Camera/Laptop Bags - Help me choose!

[FlipFlop]

Hoping you helpful lot can have some input on my search for a decent DSLR camera bag, I also have a 17" laptop so am considering combo options for convenience when travelling although this isn't an absolute necessity since I do have a decent laptop case.

I've spent (wasted) much of Sunday doing general research into what brands people seem to be recommending on other forums and shopping around for various options.

- From Lowepro the Fastpack 350 seems to be highly recommended - http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087.htm

- Something pretty stylish from Crumpler which also seem to come highly recommend. Found this on ebay which looks decent - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Crumpler-Zoom...aAccessories_BagsCases_JN&hash=item1c1632eda1

- Kata also came up a lot in my searches and this 3n1 looks pretty decent - http://www.fotosense.co.uk/kata-3n1-20-sling-backpack-medium.html

- Lowerpro do a model called the Slingshot which won't hold a laptop but is functional for accessing your DSLR - http://www.fotosense.co.uk/lowepro-slingshot-302-aw.html

- Finally I came across this by Manfrotto on ebay. I've never heard of this brand however this camera bag holds a laptop AND comes with a tripod which I also need - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Manfrotto-732...cessories_TripodsSupports&hash=item2eb36055c3

The photo on that listing isn't very good so I found a better one on Google images - http://blog.photopoint.ee/wp-content/gallery/manfrotto-kott/07-fotokott-manfrotto-mypack.jpg

Actually makes it look pretty decent, however I did read a review on Amazon where a buyer had commented that the tripod pouch doesn't ever close if it has the tripod in it which seems a bit silly but something I could certainly live with.

Anyone have any input on the above selections or recommendations on better options?

Cheers all - hope you had a good weekend!

Edit: I also found something by Tamrac but it was unclear if it fit a 17" laptop so I left that one out.

 

[FlipFlop]

@PhillyDee

Yes SwissTech are awesome, that is the brand of laptop case I recently bought, it's excellent. I can't seem to find any purpose built camera/laptop bags from them unfortunately - just the laptop rucksacks. Costco website is pretty bad, doesn't seem to have any products on there unfortunately.

South Shields eh - that's where I work

@Snapshot

Loving the look of that backpack actually - although it's a bit more than I wanted to pay. Gonna have a closer look at that one for some reviews.

Edit: Found this review - Unfortunately mine is a 17" laptop.

"Comments about National Geographic Earth Explorer Backpack - Medium:

On some web site's it says it takes a 17" computor it does not apart from that it a good well built bag.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend"


Cheers guys.

 

[FlipFlop]

Yes the Compurover AW is another I looked at. Can you tell me, is the waist belt detachable? It's more of a hiking feature than an everyday feature I'd want.

Cheers for your input everyone! I'm still no closer to finding something but will continue looking.

 

[FlipFlop]

You haven't said what camera gear you actually want to put in there have you? And what style of bag? A 17" laptop is going to give you a much bigger bag than you would otherwise need I imagine. Personally I have a Billingham Hadley Pro, which fits a D200, 17-55 f/2.8 (bulky lens), 35/1.4 prime (not small) and 70-200 f/2.8 (again bulky) plus all the batteries, memory cards, filters I need for a weekend and my ipad. Still reasonably small, light and size wise wouldn't even hold a 15" laptop. Point being - that's a lot of fairly bulky gear and the footprint of the bag isn't going to support a 15" laptop let alone a 17, so a bag capable of taking a 17" is going to be seriously roomy...depends if you want that.

You are quite right, whilst looking online I came to realise that a bag that will hold a 17" laptop will be much too big for my needs. Mainly looking for something to take out on a walk and maybe to a footy match. The laptop was a secondary consideration for when I travel but I've decided to leave that out for now.

So to answer your question I'm after a shoulder/messenger bag with easy access to the camera and room for my D3100 with kit 18-55mm lens, my Nikon prime 50mm and also the 55-300mm I will be adding soon. I've seen a few backpacks that looked like they had good access, a Fastpack which had a side access so I'm not ruling that out either.

I've seen a few nice looking bags from Crumpler which don't look like camera bags but they weren't particularly easy access and I was concerned that the lid of the bag didn't look too secure, just two clips and it seemed gear could fall out.

So I'm also considering typical camera bag styles such as the Tamrac Express 7 although I do want something with extra space for phones, ipods, sunglasses and so on which is why I was veering more towards the messenger bag style. Something which will hold the camera gear in proper compartments with room for other things too.

I only want to be carrying one thing when I'm out and about really which is why this whole process is proving to be so difficult.