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tom.benedict
86
Aug 26, 2017
I don't know if there is a "best" bag. Just a lot of bags that suit some things better than others.
I prefer to do landscape photography, but I wind up doing a lot of industrial and documentation photography as well. That makes for a messy bunch of gear, a lot of which I leave behind when I'm hiking out somewhere.
My main bag is a Lowepro Magnum 400 AW. (aka The Camera Apartment Building.) It's where everything goes at the end of the day. If I grab that bag and a tripod, I'm good to go for just about any situation. (Ok, I'd also have to grab the light stands, backdrop, etc. but I keep a pair of off-camera flashes in the bag, so ALMOST good to go.) Problem is, fully loaded this thing torques my spine enough to land me in the ER. I can just about lug it to the car, lug it into a building, and work from there, but there's no way I'd take it out on a trail.
Next is a Lowepro Inverse 100 AW, though I use it to haul sound gear for field recording more than I use it for camera gear. It's a heckuvalot more portable than the Magnum, but it'll only really carry one body and two lenses. Good for long hikes or for places where you know exactly which lenses you'll need to get the photo you're after, but limited as a general purpose bag.
I've also got a 20+ year old backpack I need to replace. (Also a Lowpro. Hmmm... I sense a pattern...) The poor thing's dying, but it's a good compromise between the two other bags. I can fit two bodies and three lenses and still leave room for a shutter release and filters. But it doesn't have a waist strap. I'm only good for about five miles before my shoulders start to hurt.
Madsox
3
Dec 8, 2017
tom.benedictOn the bag subject I Readily point out Mountainsmith for innovative and comfort driven designs for adventure photography... it’s hard to beat a number of their products and as a mountain guide and photography enthusiast I’ve had the pleasure of using their tents and I believe they are a fantastic company to put your trust in.
tom.benedict
86
Dec 8, 2017
MadsoxI had a Mountainsmith mountaineering backpack for ages. I have to agree. They make solid packs. I've never used their photography bags, but their backpacking gear is top notch.
chaplndave
9
Dec 8, 2017
tom.benedictBeen looking for a good bag. I presently use a Tamarac and carry most of my gear...body, flash, five lenses, miscellaneous gear. I have been looking for a bag that will be more comfortable to wear and will safely hold all my gear plus a tripod. Have been looking at the Lowepro Pro Tactic 450 AW. Anyone recommend this bag...or another? I'm an amateur photographer who does mostly landscape and some birding photography. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
PraxisCat
219
Dec 13, 2017
chaplndaveI've heard mixed things about the Protactic comfort -- some people love it, others say there's not enough padding.
chaplndave
9
Dec 28, 2017
PraxisCatRecently got a really good deal on a used Protactic 450AW bag from Lowepro. I can't wait to use it. When I opened it up I found it to be in great shape...the only disappointing thing was that the accessory kit was missing. I wrote to the person I bought from and he stated that when he bought it, there was no accessory pack. I looked for the accessory pack (two straps, a small bag for one of the feet of your tripod to be used with a strap to carry the tripod on your protactic, a water bottle bag and a bag to carry extra filters, memory cards, etc) on ebay, Amazon, B&H, Adorama and no one carried just the accessories. So I contacted Lowepro directly to see if I could purchase an accessory pack. They are sending me one that I should have in about a week. Once I get the accessory pack and get my gear transferred from my old Tamrac backpack I'll keep you all posted.
PraxisCat
219
Dec 31, 2017
chaplndaveLet us know what you think about it!
beemermeister
1
Jan 14, 2018
MadsoxYes agree. Their biggest bag was my favorite until they got out the camera bag business.
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