K/R - camera bag (+alternative?) - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R - camera bag (+alternative?)

Astrid

Veteran

I've decided to get a new camera bag for the upcoming holiday. I ordered this one hoping it would look better IRL than it does in the stock pics. Well, it doesn't, it is as ugly as I feared. But the design is definitely awesome. You carry the camera on your back and if you want to take it out you just slide the bag around to the front and have access from the top to take it out. And it has a seperate compartment on top that can take my wallet, phone and iPod with headphones. I could use it as a normal bag and wouldn't have to open the camera compartment at all. And it has an integrated raincover. This is definitely made by photographers and well thought out, but it really reads "gear".

But I found another option online, slightly more expensive, that might also work - the Crumpler bag below. Also with raincover which isn't easy to find. Looks much nicer and less like gear, but it hasn't got that great design with the access to the camera and everything is in one big compartment instead. I would probably store my wallet and stuff where the second lens is in the picture (at least I hope that would work).

Or, if neither of the two, have you any suggestions? I definitely want a waterproof cover and not only water resistant fabric, which makes for much less choice. And it can't be too expensive.

Thanks for looking.

ETA

I'm keeping the first one. Thanks for helping me with the decision!

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Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

This is one of those times when I think I'd forego style and go for substance (if it were me). If the second one feels just as workable, then of course the better looking of the two might prevail. Most of the time I just carry my camera on it's own (without the bag) because I find that I want it accessible quickly anyway. My shoulder gets a little tired but it would be even heavier with the bag. And my camera bag is bulky. I have a good battery life (but would likely bring a spare battery in my handbag) and enough SD storage and I just keep my favorite lens on. But if you think you'll need to keep it stowed regularly, or have accessories you need access to, then of course the bag will be useful.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Texstyle! I think I might be able to have a look at the other bag in store, if I'm lucky they have it. I could compare then before I decide whether I should send the other one back or not. As for the bag, I don't need to carry many extras and I'm probably just taking the camera with the one lens, but it's definitely heavy and it's not very comfortable to carry it just with the strap. And I would want to be able to put it away in case of rain or even only drizzle.

Thistle

Veteran

I have to say, when it comes to high tech equipment, substance over style trumps it for me. After all, a big part of the reason you are buying it is for its function. The fact you are saying it was clearly made by photographers and well thought out - well, that speaks volumes!

Handbags are different, in my opionion, as they carry your wallet, keys etc - not too high tech. But, even then, I will choose a bag that meets my needs over a pretty one every time (I have a small child, so ease always wins!)

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, we use one of the larger Crumpler bags and love it for our purposes. I also have a Crumpler sleeve kind of thing that I use to protect my Nikon when I travel. It's just big enough for the camera with a lens attached and a couple of small accessories. It's not for walking around with; just for protection on the plane, train, or in the car. Both bags have the large single compartment, and I just wanted to comment on that. The bags come with removable dividers that attach to the lining with Velcro, and can be configured to your liking. I've found that they work well. Hope that gives you some more info.

I do exactly what texstyle does, though I hardly ever take a spare battery when I'm out for the day (I leave it wherever I'm staying, so I always have one that's fully charged), but my partner likes to have a lot of choices, so he carries a bag.

MovingFashionForward

I have the first one (and I agree it is very unstylish but sometimes as you say functionality is more important -- though it would be nice to have both), but wish I'd bought one more like the second. Perhaps it's just me but I am forever finding it difficult to remember which zip is the one I need to unzip to get at what I want, and a while back I accidentally tipped everything out of it because it was unzipped and unlike a standard bag things won't stay in it if you accidentally lift it without checking that it is zipped closed. No doubt it's just me. (BTW, one of the zip ends broke off shortly after I got it too, but no doubt that's me again!) Best of luck whichever you choose!

Sarah

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm afraid I am a total substance over style girl when it comes to my camera gear. I have the Slingshot camera bag and there is just no substitute for me. It's so much easier than other camera bags for the way I work. It's also easier on my shoulders than other camera bags. I say go for what works best for you.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I also have a Slingshot and it works well for me and for swapping cameras with my dad or godfather (they don't want to carry a purse, so they claim! HAHA).

If you're carrying heavy equipment (lenses and your tripods and things all add up!), make sure that the weight is distributed in a way that won't hurt your shoulder and your back!

For shorter trips with only one or two short lenses, I use a Golla bag.

Gaylene

Veteran

Totally function over style when it comes to equipment purchases is my mantra. Gear is designed to perform not just be decorative. And, actually, I like the first bag better, but that could be just be the gear fanatic in me talking.

abc

Veteran

I don't know if these are available in Germany but I found this line recently. It might not be what you are after though. I liked that it was designed for gear but didn't look that way.

http://kellymoorebag.com/

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Thistle! Yes, I agree, I wouldn't carry and impractical bag either, just as I wouldn't wear impractical shoes just for the look. Form definitely follows function, I just would have like the form to be a tad nicer in this case. But perhaps it would grow on me when I realise how useful it is.

Thanks Beth! I'm not going to lugg around a lot of gear on this holiday so the bag might seem a bit much (I don't have that many lenses anyway). But I ordered it in the first place for practical reasons. I do have one of those sleeves that goes just over the camera when it goes into a normal bag or backpack, but I want something with easier access for this trip. When I use that method it always takes too long to get the camera out, so I end up wearing it out all the time to be able to take pictures. But that's uncomfortable after a few hours and it's only a nice weather solution. I want an option were I'm quick to get the camera out and then stowed away again so I can really put it back into the bag and carry it comfortably in between. I also had a look at the Crumpler slingbag, but that one has the strap on the other shoulder and I can't stand that- I'm always wearing my crossbody bags on my right shoulder so the slingshot is very comfortable to me.

Thanks MovingFashionForward! That zipper incident sounds bad. I've heard the bigger models can have zipper problems after a while when you load them up heavily, but I think the small one doesn't get all that heavy even full. I tried it with all my stuff in it and found it still very comfortable. But you're right, the design might be problematic if you don't take care to have the zippers closed.

Thanks Janet! I'm leaning towards keeping this one.

Thanks Lyn! That's a good point, in case you're regularly swapping cameras... And good point about the weight distribution, although I'm not taking too much with me on this trip.

Thanks Gaylene! That's interesting. I think I might keep it and enjoy the practicality.

Thanks abc! Not what I'm looking for, but great bags. There's a German website that offers similar camera bags, ones that look like regular fashion ones. I always wanted to have one, but they are SO expensive.

Neel

Veteran

Yep another vote for functionality over looks! I follow this rule for shoes too :). The first bag looks fantastic IMO. I might need to get one for my cam.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, btw, my Slingshot is at least 6 or 7 years old and is my most-used camera bag by far, and it still works perfectly. Seriously, that bag has been everywhere -- from the Arctic to the Antarctic, from the desert to mountains to ocean. I'm a big fan.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Neel! I think I'm going to stop looking and keep it.

Thanks Janet, that's good to know. Makes me feel like keeping it is the right decision.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a good decision, Astrid.

It does look like a great bag. With all this info, now I'm going to check out the Slingshot for my partner. It might work better than the Crumpler. Might be a good Christmas present!

rachylou

Veteran

I think it's cute - and a functional bag is worth gold. That makes it cute.

Irene

Veteran

I have a very similar Lowepro bag, although I think mine is bigger. I wish I could say I use it loads, but sadly I just use it to store everything together at home. To carry my camera, I use a hideous -and I mean hideous- belt pouch that belonged to my mom, looks horrible but is quite practical. I basically carry the camera inside the pouch (I have extra little bags for each lenses) and put everything in a regular backpack with the rest of my stuff.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Super cute. xo

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Beth, it definitely has Christmas present potential.

Thanks Rachylou.

Thanks Irene. Whatever works best I guess....

Thanks Angie!

Von

Veteran

I'm way late to the conversation, but one thing to keep in mind, if you want to wear it one shoulder -- is that strap swooped to be carried only across body? My lowepro here has a definite curve, which makes it not "sling over the shoulder" friendly. Another added bonus feature you'll want is a carry handle if you decide you're dressed too nicely (or too padded in a coat) to sling a bag over your chest and then get it to rotate. Mine...lacking that also. I've carried that bag like a sack of potatoes more times than I can count.

That being said, I am on the very ugly "team fanny packs". Quite by accident, but I'm a bit chesty, and a constant strap across the middle does me no favors. In a pinch a few years ago, I ended up buying this Think Tank Change Up...with the intention to resell as soon as I could.

The fanny belt part tucks away if you like, completely hidden so you can carry it with the 1 or 2 shoulder straps in a few different configurations. You can even do belt/strap combo as a supported cross body. Or, you can just do it with a shoulder strap. It also comes with a very good rain cover that I've used many times.

So, it turns out, I couldnt resell it to save my life, so I held on to it and found myself grabbing it all of the time. Now it's one of my go-to bags. You can also add on pouches and side bags to the belt (if you REALLY want to up your geek factor...which I have :()

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Von! You can wear it over one shoulder in a pinch, although it clearly isn't made for that. It also has a loop to carry it in the hand. The strap across the middle is no problem for me as I have no chest to speak of and at least for this tour I will be wearing tees and sweaters and a rain jacket so the rotating won't be a problem. And a fanny belt might be practical, but I don't really want to add more visual weight to my lower half than necessary....