Hello travellers-
Planning on going to the US (Washington/Alaska/NY) over their Christmas/Holiday period and am planning on purchasing a Canon 400D to take with me. I am assuming that that part of the world it is safe enough to carry your camera+stuff around in a backpack like this one: tamrac pack. But I don't want to assume anything really because then I will probably end up being wrong.
Thing is, I wanted to carry around a side satchel with my day to day belongings in it, and only take the camera bag when I was planning on taking 'proper' shots (ie not just point and shoot stuff).
I'm 21yr old female from Australia, if that makes any difference to anything. Travelling primarily by myself and due to the weather won't be going anywhere too remote.
I'd appreciate any opinions or advice from people who maybe have been in a similar situation or get what I'm going on about.
Cheers!
If you are worried about the bag, look at the crumpler range of bags. The website can be annoying, but they make camera bags not look like camera bags.
http://www.crumpler.com.au/Cart/index.php?catId=22<BR><BR>The idea that the US is safer than other countries though is debatable. You still need to be careful especially at night and i'm sure there are no go places for tourists.
Also what lenses are you buying with the 400D? you may not need such a big bag.
Crumpler are nice but they are wayyyyy to expensive for me!
Re: security- I'm mostly concerned with people sneaking into my backpack or 'pickpocketing' it while I'm standing around in crowds and stuff...I guess it wouldn't be so unnoticable because they would have to undo the clip and then unzip the bottom-which wouldn't be unnoticable (especially when the bottom drops after it's been unzipped LOL).
The EOS is coming with a regular 18-55mm and a 75-300mm. If the canon 300mm is like the pentax one I already have, then I'll need something large enough for it and with sufficient padding/packing.
Shooting from a backpack is a total PITA for me. I prefer a 'regular' camera bag that I can hang from one shoulder across my body.
This makes for easy access when I want to change a lens. I can swing the bag around in front of me when I'm in a crowd. Hard to 'snatch and run'.
I don't have to take the bag off when I get in a bus/taxi.
When I sit down in a restaurant I can put the bag between my feet with the strap over one knee. (Not much of a chance of forgetting it that way.)
I'm using a Tamrac - relatively inexpensive and doing the job.
What's PITA mean?
Crumpler have some good backpacks which you can sling around to the front to get into them without having to take them off your back completely. http://www.crumpler.com.au/Cart/index.php?catId=22
I wish I had the money for that sort of stuff.
So Bob you would suggest having a side camera bag and a backpack for my day to day belongings instead?
First I'd question your sanity. New York and Alaska in December? What are you thinking??? ;o)
PITA - pain in the ass.
As for the bag - just telling you what works for me and what hasn't worked in the past. I find it absolutely no fun to have to take off a pack in order to get to my other lenses. That means that I change lenses less often and miss more shots.
I've been traveling with a side camera bag and using a day pack for my clothes. I can fit everything that I need during the day (guide book, spare batteries/cards, lens cleaning stuff/etc.) in the camera bag. I think I paid about $30US for my camera bag and it does everything that I need to do.
You could also consider a generic large bag/purse of some type. Use a foam lens 'sleeve' for the lens that you aren't using and just don't go banging your bag around when the camera is inside.
Need more padding? Fake it. Use some bubble wrap and double sided tape inside your bag.
Too many people think that they need to throw money at problems when a slight expenditure of brains can work a lot better.
Yes i agree about camera bags being expensive. Personally i'm going to get the Crumpler 7 million dollar home as its a shoulder bag. The reason? when i travel i often have a small backpack to carry things like guide books also. I tried to find a bag to carry everything but none would do, all too small for the non camera stuff. Compared to Lowepro, Crumpler are similarly priced. Tamrac is often cheaper here in oz on their cheaper bags.
I just find having the camera in the side/satchel bag better than the other way around you are suggesting as i access my camera more often than say the guidebook or food and water.
I suggest looking in the shops when you get the camera to test them out. Then buy the bag online or wherever it is cheapest. Its a personal opinion thing, so its hard for us to tell you whats best.
My opinion is you get what you pay for with bags. Tamrac make some very nice bags but they are priced the same as a crumpler or lowepro.
I'd hate for a bag to break while OS so find one in a shop first and look at it and see what its like.
Thats probably all i can help you out with. Thats pretty much what i've done and thats why I'm going to get the Crumpler 7 million dollar bag for about $170 AUD.
I'm in a very similar situation, taking a 350D, one or two extra lenses, portable hard drive on a trip to Vietnam. I want to combine my daypack and camera bag into one unit. Obviously this is going to mean some compromises.
I'm almost settled on the Tamrac Adventure 7, although I'm very tempted by the Adventure 9. Extra $$, but I'm not convinced that the 6 or 7 have enough room in the top section for me.
Check out www.centre.net.au to compare prices (I have no association with them, not even a customer yet). Melbourne based, out near Tullamarine.
If its only the body and a lens, I am a fan of getting a Mountainsmith Lumbar Pack and Domke Inserts. it looks like a big fanny pack. you can put other stuff in it, side pockets to stow water (and lenses temporarily) and hip straps which will save your shoulder.
These are all great tips and advice guys, thanks :-)
I'm tending to think now that I shouldn't worry too much about my backpack containing my personal stuff e.g. guidebooks/etc because if I get a side camera bag then I can slip my wallet and maps into it too for extra security.
Thanks again :-)
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