Let's talk Camera Bags

julifish

julifish

New member
My husband and I are venturing to Europe for 2 weeks this summer (I'm over the moon excited we are actually making this trip!!!). I've been reading for weeks about Rome and Barcelona and the amount of pick pocketing and theft from tourists. I realize this means that my usual backpack method of traveling is not going to work this trip. So, I've been trying to figure out what kind of crossbody bag (with thick straps) I could use to tote my camera and a few essentials.

So I have this Ephianie bag my husband got me about 3 years ago for our anniversary.
GIN005GRY-2T.jpg
GIN005GRY-6S.jpg

It's very versitle, holds a lot but it's soooo heavy. Summer in Europe (sweating) and I think this thing is too big (plus not sure I can get DH to wear this cross body). So, I'm looking for suggestions.

What kind of camera or at least camera safe bag could I get that I could carry cross body and have it look decent, not weight a ton and still hold the necessary items. I'll be bringing my Sony Alpha DSLR, extra lens, filters, extra battery and extra SD cards. I also like to carry advil, a pen, some gum/candy, maybe a water bottle, etc. I'm planning on carrying my money and credit cards and a copy of my passport in a money belt around my waist or money bag around my neck.

So what do you think? Suggestions? Do you think I should just carry by camera on my neck and then take a small bag for necessities (not sure what I'd do in places you can't take pictures. I hate to just check my camera :crying:)
 
Last edited:
I'm going to be getting a Sony Alpha DSLR and was wondering about bags so I'm going to be watching this thread.
 
Julia - The Epiphanie bags are super nice. I actually love mine for every other trip we've made because my Nook fits right in the front zipper and with the side pockets I can slide in my charger, my car charger and my SD reader. I can also fit a small snack, meds, lip stick, etc in there. Problem is carrying it cross body. Over the shoulder works great and it's gone on many, many trips plus it's been wet from a flood in our house (whole inside and bottom of the bag wet) and it's held up really well. It's awesome for a plane ride. It's just a little awkward and too big for this trip.
 
I would go to Vera Bradley with all your camera stuff and see if you can find something there you like.... Of course, that might not be an option if you don't have one nearby, lol. I carry a Vera cross body when I travel after someone here recommended it, and it works well for me. However, the one I have would not be large enough for everything you're wanting to fit. It would probably work if you wore the camera around your neck and packed everything else, though. Other stores do carry Vera, too, like Dillard's and Steinmart.
 
I would buy a bag your husband will carry! Maybe just a cross body messenger type bag with a insert in it for the camera. I carry a TON of gear with me sometimes so all my bags are pretty huge. I do agree the Epiphanie bags are heavy and the cross body strap is NOT that comfortable after a while with it being as heavy as it is.

My friend in Georgia has one of these for sale on Craigslist: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...ds=camera bag insert&sprefix=camera+b,aps,465 I could send you the link to it and a recommendation! I think its better to be more inconspicuous when traveling around in Europe with your camera gear and a regular messenger type bag would "blend in" better than a fancy camera bag.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Jill - I did think about Vera Bradley, because I'm a huge fan and already have a nice collection. :) However, unless I go with one of the solids my husband is never going to carry the bag. Plus the prints are such that unless I planned my whole wardrobe around the one I chose - everything would clash. I want to be in at least a few of these pictures this year. I will look while I'm at the mall today to see if they have anything though. There is an outlet store about 1.5 hours from me that I could check out as well.

Kim - I didn't even realize they made those. What a great option!

Keep the ideas coming!!
 
Definitely get one your husband will carry. Being the only one schleping around a camera bag for the sake of pretty is no way to spend a vacation. Wes is pretty comfortable in his manhood, but even he has limits. lol I'm not super girly, so that helps, too.

We have this one:


Sadly, it looks like it's not currently available on Amazon.

We take it with us on all our trips and because the exterior, canvas body has a little stiffness, it works well in the overhead bin. It's not all soft and squishy. It's a good size, not too large, not too small, holds our Canon Rebel, an extra lens, my wallet and a few small things I'd carry in a purse like lotion, chapstick, etc. It could also hold a bottle of water, but I would recommend putting a plastic baggie around the bottle of water before putting it in the bag in case it sweats a little.

It also has a large pocket on the backside of the bag where we put maps, tickets, etc. Keeps everything handy without having to open the bag. There are also two small snap pockets on each side where you could put little things.

We also considered this one:


Both bags look less like a camera bag and more like messenger bags that are all over Europe. At least they were the last time we were there.
 
Last edited:
I got a messenger bag from Main Street Camera on Etsy. I got the one in navy chevron, and it's great. It totally passes as an everyday bag, but keeps my camera safe & cozy. The only thing it doesn't have is a selection of pockets to hold stuff.
il_570xN.518459048_t8h5.jpg
 
joelsgirl said:
I got a messenger bag from Main Street Camera on Etsy. I got the one in navy chevron, and it's great. It totally passes as an everyday bag, but keeps my camera safe & cozy. The only thing it doesn't have is a selection of pockets to hold stuff.
il_570xN.518459048_t8h5.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link! Sooo many cute bags and inserts. I've been looking for a good camera bag as well.
 
Oh Jenn - love those two options. We need to do lunch/brunch again soon and you need to bring that bag so I can inspect it and try it out. *insert big cheesy grin*

Kellie - I might just *need* one of those for myself. ETA - ack! Doesn't zip at the top so not an option for Europe, but doesn't mean I'm not considering getting one anyway. They are so darn cute!!!

Now if only I had an endless supply of money. Right!!??? More lens and then more bags. :)
 
I have a Kelly Moore B-Hobo bag I use for everyday wear but I have the same issue you have, with the cross body strap not being comfortable enough for longer use, so in those cases I swear by my Crumpler 5 million dollar bag. It's a bit more utilitarian but I love it because the bag itself is light, the strap is thick and super comfortable, and Adam doesn't mind carrying it. I've used it in Korea, Japan, NYC, hiking, etc without any issues. It even kept my camera dry in a typhoon, haha. I've had mine 8 years and it's still going strong. :thumbup:

The 5 million is on the smaller side - it'll fit my Canon Rebel XT and an additional lens but not much else, so I'd probably go with the 6 million dollar one which is a little bit bigger:



Some other suggestions - if you're looking for a water bottle that won't sweat, I swear by this insulated Camelbak one. I carry it all the time in my Kelly Moore bag with ice in it in the dead of TX summer and still no condensation.

If you're looking for a good travel camera strap, I love my Black Rapid camera strap. Keeps the camera secure without all the fuss of moving the strap around to get to the camera.
 
Lynnette - I love your suggestions and that you've used your bag in so many places. I'll check it out!

Britanee - That Cheeky Lime original bag is mighty cute!
 
Like Lynnette I have a crumpler bag. It's wonderful and Paul has no problem carrying it around. :)

I also purchased a sling style backpack...If we are going hiking for the day, I usually put my camera in it so I don't have to worry about balancing when climbing up rocks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2026 XenForo Ltd.
Back
Top