Recommend me a travel bag

Eddzz!!

Eddzz!!

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Eddy
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So I'm intending on going travelling this summer (interrailing around Eastern Europe) and am eager to take my gear along. I'd like to get a bag that is fairly inconspicuous and doesn't immediately scream "camera gear inside", so I'd like to avoid brands like Lowepro for this reason... I've see this bag which seems ideal as it has enough room for gear plus some personal stuff! It doesn't seem to be available anymore however...

Any advice would be welcomed! :)
 
Lowepro 400aw flipside comes in a dark green option. It's easy to de-badge it with a sharp knife. Doesn't look like a camera bag and nobody can access the important compartments when worn as its accessed from the rear side. I have used one when in dodgy parts of Europe and it works fine.
James
 
I use a Billingham Hadley Pro for travelling. Not a cheap option but pretty bombproof, I've used it nearly daily for the last two year as a briefcase/laptop bag for work as well as a camera bag. I tend to go light though when I travel - body/UWA/50mm/spare battery and then there's plenty of space for other stuff in the bag.

I have a Lowepro 400AW too and while it's an excellent camera bag, it's never struck me as a travel bag. It can carry alot of camera stuff but not much "non-camera" IMO. I tend to use it as my "landscape bag" when I carry pretty much all the camera stuff I own and I'm not going to be more than 1hr away from the car or home. I also have a Lowepro Fastpack 250 which is slightly better as a travel bag - it has a bigger "non-camera" pouch and a laptop section. I used it for one conference but I quickly went back to using my Hadley Pro for the next one - it looks too "camerary" IMO but the camera section is shaped a little funny. I tend to still use the Fastpack these days when the Hadley is just a little too small, normally when I'm carrying a laptop with me and other miscellaneous pieces.

TBH It's hard to recommend bags as we all have our preferences and biases :shrug: It's probably why most photographers end up with tonnes of bags...
 
Thanks for all the advice guys! The Billingham bags sure are nice, but man they are pricey! I am becoming slightly more convinced by the idea of a satchel-type bag rather than a backpack... The Redsnappers look good, though not on the same level as the Billinghams.
 
Try fishing and tackle shops for a fishing bag.
They'll not be padded but I'm sure something could be arranged, maybe by sacrificing a really cheap camera bag.
 
strumstrum said:
depending on what size you want what about the Snapper Uno or Duo?

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/Bags_And_Backpacks.html
Click to expand...

(I'm not the OP) Thanks for this suggestion.

I just received the Uno version today and it's superb. Looks great and there's plenty of space. :thumbs:

I already have a Lowepro 180AW but that doesn't look cool and wanted a canvas style bag to replace a non-camera FatFace shoulder bag I had (which was ruined by leaving a banana to rot in it for a month).
 
You could go for a camera bag insert, purchase a bag you like then get a insert too fit it so then you have the padded benefit protection on your camera gear yet a bag that isn't camera bag ....as such :thinking::D
 
andrewp said:
(I'm not the OP) Thanks for this suggestion.

I just received the Uno version today and it's superb. Looks great and there's plenty of space. :thumbs:

I already have a Lowepro 180AW but that doesn't look cool and wanted a canvas style bag to replace a non-camera FatFace shoulder bag I had (which was ruined by leaving a banana to rot in it for a month).
Click to expand...

Andrew,

What's the canvas material like on the Snapper Uno? Reckon it would stand up to a light shower? I know the bag comes with a rain cover but it's not ideal having to put it on and take it off when you're on the move!
 
Eddzz,

Just to let you know it appears the bag does not come with a raincover. Mine didn't. I sent an email this morning asking where it was and have had no response yet. Although they've had time to remove any reference to it on the website this morning - the last line 'Detachable raincover / groundsheet' has gone.

Canvas material is pretty substantial - similar feel to items you might find at FatFace.

It does also have a thin strap that can go round your waist (and under shirt) that holds the bag in place so it never slips off your shoulder or swings round to the front.
 
An update on my email to Redsnapper:
They responded later in the day saying they'll send one out and I have now received a black raincover (says Godspeed on top) which fits over the top and sides of the bag.
 
andrewp said:
An update on my email to Redsnapper:
They responded later in the day saying they'll send one out and I have now received a black raincover (says Godspeed on top) which fits over the top and sides of the bag.
Click to expand...

Andrew, what do you reckon? Could I get all the gear in my signature in the Uno? I don't intend on taking it all travelling, it would be too cumbersome... But I may need it all with me at one point or another!
 
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