Camera Bag Recommendations

[Jeff D. Welker]

A little help please from the collective AzAP intelligencia.

As some of you know, I recently got some new gear. When I made the purchase, I got a LowePro Magnum 400 AW camera bag to hold the two camera bodies, three lenses and all the other "stuff" we carry around. While I think the 400 AW is a very good bag, it was not a roomy as I had hoped - based upon online images and LowePro's description. Apparently, I should have gotten the Magnum 650 AW - it has plenty of room. http://products.lowepro.com/product/Magnum-650-AW,2139,22.htm

Before I make the switch, I wanted to make sure I've considered the alternatives. In particular, I wanted to get input on the two primary styles of bags I'm considering. The Magnum series is a shoulder bag that stores/carries the cameras attached to lenses - with the lenses facing the bottom of the bag and the rear of the camera body facing the top - for lack of a better term, I call these "stand-up" style bags. I've also looked at the luggage/rolling style bags like the ThinkTank Airport Security V2.0 http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-security-v2-roller-camera-bag.aspx. The ThinkTank bags are very high quality, but I'm bothered by the bulge created by the telescoping handles used when towing/rolling the bag through airports. It impacts how gear rests within the main compartment.

I've even considered one of the Pelican bags. They are bomb proof and a distributor is in Phoenix that carries everything Pelican makes. Again, I'm not sure if I need the armored car engineering of the Pelican.

I'd also like input on the "stand-up" versus "sit-down" storage styles. Do you have any issues with having the camera rest on the lens cap (i.e. stand-up) versus resting on the camera body base and lenses body (i.e. sit-down)?

I have a smaller bag for occasions where I'm doing the one body one lens thing; however, I do need at least one bag that will accommodate the entire catastrophe. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

BTW - I just got back from my annual eye exam and the dilation effect has me wondering exactly what I am typing. I apologize for any miscues.