Need a new camera bag, help? 2 bodies + bunch of stuff

[flowers]

In that case the Think Tank Take Off is THE bag.


http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-takeoff-roller-camera-bag.aspx

Yes!

 

[ScottyP]

I looked a LONG time for a backpack that holds 6 to 7 lenses and two bodies without looking awkward as heck. Most of the ones that hold that much are too wide, and too deep (they stick out freakishly).

I got the Thule TPBP 101. Don't confuse with the similar but smaller day pack TPDP 101. It is tall rather than fat so it fits and looks and wears better. Thule makes sporting goods and this pack looks good like a hiking pack.

It also has the security feature of a zipper that is up against your back like the LowePro 400 and 500, so it can't be unzipped by someone behind you.

Short video product description here. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AACti4a-DTQ&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DAACti4a-DTQ

Buy here. http://www.amazon.com/Thule-TPBP-101-Perspektiv-Backpack-Black/dp/B00F4714IG

 

[TexPhoto]

The biggest problem with any bag that will hold that much gear is the weight of all that gear... and the bag...

Backpacks are awsome if you are under 30 but, my gear moves in a bag with wheels.

 

[flowers]

The biggest problem with any bag that will hold that much gear is the weight of all that gear... and the bag...

Backpacks are awsome if you are under 30 but, my gear moves in a bag with wheels.

I know! I'm probably going to go with the airport bag with wheels that can be transformed into a backpack, best of both worlds.

 

[flowers]

I think you're being misled by dividers and perhaps the photos using big lenses.

I was wrong about the TakeOff being "a little bit smaller", it's quite a lot smaller. According to the interior dimensions of the bags mentioned in this thread, these are the approximate volumes in litres.

Airport Accelerator = 27.3
Vertex 300 AW = 26.6
Pro Runner x450 = 23.1
Expedition 8 = 23.1
Airport TakeOff = 20.2
Manfrotto Pro 50 = 17.7
Flipside 400 AW = 17.2

thank you taking the trouble of calculating those numbers! I really appreciate it. It's hard to see through the marketing. I've been trying to measure the lengths of the cameras in the bags on screen and get the real inside measurements based on that to try to eyeball a little better how roomy they really are, but those numbers might be even more reliable.

 

[Halfrack]

4-6 lenses really does need to be better identified - small primes, or white zooms? Are your bodies gripped or not? The flycam / table glider need to be better identified as to their size. Are your filters circular or are you using a Cokin/Lee setup? Are you using the tripod head on the glider?

What is your second carry on? Most every flight allows 2, so why are you forcing everything into one? Since it is more about getting on and off a flight, might want to see about getting a maximum sized duffel bag, and put your two camera bags into it to fend off any flight attendant or counter agent.

I picked up the Niko Messenger from Chrome in San Francisco, and love it, though hate how easily I can overload it. It fit: H4d-50 with 28mm, 50-100mm, 80mm, 210mm lenses plus a EOS-M with 10-22 and 100-400 lenses and a 15" MacbookPro. DAMN it was heavy.

I was going to look at the Gura Gear bags, and use their no questions asked return policy if it didn't match up to my needs, but I'll save that for another day.

 

[flowers]

4-6 lenses really does need to be better identified - small primes, or white zooms? Are your bodies gripped or not? The flycam / table glider need to be better identified as to their size. Are your filters circular or are you using a Cokin/Lee setup? Are you using the tripod head on the glider?

What is your second carry on? Most every flight allows 2, so why are you forcing everything into one? Since it is more about getting on and off a flight, might want to see about getting a maximum sized duffel bag, and put your two camera bags into it to fend off any flight attendant or counter agent.

I picked up the Niko Messenger from Chrome in San Francisco, and love it, though hate how easily I can overload it. It fit: H4d-50 with 28mm, 50-100mm, 80mm, 210mm lenses plus a EOS-M with 10-22 and 100-400 lenses and a 15" MacbookPro. DAMN it was heavy.

I was going to look at the Gura Gear bags, and use their no questions asked return policy if it didn't match up to my needs, but I'll save that for another day.

I use fast primes exclusively, so no zooms, white or black No "big" tele lenses either! I don't have anything longer than 135mm that will be included in those 6 lenses, and I don't plan on having anything longer. I didn't identify the lenses because I'm not sure about the 5th/6th yet (I'm pretty sure, but we'll see after I'm done selling off some lenses I don't need. I might buy a new lens to accompany the 4 I'm taking for sure). Anyway, as it is, no large tele lenses, but for the sake of numbers, count 100x100mm (3.9x3.9") as average. One gripped body. Flycam/glider I can disassemble and fit into.. see http://www.thinktankphoto.com/product-images/xlarge/Airport-Accelerator-2.jpg that D700 with the bigger lens on the left? The stabilizers would need the same space as the d700 with the lens (possibly an inch more in length). I think I could fit them in so that they wouldn't require quite as much width as that camera+lens combo in the picture. Based on that, it would be a pretty tight fit if I got the airport accelerator, so I'm not sure if that's the right bag for me. It was one of the suggested bags.

"Irregularly shaped" bags get DQ'd as carry on luggage more often so I'd rather use a proper bag. The filters aren't important, they can be put in any bag in a pinch. I just mentioned them so nobody would assume they can recommend a bag that absolutely couldn't accommodate a bunch of filters anywhere. I mostly mentioned them along with the tablet in order to make it clear that bags with lots of pockets for small stuff are preferred and that pockets for filters would be nice too.

I'm "trying" to fit everything into one bag because usually the "other bag" is expected to be rather small, and I will probably want to put non-photo gear in there, so if my mentality is to fit everything in one bag right from the start, I think that will lead to a better bag choice in the end.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

I think you're being misled by dividers and perhaps the photos using big lenses.

I was wrong about the TakeOff being "a little bit smaller", it's quite a lot smaller. According to the interior dimensions of the bags mentioned in this thread, these are the approximate volumes in litres.

Airport Accelerator = 27.3
Vertex 300 AW = 26.6
Pro Runner x450 = 23.1
Expedition 8 = 23.1
Airport TakeOff = 20.2
Manfrotto Pro 50 = 17.7
Flipside 400 AW = 17.2

thank you taking the trouble of calculating those numbers! I really appreciate it. It's hard to see through the marketing. I've been trying to measure the lengths of the cameras in the bags on screen and get the real inside measurements based on that to try to eyeball a little better how roomy they really are, but those numbers might be even more reliable.

I was between the Lowepro Vertex 300 AW, Lowepro Pro Runner x450 and the Tamrac Expedition 8X and finally bought the Tamrac and I am very happy. The only thing I really miss are the wheels that the two Lowepro models have.
I have inside this backpack, Canon 7D+Grip+15-85mm lens attached, 70-200 f2.8L IS II, 100mm f2.8L IS, 24-70mm f2.8L, 50mm f1.2L, 35mm f2 IS, 40mm 2.8, 1.4X teleconverter and Sigma 10mm f2.8 F(sheye). In total one body and 9 lenses.

 

[flowers]

I think you're being misled by dividers and perhaps the photos using big lenses.

I was wrong about the TakeOff being "a little bit smaller", it's quite a lot smaller. According to the interior dimensions of the bags mentioned in this thread, these are the approximate volumes in litres.

Airport Accelerator = 27.3
Vertex 300 AW = 26.6
Pro Runner x450 = 23.1
Expedition 8 = 23.1
Airport TakeOff = 20.2
Manfrotto Pro 50 = 17.7
Flipside 400 AW = 17.2

thank you taking the trouble of calculating those numbers! I really appreciate it. It's hard to see through the marketing. I've been trying to measure the lengths of the cameras in the bags on screen and get the real inside measurements based on that to try to eyeball a little better how roomy they really are, but those numbers might be even more reliable.

I was between the Lowepro Vertex 300 AW, Lowepro Pro Runner x450 and the Tamrac Expedition 8X and finally bought the Tamrac and I am very happy. The only thing I really miss are the wheels that the two Lowepro models have.
I have inside this backpack, Canon 7D+Grip+15-85mm lens attached, 70-200 f2.8L IS II, 100mm f2.8L IS, 24-70mm f2.8L, 50mm f1.2L, 35mm f2 IS, 40mm 2.8, 1.4X teleconverter and Sigma 10mm f2.8 F(sheye). In total one body and 9 lenses.

Between wheels and a bigger bag I'd choose a bigger bag to make sure my gear fits in, after all it's not meant to be an everyday bag, just an intercontinental bag. Thank you for listing your gear and your bag. Did all that fit in comfortably, or was it a snug fit? Was there any room left over?

 

[Chapman Baxter]

Lowepro Classified 200AW.

Holds two bodies with lenses attached (up to 70-200mm) plus lots of extra stuff.

 

[jeanluc]

I spent a lot of time obsessing over the whole backpack issue……….for me, the Gura Gear Bataflae 26L is the perfect backpack. It easily holds 2 bodies, 4+ lenses (unless some are bigger than a 2.8 70-200), batteries and charger, cards, filters, external hard drives etc. It is extremely well thought out and ruggedly built; rain protection, ergonomic carrying handles, and the straps all completely store under cover so they aren't catching on stuff when you don't need them. Built in tripod support…...check. Lockable?..check. You get the idea.

For me, the final selling point is that this EASILY fits under any airline seat, and it easily fits in the overhead bin on the dreaded CRJ-200's that i have to fly on to get anywhere worth photographing. The only drawback is there no slot for a laptop, but that has not been a big deal. Anyway, for what its worth this is one awesome backpack. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

 

[flowers]

I spent a lot of time obsessing over the whole backpack issue……….for me, the Gura Gear Bataflae 26L is the perfect backpack. It easily holds 2 bodies, 4+ lenses (unless some are bigger than a 2.8 70-200), batteries and charger, cards, filters, external hard drives etc. It is extremely well thought out and ruggedly built; rain protection, ergonomic carrying handles, and the straps all completely store under cover so they aren't catching on stuff when you don't need them. Built in tripod support…...check. Lockable?..check. You get the idea.

For me, the final selling point is that this EASILY fits under any airline seat, and it easily fits in the overhead bin on the dreaded CRJ-200's that i have to fly on to get anywhere worth photographing. The only drawback is there no slot for a laptop, but that has not been a big deal. Anyway, for what its worth this is one awesome backpack. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Thanks, GG bags actually look really good! I think I'll probably order GG after all. I'll still need to go through my short list once more.

 

[Eldar]

It may have been mentioned elsewhere, but I recommend the Lowepro AW protrekker series. I have the 400 and 600 (because of long/big whites). But from your spec, I believe the 300 should fit nicely. Very well built and very comfortable to carry. Only problem with backpacks is access to equipment when on the move.

 

[Zen]

Take a close look at the Lowepro Pro-roller 200 or 300. Either should do nicely. They are well made, have wheels, tri-pod carrier, locks, and the insert, with dividers and all your gear can be removed for use as a back-pack. I have the 200 and carry 2 bodies, 6 lenses, a flash, filters and all the other necessary stuff- extra batts, cleaning gear, etc.

The only problem with the kit is its loaded weight. Believe me, the rollers are necessary!

Good luck on your search.

Zen

 

[flowers]

Take a close look at the Lowepro Pro-roller 200 or 300. Either should do nicely. They are well made, have wheels, tri-pod carrier, locks, and the insert, with dividers and all your gear can be removed for use as a back-pack. I have the 200 and carry 2 bodies, 6 lenses, a flash, filters and all the other necessary stuff- extra batts, cleaning gear, etc.

The only problem with the kit is its loaded weight. Believe me, the rollers are necessary!

Good luck on your search.

Zen

Thank you But now I am worried. I read a blog of a photographer and he said his backpack went though but all the roller bags were checked, no exception. This worries me a lot!

 

[Eldar]

Take a close look at the Lowepro Pro-roller 200 or 300. Either should do nicely. They are well made, have wheels, tri-pod carrier, locks, and the insert, with dividers and all your gear can be removed for use as a back-pack. I have the 200 and carry 2 bodies, 6 lenses, a flash, filters and all the other necessary stuff- extra batts, cleaning gear, etc.

The only problem with the kit is its loaded weight. Believe me, the rollers are necessary!

Good luck on your search.

Zen

Thank you But now I am worried. I read a blog of a photographer and he said his backpack went though but all the roller bags were checked, no exception. This worries me a lot!

My AW protrekker 400 has always been with me as carry-on and the 300 is smaller. I have no experience with roller bags.

 

[flowers]

Take a close look at the Lowepro Pro-roller 200 or 300. Either should do nicely. They are well made, have wheels, tri-pod carrier, locks, and the insert, with dividers and all your gear can be removed for use as a back-pack. I have the 200 and carry 2 bodies, 6 lenses, a flash, filters and all the other necessary stuff- extra batts, cleaning gear, etc.

The only problem with the kit is its loaded weight. Believe me, the rollers are necessary!

Good luck on your search.

Zen

Thank you But now I am worried. I read a blog of a photographer and he said his backpack went though but all the roller bags were checked, no exception. This worries me a lot!

My AW protrekker 400 has always been with me as carry-on and the 300 is smaller. I have no experience with roller bags.

I have also managed to get a pretty huge backpack of non-photo gear on a plane as a carry-on so I'm not that worried about the size. I think it makes sense about the roller bags, people always check those.

 

[privatebydesign]

Take a close look at the Lowepro Pro-roller 200 or 300. Either should do nicely. They are well made, have wheels, tri-pod carrier, locks, and the insert, with dividers and all your gear can be removed for use as a back-pack. I have the 200 and carry 2 bodies, 6 lenses, a flash, filters and all the other necessary stuff- extra batts, cleaning gear, etc.

The only problem with the kit is its loaded weight. Believe me, the rollers are necessary!

Good luck on your search.

Zen

Thank you But now I am worried. I read a blog of a photographer and he said his backpack went though but all the roller bags were checked, no exception. This worries me a lot!

My AW protrekker 400 has always been with me as carry-on and the 300 is smaller. I have no experience with roller bags.

I have also managed to get a pretty huge backpack of non-photo gear on a plane as a carry-on so I'm not that worried about the size. I think it makes sense about the roller bags, people always check those.

It sounds like you don't travel much! Up until this year I traveled a lot and I could write reams and reams of photographer travel stuff but here is the concise version.

Carry on, 100% depends on your airline, the difference between airport security and the airlines own policy is huge and misunderstood. Getting through airport security is easy but that does not mean you will be allowed to take that onto the plane, the airline decides what you are allowed to take onto their plane and it is plane specific, every airline lays out specific details of their carry on policy on their websites, but this can be open to interpretation by check-in and gate agents. For us photographers this is an important aspect of ticket buying. If you are traveling between major airports on big jets carry on is normally pretty generous, if you are taking connecting flights to smaller airports, Islands, countries, then the carry on limitations will almost certainly change for the worse, getting your carry on onto your first flight will not automatically get it on your connecting flights, regional jets, turboprops and smaller have very limited carry on space. Cheap tickets often charge for carry on, Spirit, for instance, charge $50 per leg for a full sized carry on.

There is a huge difference between a checked bag and gate checking. If you have to checked bag camera equipment, lenses, bodies etc then it really needs to be in a pelican case. Generally photographers reactions to that is "NO WAY", this is a huge over reaction, I have never met or traveled with a video crew who thought twice about checking $100,000 worth of gear, it is just a mindset. BUT if you do have to checked bag it, it MUST have insurance against theft. Gate checking doesn't need anything like that, I have gate checked $10,000's worth of gear in regular packs, in gate checking you wheel/carry your bag out to the, smaller, plane and the ground crew put your bag into a baggage compartment in the plane in front of you, when you land you wait on the tarmac and get your bag back. This makes many people nervous, particularly those that haven't done it, but I have done it hundreds of times with no issues. Gate checking on many planes is not optional, any bag over a mid sized laptop bag is gate checked.

So, to give specific advice on what you are allowed to do you really need to be much more specific on what your travel intentions are. There is no one best advice, just the best advice for what you intend to do.

 

[flowers]

Take a close look at the Lowepro Pro-roller 200 or 300. Either should do nicely. They are well made, have wheels, tri-pod carrier, locks, and the insert, with dividers and all your gear can be removed for use as a back-pack. I have the 200 and carry 2 bodies, 6 lenses, a flash, filters and all the other necessary stuff- extra batts, cleaning gear, etc.

The only problem with the kit is its loaded weight. Believe me, the rollers are necessary!

Good luck on your search.

Zen

Thank you But now I am worried. I read a blog of a photographer and he said his backpack went though but all the roller bags were checked, no exception. This worries me a lot!

My AW protrekker 400 has always been with me as carry-on and the 300 is smaller. I have no experience with roller bags.

I have also managed to get a pretty huge backpack of non-photo gear on a plane as a carry-on so I'm not that worried about the size. I think it makes sense about the roller bags, people always check those.

It sounds like you don't travel much! Up until this year I traveled a lot and I could write reams and reams of photographer travel stuff but here is the concise version.

Carry on, 100% depends on your airline, the difference between airport security and the airlines own policy is huge and misunderstood. Getting through airport security is easy but that does not mean you will be allowed to take that onto the plane, the airline decides what you are allowed to take onto their plane and it is plane specific, every airline lays out specific details of their carry on policy on their websites, but this can be open to interpretation by check-in and gate agents. For us photographers this is an important aspect of ticket buying. If you are traveling between major airports on big jets carry on is normally pretty generous, if you are taking connecting flights to smaller airports, Islands, countries, then the carry on limitations will almost certainly change for the worse, getting your carry on onto your first flight will not automatically get it on your connecting flights, regional jets, turboprops and smaller have very limited carry on space. Cheap tickets often charge for carry on, Spirit, for instance, charge $50 per leg for a full sized carry on.

There is a huge difference between a checked bag and gate checking. If you have to checked bag camera equipment, lenses, bodies etc then it really needs to be in a pelican case. Generally photographers reactions to that is "NO WAY", this is a huge over reaction, I have never met or traveled with a video crew who thought twice about checking $100,000 worth of gear, it is just a mindset. BUT if you do have to checked bag it, it MUST have insurance against theft. Gate checking doesn't need anything like that, I have gate checked $10,000's worth of gear in regular packs, in gate checking you wheel/carry your bag out to the, smaller, plane and the ground crew put your bag into a baggage compartment in the plane in front of you, when you land you wait on the tarmac and get your bag back. This makes many people nervous, particularly those that haven't done it, but I have done it hundreds of times with no issues. Gate checking on many planes is not optional, any bag over a mid sized laptop bag is gate checked.

So, to give specific advice on what you are allowed to do you really need to be much more specific on what your travel intentions are. There is no one best advice, just the best advice for what you intend to do.

I probably don't travel a lot compared to many people! I don't always travel by air either. I already know it depends completely on the airline and airport staff, I've seen it because I've been allowed to take such behemoths of bags as carry-ons onto a small plane that it defies all reason! I mean way oversized bags. I just thought that since what's allowed and not allowed seems to be completely random, maybe the airline personnel have a completely random attitude towards roller bags and always require you to check them... Ha ha. I don't know, as good an explanation as any! About the rolling thing, on one small plane flight they did that, they had this thing with wheels and they told people with large bags to just throw theirs on there, I wanted to carry mine but they said to put it there, when we got to the plane they let me take it from the thing with wheels (it was like a rolling push cart for small cargo, just a square of plywood and 3 metal grid walls and wheels underneath I don't know what those are called) then I took it on the plane, an air stewardess tried to put it in the overhead compartment but it was too big so she just put it in the front where I could actually see it and when we landed she handed it back to me. It was never checked in or anything. I also had checked luggage which wasn't even on the same plane! They put it on a bigger plane, I only saw it after my second flight landed, I think it was onboard the connecting flight. (Another reason I don't want to check my camera gear!) Is that what you meant?

 

[Rocky]

Take a close look at the Lowepro Pro-roller 200 or 300. Either should do nicely. They are well made, have wheels, tri-pod carrier, locks, and the insert, with dividers and all your gear can be removed for use as a back-pack. I have the 200 and carry 2 bodies, 6 lenses, a flash, filters and all the other necessary stuff- extra batts, cleaning gear, etc.

The only problem with the kit is its loaded weight. Believe me, the rollers are necessary!

Good luck on your search.

Zen

Thank you But now I am worried. I read a blog of a photographer and he said his backpack went though but all the roller bags were checked, no exception. This worries me a lot!

My AW protrekker 400 has always been with me as carry-on and the 300 is smaller. I have no experience with roller bags.

I have also managed to get a pretty huge backpack of non-photo gear on a plane as a carry-on so I'm not that worried about the size. I think it makes sense about the roller bags, people always check those.

It sounds like you don't travel much! Up until this year I traveled a lot and I could write reams and reams of photographer travel stuff but here is the concise version.

Carry on, 100% depends on your airline, the difference between airport security and the airlines own policy is huge and misunderstood. Getting through airport security is easy but that does not mean you will be allowed to take that onto the plane, the airline decides what you are allowed to take onto their plane and it is plane specific, every airline lays out specific details of their carry on policy on their websites, but this can be open to interpretation by check-in and gate agents. For us photographers this is an important aspect of ticket buying. If you are traveling between major airports on big jets carry on is normally pretty generous, if you are taking connecting flights to smaller airports, Islands, countries, then the carry on limitations will almost certainly change for the worse, getting your carry on onto your first flight will not automatically get it on your connecting flights, regional jets, turboprops and smaller have very limited carry on space. Cheap tickets often charge for carry on, Spirit, for instance, charge $50 per leg for a full sized carry on.

There is a huge difference between a checked bag and gate checking. If you have to checked bag camera equipment, lenses, bodies etc then it really needs to be in a pelican case. Generally photographers reactions to that is "NO WAY", this is a huge over reaction, I have never met or traveled with a video crew who thought twice about checking $100,000 worth of gear, it is just a mindset. BUT if you do have to checked bag it, it MUST have insurance against theft. Gate checking doesn't need anything like that, I have gate checked $10,000's worth of gear in regular packs, in gate checking you wheel/carry your bag out to the, smaller, plane and the ground crew put your bag into a baggage compartment in the plane in front of you, when you land you wait on the tarmac and get your bag back. This makes many people nervous, particularly those that haven't done it, but I have done it hundreds of times with no issues. Gate checking on many planes is not optional, any bag over a mid sized laptop bag is gate checked.

So, to give specific advice on what you are allowed to do you really need to be much more specific on what your travel intentions are. There is no one best advice, just the best advice for what you intend to do.

Good points. However, If the rule is there, the gate agent have ALL the rights to stop you if your carry on does not meet their weight requirement, then, your unprotected camera bag will be gate checked. What are you going to do at that time? Even between big airports, it will happen. I have be requested to lighten up my carry on between SFO and Singapore to meet the 7 Kg rule. Same thing happen between LAX and Mebourne Ausralia. Travelling within US and between US and Canada is a lot more forgiving on the wieght of carry on. Travelling oversea, even between US and oversea is a different ball game.