Photographers: Need a DSLR bag recommendation

[Frybrid 524td]

Just picked up a Canon Rebel SL1 for my better half and I'm overwhelmed by the amount of camera bag choices out there. I'm looking for something small that will be able to cushion the camera and it's included 18-55mm lens. A small sling style bag or belt pack would be preferable. Full on shoulder bags or backpacks would be a deal breaker for her to actually carry around regularly.

I plan to pick up a macro lens sometime in the near future so the ability to carry two lenses would be a big plus.

Obviously small accessory pockets for batteries, memory cards, and a charger would be necessary.

I've looked into Lowepro and Kata but am open to your suggestions. I really don't want to settle on a bag just to get it over with; I'd like to get something that she, and therefore I, will be content to use for the lifespan of this camera.

Thanks.

[dland]

I've been really happy with the LowePro AW series over the years.

[wkohler]

I have a Tamrac Pro 12. I like it a lot. It replaced a LowePro that the zipper gave out on after a year or so. I like the Tamrac because to close the top, it wasn't necessary to use the zipper. It could simply be secured using the belts. Also, the design of the top kept dirt and such out of. I also found that it was easier to setup to my liking versus the similar sized LowePro.

[Tangles]

Sold cameras and accessories for many years. Lowepro are the BMW of camera bags. If that helps.

[wkohler]

And every one I've had has not been very good.

[Tangles]

I doubt I'll argue camera bags.

[Acid House]

I have been running a Naneu Sierra for the last year and I couldn't be happier. Waterproof zippers, removable insert, ballistic nylon.

They have smaller bags too, but I would recommend this brand over any other (and that includes the other big names).

Check here

https://www.naneubags.com/products-by-t ... l-slr-bags

[wkohler]

That's awesome. I was reading that going wow, would be nice if it took a bigger laptop and held a large lens and a smaller one. Bam. Clicked on the Tango and for $20 more, it has all of that. I might could seriously consider one of those. Thanks.

[Acid House]

I've been trying to get a Sahara 115f from them for over a year, apparently they are out of production.

I run a DSLR for video so I need space for some rigging, microphones, recorders, lenses, etc. The Sahara is the perfect next step up and I can't find one to save my life

[vinceg101]

I've been looking for a new DSLR bag for a while now, so this thread is sort of timely. My recommendations to the OP is to look first at either LowePro or Tamrac if you want something economical. Each company has a wide variety of bags that sound like it may fill the bill of what you're looking for. The best way of course is to take the gear to a good pro camera store and pack it into different bags and test drive it around the store. You should be able to find a place around DC or northern VA.

Chris' experiences with LowePro notwithstanding, I currently have two LP bags: Street & Field Specialist 80AW I use for the DSLR and a Stealth Reporter 400 for the medium format. Both bags have performed extremely well albeit I'm not a pro photographer putting these bags through the mill everyday. I really love the medium format bag as it's more of a soft, loser structured bag that you can close off without zipping it. Also, the S&F belt and pouch system work with it so I can augment storage and support.

I haven't been as happy with the 80AW as it didn't really replace the bag that came before it. I'm not unhappy with its' build or quality, but by it's kind of odd proportions and that it doesn't really hold much more than the previous bag it was supposed to replace. It's odd shape causes it not to be able to stand up vertically without propping it against something; really annoying.

The previous bag was an older Tamrac Zoom Traveller 4 (or something that closely resembles it). I absolutely love(d) that bag, but now is a mere shadow of itself as the padding has been crushed over time. That and it's just not big enough for the larger DSLR and lenses. What I love about it is the size and proportion of it is much more compact and vertically oriented rather than horizontal like so many other traditional bags. I can and have easily carried it in cities, inside buildings, in restaurants, loped jackets and sweaters over it, thrown it easily under airplane seats with plenty of room to spare, and crammed other electronics in the outer compartment. I've hauled it around several European countries, and through major US cities without any issues or discomfort. I've been looking a suitable replacement ever since; I thought the 80AW would be it, but no.

Now that traveling with more electronics is de riguer these days, I need a bag that can also hold a tablet and/or small laptop (something none of my current bags can do). I've been looking at more of a messenger bag trying to recreate that Tamrac bag experience:
LowePro Urban Reporter 250
LowePro Event Messenger 150 or Pro Messenger 180AW
Tamrac Zuma 3
Tamrac Rally 6 or 7

I've been pretty loyal to the companies I've had experiences with. But I just saw this one from the weekly Adorama email:http://www.vanguardworld.com/index.php/ ... 1-247.html
Vanguard Heralder 33 or 38
Vanguard Up-Rise II 28
Don't know anything about them yet, and the price is a bit above what I was looking at, but it seems decent. I would have to get my hands on one and put some gear in it first though. The Up-Rise bags are expandable, which is kind of a nice feature.

[Mike W.]

I'd like to have a camera and lenses needing such a bag. The more I get into photography, and I take a lot of pictures, the more difference I see between my decent cameras and a decent DSLR.

[geordi]

Timely topic… I'm looking for a replacement holster camera bag to tote a DSLR w/ 24-70mm or 16-35mm lens. Haven't found the right one yet. This thread has some good leads to investigate.

Feels like I have been looking FORVER for a backpack for my DSLR + lenses. Still have not found what I wanted. Frankly, I was probably my own worst enemy because my requirement was DSLR plus two lenses and room for an extended day hike in the great outdoors.

I went a different direction and settled on a Think Tank Airport Airstream. Its a rollie, but it easily carried D700, 70-200mm, 24-70mm, flash, DSLR accessories & Go-Pro. A 15" MacBook Pro fit on top over the gear nicely. For a backpack, I modified one of my 20+ L climbing packs to carry a DSLR w one lens. For now, I have to live with extended hikes with one lens plus DSLR.

The Think Tank won me over on three counts:
1. It does't look like a camera bag so it rarely draws attention
2. It fits in the overhead of a regional jet… no small feat.
3. Inside is highly modifiable.

For OP, I don't have a recommendation for a sling, belt or holster bag… I'm still looking myself. I'd look into a small to medium messenger bag that meets your two lens/DSLR requirement and doesn't scream "camera bag".

[Acid House]

My favorite feature of the Sierra is the Cellphone pocket on the shoulder strap, its great for easy access on a bike or whatever. And it doesn't look at all like a camera bag, as a matter of fact I routinely take out the insert and use it as a regular backpack/messenger.

There's also another pocket there that fits my Blast Knuckles perfectly. You know, just in case...





Too bad the Sahara 115f is NLA, it certainly fits the bill for a discrete carry-on sized bag that fits a ton of gear and has quality construction.

[Frybrid 524td]

Went with the Naneu Correspondent C5. Perfect fit for the SL1. Can be worn alon the belt or as a shoulder bag. Seems really well made. Thanks!

[Acid House]

Glad to hear you like it.

Still haven't found the Sierra, although a green one popped up on ebay and I was tempted.