Bags - Beltpack vs Shoulder bag vs Backpack

[surge]

have you thought of chest vest?

you can get the ex version at cathay or the cheapo HK version. 4 pouches at chest level that can fix a 70-200VR wo hood

try carrying a backpack. the bag alone usually weighs quite alot already. when it come to changing lens. forget about speed. this back is the kind that you use in zoos and have all the time to change lens.

shoulder bag is still best. try the domke? bag is very light before you load. lowepro tends to be quite heavy too.

last solution. get a set of dumpbell and do alittle training for you r shoulders and lower back. good for IPPT too.

 

[Lingkm82]

I currently own a shoulder bag. It gets heavy (~5kg) when I put my stuff in and my shoulder hurt after a while. I am thinking of switching to either a beltpack or shoulder bag. Beltpacks allow easy access of equipment but i am worried that it will be cumbersome and restrict my movement. My reservation with backpacks is that you need to take it off to access the contents.

Any suggestions and comments?

You are switching to the same bag, my fren...
I think you mean switching to Backpack....

I had tried many slings bagsss & some of the Lowepro: Sling Shot 200, Toploader 75, Rover AW.... In my opinion, Back Pack is the best (Rover AW)...
Yes, you got inconvenience in taking or packing things, but you can travel longer wihout hurting your shoulder.
Recommend for travel (Free & easy)....
Others sling type are more for event type, whcih will last 1 or 2 hours that need fast access to equipments...

(I had never used beltpack before... too many things, I think my waist will break...haha :bsmilie

 

[midicity]

For a backpack, Can consider the Lowepro Fastpack series

Backpack, but easy access to change lenses without putting the bag down.
Thick shoulder straps too

I have the fastpack 350. Can carry whole day with equipment of 6kg

 

[sin77]

i use backpack, because it spread the load to both shoulders.
And the main reason is that i put my tripod (slik sprint pro) at the side pocket and strapped up.
If i need filters, they are all in my filter wallet which is caribina hooked to my jeans.

 

[artyboy]

backpack. but my Lowepro CompuTrekker is more for travelling purposes (when im flying), its too bulky for casual photo shoots. i prefer a toploader (Lowepro 70AW) for cam + walkabout lens and other lens/es & flash unit in my slimmer Targus backpack. used to use shoulder bags but now prefer to have all the weight on my shoulders/back instead and have my hands free of obstructions. belt packs dont work for me as my gears are too heavy. also tried the Lowepro Slingshot series but didnt like it, its weight is unevenly distributed and it has a "pull you backwards" gravity effect.

 

[calebk]

backpack. but my Lowepro CompuTrekker is more for travelling purposes (when im flying), its too bulky for casual photo shoots. i prefer a toploader (Lowepro 70AW) for cam + walkabout lens and other lens/es & flash unit in my slimmer Targus backpack. used to use shoulder bags but now prefer to have all the weight on my shoulders/back instead and have my hands free of obstructions. belt packs dont work for me as my gears are too heavy. also tried the Lowepro Slingshot series but didnt like it, its weight is unevenly distributed and it has a "pull you backwards" gravity effect.

Bro, seriously try a modular system instead of just a single beltpack. The ability to customise which component of your kit sits where on your hip is a valuable asset.

At one point in time, I have ever had a Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM, 580EX, Sigma 10-20, 17-40L, 85 f/1.8, plus extra batteries, CF cards, lightsphere and omnibounce, and a water bottle all on the belt. A little tiring, but definitely less strenuous than having the whole load on one shoulder.

 

[jet]

Headed down to TK to get a TT Speed Freak but they are out of stock. While there saw the Tamrac Expedition 7. Really nice bag. And it was going for $199. Apparently due to the release of the 7x. Thought about it all night and went back the next day to buy it. Weak, weak, weak...

Went back home and started to take out all my equipment to load into the bag. Yes, that's how much stuff I have, all of it fits into the bag with space to spare. Even with the tripod attached it felt surprisingly not too heavy on the shoulders. Must be the good weight distribution. Only thing is that it is a little bulky. Now, how will I fit into the MRT at rush hour....

 

[calebk]

Headed down to TK to get a TT Speed Freak but they are out of stock. While there saw the Tamrac Expedition 7. Really nice bag. And it was going for $199. Apparently due to the release of the 7x. Thought about it all night and went back the next day to buy it. Weak, weak, weak...

Went back home and started to take out all my equipment to load into the bag. Yes, that's how much stuff I have, all of it fits into the bag with space to spare. Even with the tripod attached it felt surprisingly not too heavy on the shoulders. Must be the good weight distribution. Only thing is that it is a little bulky. Now, how will I fit into the MRT at rush hour....

Dooood, I have a speed freak that I'm selling, but I'm holding it for someone already. Ah well..

 

[Headshotzx]

Just bought a Lowepro Stealth Reporter D200AW sling-bag from J3:16. Serving me pretty well now.

 

[hvpdmg]

Any experience with a decent sized (meaning not gigantic, I think expedition 7 is gigantic!) backpack, that isn't easy for people to open from behind and empty my camera out of it? With space for throwing in day to day stuff during a trip, like erm water, souvernirs, snacks?

Considering doing that to a shoulder bag D300AW but I wonder if throwing water and food in is a good idea at all. =P

 

[calebk]

Any experience with a decent sized (meaning not gigantic, I think expedition 7 is gigantic!) backpack, that isn't easy for people to open from behind and empty my camera out of it? With space for throwing in day to day stuff during a trip, like erm water, souvernirs, snacks?

Considering doing that to a shoulder bag D300AW but I wonder if throwing water and food in is a good idea at all. =P

Generally speaking, if I would throw water and snacks into the bag that holds my camera, it shouldn't be in the same compartment.

That said, I always carry my Platypus collapsible bottle in one part of my Crumpler Six Million Dollar Home. In terms of backpacks that are not easily opened from behind, I can only think of Lowepro's Flipside, and Crumpler's full camera backpacks (i.e. The Keystone, Whickey & Cox and The Karachi Outpost).

All of these do not have half a compartment for normal stuff, with the other half left for camera stuff, so you have to divide the bag with dividers yourself if you wanna do that.

 

[calebk]

Any experience with a decent sized (meaning not gigantic, I think expedition 7 is gigantic!) backpack, that isn't easy for people to open from behind and empty my camera out of it? With space for throwing in day to day stuff during a trip, like erm water, souvernirs, snacks?

Considering doing that to a shoulder bag D300AW but I wonder if throwing water and food in is a good idea at all. =P

Generally speaking, if I would throw water and snacks into the bag that holds my camera, it shouldn't be in the same compartment.

That said, I always carry my Platypus collapsible bottle in one part of my Crumpler Six Million Dollar Home. In terms of backpacks that are not easily opened from behind, I can only think of Lowepro's Flipside, and Crumpler's full camera backpacks (i.e. The Keystone, Whickey & Cox and The Karachi Outpost).

All of these do not have half a compartment for normal stuff, with the other half left for camera stuff, so you have to divide the bag with dividers yourself if you wanna do that.

 

[artyboy]

Bro, seriously try a modular system instead of just a single beltpack. The ability to customise which component of your kit sits where on your hip is a valuable asset.

At one point in time, I have ever had a Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM, 580EX, Sigma 10-20, 17-40L, 85 f/1.8, plus extra batteries, CF cards, lightsphere and omnibounce, and a water bottle all on the belt. A little tiring, but definitely less strenuous than having the whole load on one shoulder.

thanks for the tip bro. which brand is that from or any weblinks?

 

[calebk]

thanks for the tip bro. which brand is that from or any weblinks?

That would be thinktank. The modular system's design is in many ways superior to Lowepro's. The strip that connects the modular case to the belt for instance, is broader, so the cases don't flap around so much. Here's the link to their website itself, and to a page explaining the merits of a modular system.

 

[artyboy]

great, thanks bro!

 

[weekh]

Looking for Glass Taxi.
Where can I get it in Singaproe? Or any body has one for sale?

 

[xkingx]

For glass taxi you can try TK... They are the sole distributor for Thinktank products.

 

[bcknot]

Hi,

Anyone know where to get Beltpack ?
I'm looking at Lowepro Off Trail 2 or Off Road.

But it seems no one is selling this anymore.

Can I have experts' advice please? I'm going to Europe Next week, carrying my D200, 18-200mm, 12-24mm, 1.5 50mm and a SB-600 flash. Which beltpack do you recommend? and where can I purchase them before my trip.

Thank You!

 

[midicity]

Hi,

Anyone know where to get Beltpack ?
I'm looking at Lowepro Off Trail 2 or Off Road.

But it seems no one is selling this anymore.

Can I have experts' advice please? I'm going to Europe Next week, carrying my D200, 18-200mm, 12-24mm, 1.5 50mm and a SB-600 flash. Which beltpack do you recommend? and where can I purchase them before my trip.

Thank You!

I suggest you really try to put in your gear and walk around even if you do find the lowepro. Your gear list seems quite heavy. Unless you use the shoulder harness, the bag is going to sag lower and lower onto your butt as you walk.
In the end, you might be carrying it sling across your shoulder instead.

 

[Alpc]

Hi,
Anyone know where to get Beltpack ?
I'm looking at Lowepro Off Trail 2 or Off Road.
But it seems no one is selling this anymore.
Can I have experts' advice please? I'm going to Europe Next week, carrying my D200, 18-200mm, 12-24mm, 1.5 50mm and a SB-600 flash. Which beltpack do you recommend? and where can I purchase them before my trip.
Thank You!

I suggest you really try to put in your gear and walk around even if you do find the lowepro. Your gear list seems quite heavy. Unless you use the shoulder harness, the bag is going to sag lower and lower onto your butt as you walk.
In the end, you might be carrying it sling across your shoulder instead.

Actually, that's not very true, I had the same load and it works fine with the Think Tank 6 pcs Modulus set... But of course it would be good to get the harness, to help with the load... at least take some weight off your waist... It's better than using shoulder bags, I feel.