Best camera bag for big glass and travel

[Terps]

I use the old style Gura Gear Kiboko 30L. One deciding factor for me when I got this bag was the weight of the bag itself. It was one of the lightest I could find at the time, which allows me to stuff in more camera gear. It holds my 600mm f/4 and whatever ever else gets me to the maximum allowed weight. The carry-on weight is the restricting factor as to what I can pack into it.

A roller bag would be nice but the wheels, handle, and frame all add to the weight and the bulk so they where not an option for me.

For my laptop, an extra camera body, some lenses, and other accessories I use a ThinkTank Urban Disguise. It’s surprising what it can hold. Again, the weight is usually the limiting factor. It fits easily under the seat and is my second piece of carry-on.

I’ve used this setup for a number of years now and am very happy with it.

If you are looking at the hard cases, check out the Pelican Air cases. They are a lot lighter than the regular Pelican cases so you can put a lot more stuff in them.

 

[AnnetteJane]

Yep our Ozzie weight restrictions can be a pain in the proverbial. Although Qantas has increased their carry on weight to 10kgs which help out a bit. I use the Atlas Athlete bag and while expensive it is the most versatile back pack type camera bag I have owned. I fit in my Nikon D850, D500 both with L brackets. Nikkors 500mm pf f5.6, 300mm pf f4, 70-200 f2.8 and 1.4 teleconverter plus spare batteries, chargers and other smaller items. Plus my laptop. Nobody has yet pulled me up at boarding to have it weighed. Probably because with the waist belt removed it looks reasonably small.

I’m liking my atlas backpack as well. I’ve had it a year and my husband ordered one this year. Room to put extras like a jacket, hat gloves besides all the camera gear. I pack three lenses. 500, 70-200 plus my 24-70. Of course extra battery and card and stuff. Could pack more but trying to keep it light. This camera backpack has some great features. One being the waist belt can come off for travel. I pack it in my suitcase. You really got to check this one out.

 

[2Lab]

When I have to travel via an airline I use one of two bags depending upon the destination and equipment needed. I have a Moose Peterson MP3 backpack and a Think Tank - Airport International 3 roller bag. Both bags accommodate my Nikon 200-400 f/4 or my Nikon 500 f/4, I just need to make a decision on which one to take. If I want both and I am traveling with my wife she uses her Think Tank roller bag for her gear and the other big lens. My tripod, lens shades, TC's, flashes, filters, etc. are in my check-in bag. I do not carry my laptop but use a Gnarbox 2.0 SSD coupled to my iPad to view the images and editing is done at home on my desktop. With the Gnarbox I can have a dual backup on an external drive and the Gnarbox SSD and I can rate and classify the images on my iPad and the sidecar imports into PS.

 

[RichF]

Fstop bags are far and away the best I have used

Tipola is a great bag, just too small for traveling with lot of equipment. 2 full sized bodies, 180-400 or 600 F4, 80-400, 24-70, extra batteries, ...

 

[Walter Baliero]

Short and concise: Gura Gear Bataflae, there are no others; reliable, comfortable, practical, safe, well built and durable.

 

[GrandNagus50]

I’m liking my atlas backpack as well. I’ve had it a year and my husband ordered one this year. Room to put extras like a jacket, hat gloves besides all the camera gear. I pack three lenses. 500, 70-200 plus my 24-70. Of course extra battery and card and stuff. Could pack more but trying to keep it light. This camera backpack has some great features. One being the waist belt can come off for travel. I pack it in my suitcase. You really got to check this one out.

Wading through all of the information on the Atlas website, I found that the Athlete, for all of its ingenuity, will not fit a really big lens like a 600m f4, and it seems marginal for a full-sized 500mm f4 lens. Given this limitation and the emphasis on the "origami" feature, it would seem the Athlete is aimed at people who routinely will use a backpack to carry non-photo gear as well as camera gear. Not all of us.

 

[GrandNagus50]

Short and concise: Gura Gear Bataflae, there are no others; reliable, comfortable, practical, safe, well built and durable.
View attachment 19321

Yes, a terrific pack, but it's been out of production for a while now. The current model, the Kiboko 2.0 30l , is just enough smaller to be frustrating if you want to carry say, a 600mm f4. I was lucky enough to find a near-mint 32l Bataflae on ebay.

 

[Woodpecker]

I have been in search of the ideal camera bag for years. My wife accuses me of joining "The Bag of the Month" club and threaten to put me on a 12 step program.

I realize that no bag is ideal, but what is your favorite for travel with long glass?

What is your computer bag when traveling?

What is missing from your camera bag?

The biggest combo I have to carry is a 500 f4G combined with a TC-14E II and either a D4s or a gripped D850 behind it, so not the biggest you could have.

In terms of bags I tried a lot of things, but in the end I sticked with the Lowepro system. My main backpack is an older model of the Lowepro ProTrekker, that has two detachable sidepockets and another detachable bag that can be used as a mini-backpack itself. Because the backpack also features the Street & Field connectors I can also add some of the lens cases that were mentioned above somewhere. Because the tripod holders use the same connectors, I have got two of those, because sometimes I carry a super-tele setup to be used stationary and the macro stuff, just in case I run into something interesting on the way to my destination. Despite its size its so liht and comfprtable to use that even if I don't need the full gear with me I still prefer to use the big backpack and just leace some compartments empty.

Probably the only thing I constantly miss is sufficiently big rain covers. It is nice that they have it intergrated in the backpack, but as soon as you have the tripod(s) attached it is too small already. So I use an ordinary separate rain cover instead.

I have also tried the Lens Trekker and it works great for carrying a big super-tele with the body attached. However, because I don't have opportunities to go out shooting so regularly I tend to take more different things with me to take every chance, compared to a person that is just going to a fixed location with a fixed target for may be days. That is why I stepped back from the Lens Trekker again. After loading the big gun there isn't enough room for the other stuff and if I cover it with lens puouches I can just as well take the big backpack.

While travelling by car - and for storage at home - I have a Peli case that can take all my equipment. In the car I prefer to have the stuff in there, because protection is better if something goes wrong. The backpack goes in the boot either empty, just with the tripod(s) on it or - if I go to visit a stationary place for longer (e.g. visit my friend living inside a NP here) I put other gear in the photo backpack, unpack it at the destination and then put the gear in depending on what I want to do on a day to day basis.

A computer I carry only if I go somewhere for longer. Because I am - or should I say "used to be" - a freelancing consultant I have a mobile office in a backpack anyway. So, in this case I grab this second backpack and off I go (it is an EVERKI backpack that can be used as a trolley also, can't recall the type). Thus, I don't need things like notebook compartments in my photo backpack.

And if it gets really crazy, part of my mobile office is another Peli case carrying two calibrated displays including docking station, keyboard etc. that I can use if I have to work at a customer on site for a longer period. If I go to a place privately, where I have the space to set it up and the time to use it, I sometimes take this as well, so that I can do final post processing directyl on site.

My primary backpacks (photo and office) are at least 6-7 years or even older by now, but I still see no need to change anything.

 

[GrandNagus50]

I love this thread . One thing that bugs me about carrying gear in a backpack in non-airline situations is that say during a day hike, you spot a bird you wish to photograph and the lens you want is in the pack (likely, since carrying a camera/telephoto around your neck while routinely hiking along can be clunky). You have to remove the pack, open it up, mount the gear, etc. Not an insurmountable inconvenience, but it makes you think twice and the delay can result in missing the photo. There is a current Kickstarter project for a "Top shelf" camera bag that swings around to be instantly accessible

The Top Shelf - Super-Fast, All-Access Camera Bag

Instantly access all your gear while keeping it organized and secure. Never miss the shot anywhere. | Check out 'The Top Shelf - Super-Fast, All-Access Camera Bag' on Indiegogo.

www.indiegogo.com

It is not big enough for really big glass (similar to the Atlas Athlete in this respect) and it is pretty much strictly a camera bag, with not much room for other gear. But for the scenario I described above it seems like a great concept. I probably will use this during an upcoming hiking tour of English national parks in September.

 

[jhorsch]

Gura Gear Bataflae 26L backpack. Very udrable and able to fit (cram in): two camera bodies; 200-500 f5.6, 70-200 f.2.8, 24-70 f2.8 and 50 f1.4 lenses; teleconverter; batteries and battery charger; filter case; memory cards and other bits and pieces into it Heavy as anvil when fully loaded (25-30 lbs.) but able to carry on to flights and store in overhead bin (in U.S.). Laptops, iPad, etc. go into separate backpack. Of course, sometimes have to transfer to a smaller bag when in field but also great for having everything in one place when working from auto.

Can't believe I've accumalted all this stuff, and more. If only my photography skills were as good as my gear...

 

[Nikondale]

Hi Guys
I manufacture Custom ( and standard stock) Canera and Lens carrying systems Bags and we are developing an all terrain all weather Rucksack style with a central protective core for a long 600 F4 and connecting camera with grip and around 9 /12 internal External zipped pockets to take lenses extra body and all the kit we need ( or think we need) on an expedition. All this on a Carry on Airline locker size.. What else would you want to see included?? Made in Any suggestions welcome

I would like to see one of your new cases. It sounds interesting. I would like to see a hard bottom with internal padding. the bag should have the option of a top carry, a side carry or possibly back straps. When travel is over and you are off shooting, I would like to see a couple of straps for a tripod or monopod. Also when going into the field I would like to have a full sized camera attached to the lens. For long glass the configuration may have to include lenses from long zooms, 400mm, 500mm, to 600mm. Good luck in your designs.

 

[AnnetteJane]

Wading through all of the information on the Atlas website, I found that the Athlete, for all of its ingenuity, will not fit a really big lens like a 600m f4, and it seems marginal for a full-sized 500mm f4 lens. Given this limitation and the emphasis on the "origami" feature, it would seem the Athlete is aimed at people who routinely will use a backpack to carry non-photo gear as well as camera gear. Not all of us.

The Atlas has an Adventure series as well, which is larger. I do like the athlete because I have to keep my pack on the lighter side and I do tend to climb mountains ect and this pack is great for all purpose ..fits iPad ect when traveling. As for the origami feature I never use it as I am ALWAYS carrying my large lens. My largest travel lens being the 500 5.6 though. I used to carry the 200-500 and would pack the lens hood in my checked in suitcase. My husband is getting the adventure which will be deeper. My pack slides under the seat and I dont have to worry about not having to stow overhead and then any miscellaneous items are close by..ipad, EarPods, hand sanitizer ect Its a backpack that has a substantial camera gear section but may not be the ticket for larger lenses such as the 600 f4.

 

[fcotterill]

Some backpacks provide the option to unzip a side panel and so get out a camera + med-telephoto rig in a hurry (eg 70-300, 300 PF). Vanguard's Sky Alta 45D and 51D are two (the 51D can just fit a DLSR + 500 PF loaded sideways but without hood however). Mindshift have upgraded their Rotating packs up to a 50litre. The Q-R car-bonnet catch for a lid (in the Top Shelf bag) is probably one of the more feasible mods to an existing bag like these. Anything larger is best carried on some kind of sling system in my experience.

As for other options, this Fernweh hiking pack has launched in fabric apparently. Every other week there's a new crowd funding launch for the latest must have bag for travel / adventure. Call e cynical but most seem to be by hipsters for hipsters espousing the magic of travel with a dinky kit or must-have gadget. There was an 'Aloetech' wildlife bag planned for 2020 but its hard sell was dubious....

MindShift Rotation 50L Review - Unique New Camera Bag Features!

The MindShift Rotation 180 camera bags feature a unique rotating design. In this MindShift Rotation 50L review, we will examine all features and performance.

shuttermuse.com

I would like to see one of your new cases. It sounds interesting. I would like to see a hard bottom with internal padding. the bag should have the option of a top carry, a side carry or possibly back straps. When travel is over and you are off shooting, I would like to see a couple of straps for a tripod or monopod. Also when going into the field I would like to have a full sized camera attached to the lens. For long glass the configuration may have to include lenses from long zooms, 400mm, 500mm, to 600mm. Good luck in your designs.

 

[RobHaynes]

I would like to see one of your new cases. It sounds interesting. I would like to see a hard bottom with internal padding. the bag should have the option of a top carry, a side carry or possibly back straps. When travel is over and you are off shooting, I would like to see a couple of straps for a tripod or monopod. Also when going into the field I would like to have a full sized camera attached to the lens. For long glass the configuration may have to include lenses from long zooms, 400mm, 500mm, to 600mm. Good luck in your designs.

Thank you for your interest and comment, We have designed a Top Carry and Back Straps, it has a Hard bottom and protective padded interior, it takes options on 300m f2.8 gulley coupled to a large DSLR with Grip and Lens hood connected, plus an ICU for smaller lenses up to 70-200 f2.8. it will also take a F4 600 or a 180-400 plus spare bodies, a numbers of extra external pockets & pouches and a built in Beanbag pocket on side that can be detached or used on the bag as a support ..with Gimbal option.

I will post images once we have the final product ready to ship.. Although reading all the comments in the thread we are likely to have options on sizes of the bag available.....
SherpaPro will be publishing information on awe site and Social media very soon
Thanks again...

Rob Haynes

 

[Tiago C]

I have a Think Tank Photo StreetWalker V1 Backpack and I really like it. It fits a 500mm f4 detached from the camera body and still has plenty of space for bodies/smaller lenses. It would be a benefit to fit the camera body attached to the lens but that would make it more conspicuous and less adequate for travel.

 

[fulltimewanderer]

I am less concerned about my Pelican hard case being abused by baggage handlers than I am about my gear being stolen. As a result of both increasingly common issues, if I can’t carry my gear onboard, I ship it in advanced via UPS or FedEx in the Pelican, preferably ground rather than air if time permits. It NEVER gets checked on commercial.

I also will ship ahead of time using 2 Pelican hard case via UPS or FedEx. Just the thought of TSA handling our gear (my wife and I) causes nightmares. Then we both use a Think Tank airport roll on for cameras and smaller accessories. Our camera insurance covers our gear that is shipped UPS or FedEx. Shipped to Juneau once went to pick them up they were locked up in a steel cage.

 

[Calson]

After a trip to Costa Rica with the 600mm f/4, 500mm PF, 200mm f/4 micro, 80-400mm, 1.4x TC, two camera bodies, flash, etc. the Gura Gear Bataflae 32L weighed 37 lbs. and I came to realize that it was not the best approach. Now I take the same 32L and also a Bataflae 18L backpack and put as much weight in the smaller backpack and this backpack also has a sleeve that works for my 12" netbook. The 18L qualifies as a "personal item" as it will fit under the seat in front of me in the plane.

I hand carry a Feisol CT-3472 tripod onto the plane (32L is on a folding cart and the 18L is on my back) and it fits crossways inside the overhead bin and takes up 4 linear inches. I put my wife's tripod on top of mine and then our two jackets go on top of the tripods.

I check a Pelican Air case that has my clothes and other items for the trip. When I get to the hotel or lodge I use the Pelican case to hold lenses I will not be using the next day and only take the 32L backpack on the shoots. The Pelican case is locked and so I do not worry about gear getting stolen.

 

[Martin_Farrell]

I never check in any photo equipment on a flight. If I can't carry it on then it's not going. My Lowepro Photo Trekker AW fits under an airline seat and meets airline dimension requirements. In there I can put my 200-400/4 VR1 mount on my D500 body, my D810, 70-200/4 VR, 24-120/4 VR, 16-35/4 VR, 50/1.4 and the TC-14E. I have a Think Tank Airport Check-In that holds my laptop, all of my chargers, necessary wires, card readers and a SB800 flash for the very rare times that ever use it.

I am on my second Lowepro Photo Trekker AW, great bag but cannot help looking for the perfect bag

 

[KimM]

I have done a bit of everything. The 600mm f4 is the deal breaker for every bag I could find except the Gura Gear Bataflae 32l . I have a backup in the closet just in case. I have also checked this lens in an SCG/Pelican like case to France and around the US with Southwest Airlines but was nervous each time. I like the idea of shipping the gear ahead and will do this for international travel. A friend had a roller bag for her gear. With no overhead room left, flight attendant insisted on checking it. It was destroyed. My take away is always be certain the bag doesn't look heavy, would in a pinch fit under the seat (yes the Gura Gear Bataflae 32l will even on the smaller commuters which I avoid even with longer layovers) and no rollers on the bag. I also have a collapsible travel hood for the 600mm which I will use if I must take a smaller commuter. For airlines that have carry on weight limits, I wear a vest. My laptop is in a sleeve in my personal carry on. I often check the power brick in my luggage. I have replaced the gimbal head with a Flex shooter Pro to save weight on trips that are both wildlife and landscape. Weight, weight, weight issues. Ugh. And my weight or someone else's I sit next to is never a question.

 

[GrandNagus50]

After a trip to Costa Rica with the 600mm f/4, 500mm PF, 200mm f/4 micro, 80-400mm, 1.4x TC, two camera bodies, flash, etc. the Gura Gear Bataflae 32L weighed 37 lbs. and I came to realize that it was not the best approach. Now I take the same 32L and also a Bataflae 18L backpack and put as much weight in the smaller backpack and this backpack also has a sleeve that works for my 12" netbook. The 18L qualifies as a "personal item" as it will fit under the seat in front of me in the plane.

I hand carry a Feisol CT-3472 tripod onto the plane (32L is on a folding cart and the 18L is on my back) and it fits crossways inside the overhead bin and takes up 4 linear inches. I put my wife's tripod on top of mine and then our two jackets go on top of the tripods.

I check a Pelican Air case that has my clothes and other items for the trip. When I get to the hotel or lodge I use the Pelican case to hold lenses I will not be using the next day and only take the 32L backpack on the shoots. The Pelican case is locked and so I do not worry about gear getting stolen.

I can identify with this post(er). I often take my GuraGear Bataflae 32mm and also a Tamrac 16L Nagano. More recently, I have found that a TravelPro Bold computer pack (nearly 30L total space!) fits a LOT of gear and qualifies as a "personal item." It's an amazing, well-padded pack. It needs a third-party rain cover, but that's no big deal.

I will add one thing here in response to the comment to which I am replying. In my many years of traveling hither and yon, I have never had the experience or feeling that thieves or vandals give a whit about my tripod(s). I always pack my tripod and gimbal or ballhead in my checked luggage, and have never had any damage (you make sure that they are far enough into the clothing to be padded) or thievery. In fact, on my most recent trip to Texas, where my flights home were canceled two days in a row, my luggage ended up back at SFO on its own, where it sat in the American Airlines holding area for three days before I was able to reclaim it. No damage, no thievery. I will add that I also stow my flash gear in my checked luggage, in well-padded bags. I just don't think thieves care about these kinds of items. A camera or lenses is another story, of course.

 

[Calson]

On my last trip we went to the Pantanal and my Pelican air case landed in Brazil and came off the plane and I wheeled it to the domestic airline and checked it in for the short hop to Sao Paulo. Well the airline people put it on the wrong plane and it took a full day to get my hands on the case. Fortunately we have arrived a day early and had hired a private driver and translator for our trip. If we had been going with a group I would have had problems but I could have recovered without the case but not if it had my tripod inside. I had another Pelican case and on the short from Grand Cayman to Miami the case arrived shattered and looked like they had driven a fork lift into it. Fortunately it was on the return leg or my underwater photography trip would have ended before it began.

I have found nothing that compares with the Gura Gear bags and I have the 32L, 26L, and 3 of their 18L backpacks. If I had to replace the 32L it would entail trying to find a used on in good condition selling on ebay. Sad that the people at Gura Gear foolishly acquired Tamrac and abandoned their own line of photo backpacks.

 

[Viseguy]

Stumbled upon this bag before last trip to India. Airlines there had strict carry-on size/weight limitations which forced me to split my gear into two bags, one for me one for my wife. Think tank glass limo worked great, also worked well in safari vehicle. You can see I added quite a bit of extra padding, Kaizen foam. This is a D850 and 400 f2.8 FL.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[LL4D500]

I just came back from a cruise. I had the lowepro 13x32 with my z6 attached to the z70-200 and a Lowepro fastback 250 aw II with two more lenses and lots of other bits…filters, cables etc.
I just got a Peli Air 1535 with the Trekpak system. It’s carry- on. With all the gear from the cruise plus room for more.

View attachment 20438

The Pelican Air 1535 and the SKB 2011-7 are two cases I have looked seriously at. I really like the fact that both (supposedly) meet airline carry on requirements and have wheels. The only thing I struggle with, is that some say cases with wheels are prone to be targeted for the cargo hold. The other concern I have is the 25# carry on limit. The 2011-7 with my two D500’s, a 16-80 2.8/4, 70-200 2.8, 80/400 4.5/5.6 and my 500PF top out at 27.5#. May have to come up with something as a Personal bag, both for weight and my back!
Planning on a trip to Costa Rica next March. Please let us know your experiences in regard to carry on and weight when the opportunity presents itself. Thanks!

 

[Doug Herr]

I am a retired airline pilot and I spent 38 years in the industry. I have seen the way checked bags are handled. Never ever put cameras or lenses in checked bags or anything easily breakable for that matter. Use hard cases where you can. If you pack tripods gimbals and other such items make sure they are surrounded with clothing or soft material. Anything that can be water damaged wrap in plastic bags, shopping bags are good for this.
Think of your bag dropping from the hold, a good 8 feet onto the apron, in heavy rain and being left in the puddle for 30 mins, plan accordingly.

Many years ago my brother made the mistake of putting a Nikkormat with attached 300mm ED in his luggage. The camera arrived at the destination in multiple pieces. Aside from a scratched front element the lens was OK, not so the Nikkormat. Fortunately Nikkormat mirror boxes were still available and I'm handy with tools.