Good deal on camera bag

[Mike7]

I have a large camera bag (a Tenba) which I like very much, but I wanted something smaller, for those occasions when it'd be handy to tote around one 35mm body, 3 lenses, a few filters, a half dozen rolls of film, and maybe a flash. You know, not a tiny bag, but not one of those monster bags that can hold everything and the kitchen sink.

It seems that amazon.com is having a sale on some camera bags. Half off. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...715588-0066469 And while most of the bags aren't worth much attention, several Lowepro bags are on the "1/2 Off" list.

I've always liked Lowepro bags, and the Nova 3 is an excellent mid-sized camera bag. Moreover, amazon's full, pre-1/2 off price isn't outrageously inflated, so at 1/2 off, the bag is a real bargain at $21.99. Especially since many of you, like me, may have an amazon.com gift certificate kicking around somewhere, and even if you don't have a gift certificate, there are various amazon offers floating around for, like, $5 off a $35 order, or $15 off a $100 order.

I checked most of my favorite sources, and no one else had the Lowepro Nova 3 for anything close to $21.99.

(The Nova 2 is also on sale for a couple of bucks less than the Nova 3. It's a little smaller, but if that's all you need, the Nova 2 might be worth considering.)

If you want to read some reviews of camera bags before you buy, you could go to http://www.photographyreview.com/reviews/soft_cases/ There aren't really enough reviews there to make it a great resource, but it's probably worth reading, if you're undecided.

Not a sizzling hot, "Get Free Sex With Gorgeous Alien UFO Pilots While Elvis Videotapes You -- Just for filling out a survey!" deal, but it's pretty good, at least if you're in the market for a mid-sized camera bag from a well regarded manufacturer.

[IrishSS]

Hey, thanks a lot! I was looking for a littel shoulder bag for my new digital camera, and I got a nice LowePro for only $6!

Thanks again!

[Twilight]

I personally have to suggest the Lowepro Sideline Shooter Camera Bag ($25.99 on sale). Belt bags are definately the way to go if you are carrying any significant weight. Carrying a heavy bag on your shoulder can seriously mess up your back, shoulder, injure your knees from having too much weight on one side, etc. I will never again carry a shoulder bag. I have even had stretch marks on my shoulders from carrying too much weight in a shoulder bag! Not to mention that the belt bags can't slip off, and are easy to access with a flip top that opens outward. I haven't personally used the Lowepro Sideline Shooter bags, because I bought a Tamrac belt bag in a package deal with some lenses. However, I know plenty of photojournalists who do shoot with Lowepro belt bags and are happy with them. Actually, I'm considering buying this bag myself.

[Mike7]

1. Glad to have been of help, IrishSS.

2. Twilight - Belt bags definitely have their advantages, and for sure the Lowepro Sideline Shooter Camera Bag is a hot deal at 26 bucks.

However, if I had to tote around a lot of camera equipment, such that I was in real danger of messing up my back, shoulder, knees, etc. from the load, I'd probably opt for a wheeled cart of some sort (practical in some settings), a well designed photo backpack (practical in many other settings), or an assistant to follow me around, carry my stuff, and handle general gopher work (rarely practical, but it's a neat thought).

The amount of camera equipment likely to be stuffed into a Nova 2 or Nova 3, is unlikely to weigh more than a very few pounds. Not nearly so much weight as to place excessive strain on most individuals. I mean, carrying around 4 lbs. or so, in a shoulder bag (especially if you opt to use a padded strap), just isn't all that physically taxing.

And if one is carrying 20 lbs. of camera stuff in a big on-shoulder camera bag, well, I shudder to think of what sort of monster belt bag would be needed to handle that size load.

This having been said, the Lowepro Sideline Shooter gets major points for convenience. And because it hugs the body, it's probably a good choice if you're going to be squeezing your way through heavy brush or into tight spaces.

Unfortunately, the Lowepro Sideline Shooter on sale (again, at a really great price) at amazon.com is black. And I hate black fanny packs (which this sucker is, close enough) nearly as much as I hate black camera bags. If it were blue or green or even tan, maybe I'd consider it. Like you, I know of several photojournalists who swear by 'em.

[Twilight]

Wheeled cart? Photo backpack? You've got to be kidding me! I need instant access, and something that i can run with - backwards if needed. I once jogged backwards, for several miles, in front of an angry mob called the "Lesbian Avengers" that was holding a march against something or other. In another incident, another photojournalist and myself nearly hassled a young photog off a football field for wearing a photo backpack. The only time I have ever seen an assistant with a photojournalist was at a football game - when there was a guy running around holding 400mm and 600mm lenses on monopods for a photojournalist who works for the Oregonian. Anyhow, these days I carry over 20lbs of gear; one camera w/ strap on each shoulder carrying an 80-200 and wide angle zoom lenses. Then in the bag I have about 10 extra rolls of film (depending on the event), two flashes, off-camera sync cords, reporter notebook, a half dozen pens (because I lose them), and anything else I may need for the day; another lens, gloves, dry rags for drying lenses in the rain, etc.

[Mike7]

Well, the wheeled cart is, as I indicated, only practical in some settings. Typically, when photographing in a corporate headquarters, say for an annual report. Particularly if doing some formal portraits of key people, where lighting equipment will be used, a wheeled cart is entirely reasonable. I've seen it used by wedding photographers when transporting equipment back and forth. And by yearbook photographers. I'm sure you could imagine many other situations where it'd be a practical means of hauling around a lot of stuff.

The backpack is quite practical (and not at all uncommon) for many types of outdoor and nature photography. Backpacks (not photo backpacks -- just backpacks in general) are intended, after all, for carrying heavy loads while hiking.

The mention of the trusty Sherpa camera bearer was meant more-or-less tongue in cheek. Although if ever I attempt to climb Mt. Everest...

I don't think we're really in disagreement, Twilight. I think it's just that you're judging things from the perspective of a photojournalist. But the overwhelming majority of people carrying cameras aren't going to be running backwards for miles in front of (or, if running backwards, would that be "behind?") angry mobs. (Nor, I hasten to add, will they be doing anything that involves so much photographic gear as to call for a wheeled cart.)

No, most people carrying cameras are looking to take snapshots at Disney World, photos of kids standing in front of the Grand Canyon, or pictures of grandma and grandpa at their 60th anniversay party.

Mostly, they're carrying around a point-and-shoot. Or maybe some digital thing. Even if they're using a 35mm SLR, they're probably not carrying any lens other than the wide angle to telephoto zoom mounted on the camera. No flash other than the one that pops up from the top of the camera. And perhaps a whopping 2 rolls of film.

You know, they're the people who look at you funny when they see you with a camera on either shoulder, and who look at me funny when they see me walking through the woods with a tripod slung over my back.

But I digress.

[Twilight]

Actually, I have an arguement against the backpacks. Beside the fact that they're hard to access easily, the only time one of my cameras has been inside a backpack was when I let my dad haul my N90s out into the woods. He put the camera in the backpack with the flash attached, and the camera was so heavy that is pulled the strap out of the loop and down went the whole thing. Busted up the flash mount. $120 repair from Nikon. Insurance paid for it all, but quite annoying still.

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by Twilight
I once jogged backwards, for several miles, in front of an angry mob called the "Lesbian Avengers"...

Yeah, you really don't want to be loaded down too much when you're in danger of being trampled by angry lesbians...

[Burzhui]

Nice deal.
Anyone knows if backpacks are any good, i have my eye on this one
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...875331-0875114

looks sweet and do any of you know if it can be found cheaper?

thanks

[chadlnc]

Thanks for the tip on the sale!

I'm a little disappointed that Amazon didn't put any Tamrac products on sale. My birthday is coming up very soon and I have the Tamrac 5405 on my wish list. The Expedition 3 is a good bag if you really want a backpack, and it really is a matter of how you use your camera. Personal preferences and angry lesbians aside, a bag that gives you fastest access to a camera that is ready to shoot (lens attached) is the best way to go. The best shots always seem to come at a moments notice.

[Burzhui]

Yea i looked at the Tamrac 5273 Expedition 3 Photo Backpack, i really want it, but the bastards want so much for it.... grrr,
in any case what about that waist bag that they have on sale, is that any good, and what can it actually fit, all they says is 50 rolls of film, but camera and lens wise they have no data