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I've been buying a few bits of camera gear and have got to the stage where I can't fit it all in my current camera bag.

So far I've only looked on the Lowepro site. The CompuTrekker might suit me I think.

Currently I have a Lowepro Nova 3 with the following jammed inside.

- D70
- 18-70
- 70-300
- 105 Macro
- SB-800
- 3 x D70 Batteries
- 4 x AA Batteries
- D70 Battery Charger + cable
- 4 x filters
- Mini tripod
- Video cable
- D70 Remote
- Lens cleaning cloth
- A few other small bits (CF cards bit of paper etc.)


My new setup will add the following.
- 70-200VR (replace the 70-300)
- 2 x TC
- Giotto rocket
- Possibly a laptop one day.

Will all this fit comfortably in the CompuTrekker?
Idealy, I want to be able to store the 70-200 either on or off the camera. Will the CompuTrekker allow this?

Thanks,
GC

Looking at your list raises a couple of questions ...

Why three spare batteries for the D70? Don't you find the battery life adequate? One spare battery, if they're both less than a year old, should be adequate for probably a whole weekend's shooting.

Similarly, why the charger? It's not as if you're going to be looking for a tree to plug it into while you're bushwalking, after all.

And why the video cable? Do you review your images, on a TV, while in the field? Mine is still in the camera box; I've never used it!

Your list, to me, reads more like the list you might take when travelling from here to there on a longer than just a one or two day trip, and as such, if these items were to be taken, they would be better accommodated in your luggage than in your camera bag.

That said, they're all small items and you won't recover a whole lot of space by relocating them, but weight too needs to be considered.

Bottom line though is that one bag is never enough. I have 4.

gstark wrote:Your list, to me, reads more like the list you might take when travelling from here to there on a longer than just a one or two day trip

Yes, I'd definitly want this to be possible.

gstark wrote:and as such, if these items were to be taken, they would be better accommodated in your luggage than in your camera bag.

That would probably work too, but I'd like to be able to keep it all in 1 bag

Even at home I'd rather keep all my gear in 1 bag.

I actually have 3 bags already. But not one that fits all my gear.

greencardigan wrote:

gstark wrote:and as such, if these items were to be taken, they would be better accommodated in your luggage than in your camera bag.

That would probably work too, but I'd like to be able to keep it all in 1 bag

Don't even try. Especially when flying.

Throw the non-essential stuff into your checked luggage. This includes any tripod (what sort of static shots requiring the 'pod will you be taking while on the plane?) and, perhaps, stuff like your cheaper lenses.

When I'm on a day trip, I take only the gear I expect to use on that day, on that trip, and just deal with it. I find that the kitchen sink approach rarely works, and is wholly impractical, and may even result in the loss of some hardware, because you have so much more to account for.

And looking at your current + future lists ... would you be taking, for instance, both the 70-200 VR and the 70-300? The lens would surely replace the ballast.

gstark wrote:And looking at your current + future lists ... would you be taking, for instance, both the 70-200 VR and the 70-300? The lens would surely replace the ballast.

Yep, in my 1st post I stated the 70-200 was to replace the 70-300.

GC, one of my bags is a lowepro computrekker. I regularly have a similar type and quatity of stuff you mention in the bag (if you chuck out the 70-300 and put in the 70-200). The laptop fits in a separate compartment and doesn't take up any of the photo gear space (just weight).

When you store the 70-200 on or off camera, you'd want to move one of the little velcro attached dividers, just so everything was kept snug. It only takes 1 second to do that.

I'd probably strap the tripod on the outside though rather than taking up space inside.

IMHO, the computrekker is a great bag.

Cheers
John

If you want a bag that will carry all your gear get a Lowepro Magnum AW. This is a standard industry bag for all camera (TV) guys, it is almost like a school bag for them http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulde ... um_AW.aspx
Trouble is that once you have everything in it you will never get in on the plance as carry on.
This is my "storage bag" All my gear goes in here, if I am doing a trip (not flying) this is what I grab, along with one of my smaller bags. Once I am at the place I just pull out the gear I need.
I find it handy in that I know where all my gear is. However there are many memebers here that have enough gear to fill a dozen of these wonderful bags.

Mal wrote:http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulder_Bags/allWeather/Magnum_AW.aspx

This is my "storage bag" All my gear goes in here, if I am doing a trip (not flying) this is what I grab, along with one of my smaller bags. Once I am at the place I just pull out the gear I need.
I find it handy in that I know where all my gear is.

That's my idea too. Except I don't think I'll ever have enough gear to fill one if them.

greencardigan wrote:Except I don't think I'll ever have enough gear to fill one if them.

Can we hold you to that!

If it is only for storage, get a Pelican

http://www.carryitcases.com.au/category180_1.htm

I got the rolling ones...very tough and weather proof

greencardigan wrote:I've been buying a few bits of camera gear and have got to the stage where I can't fit it all in my current camera bag.

So far I've only looked on the Lowepro site. The CompuTrekker might suit me I think.

Currently I have a Lowepro Nova 3 with the following jammed inside.

- D70
- 18-70
- 70-300
- 105 Macro
- SB-800
- 3 x D70 Batteries
- 4 x AA Batteries
- D70 Battery Charger + cable
- 4 x filters
- Mini tripod
- Video cable
- D70 Remote
- Lens cleaning cloth
- A few other small bits (CF cards bit of paper etc.)


My new setup will add the following.
- 70-200VR (replace the 70-300)
- 2 x TC
- Giotto rocket
- Possibly a laptop one day.

Will all this fit comfortably in the CompuTrekker?
Idealy, I want to be able to store the 70-200 either on or off the camera. Will the CompuTrekker allow this?

Thanks,
GC

You won't need all of that with you at one time. Put it in two bags. Seperate lenses etc that could be interchanged so if one bag is lost/stolen/otherwise inaccessible then you have another bag with the emergency kit. Two bags can also be easier to pack. I also agree with Gary, the charger AND three batteries???? Is the D70 some form of power hog?

I don't see a lens blower on there, should be essential too.

rmp wrote:I don't see a lens blower on there, should be essential too.

Hes got the Giottos Rocket in already

I can also vouch for the CompuTrekker.
It is surprising what you can squeeze in.



Daniel

Shutterbug, Many Tx for the link, I have been looking for somewhere to buy here in Au. With a D2x + D70 + SB800's + Lenses + PSD etc etc 4WDing around here is a pain with two back packs! ............Mmmm, now which one? ...a large rolling case!

Oops! Sorry greencardigan

Thanks for everyone's comments.

I ended up getting a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW. It's smaller than the Computerkker that I was originally looking at but still fits the 70-200VR with and without being attached to body.

Purchased it from my local Camera House for $179.

greencardigan wrote:I ended up getting a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW. It's smaller than the Computerkker that I was originally looking at but still fits the 70-200VR with and without being attached to body.

Just a quick update for anyone interested.

The Mini Trekker also fits the D70 with both the 70-200VR and TC-20EII attached.

greencardigan wrote:The Mini Trekker also fits the D70 with both the 70-200VR and TC-20EII attached.

Welcome to the Trekker's zone...



Next time you come out for a photomeet, make sure you pick the right bag...