my D70 Nikon. The top has room for memeory cards, etc. The front pouch is fine for spare battery and lens hoods. The largest lens I store is a Sigma 18-120mm zoom. This bag and most will not hold the extra large lenses. I am very pleases with the bag. Note, I use a wide belt to strap with relative comfort around the waist and not the shoulder strap. Negatives are quick access. Photojournalists seem to use very loose bags with stuff rattling around and easy to get to for a quick lens change. I opted to protect the lenses and stuff and go for the "slow, determined changes". Works very well for me. If you can get an all-weather bag, do it. This does ease the tension when it suddenly starts to rain on you!

last pic of the Lowepro Pro2AW.

I hope these posts help. Consider the "need of speed" of getting into the bag and safety of contents. These two concepts seem to be a bit opposite.

For day shoots with one lens, I would go for a simple bag to hold camera and attached lens with extra card or film and battery. Tom.
Room for filters, one or two in boxes in the top flap. No room for a flash gun.

Message edited on: 12/27/2005 20:15

Tom, I have the same bag and it suits my needs at this time! What I love about it, is the little zipper under that front pouch holds a little rain jacket! Brenda :)

Brenda, that is so true! I like this bag very, very much. Sure, I cannot carry all-in-one but this is perfect for me on most of my outings. Earlier this year we went to Stone Mountain, GA, state in the USA. There is a theme park but the attraction is the top of the granite mound. The rain was coming down "cats and dogs" and we got soaked on the way to the ticket booth! The bag did just fine and all was dry. Besides wading a bit, we had the park and stuff pretty much to ourselves. When the sun came out in a couple of hours, the place was full of people with fewer natural shots possible. That was the first time my camera bag was in the "elements" and it served quite well. For certain, I was concerned but the bag proved its worth. I met an Austrian man with a film camera and he had a neat bag for camera and lens only. I asked him, "What make is that?" His answer, "This is the bag for my camera, about 20 years old." Well, so much for my language barrier.

Update: I did get one of the Pelican cases for carryon at the airport. Worked fine, but really does not hold too much. Did not have courage to check. I think in future if I'm going to struggle anyway with carryon, a canvas case that holds more stuff is preferable. Used the 24-70mm almost all of the time anyway. Too hot and humid in Malaysia to carry much. Did miss a good tripod. Little collapsable thing was useless!

anything by Tamrac. Nuff said.

It is great to hear about what everyone uses, and why they use the bags they do. I appreciate the feedback. Based on your direction and thought...and my personal needs, I went with the Tamrac Travel Zoom 5. Big enough for all the gear I have right now, but small enough to lug around in the city or through the jungle. The price was pretty sweet too: Travel Zoom 5 I also picked up this bigger bag for when I need to pack more and in anticipation of a future DSLR: Samsonite Professional Microfiber Photo Protective Bag For 80% off, I couldn't resist. It looks like a decent one too. What do you guys think?

$9.95? How could you go wrong?????

Hey, I suggest you all pick one of those babies up, wether you need it or not. They make great gifts too! And no, I don't work for Samsonite.

Looks good to me - not sure how many sandwichs you gonna get in that first one though :D

I'll use really thin bread Richard. MAS 4 Eva! I looked at the Velocity series too, but for more than twice the price, I didn't think it was worth it. For me.