Camera Bags (Laptop or no Laptop)

[Laurie]

I am torn between 2 camera bags.
the Slingshot 200AW or the CompuDaypack.

The Slingshot 200AW would be great for a compact camera bag with room only for pretty much all my camera needs at the moment and the foreseeable future. however if i need to take my laptop (12" powerbook) i would need a seperate bag OR carry it in my hands

The CompuDaypack would fit my camera and laptop easily, however i dont always need my laptop with me where ever i go. it would be larger than i would have liked and access to equipment would not be as fast as the slingshot. obviously i could just get both, however that would be a massive pain and i could see myself simply just using one bag.

any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[hash77]

Chances are you already have a laptop bag anyway

Ask yourself, do you really want to be carrying your laptop when you take photos, and will that space go unused if you didn't?

My main reason for getting the Slingshot was so I could access the camera and accessories without having to take my bag off my back, and for my purposes it's much more stable, comfortable and eaiser to day trek with than say a shoulder bag, but not as comfy as a two strap backpack.

Cheers

Hash77

[losfp]

I guess it depends what you are going to use it for. I find that the best bags for transporting gear safely from one location to another are also the worst bags for accessing your stuff. Most of the time, I use a Lowepro Micro-trekker 200. It's a pain to get into when you're carrying it around, but it's compact and comfy. It also fits into the main compartment of my Targus laptop backpack, so I can carry both around if I feel the need.

When I know I am going to be walking and shooting, I have a Lowepro belt & shoulder harness rig that I like to use. A couple of pouches and lens cases lets me get whatever lenses or accessories I need, without having to get a backpack off my back every 10 seconds.

If you don't have a need for carrying the laptop AND the camera gear with you all over the place, I wouldn't recommend getting one of the bags with compartments for everything : I find them simply too large and bulky. If you already have a reasonably large laptop backpack, chances are the slingshot will fit nicely inside it - it is a pretty small camera bag.

[Laurie]

for my laptop bag i have a crumpler considerable embarrassment def no room for a camera in that one

[hash77]

I must agree with losfp, I am very worried about putting the camera into the bag, not zipping it up and slinging it from the access position back to my back, you can only imagine /shudder . I have been careful so far, but I feel sometimes that danger isn't far away

I think you will find that the 200 isn't really that small a bag. It does't fold down easily with all it's padding. I think the bag itself could hold around 15-20L so you'd need at least a 30L day pack to put it in.

If you are like me and not quite ready to go the belt and harness rig and you are just wanting to be a little more inconspicuous as opposed using a traditional camera bag (i.e. you are using a crumpler now for lappy), the Slingshot is a trade off.

[DionM]

Hah! Someone who only wants 1 camera bag ... impossible I say

I think your best solution is to get two bags ... a pain I know but it is hard to have one bag that suits everything. If you really want to take your laptop, you'll have to look at a proper backpack, along with its access problems.

I have several bags, and just load it with the gear I want to take. Works pretty well ... I only need one more bag and I will have as many camera bags as my wife has handbags ...

[Andyt]

Welcom to the dilemma!

I have 2 x backpacks, Crumpler & Tamrac and its still not enough!

I am seriously thinking of purchasing a hardshell suitcase with wheels & extendable handle etc... or similar.

I would suggest you buy the "smaller" one for your present needs & upgrade as you go! Like DionM says, .......they are like handbags!

[Mal]

My wife collects shoes, I collect camera bags!
And I think I finally have the combination that works for me....
Firstly I have the Lowepro - Magnum AW which carries all my gear including the computer. I take this as carry on for all my trips. (if the airline gets picky then I take the notebook out and it just comes in under the legal limit)
In check in bag I carry my Lowepro - Orion that is great for carrying one extra lens and the camera.
This combination has meant that I can go out into the "field" with the gear I need but also means that I have all the other options on hand just in case.

[Laurie]

thanks for everyones comments. i think i will have to get 2. and when i travel i will be able to take my laptop bag and when im just bumming around sydney i will use the none-laptop bag.
cheers guys