Shoulder bag to carry gear

I used to use a Lowerpro Computrekker to transport my housing, ports and lenses. However, it is starting to get a bit cramped and also, the space inside isnt ideal for u/w gear. Also, the bag itself is quite heavy and when packed, clocks in way over any reasonable carry-on weight quota.

So I am looking for something different (and inherently lighter) and was thinking of a shoulder bag. A large shoulder bag (a video bag, perhaps?) ought to be able to fit in a housing (with body inside it), flat port, dome port and a few lenses quite easily, especially if you add some external pouches.

I am thinking housing face down with flat port attached, with some lenses on either side of the port. Dome port next to the housing and the Inon strobes in external pockets. 2 add-on pouches add 2 more lenses and I'm set. Spare body can go with my laptop in the laptop case.

Reading the pinned thread, I see people have had luck with the Kata CCC-10 bag. I was wondering if anyone is using a Lowepro bag and if so, which one?

Ideally, I'd go to a store and check things out, but us poor tropical islanders dont get let out of our gilded cages often enough

Thanks,

Vandit

I use a Lowepro Nature Trekker for airline carry-on gear hauling-its a tight fit in overhead bins but I havent been stopped with it yet. I also have a Domke shoulder bag, an F-7 which has even more room, but is a bit more uncomfortable for long trips between gates. both are indestructable and versatile.

Can't beat a standard carry on wheelie suitcase imo. Doesn't attract attention, no shoulder strain and can be made to look so much lighter at check in.

Hi Eric - Yes, I use the Photo Trekker for carrying my wildlife photo gear and like you, havent been stopped yet. However, from a packing point of view, the Photo Trekker and the Computrekker work very well with regular camera gear, but dont pack as optimally with housings and ports. Hence the quest for something different.

Are you able to fit the entire housing setup in the F7?

Balrog - Yep, rollies are very convenient. However, if I can get a shoulder bag, then I can use a small rollie to carry my laptop and few other essential stuff that I dont want to check in (binos, scope, etc). I am aware of the tradeoffs (having been a consultant and spending 70% of my time traveling, I acutely dislike carrying anything when it can be rolled). However, in this case, for my specific needs, a shoulder bag would be the best option.

Anyone else using a shoulder bag?

Thanks,

Vandit

Hi Vandit

Check out the Tamrac Pro 12. I use one to carry 2x D300 bodies, a strobe, a storage device, 4 lenses including an 80-400; and the usual stack of filters, chargers etc. A housing would go into it no problem. An 8" dome might be a bit of a struggle though.

Thanks, Tim. I'll check out the Tamrac as well.

Got 3.5 weeks to Sulawesi and Lembeh. Woohoo!

Cheers,

Vandit

Check out fishing tackle bags. I like those made by Scierra. Padded cordura construction with water resistant bases, loads of good sized external and internal pockets and build like brick outhouses...

Tackle bags- excellent idea! I'll check those out as well.

Cheers,

Vandit