Q: I was really inspired by your recent post about the things you guys use on a daily basis and it really got me thinking about the 20 year old Jansport bag I've been lugging around all this time. For one, my laptop and dSLR literally receive no protection aside from the cheap neoprene cases I put them in. Do you know any good bags that can hold both a laptop and a dSLR, while also providing plenty of protection?
A: Hey Miles,
We've definitely got your back covered in the bag department (no pun intended). Here are a few really nice ones we've seen on the web these past few months:
Incase recently released a their Ari Marcopoulos Camera Bag ($149), with plenty of space for your Macbook and mountains of film (if you still carry it) if needed. Available for preorder now.
Crumpler also makes a pretty sweet one. It has room for literally every dSLR piece of equipment we can think of. This one's the Customary Barge Deluxe ($295).
Finally, one of our all time favorites is Kata's Sensitivity V Camera and Laptop Backpack ($100), which has plenty of room for a laptop and a dSLR with a couple lenses and extra pocket for any other stuff you need to carry. We've owned this bag for about a year now and absolutely love it.
Have a recommendation in the camera/laptop bag category? Let us know in the comments!
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Surprisingly.. national geographic makes some really nice backpack style bags that have camera and laptop compartments. plus, they don't look like camera bags.
Digital Photography School Just reviewed a Think Tank bag that they liked:
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/think-tank-photo-sling-o-matic-review
Lowe makes several different ones that are nice too. I own one (can't remember which exactly) that I've been very happy with.
I also have an older Boblbee Metropolis (http://www.boblbee.com/us/default.asp) which while not explicitly a camera / laptop bag, it works well for it, especially when cycling and there's a chance they might be subjected to a fall or some other such trauma.
this is an interesting list...I'd like to see it expanded as I am looking for this exact thing. I've been carrying 2 separate bags to carry my DSLR and Macbook and I'm ready for a change...I love the Kata, but my Macbook won't fit and the other Kata bags aren't as...interesting.
Any other suggestions?
After looking at the prices, a free one that I got from a friend after she graduated seems to be perfect.
The best camera and laptop bags are ones that don't scream: there's a fancy piece of technology in here that wants to be stolen. Think outside the box - padded lunch bags, purses, zipping totes, custom made insides, etc - and you'll save a bunch of money too. In college, my photo professor actually disallowed his students from using a camera bag for this very reason.
Timbik2 makes great bags, laptop cases, sleeves, travel bags, etc in various sizes and can be customized for color, lining, embroidery, etc...
...and they're Made in San Francisco!
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/home
Lowepro has some decent camera bags.
Just bought the Pro Runner 200 AW backpack.
I have the Crumpler sinking barge and I LOVE it for wandering around campus.
Crumpler bags are the best!
http://www.crumpler.com/us/Camera-Bags.html?LanguageCode=EN
I swear by Domke bags for my camera gear which are designed with a photojournalist in mind. Although I don't always carry a laptop, there are several that could work for that combination.
Timbuk2 or Tom Bihn. Both make awesome laptop bags and I heard that one of them (I forget which) is coming out with a camera insert for their bags, supposedly by the end of the month.
http://www.kellymoorebag.com
love my crumpler. i have the 6 million dollar home but they have versions that will carry a laptop as well.
Tenba makes an insert for your camera gear that's compatible with Timbuk2 and other messenger bags, for avoiding that "I've got an expensive camera in here!" look. And very inexpensive at $22.
http://www.tenba.com/products/Messenger--Removable-Photo-Insert.aspx
I have gotten a camera bag that fits my laptop, 2 lenses, camera, flash and some of my kid's stuff from a new brand called Portare. The bag doesn't look like a camera bag and comes with a rain cover that was already tested at Niagara Falls. Great deal for a great price. I paid only $99.00. Check it out at amazon: portare bag