How much would you spend...

TriggerHappy

TriggerHappy

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Jamie
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...on a camera bag? I have quite a lot of gear (not compared to some people here though!) and my old bag doesn't fit it all. When looking at the price of camera bags I'm always a little put off by the price though. So, you tell me; how much do you think is a justifiable price to spend? £30? £75? £150? Is it as much as you can afford? 1/10th the value of your gear?
I'm really just looking for some guidance as to the price I should be willing to pay. There's no point in having lots of expensive gear if I have nothing better than a plastic bag to carry it after all.
 
I realise it depends on how much gear you have (and I agree that some people on here seem to have more equipment than the average camera shop) but you don't need to fit all your gear in one bag I don't think. How often do you need to take all your gear with you?

I have 2 x 40d bodies, 2 x zooms, 1 x flash, 1 x converter and a blower, batteries and a few cables and a charger that I carry around. Can't think of any time I've needed to take more gear than that out with me.

I spent £70 on a Lowpro which seems to fit the stuff in quite nicely.
 
I would say about £50-100 for a good backpack photo bag. I quite like Lowepro bags, when I was first looking at a backpack I was surprised to see how much they were but compared to some, they are not THAT expensive. It has to hold and protect hundreds if not thousands of pounds of equipment, and needs to protect it and be comfortable to carry.

However, I have found that it is impossible to find a perfect bag, you tend to buy several for different occasions. I have a Lowepro Fastpack 350 which is half photo backpack for day trips/holidays etc when I need to carry food/book/polaroid/other stuff in the top bit. I also have a Lowepro Nova 3 shoulder bag for when I want to travel light (just camera and a lens or two), but I don't like it and thinking of selling it in exchange for some kind of Crumpler.
 
for me it would depend on a few things namely:

1) how much of your gear do you take with you 1 body \ number of lenses
2) how heavy is the above together- i.e do you need a proper backpack that will protect your back
3) is it for major hikes or short trips from the car / home
4) does it need to hold none photo gear, eg food water
5) how durable \ waterproof must it be
6) how quickly do you need to access the gear

sorry that's not much actual help, but I think if you narrow that down it will leave you with clearer options as to what is available.

Good luck
 
I am considering getting a new bag at £130, but for this particular use, I want to get all my gear (including laptop) through as hand-luggage (safely) on a plane. This bag is more for carrying the kit, than for quick access.
I have 1 body, and 6 lenses, and am going on a 1 week holiday+1 week cruise, so will use all of the lenses (bar 1 possibly, the 17-55 kit) I suspect. (10-22,17-55 kit,50/1.8,28-135,70-300 and hopefully 100-400)

for 'everyday' use, I have a lowpro bag (?£30) which fits the camera+either 1 long lens, or 2 short lenses. Or I have a backpack (?£40) which fits camera+4 lenses, for medium holidays. Both these provide quick easy access.
 
Does it come down to how much you can spend? I mean - if you are bill gates, then it's daft - go crazy :D. For what it's worth I have several, the most expensive cost me just under £500, another at £330, and another 5 or so more all the way down to £70 or so.

Not intended to be a brag, or a "look how deep my pockets are". For all you guys know, I could have broke the bank ;)

But, it's requirements versus disposable income surely?

Gary.
 
wicker_man said:
However, I have found that it is impossible to find a perfect bag
Click to expand...

I think that's the main problem.

I used to use the little Canon one I got free with my camera, but after adding a couple of lenses and some filters etc... it's no longer big enough.
Then, after a good soaking at Donington, I bought a Lowepro Primus AW for days at the track, out hiking, on holiday etc... Trouble is, this isn't really suitable for storing the kit while at home as it's a bit big and cumbersome. Plus, it's not exactly subtle so it's not really suitable for other occasions like family get-togethers, weddings (as a guest :p) and such like.
I'm now scratching my head about what to go for next :thinking:

As for pricing, it seems to rise and fall faster than the FTSE!
I paid £50 for the Primus, and a day later is was almost £100 at the same retailer! :eek:
Camera Price Buster keep a track of the LowePro prices. It's worth watching there to see where it's cheapest, and how that price compares historically.
 
I'd say the best you can afford to fit the gear you've got, with possibly enough room for some extras when you expand. There's no point having lovely expensive gear if you've got no safe way of carrying it.

I have flight cases for all my gear for when I go away with work and carriage space isn't an issue. £10 for 3 cases from B&Q with some custom cut foam :lol:
 
I got one of these GEM Backpacks when they were £30 on Amazon which replaced the Lowepro Slingshot 300AW which I got for £65 at Christmas. To be honest, neither of them are ideal. The slingshot has less space inside but more room for accessories where as the GEM will carry a couple of bodies, 2 or 3 lenses and a flash but there is only a very small additional area for accessories like batteries and cables. There is of course the compartment for a notebook but I've never even unzipped that section to look in it.

The GEM does me fine for day to day photography and on the very rare occasion I take all my kit out I have a hard aluminium case that fits more than enough gear in.
 
mine was £85 (best price i could find) - lowepro flipside 400AW, love it

contains

2 bodies, 1.4x ext, 400/5.6, 70-200/2.8IS, 17-40/f4, 24-70/2.8, all hoods (3), filters+holder etc, cable release other bits and bobs, will hold tripod externally

bought the bag early this year and have bought 2 more lenses and a body "to come" will fit in

get a bag to contain more than what you've got as you'll run out of space if you add to your collection

drew
 
I bought mine because it got very high praise for taking lots of gear and being comfortable to carry on my back, recommended by a friend and can't fault it, as its been up a few Hill :D in Wales and the Lakes. Can thoroughly recommend the Lowpro Photo Trekker AWII, although more than £150 currently (managed to get £50 off mine through lowpro) a few years back, still looking good good after 2 years of abuse

Peter
 
I got a Tamrac Expedition 7x. Decided the 8 was stupidly big and would make me carry too much. I paid £100 for mine.

I then decided that I also wanted a bag to carry just a camera and a lens or two and ended up with a Tamrac Velocity 9x as well.

Now I'm thinking I want another bag halfway between the two :|

Getting a slightly smaller bag does tend to stop you carrying stuff for the sake of it.
 
I think I've got more value in bags than the rest of my gear and Mrs OutLore's gear put together... :lol:

But my final decision was made by taking all my stuff (including my laptop and associated cables etc, portable hard drive, and camera stuff) to a shop (now sadly departed :thumbsdown:) and trying it all in the bag....

End result: Lowepro Vertex 200AW (along with 4 other LP bags, and some generic ones too)

Having said that, I find having a selection of bags really useful as I can pick the right bag to suit what I'm doing and where I'm going.
 
Just to give everyone an update I ended up buying a Crumpler Pyjama Pride for £69 quid off ebay as opposed to the £120 they ask from most online shops. It arrived today and it's more than worth it. Lets hope it means i can get out with the right equipment more often.

Even better there's a little space left over so I guess i'll have to buy something to fill the gaps :D
 
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