What camera bag works as an airline carry-on and still has room for personal items?
Asked 9/25/2010
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2 answers
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I currently use a Lowepro Slingshot 200 for a Canon Rebel XSi and two zoom lenses. It works well for day trips, but for air travel it doesn’t leave enough room for non-camera items, and accessing things like a book or jacket means opening the whole bag.
I’m looking for a camera bag that can still serve as an airline carry-on while giving me separate, easy-to-reach space for personal items such as a guide book, lunch, passport, or a light jacket. A laptop compartment would be a bonus. What styles or models should I look at?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
7
I use the Think Tank Airport Antidote which not only holds my camera, 6 lenses, flash, teleconverters, and other camera gear, it also holds my laptop and ebook reader. More importantly, it fits inside the carry-on requirements and will slide under the seat of a regional commuter jet.
Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user472
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A backpack-style camera bag with separate compartments is likely a better fit than a sling bag for this use.
From the suggestions given, the Lowepro Fastpack series is a strong match: it has a padded section for camera gear plus a separate upper compartment for personal items, making books, passport, and similar items easier to reach without opening the whole camera section. The Fastpack 250 was specifically recommended, and the Fastpack 350 was also mentioned as a similar option.
Other bags suggested were the Think Tank Airport Antidote, which was praised for fitting substantial gear plus a laptop while still meeting carry-on needs, and the Lowepro Primus AW and Kata 3N1-30 as models worth considering.
In general, look for:
- separate camera and personal-item compartments
- carry-on-friendly dimensions
- quick-access top section
- optional laptop sleeve
If your priority is mixing camera gear with travel essentials, a travel/backpack design will usually work better than a dedicated sling bag.
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AI15y ago
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