Posted by Genny K. on November 2, 2013 at 12:45 PM
I have the same problem with camera bags that Martin had with his Tamrac Expedition 6x. If I am doing a hike that's strictly for photos, I have a sling bag that works great. If we're doing a longer hike, I put whatever photo gear I'm taking right into my pack, either my daypack or my big backpack, but usually, I'm just taking my NEX, and I fasten it to my pack straps. (For anything other than a really short hike, I'm more concerned about life-protection types of items, so those generally take up most of my pack space.)
But, I do a fair amount of photography from, or near, my truck, simply becasue I take my cameras whenever I have to drive somewhere. As Martin found out, many packs (most packs?) do not work well for this. I bought a square-ish shoulder bag a couple years ago (sorry, don't have it here at the moment and can't remember the name). But that bag, too is rife with problems for using in a vehicle. It has a top that zips closed, but then there's a flap that hangs down, and you're supposed to buckle it closed and use that silly little handle on the top to carry the bag. Well, that takes a lot of time and trouble, and I never use the buckle, I just zip the top mostly closed and use the shoulder strap instead of that top handle.
Besides, even though this is a pretty big bag, I cannot fit 2 bodies in it with the lenses on. I end up taking 2 bags with me most of the time, this bag, and my ole Lowepro backpack.
Does anyone have any ideas on a bag that can hold 2 (5d mkii) bodies (one with a landscape or macro lens, the other with a 100-400 on it) in such a manner that you can set the bag on the seat or on the floor, and reach down into it and pull out a camera that's ready to go?
Posted by Lindy Martin on November 3, 2013 at 6:35 AM
I had the same issue and use bike panniers- one for each camera and park them on the passenger seat. When closed, they don't look like camera bags and keep them safe from bumps etc. hers a link. The older ones were better. Maybe look at motorcycle panniers too
Posted by Greg Vaughn on November 3, 2013 at 9:27 AM
I have the original model of the LowePro PhotoTrekker (which has since been much improved), and I found it worked well for me to lay it on the passenger seat of my truck. It was pretty quick to lift the lid and grab a camera, and everything was ready when I got out of the vehicle to shoot, whether standing next to it or walking/hiking a ways. If just driving to get somewhere and there was little likelihood of a spur of the moment photo op, I'd partially zip the cover closed so that if I had to stop suddenly and the bag slid onto the floor the cameras and lenses would not fall out.
I now use a LowePro Fastpack 350, which I think is the greatest for general travel and outdoors photography. It does not hold as much as the PhotoTrekker but is extremely comfortable to carry and easy enough to get to most items inside. One camera + lens combo I always have out and just hang it from the seat headrest by the camera strap - it hangs just above the backpack and is always instantly ready to grab.
I use a camo soft insulated cooler. It is cushioned is easy to access zips closed has a nice shoulder strap.
I carry it with a light camo jacket and camo hat all the time in my truck. It doesn't stand out and works very well
and will handle the gear you mention and alittle more depending on what size cooler you get.
Cool ideas! I am amazed that the camera bag manufacturers haven't figured out this market. I will have to look into the panniers. I do like my old LowePro and just wish it were bigger. The soft cooler, now that's a dedinite possibility. Interesting that others have my same problem.
Posted by Max Waugh on November 4, 2013 at 2:44 PM
Genny, I do a lot of "drive by shooting" in Yellowstone. Typically I just have my cameras with lenses sitting on the passenger seat. I used to have my Think Tank Airport Security bag up front with the cameras resting on (rather than inside) that, but they're more stable just resting on the seat. The bag sits in back.
If you really want a bag that fits bodies with lenses then one of those larger Think Tank rollers may be a good option. You would still have to deal with the top zip flap though. Leave it unzipped and you just have to lift it up to access your gear, so it's not a huge deal.
Max
Posted by Douglas Graham on December 15, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Check out ThinkTanks urban design bags, they have a few that I think will work for you.
Discussion
6 repliesBut, I do a fair amount of photography from, or near, my truck, simply becasue I take my cameras whenever I have to drive somewhere. As Martin found out, many packs (most packs?) do not work well for this. I bought a square-ish shoulder bag a couple years ago (sorry, don't have it here at the moment and can't remember the name). But that bag, too is rife with problems for using in a vehicle. It has a top that zips closed, but then there's a flap that hangs down, and you're supposed to buckle it closed and use that silly little handle on the top to carry the bag. Well, that takes a lot of time and trouble, and I never use the buckle, I just zip the top mostly closed and use the shoulder strap instead of that top handle.
Besides, even though this is a pretty big bag, I cannot fit 2 bodies in it with the lenses on. I end up taking 2 bags with me most of the time, this bag, and my ole Lowepro backpack.
Does anyone have any ideas on a bag that can hold 2 (5d mkii) bodies (one with a landscape or macro lens, the other with a 100-400 on it) in such a manner that you can set the bag on the seat or on the floor, and reach down into it and pull out a camera that's ready to go?
http://www.mec.ca/product/5026-251/mec-rackpack-2-rt/?No=0&h=10&f=10&q=Pannier
I now use a LowePro Fastpack 350, which I think is the greatest for general travel and outdoors photography. It does not hold as much as the PhotoTrekker but is extremely comfortable to carry and easy enough to get to most items inside. One camera + lens combo I always have out and just hang it from the seat headrest by the camera strap - it hangs just above the backpack and is always instantly ready to grab.
I carry it with a light camo jacket and camo hat all the time in my truck. It doesn't stand out and works very well
and will handle the gear you mention and alittle more depending on what size cooler you get.
If you really want a bag that fits bodies with lenses then one of those larger Think Tank rollers may be a good option. You would still have to deal with the top zip flap though. Leave it unzipped and you just have to lift it up to access your gear, so it's not a huge deal.
Max