Let's hear about those bags!

[MissM]

I have a few but the one I find myself going to most often is the Tenba Discovery Mini: http://www.amazon.com/Tenba-Discovery-637-322-Photo-Daypack/dp/B005DPJ51C/ (I also have a Medium but it's larger and I'm a smaller woman so if I often want to go more compact and I use the mini most often.) It's big enough to hold my camera, a few extra lens plus my wallet, sunglasses and other assorted items in the top compartment so I don't have to bring a purse as well. It's water resistant but also comes with a neat rain cover that fits on really well and I've used in the parks during a sudden thunderstorm. Everything was nice and dry.

The mini opens better than the medium which you have to "tug" more to access it. The medium holds more both in the camera compartment and the storage compartment on top.

I also have the Lowepro Fastpack 250: http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Fastpack-250-Arctic-Blue/dp/B000YJ0O9O/ I like how it opens a lot. Just swing it around on one shoulder and access from the side. Convenient. But for me, it's stiffer, heavier and less comfortable to wear than the Tenba ones. The Fastpack 250 and the Tenba Discovery Medium are approximately the same size. But the Tenba is more comfortable for me. Maybe it's a petite woman thing. My husband doesn't seem to have any problems with the Fastpack.

So...I like my Tenba. Having worn it all day across 2 (sometimes 3!) parks in a day, I find it most comfortable and suitable for me. But I can also say the Fastpack is a good option if you need to carry more and/or you're a guy.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

I've been through a few different bags to tote all my gear around in (usually 4-5 lenses, filters, tripod, etc) and after moving away from a Lowepro Sling, I finally found what I think is perfection. Kata UL 222

http://www.kata-bags.us/bumblebee-222-ul-for-1-2-pro-dslr-w-70-200-lens-4-lenses

This thing is super light weight and very, very comfortable. The bright yellow interior makes all of the camera equipment easy to spot and find in a hurry. The shoulder straps are very comfortable for lugging around all my full frame lenses and my very heavy geared tripod head. I can't imagine going back to another bag at this point.

The only issue is that the bag is pretty big and the aluminum frame makes it hard to fit under a seat on a plane. I've had one flight where they made me put it in the overhead; but, other than that - I've loved this thing for the last 3 years.

 

[donsullivan]

I've been through a few different bags to tote all my gear around in (usually 4-5 lenses, filters, tripod, etc) and after moving away from a Lowepro Sling, I finally found what I think is perfection. Kata UL 222

http://www.kata-bags.us/bumblebee-222-ul-for-1-2-pro-dslr-w-70-200-lens-4-lenses

This thing is super light weight and very, very comfortable. The bright yellow interior makes all of the camera equipment easy to spot and find in a hurry. The shoulder straps are very comfortable for lugging around all my full frame lenses and my very heavy geared tripod head. I can't imagine going back to another bag at this point.

The only issue is that the bag is pretty big and the aluminum frame makes it hard to fit under a seat on a plane. I've had one flight where they made me put it in the overhead; but, other than that - I've loved this thing for the last 3 years.

I have exactly that same bag that I use for when I'm doing hiking type photo trips in National parks at the like. I usually end up taking the frame out when flying to and from the remote location and putting it in suitcase. I didn't feel comfortable with the metal pressing against my laptop. Once I get to the remote location the laptop stays in the hotel so putting it back in wasn't an issue. It's kind of big, but you're right it is stupidly light and really comfortably for hiking.

 

[sporadic]

Finally settled on a new bag for my mirror-less kit. At first I went with the Tamrac Apache 2 (review), but was deceived by the pictures on Amazon. My kit fit snugly, but the pouches were way too small to carry water bottles. The pictures Amazon has up are for the larger Apache 4 bag. In the end, I settled on the Tamrac Rally 4. It's just a little larger than the Apache 2, but noticeably smaller than the Rally 6 I used with my 7D kit. I was pretty happy with the Rally 6 and decided I wanted to go with another messenger style bag for ease of accessibility. I picked up a small filter pouch to help organize the front pocket.

Kit:
- Fuji X-T1 and 18-55, Optech Mirrorless sling for strap
- Fujinon 10-24
- Pedco Ultrapod II
- Marumi CPL, Hoya ND8 and step down ring.
- Lenspen
- Rocket blower
- Spare memory card
- Two spare camera batteries
- Wired remote
- Shower cap for a quick rain cover

Everything fits with room to spare. The Ultrapod II is a little bulkier than my Manfrotto MTT2-P02 so I put it in the main compartment instead of the front pocket. If I left the Ultrapod out or stuffed it in the front pocket, I could easily fit a decent size flashgun or two primes stacked on each other in the main compartment. Not taking a real flashgun this year, just EF-X8 for fill that came with my X-T1. Hope I don't regret it!

 

[Grumpy-Fan]

My main bag is the Flipside 300. I'm a big fan of it - compact, sturdy, but big enough to hold an SLR and three lenses, plus a tripod on the outside if needed.

I decided on this one, it`ll be here in a couple of days.

 

[whoiscliffwang]

I just ordered the Lowepro Flipside 400. I may not carry it in the parks but at least I can use it to carry all my stuff onto the airplane.

 

[NowInc]

I just ordered the Lowepro Flipside 400. I may not carry it in the parks but at least I can use it to carry all my stuff onto the airplane.

I just used it for 4 days in the parks...in blazing heat..and honestly I didnt feel any discomfort. IF you decide to venture in with it, heres a tip for how to fit it on space mountain, mine train, and a few others.

Load yourself in first...lower the bar, and then rest the bag on top of the bar by your knees. It fits great and is easy to hold on to. Pretty much most of the rides you'll be able to fit it behind your knees without a single issue...just those few exceptions

 

[whoiscliffwang]

I gotta love B&H, I ordered it this morning and it is already shipped. Estimated arrival tomorrow.

 

[donsullivan]

I just ordered the Lowepro Flipside 400. I may not carry it in the parks but at least I can use it to carry all my stuff onto the airplane.

The AW version of this has been my default go-to bag for many years now and I use more than any other. I carry it in the the parks all the time. In fact my current one is getting kind of tattered and will likely need to be refreshed soon. The only complaint I've ever had for air travel is that I can't fit my 13" laptop into it so I need a different bag when I'm flying with gear.

 

[NowInc]

I gotta love B&H, I ordered it this morning and it is already shipped. Estimated arrival tomorrow.

Same deal when I got mine via-amazon. Plus it shipped prime...they are my "first try" shop...