Camera Bag

For a pro, my shout would be Domke for the bag, and if you must do digital, then a Canon 1D or 5DII...

For a keen amateur, I'd suggest Billingham or if slightly more street conscious, Crumpler do a really extensive range of bags including many sized rucksacks...As for the full frame camera, hmmm...again, I'd say Canon..Not sure what your likely budget is, but you could always look out for a used 5D mkI, lots going about now I would guess.....

Hope this helps, Steve.

For FF I'd ask what lenses you already have and perhaps why you need FF as there are good ultra wides that will get you close to normal and slightly wide? How often will you be shooting wider than an effective 28 mm? How large do you expect to print your pics?

All FF digital solutions are quite expensive but I quite like what the Nikons do but have not seen anything from the new Canon 5D.

You could be a luddite and just buy an analogue camera and scan - always FF then.

Take a look at the Lowepro Slingshot range - 3 different sizes. The weight is spread across the body and the camera is easy to get at.

A word of caution re the hang off one shoulder type of bag - it can cause severe back problems as the back is all the time trying to compensate for the weight. I have the tee shirt from such an experience coupled with carting a laptop around in a off the shoulder type bag.

Diccus
Camera bags seem to mutliply in my cupboard when I'm not looking! I use a couple of Billingham bags. My Nikon D3 lives in a Billingham 335, with 24-70 attached and a 14-24 alongside. The Speedlight and other stuff like a spare battery, extra CF cards etc fit in the front section.
I have a Kata backpack with an insert trolley which works well too.
Take a look at the ThinkTank range too. I had a look at their stuff at Focus on Imaging on Maonday and it is very well thought through.

As to FF cameras, I have as mentioned a D3, which is fantastic. However it is a big beastie. The D700 has the same sensor and comes in a more compact body (very similar to the D300 if you know that one). The criticism aimed by Canon fanboys at the D3 is that it is "only" a 12MP sensor. However that is what gives the D3 such oustanding image quality at high ISOs.
The new Canon 5DMk2 is getting good reviews and there are plenty of good comments around about the Sony Alpha900, which has lenses designed by Zeiss, and has a similar sensor (24MP or so) to the new Nikon D3x. However the latter retails at about £5k, which is a big chunk of cash.
The other thing to remember is that FF sensors, whatever their MPage, will show up any shortcomings in any less than stellar lenses. Also, the file size generated a FF RAW image is pretty big. Your computer will need to be powerful, with plenty of RAM and a big hard disk if you don't want to grow old waiting to process your images!

As always, you pays yer money and you takes yer choice. The other thing with going to FF is that you get a really bright viewfinder again. As Huw says, the other option is to shoot film and get a high quality scanner. I keep thinking I should do that, as I have some excellent Leica bodies and glass begging to be used again!

quote:

Originally posted by Diccus62:
Just wanted to buy a reasonable priced camera bag, for a camera and a couple of lenses. Any ideas?

Also where would you start looking for a full frame DSLR........not that I can afford one but wanted a baseline to start looking

Hi Diccus,
I have used several different ones over the years, and have found Lowepro to meet all my needs.

Take care

Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Derek Wright:
Take a look at the Lowepro Slingshot range - 3 different sizes. The weight is spread across the body and the camera is easy to get at.

I have lots of camera bags of all shapes and sizes. The Lowepro Slingshot is the one I use mostly - the others just gather dust. Just works well. I can fit a lot of gear in - SLR body, a few lenses and a flashgun and it is not too bulky and somehow works best.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Kelly:
As Huw says, the other option is to shoot film and get a high quality scanner. I keep thinking I should do that, as I have some excellent Leica bodies and glass begging to be used again!

Leica R9 prices and R-lenses are being slashed, my finger is twitching - up to 65% off from a popular German online shop.

If you plan to do a lot walking or traveling with your cameras then some kind of back-pack or similar would be a good idea - Lowepro are excellent, as has already been suggested.

for FF camera, it has to be the Canon 5d MK I or II - excellent quality, and as a 'prosumer' model not too big - (there's nothing worse than being mistaken for a pap!). I know plenty of pro's that use the 5D. Ignore the offerings from Nikon - they've lost so much ground over recent years by doggedly refusing to explore FF technology. With regard to the pro side, the only thing that's kept them going is their loyal band of followers that buy the brand come what may.

quote:

Originally posted by Huwge:
You could be a luddite and just buy an analogue camera and scan - always FF then.

This made me smile. Good friend/colleague of mine back in the UK always used to call himself a luddite....As we worked on his book and exhibition a few years back, I remember calling us romantic dinosaurs !

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Kelly:
As Huw says, the other option is to shoot film and get a high quality scanner. I keep thinking I should do that, as I have some excellent Leica bodies and glass begging to be used again!

Quite. I'm currently on the Imacon this week scanning the hi-res for another photographer's book. There is still nothing to touch it. And that's 35mm. I used to scan a lot of 5x4 in London, jaw dropping detail you could walk into. I've said it before, but until I see dig properly match film-Leica-Imacon, I'm not greatly interested...I guess many feel the same with their LP12's!

As my mate Tom use to say, "Digital, it will never catch on..!"

Steve.

Chaps

To my mind a Billingham bag scores way over the rest. It is of excellent quality, durable and looks a bit old fashioned which makes it less likely to attract the attention of toe rags.

Unfortunately the very latest models have a Billigham name plate on them which is plain bloody uncouth and defeats the purpose for which it was built.

Never the less, a Billingham is still your best bet.

Regards

Mick.

quote:

And that's 35mm. I used to scan a lot of 5x4 in London, jaw dropping detail you could walk into. I've said it before, but until I see dig properly match film-Leica-Imacon, I'm not greatly interested.

The 5x4 is that good because the lenses used are superior to anything offered by "internal focusing" designed ones. Proper use of hi-end digital is far superior to anything offered by film and especially the greatly compromised 35mm size. This has been the case for years now.

Any decent camera bag will do. Just make sure it's designed well enough to protect from rain and that the internal isn't lined with some garbage material which either/both a)gently rubs the edges of your camera and lenses, b)slowly releases micro fibres that kindly find their way into your equipment.

Sorry Mick the Billingham can lead you into major back problems.

It encourages one to carry too much kit, it sits on one shoulder dragging it down and causing one to compensate with the way that you hold your back. It is a great bag for the press as it works as a bucket at your side for you to put your kit in. Also easy for light fingers to lift the odd lens etc.

I have used the Slingshot while walking around towns, leaping in and out of Zodiac launches onto rocks and the kit stayed dry and safe. In towns I can shift the bag to my front so that I can see if light fingers are at work. The Billingham will always be at your side.

I have had two Billinghams as well as the Lowepros and also the spinal fusion.

quote:

Originally posted by count.d:
The 5x4 is that good because the lenses used are superior to anything offered by "internal focusing" designed ones.

As well as the obvious fact that the film is 13 times larger than 35mm...

Majority of dig backs are still only 70% coverage of 5x4, although of course with multiple scans the dynamic range can arguably match or out perform film...But how much is the new Blad 50Mb back, or even the Phase P45..?

The Red is another matter...although again, another cost...

Neither would be much fun walking around a refugee camp etc with (unless your name is Simon Norfolk), hence my reference, and preference, for the Leica-Imacon route...And people soon give up asking to see the 'picture on the screen'...

Anyway, I digress...Apologies for the hijack.

Derek

I am surprised at your comments on back ache.

I have a Billingham Alice and I carry a Leica M6 camera plus 3 lenses and a 10x25 Leica binocular in it and have never suffered from back ache and I am an old wreck of 60 years.

Regards

Mick

quote:

The 5x4 is that good because the lenses used are superior to anything offered by "internal focusing" designed ones. Proper use of hi-end digital is far superior to anything offered by film and especially the greatly compromised 35mm size. This has been the case for years now.

count, you took the words right out of my mouth. It might cost the earth but a P45/65 + Rodenstock/Schnieder lenses exceeds even 10x8 sheet film, let alone 35mm.

"Neither would be much fun walking around a refugee camp etc with (unless your name is Simon Norfolk),..."

I'd say it can't be much fun walking around being Simon Norfolk , unless you like your modernist art served up with nice sickly slice of Norfolk cheese.

I have hung camera bags and laptop bags off my right shoulder for too many years - to such an extent that my spine is stressed and curved to compensate for the unequal loading.

I have just had a look at the Alice bag - it is relatively small, I was using the 335 or 445 type of bag.

I think it is a function of how heavy the bag and contents are and for how long one wears the bag. Lots of airport terminals involves one in quite a few long walks with the overloaded shoulder bag.

Thanks folks, i'll have to sort something. I was a bit worried about the children and dog throwing sand around today with my D40 slung round my neck

quote:

Leica R9 prices and R-lenses are being slashed, my finger is twitching - up to 65% off from a popular German online shop.

It's a great system Huw. The glass has most of the the things that make M glass so great, except the size obviously. For all its faults, the R9/DMR makes some great images for me, when I remeber to give it an outing! As an old fart, I find the MF very nostalgic! But not hard to re-learn at all! I also have an adapter that allows me to mount the R glass on my Olympus E3 body. The 90 f2 then works as 180 f2 - nice!

quote:

Originally posted by Huwge:
Leica R9 prices and R-lenses are being slashed, my finger is twitching - up to 65% off from a popular German online shop.

Really...? Hmmm...I've never liked the R's post the R6, but have always fancied a R6.2 and the 60mm...Couldn't afford it back in the day, plus the M's were my priority, but perhaps they are going pretty cheap now.....

For Bags it really depends on what you need.
I do have Kata bags for all occasions, very well made, lighter and more robust than Lowerpro IMO.
As for full frame camera, 5DII. But do you really need full frame?

quote:

Originally posted by Diccus62:
Just wanted to buy a reasonable priced camera bag, for a camera and a couple of lenses. Any ideas?

Most people will simply tell you what they have. So buy a Crumpler.

Crumpler makes you Sexy

I do have a big Billingham but I realised that it was stopping me taking pictures. It was too big which meant that it held too much. And it doesn't balance right when put on my shoulder.

I now have two Crumplers. One that will just hold a camera and zoom that I can take everywhere. Another that will take the camera and three lenses and flash but that actualy goes over a shoulder across the body helping to spread the weight. I also like the secure feel that causes me not to worry in bad weather or busy crowds.

I have a Crumpler as well - rucksack style and I use it when I go on holiday. It does look good but it is not so easy getting the camera out of the bag in a hurry.

quote:

Originally posted by Manu:
But do you really need full frame?

probably not. I'm just looking for the best quality photo I can get for without being technical.

diccus

quote:

I'm just looking for the best quality photo I can get for without being technical.

Would a tripod and cable release help you reach the quality and standard you seek without being too technical? I have no idea if modern cameras still accommodate such accessories but if they do then a fullframe body and attachments may not be needed.

quote:

Originally posted by Lontano:
it is not so easy getting the camera out of the bag in a hurry.

well I did claim that it seemed secure