I'm looking for a bag that will hold my camera but also carry all the other bits I carry.

So... I'm looking at a bag with the following specs:

1. Sling style messenger or backpack (although backpacks are a bit dangerous as people can rummage in your stuff behind you)
2. Room to carry the GF1/20mm lens inside the panny full case, tablet and/or my alphasmart neo 2, wallet, keys, mini med-pack, a book or kindle, and some space to drop things in if need be.
3. Costs under £50, preferably a lot less
4. Light yet decent construction, I've had bags fall apart on me, I don't want it to happen when I have a camera in there
5. Not obviously a camera bag, and not too large

I'm kinda a bag-freak. I have possibly way too many bags as it is, like a Wenger messenger bag (on offer in Tesco's if you have 10 vouchers... but too big for my requirements), various canvas rucksacks (too large), 'pleather' side satchels (too small, they fit a wallet/phone and basically that's it), laptop bags galore, even a WW2 gasmask bag, but nothing that would be perfect for an every day carry, fitting camera and any extra bits I need.

The one I'm favouring at the moment is the Lowepro Passport Sling Shoulder Bag, which looks amazing (in theory). I can remove the camera insert (as my GF1 will be in its full case), and have a usable bag too. I love the way it looks, and how it opens out, although it has a bunch of things "wrong" with it... no zips/closures for the outside pockets, and not much in the way of inside pockets either, not to mention I'm not sure if it would take 'rectangular' items such as a tablet or book. I also wonder if, without the insert, it will lose any semblance of shape, and become some formless lump on your back/side.

But yes, I ramble on! Any suggestions? I'm open to anything, colours don't matter (bright bright pink might be a tad too far, but if it's well designed, I'll run with it!)!

My bag is a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack for pretty much the exact reasons you describe:

* not a camera-only bag - I carry a bunch of other stuff in there for daily use
* lots of organization (pockets etc.)
* extensible using add-on pockets and pouches (I use a dump pouch on one pocket, and a sheath for a multi-tool currently)
* rides comfortably - actually shaped to mold onto the hip and padded
* includes a strap that can be used as a belt to transfer weight to the hips rather than all riding on the shuolder. This is an absolute godsend when carrying the bag for extended periods.
* extremely rugged construction - heck, it's even teflon and PU coated for water and stain resistance. I've carried one all over for months and it looks good as new.
* fits my iPad like a glove in the back zippered pocket

EDIT: Oh, and the water bottle holder on the side makes a great lens pouch if you don't carry a water bottle :)




The only downside using it as a camera bag is there's no insert as it's not designed for it. I've got a Domke insert coming that hopefully will solve that problem. I've also successfully used a couple of Tamrac lens cases or the original lens bags as protective sleeves. If the Domke doesn't work out, I'll probably just make a DIY solution.

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“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

I remember looking at that and the fatboy version a while ago, when I was reading into people's EDC and bug out bags (I find it fascinating that people will carry all this survival stuff, but I do see some aspects as being useful, i.e. carrying a med-kit and a small multi-tool), but it was (is) soooo expensive!

I have a look to see if I can get one cheaper in Florida in Nov.

Ah see! On ebay the one I like the look of (black/foliage), is $72, or £46. In the UK ebay, they are £80-ish.

That's more than they cost here by quite a bit, I got my Maxpedition Jumbo for $66 IIRC (on sale, but still). There are some cheap clones of the Maxpedition Jumbo, but quite honestly you get what you pay for with Maxpedition.

I have owned some of the cheaper knock off manufacturers' items and others I know have as well, and they definitely are not made to the indestructable standard Maxpedition is. I'm not exaggerating when I say after dragging a Maxpedition Jumbo all over the world and using as a daily carry bag, it still looks good as new - the only scuffs are on the plastic buckle

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“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

Where do you store your camera then, if the iPad is in the back pocket? The only concern other than that is my Neo 2... It has a size of 315 x247 x45 mm... Will that fit in? It is my primary writing tool as I can't hand-write (even though I have so many lovely notebooks too!) And I want to carry it everywhere with me.

Still I do like. I need to see who sells it in Florida, guessing the targets and wallmarts won't, and pick one up when we land.

I use a Mark VII gas mask bag for my OM-D, extra lens (could hold more), wallet, keys, iPad, and more.
It's not got the best/any padding, but is the same bag that Indian Jones uses! even swapped out the heshen strap for a leather one, has just the right amount of compartments and space and is really well built.

The zippered back pocket is where the iPad fits perfectly. It's behind the main compartment, so the iPad can go in there while the camera is in the large pocket that's covered with the flap. I'm not familiar with the Neo 2, but I don't think it would fit in the Jumbo... the iPad is an exact fit and the dimensions you listed would put the Neo 2 at quite a bit larger all around.

And you're right, Target and Wal-Mart won't carry Maxpedition gear You'd have to find a specialty store most likely by looking up a dealer on the Maxpedition website. Most people buy online since there aren't many stores that stock it.

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“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

I found an LL Bean messenger bag in a thrift store. I use it as my every day bag to carry my lunch and book as well as my keys, wallet, and phone. I bought a Domke insert to give my camera a little protection. I got the insert that comes in the F6 and I can fit my G3 and two lenses in it and still have half the main pocket available for whatever else I need to carry. The front pocket and main pocket both zip closed and have a flap with a metal clasp that covers them so its reasonably protected. Its also got a pocket on each end that will fit a Nikon SB-24 flash. The thrift stores and Army surplus stores around here have quite a good selection of cheap shoulder bags. Obviously you probably won't be able to walk into one at random and find exactly what you're looking for but if you keep your eyes open and are patient good deals will come your way.

I paid more for the insert than I did for the bag but its pretty much cured the BAS (bag acquisition syndrome) that I used to struggle with. Not to step on any toes, but I would feel completely ridiculous carrying one of those Maxpedition things! I'm glad it works for you though!

Adam

That's ok, I'd feel ridiculous carrying most camera bags and messenger bags

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“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

I also have one of those that I use with a Domke camera bag insert from one of my old Domke camera bags.

This bag (and the cheaper knock-off version that seems to be pretty popular) are great compact camera bags. Sometimes I use the water bottle pouch for a water bottle and sometimes I just use it to hold one of my FL-50R flashes.

I use this bag mostly on vacations or if I'm out shooting and don't want to carry a bigger bag. The only reason I don't use it as my "main" bag is that it's not big enough to hold my 14-inch laptop. I can, however, squeeze an iPad or an 11-inch netbook inside with my m4/3 gear.