I need a bag for college to hold books and camera (UPDATE: SOLVED)

[wgilles]

I have embraced the "bring your camera everywhere" idea and now I'm in a pickle. I got a MB-D10 for my D300 for Xmas and now it won't fit in my small bag that I just stuffed in my backpack. I usually just take my camera and a 16-85VR lens attached to the camera to school with me. Now I will have the MB-D10 battery pack on the bottom so I am looking for a packback that doesn't cost 200 dollars to hold my camera and some books and a notebook (notebook as in paper notebook). Only 2 or 3 books at the most. Any ideas? Want to spend 100 or less.

After doing some research on B&H I found this
http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?Version=Photo&p_Id=401
Does anyone have it? Will it be able to hold a book or 2 and a notepad in that back compartment and the D300 with the grip?

I ended up buying the Kata bag I listed here. It is amazing.
Right now I have my D300 (w/ MB-D10 grip) with my 16-85 attached, 70-300 VR, SB-600 Flash, 50 1.8, extension tubes, and various other knick knacks with lots of room to spare. I also have my MacBook Pro, a notebook, and room for 2 books in the back!

 

[Big Daddy]

Hmmm most bags are sized for more lenses but it sounds like you have one modest sized lens there.

Suggestions:

http://products.lowepro.com/product/CompuDaypack,1922,16.htm

Not sure if the above will fit the body + grip. There's this larger one:

http://products.lowepro.com/product/CompuRover-AW,1923,16.htm

This might not squeeze in your books:

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-250,2086,14.htm

I own a Fastpack 200 which is the 250 without the notebook compartment, as well as the 350 which is bigger. If you tell me how big the books are, I can see if I have similar sized ones and if they fit. They will definitely handle the body plus grip.

This will only hold a smaller notebook:

http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?p_Id=329&Version=Photo

 

[wgilles]

Thanks for the links. I realized in my original post I put notebook, but I meant a notebook to write in.

 

[Jaws]

The Adventure Series Backpacks from Tamrac might meet your needs.

http://www.tamrac.com/frame_adv.htm

They have storage for your camera on the bottom half, and storage for your other items on the top half. Some of them even have a laptop compartment in the back portion of the bag. You'll have to check their interior dimensions to see if they will properly hold both your camera with the grip and your books.

I believe Lowepro also has some bags which use this style which you may want to check to see if they offer something that would interest you.

 

[wgilles]

Thanks, I will check those out. I have a Tamrac adventure backpack, a smaller one, but it doesn't hold anything of value in the laptop compartment, it's too tight.

 

[Carole]

I have a Tamrac Adventure Messenger 5. Not sure how big your books are, but there is enough room for a laptop computer, so you might fit your books and everything in there

Carole

 

[Amarok]

nah you just need to get a D40 as your every where lug around lol...

 

[wgilles]

nah you just need to get a D40 as your every where lug around lol...

Getting a new bag is cheaper :biggrin:

 

[lawrenc]

Will-

you might think about getting a bag of anysort that works for you, and using something like this:

Crumpler Bucket

to make it camera friendly,

or use something like this:

OP/Tech Pouches

and throw it in any old bag you like...

Lawrence

 

[IXthEvil]

I'd do this too as I'm "self-proclaimed" (haha) event photographer at my university. The only problem I'd have with any of the bags is that when I eat at the dining hall I'm required to leave my bags (no matter what it is) at the front.. =\ that's a no no to me. I had the compudaypack and it was nerveracking... so the next day I sold it and bought a Lowepro Rezo 170 AW. It won't fit a D300+MBD10 but it allows me to sneak into a dining hall w/ my camera on my hip. Iono I thought I'd bring that point up as I went down this way too.

The 170 definitely won't fit a D300+grip but a 190 might...
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Rezo-190 AW,2010.htm

good luck searching.. I might have to look for a new bag too soon. :x Stupid MBD80 grip... lol

 

[wgilles]

I ended up getting the Kata DR-467 from B&H. You get a free Bogen monopod with it! If it doesn't work for me I will return it, but I hope it does because I can use the monopod.

 

[PDuany]

Not a camera bag

The "Brain bag" by tom Bihn

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/_all/TB0104

While it is not a camera bag is a hugh well made bag that could easily fit what you want. I put over 100,000 air miles on while traveling for work. Other then being a little dirty it shows no sign of wear. The other thing I like about it, and one reason I got it is that it doesn't look like a bag that has electronics inside. With a lot of bags it is very easy to tell those that make a tempting theft target and those that don't.

Another company is:

http://www.redoxx.com/

While I can not vouch for their backpack line, I have their carry on luggage.
It is a little pricey but well made, and thought out.

hope this helps

 

[bdelva]

Hey Will, let me know how many books will that bag hold once you get 'cause I've been looking for one to take to school too.

 

[iShoot]

Get the Tenba Messenger Bag

 

[wgilles]

Get the Tenba Messenger Bag

I looked at those but wanted a backpack because I hate putting my weight on one shoulder.

 

[wgilles]

Ended up buying the Kata Bag, I did a real small review up top

 

[Carole]

This is exactly what I've been looking for. I just ordered one from Amazon as they had more options as far as color choices were concerned. And a number of them included the monopod. On B&H only the black included the monopod. I got the black with red trim. There is a rebate right now that goes until 2/28. You get $10 back, so this is a good deal. I found the rebate form on B&H and it doesn't stipulate where you have to buy it. So if you want more color choices, order from Amazon and download the rebate form from B&H.

Carole

 

[Pianisimo]

Thanks, Will. I've always eyed that Kata bag, but that looks perfect for next year when I go off to college with my D300 (and hopefully a grip by then ).