I currently have the Lowepro CompuDay 250 which is really hard to replace but as it’s now 8 years old, I need something new.
The CompuDay is unique as it has a side compartment bug enough for a camera and one lens and the rest acts like a normal backpack. Ideally I’d like something like this again but smaller, sadly Lowepro doesn’t seem to make any like this.
The closet I can see is the Manfrotto but I was wondering if anyone owns it and had some impressions to share? I also use a LowePro camera sleeve most of the time and just put that in a normal backpack which I’m thinking of doing still as most camera bags, even day backpacks seem to have dividers which I don’t like as I rarely carry more than 1 small prime.
p.1 #3 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
Thanks for the links but yeah those still aren’t what I like, I should have specified it want something around 18L, 20L Max.
The Lowepro Tahoe BP150 is nice externally but sadly it has dividers inside.
Ideally I want something with a very minimalistic exterior and and pretty much the same internally. All the brands I’ve checked like Lowepro, Manfrotto, Think Tank have nothing but wasn’t sure if someone knows of a brand that does these style of casual bags or has tried that Manfrotto one.
p.1 #4 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
Photosbydlee wrote:
Thanks for the links but yeah those still aren’t what I like, I should have specified it want something around 18L, 20L Max.
The Lowepro Tahoe BP150 is nice externally but sadly it has dividers inside.
Ideally I want something with a very minimalistic exterior and and pretty much the same internally. All the brands I’ve checked like Lowepro, Manfrotto, Think Tank have nothing but wasn’t sure if someone knows of a brand that does these style of casual bags or has tried that Manfrotto one.
Maybe not quite right but I'm liking the Tenba Fulton 14L and tempted to try one out. I think based on what I see the dividers can be configured up into the top pack, meaning you could also section it off for just a single prime etc.
p.1 #5 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
I just bought a Lowepro protactic 350 II. (16L) https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/protactic-bp-350-aw-ii-black-lp37176-pww/
Immediately realized it's smaller than I had planned and really want the 450.
I got it used so I've been using it for the last week till the 450 comes in to my local shop.
So right now I've got the 350 loaded with a d750 w/L-bracket and 85 f1.4 mounted. a 50mm f1.8, 24mm f1.8, charger, batteries, power bank, laptop and power adapter, card wallet, couple filters, leatherman tool and some lens cleaning stuff. I have room in the top for my lunch, the bottle holder and space to lash a coat to on the outside. It's the perfect every day bag and I'm still buying the 450 to be my job bag in which I can carry the above + 70-200 f2.8, 17-35 f2.8, strobe, and extra body with room to spare.
Best bag I've ever had hands down and I have a 35yo magnum.
p.1 #6 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
Good to hear you’re happy with it! Although 16L is quite ideal it’s got dividers so wouldn’t have worked for me.
I went to quite a few stores over the weekend and couldn’t find any camera bag that suited what I like so I just got this normal backpack and will continue to use the Lowepro camera sleeve.
p.1 #7 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
Photosbydlee wrote:
it’s got dividers so wouldn’t have worked for me.
Totally customizeable, they all come out but then doesn't every camera backpack use velcro dividers? Even the modular ones use dividers in the inserts. Not tryingt to be a jerk, genuinely curious as to your opposition to dividers because that cuts your # of potential packs to look at by like 90% doesn't it? And then if you go modular there are the dividers again right?
Someone could seriously write a book about the psychology of photographers and their bags. I know I'm super particular about it.
That said...
On the protactic one of the dividers is perfectly designed to go across horizontally. With just that it's a 2 compartment bag. I use it 1/3 the way down to seperate camera gear on bottom from an open space on top for personal items/lunch. Took me 4 tries taking all the dividers out and starting fresh to make it just right for me. I used most of the dividers but only because it's an emergency kit I could shoot a job with with lots of small things that divide up nicely and need protection. Some of the dividers act as lids for compartments. I plan on taking most of the lower dividers out so I can carry my nodal ninja & body w/24mm in the bottom part and do more remote panos. Haven't had a good way to carry the NN (bulky in it's case and heavy) but decided to take it out of it's really nice case and wrap each part in color coded lens wraps to pack more efficiently.
p.1 #8 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
Panorascal wrote:
Totally customizeable, they all come out but then doesn't every camera backpack use velcro dividers? Even the modular ones use dividers in the inserts. Not tryingt to be a jerk, genuinely curious as to your opposition to dividers because that cuts your # of potential packs to look at by like 90% doesn't it? And then if you go modular there are the dividers again right?
Someone could seriously write a book about the psychology of photographers and their bags. I know I'm super particular about it.
That said...
On the protactic one of the dividers is perfectly designed to go across horizontally. With just that it's a 2 compartment bag. I use it 1/3 the way down to seperate camera gear on bottom from an open space on top for personal items/lunch. Took me 4 tries taking all the dividers out and starting fresh to make it just right for me. I used most of the dividers but only because it's an emergency kit I could shoot a job with with lots of small things that divide up nicely and need protection. Some of the dividers act as lids for compartments. I plan on taking most of the lower dividers out so I can carry my nodal ninja & body w/24mm in the bottom part and do more remote panos. Haven't had a good way to carry the NN (bulky in it's case and heavy) but decided to take it out of it's really nice case and wrap each part in color coded lens wraps to pack more efficiently....Show more →
All good! For me I just like a normal backpack that has a slot for one camera and a small prime, I never carry anything more unless I’m traveling. Even then I keep a normal backpack in my luggage to use for the majority of the trip and just use the CompuDay on the plane.
If you see it’s like any other backpack but it has that one side slot to hold a camera. I like how it opens from the top like a normal bag and can even be used as a normal one, but has that one side slot for a camera. I love minimalistic stuff and anything with too many zips/straps is just off putting for me.
If I could make my perfect bag, it would be just like the a CompuDay internally with no external pockets or chest support strap, just a very clean minimal design.
p.1 #9 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
For a casual bag, I use a [url=https://www.timbuk2.com/products/1108-classic-messenger-bag]Timbuk2 Classic Messenger bag[/url. They used to sell camera inserts but no more although they are readily available from B&H Photo or you can get custom sizes on Etsy. Timbuk2 also has velcro strips that you can use on the messenger to allow opening the bag silently. This is very incognito.
Apr 13, 2021 at 08:41 PM
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p.1 #10 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
I went the backpack route, with a Brevite Jumper Photo backpack. It is very low key. To be honest, the concept is much better than the execution, and the dividers are super flimsy. I really only got it for the side-access zipper and modified most of the interior using other dividers I had laying around, but now it's perfect. Take one shoulder strap off and a quick unzip, snap, put the camera back, carry on. The rest of the time, I'm just carrying a backpack like most everyone else is anyway. I like that it doesn't scream CAMERA BAG and I don't have to wear my camera on a strap for quick access.
p.1 #11 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
Try an Osprey or Gregory pack and add a small case for the actual camera. Will carry far better than any camera backpack.
I have an 18L Gregory Miwok. It's my day hike and trade show bag. Good for a minimal kit, with small tripod, jacket, food and water. My 14" laptop fits perfectly in the bladder pouch add in some work supplies, camera and a baby tripod and ready to work a trade show.
p.1 #12 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
I use 22 Litre Osprey pack and just put my cameras and lenses into neoprene wraps. Works great and you don't stand out from the rest of the crowd that is carrying a dirty old pack.
p.1 #13 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
+1 on using a regular hiking pack. Much better load carrying and balance. The Domke wraps work great for stowing gear in a standard hiking pack too. I picked up a bunch of large 'used' ones off ebay that were used once to ship something and are in like new condition for $10 each. I also picked up a Thinktank camera holster that attaches to the sternum strap for when I want to have quick access to my camera while I hike.
p.1 #14 · Casual camera bag with minimalist design?
When I go hiking and skiing, I use a Lowepro passport sling. It is super comfortable and I can hardly feel it. It can carry a lot with the insert taken out. I can put in a travel tripod up t0 17", a mirrorless camera with 2 lenses (wrapped in Dome wraps). Because it is a hybrid shoulder-sling bag, it is very easy to reach the gear.
