Good dSLR bag for trips and/or hikes?

I'm looking for a dSLR bag to take with me on my honeymoon- it would need to carry my Canon XS with 18-55 lens, probably my 55-200 lens and a small 50mm prime lens- then a few small pouches for memory cards and an extra battery. I have the LowePro EX120 right now:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1059573932762

It just isn't comfortable carrying around on short hikes and walks- something I'd want for the honeymoon as we're going to French Polynesia and I want to take it basically wherever we go. I was looking at the Sling packs they have- would the small one be a decent investment, or does another company make better ones? A Tamrac Velocity maybe? I'd like to keep it under $75 if possible.

I used to use a dedicated camera bag for hiking/travel, but I just use a regular backpack. I usually have an extra layer of clothing in the pack, so that serves as padding. Most of the time, the camera's around my neck. When in the pack, it doesn't scream "photo gear". Something to consider.

I have the lowepro slingshot 100 that is pretty nice. I take it on short hikes around home and it works fine. It would easily hold everything you have listed, though if you want a little extra space I suggest the 200. It has a nice raincover, too.


If I'm going on a longer hike I take one lens and throw the camera in a back pack....

the dakine sequence or mission look cool. The sequence is backcountry ski friendly. I'm thinking about getting one of those.
http://www.backcountry.com/store/DAK...P01&mv_pc=r141

Let me know what you decide to get, I am looking too. I was leaning towards some kind of protective case and carrying it in a backpack, that would work for my bc pack then just throw the case in a small backpack for around town.

I've been real happy with the Tamrac Velocity.

depending on what im doing I like be wearing the lowe pro top load zoom 75 . in it i can carry a d300, sb900 flash, and two of the following; 70-200 (f3.5), 10-20 (f4) 16-85 (f3.5) , 100m (f2.8) (can cram the 10-20 in the front as well to bring it to 3 lenses but then it is super packed. Also know it can fit the 300 f4 but not sure what else i could get in then). their is a few pockets for cards, filters, wipes ect. It comes with a rain cover and chest harness but rings in around 100$ i think. chest packs are not the most stylish or comfortable but if you want to be able to get at your gear fast there nice especially if your going on the trail for a few days and have a heavy pack. but also comes with a strap to carry as a sling for around town short hikes ect. one of the smaller modals might do you well.

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Originally Posted by Junker

I used to use a dedicated camera bag for hiking/travel, but I just use a regular backpack. I usually have an extra layer of clothing in the pack, so that serves as padding. Most of the time, the camera's around my neck. When in the pack, it doesn't scream "photo gear". Something to consider.

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I'm in 200% agreeance with this. If you are travelling, and taking photos, the photopacks out there suck ass. A regular pack, and perhaps a kgear or the like insert is far cheaper, far more flexible and far more useful

I wanted something a smaller than a full-size backpack for the shorter hikes and sight-seeing. After looking online at some of the options, I think I'll probably get the Tamrac Velocity 7x. I found them online for around $50, which isn't bad. If I'm doing a longer day-hike, I'll probably just use my Dakine HeliPro.

The Tamrac is exactly what you want for the trip you're making. You could also go with a a Crumpler 5 million dollar home, but they're very pricey. I have a 6 million dollar home and absolutely love it, but I had a friend that had a hook up and got it for me for cost. I don't know that I would pay retail.

I'm with everyone here -- use my regular backpack. I also got a Digital Holster from Hugh Conway which is awesome -- gives some extra protection for the camera when it's in the backpack and makes for a nice light case for the body/attached lens itself. You can sling it over your shoulder or clip it onto the hip belt of your pack, which has worked great for me while backpacking

Maybe Maverick? They make some awesome backpacks with ICUs as well. I hear good things about f-stop...

http://fstopgear.com/now/mountain-series

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Originally Posted by jce338

Maybe Maverick? They make some awesome backpacks with ICUs as well. I hear good things about f-stop...

http://fstopgear.com/now/mountain-series

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I would have to agree. F-Stop makes an excellent bag and Druid takes care of his customers. You also may consider there Lotus day pack.

I like the sling packs - they come in a wide variety of sizes, so you can really get just the amount of space you need. In my case, I've not found one great option for all my lenses. I pick one for the general outting - and use the smallest case I can and try to make due.

I have been putting my top loader into my backpack - keeps it really well protected - I can drop it right in the pack and know it's not getting wet from the water bottles and kids food that ends up coming everywhere with us (kids have their own 10 pounds of mandatory crap that goes everywhere).

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Originally Posted by smmokan

I wanted something a smaller than a full-size backpack for the shorter hikes and sight-seeing. After looking online at some of the options, I think I'll probably get the Tamrac Velocity 7x. I found them online for around $50, which isn't bad. If I'm doing a longer day-hike, I'll probably just use my Dakine HeliPro.

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+1 for Velocity. I have 7 series and can fit 20D with 17-40 on, flash and small prime. Great for carrying or skiing around in the resort when you don't need the rest of the gear.

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Originally Posted by eug

+1 for Velocity. I have 7 series and can fit 20D with 17-40 on, flash and small prime. Great for carrying or skiing around in the resort when you don't need the rest of the gear.

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If that's all your carrying - why not use the pockets of a jacket or a fanny pack for the lens and flash and wear the camera?

I personally found the Sequence just a bit too small, so, I bought a Poacher and built my own camera block out of plexiglass, foam & duct tape. It works pretty good for skiing & hiking b/c I love having back panel access, as well as tons of room for extras, like first aid kit, jacket, skins, 3L bladder, etc. The only down-sides are that it's still too small for multi-day trips and it's also a bit too much for simple half-day outtings and such. Anyways, I'll post pics of it later.

I've got the Slingshot 200 - useful and all, but not really that comfortable for more than an hour or so of hiking. I'm wishing I had gone with something smaller for standalone use -I tend to just throw the camera + a lens in my backpack now wrapped up in a tshirt or something.

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

If that's all your carrying - why not use the pockets of a jacket or a fanny pack for the lens and flash and wear the camera?

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That sounds like a recipe for disaster. Unless you ski like a vagina, that is. ;)

After all, you just recommended a fanny pack.



Also to clear it up- I already have a pack and setup for skiing (small topload bag inside my Dakine Helipro), I just want something for light hikes and sight-seeing. I'm going to pull the trigger on a Velocity once I can find a cheap one.

Bump on this thread. I'm in the same boat. Checking out the Crumpler and the Tamrac... I basically need something to store my equipment in, as well as a carry around bag. At home, I have a dog and a cat that love to get into shit. Right now the camera resides in the office with closed doors, but I still need a storage solution.

Also, I'm planning to be in Nepal for about a month this summer. I would love to bring the DSLR, but I haven't figured out how to carry it without being too obvious. I'll probably be living out of a backpack. Any suggestions for long term travel? Considering just leaving the cam at home and taking the P&S, but that feels like it defeats the purpose of having a DSLR. Thoughts?

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Originally Posted by Junker

I used to use a dedicated camera bag for hiking/travel, but I just use a regular backpack. I usually have an extra layer of clothing in the pack, so that serves as padding. Most of the time, the camera's around my neck. When in the pack, it doesn't scream "photo gear".

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Same here.

Also, if it will carry ski's or a snowboard, it will also likely carry a tripod. Might be able to get double duty out of a new backpack purchase.

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Originally Posted by Lev

Also, I'm planning to be in Nepal for about a month this summer. I would love to bring the DSLR, but I haven't figured out how to carry it without being too obvious.

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In Nepal as a foreigner you are obvious. Period. There's nothing you can do to "blend in" You have much, much, more money than most anyone else, and they know it.

A dark strap, some gaffers tape over the brightwork on the camera and you'll be less conspicuous than 95% of the other tourists. Don't act drunk, don't act stoned, don't be a dipshit.

Don't worry .... there's tons of tards who'll be much more so than you.

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Originally Posted by smmokan

After all, you just recommended a fanny pack.

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camera packs = new fanny packs

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

In Nepal as a foreigner you are obvious. Period. There's nothing you can do to "blend in" You have much, much, more money than most anyone else, and they know it.

A dark strap, some gaffers tape over the brightwork on the camera and you'll be less conspicuous than 95% of the other tourists. Don't act drunk, don't act stoned, don't be a dipshit.

Don't worry .... there's tons of tards who'll be much more so than you.

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LOL I was asking more in terms of bag suggestions than how to actually conceal my weapon... er, camera.

Thanks though. The tape isn't a bad idea.

Anyone out there have a used Crumpler 6 million dollar home that they're not using and would like to sell? I'm leaning in that direction. Thanks!

Some of the best advice I have gotten from this board was from Rubicon. On long hikes the camera strap can really takes it's toll on your neck. At the same time, I don't like hiking with my camera in a backpack bc I'll miss out on a number of shots. He developed a system using clips and rope and made a harness that attached to his camera and onto the straps of his backpack. This enables somebody to have the camera hang from their bag (ie no weight on your neck) and gives you easy access to take lots of shots. I did this when I hiked Kilimanjaro for a week and it was MONEY! I actually had a lot of people ask me about it bc either their neck hurt or they missed lots of shots. Rubicon put some photos up about it 6 months or so ago.

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Originally Posted by Lev

LOL I was asking more in terms of bag suggestions than how to actually conceal my weapon... er, camera.

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and, yup, you missed the point. it won't be concealed.

bring some shit to clean the camera; you'll get loaded with dust if you are changing lenses.

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Originally Posted by hitek79

The Tamrac is exactly what you want for the trip you're making. You could also go with a a Crumpler 5 million dollar home, but they're very pricey. I have a 6 million dollar home and absolutely love it, but I had a friend that had a hook up and got it for me for cost. I don't know that I would pay retail.

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Second on the Crumpler stuff. I have a 5 million (I think?), and I love it. I had one, got it stolen, and immediately ordered a second. It holds a d300, two medium+ sized lenses (18-200 and 12-24), and two small primes with any of them on the camera. I like to wear it over my head and one shoulder with the strap pretty long so I can flip it to the front and dig around in it or put in in the back when I'm walking. It also isn't quite as obviously camera gear as the normal black bags are.

If you're wearing a pack, otoh, I think the best way to go is a TLZ with the chest harness. You can make do with a shoulder strap bag if you put on the pack first and then put the camera strap over your head and both shoulders (like you're going through the strap) so that it hangs on the straps between the pack and your shoulders.

erm... if it weren't as obvious, why'd it get stolen?

If I were a thief in a tourist area I'd pick a lowepro/Tamrac/Crumper bag. Easy to identify, almost guaranteed to carry a bunch of camera gear, easy to carry away.

The guy broke into my car for my ipod, then saw the bag under the folded down back seat. It was in my gated apartment complex garage, so I didn't think there was too much risk. I was wrong.

Any suggestions for a low profile way to carry this along?

Ideally a front pack with some sort of reliable weatherproofing so it's easier to access and actually use the camera. I currently wear a small Black Diamond Bandit pack, can you connect a top load pack to the shoulder straps? Would you want to ski balls deep pow with your camera on your chest? I doubt I could fit the camera inside my backpack. Maybe with a form fitting rigid case for the camera body and lens.

Any ideas or better suggestions other than buying a bigger back pack?

If you want a perfect pack then look at f-stop, that is if you have access to hefty funds, if not then maybe look at the dakine sequence or mission, or just wrap the cam in some towels

+1 on the digital holster. It also expands to fit bigger lenses.

Check out http://www.cambags.com/

User submitted camera bag reviews with user supplied pictures of bags loaded with real gear. It is broken down by bag and camera system.

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Originally Posted by FMichigan

Any suggestions for a low profile way to carry this along?

Ideally a front pack with some sort of reliable weatherproofing so it's easier to access and actually use the camera. I currently wear a small Black Diamond Bandit pack, can you connect a top load pack to the shoulder straps? Would you want to ski balls deep pow with your camera on your chest? I doubt I could fit the camera inside my backpack. Maybe with a form fitting rigid case for the camera body and lens.

Any ideas or better suggestions other than buying a bigger back pack?

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I take a canon 40d with 18-200mm skiing. I took a Burton AK tha thas the"beer cooler" in the base. this cooler area open with a zipper in the anterior part of the pack that rests against your back. It is basicall a plastic lined tub. I custom cut some foam to fit camera with lens. This way I slip my pack off and the anterior surface of the pack does not rest in the snow, and the cooler tub provides some weather proofing. This way the weight of the camera is supported right at the waist strap and feels comfortable resting in the lumbar area. I would not suggest cliff hucks with this setup. You may also want to look at the seattle sling