I'm planning to design a prototype for the new line of bags for digital/film photography. I would appreciate your suggestions to make production feasible.

Would also help if you would tell us what equipment/stuff you usually bring on your typical photo "session". I plan to start on a general application bags to cater to most of us then later on to more specialized line.

Its very easy to copy designs from Lowepro and Tamrac but I know most of us would like to see unique and well-designed Philippine-made pro-grade camera packs in the market. So I'm inspired to make a start.

Although there would be lots of factors in order for this to materialize like material and labor cost. But who knows, someday it might become a reality.

So, let's shoot! :)

A bag that doesn't yell "CAMERA! STEAL ME!"

this could be a hard one as there seems so many available but no perfect one yet. Certainly not for every need and occasion.
I'd like to encourage the enterpreneurial spirit in you to try to build a better one.
Of course i think you'll end up with designs for several needs and occasions. i have several myself but i can't help but think there's got to be something better out there.

For me, i don't want a luggage to carry everything. Portability is very important, I want to be able to use it with only a laptop inside or camera or both. At this point, I'm looking towards the crumpler brands "sinking barge", i don't know if it's available locally. It seems to be a back pack that is easily acccessible, it can carry a small laptop and maybe 2 lenses, offers enough padding for the equipment and doesn't look like a camera bag. Now that laptops are becoming essentially part of the photographers equipment, i can't imagine a camera bag that doesn't give the option to carry one.

i have the lowepro offtrail II, lowepro computrekker and the lowepro compudaypack.

Hmm, I'm thinking that an all-in-one bag with removable modules would be great.

For example, we have a photo-laptop backpack with add-ons like that of Tamrac's M.A.S. When we need the camera and the laptop, we bring the whole thing. But when we need the camera only, we can detach the module that holds the camera and bring that and leave the laptop. If we need the laptop only, we bring that module only. And we can use the "add-ons" as needed.

And yeah, a camera bag that doesn't scream "STEAL ME" would be okay too as Alvin has mentioned.

Thanks for the ideas, keep 'em coming. Gonna come out with a prototype soon :-)

I would like a bag that I wouldn't have to put down if I need to get my camera. something like what I'm using now, the slingshot. Weatherproofing is a must! :D

Dex

I would like a bag that I wouldn't have to put down if I need to get my camera. something like what I'm using now, the slingshot. Weatherproofing is a must! :D

Dex

I've been using the slingshot AW200, it's very convenient and no need to put down your bag when loading/unloading your gear. It's available in Quiapo, henry's has some stocks.

gil, i have it's smaller brother :D and I love it that's why i suggested it in this thread as part-basis for rain's bag prototype. thanks for the concern. :)

I saw this japanese photographer's bag. it's small and only fits his camera with battery grip, and a lens that is up to 70mm i think. It was like a belt bag but the bag portion is in his thigh. the other end of the bag is tied to his leg. it looks like a swat team member's pistol or an mmda's ticket bag, the one that is tied to the leg and the waist. i know it won't fit many items but, i like the style as being handy and the quick-draw-shoot thing effect. hehe.

oh, one more thing, not too expensive. :)

consider the lowepro line. novas are good and the slingshot is perfect!

maybe you can make the strap more fexible for shoulder/ sling and back pack type mounts. convenience in accessing the compartments especially the cam body is also key like the slingshot where you can just zip open the main compartment and your ready to pull the cam and your ready to shoot.

bag can also double as an improvised tripod of sorts when you dont have one handy..

make that padded part of the slingshot longer, mine's too short as I've a big body :D and a cellphone pocket!

For me check out the lowepro back packs and mix the designs of the deuter climbing packs with the screen on the back so as the bag has air passing thru at your back so you dont sweat.

Water proofing is also a must.

chest and waist traps.
the back of the backpack hugs the shape of the body.
dual compartment (meaning the lower part of the bag contains all of your gear and the upper part can be used to store clothes, etc)

a sling bag like the velocity series, but with extra compartments for an extra shirt and a towel :)

check out the Crumpler line. Expensive but well built. Pulido ika nga :Grin:

hi rain, i go for the idea of fidel. i would like to see a bag that grows with my gear. for the moment, i have a tamrac velocity 7 and a separate bag for my laptop. if at all possible, i would like to have a backpack for the laptop which can attach a sling bag which holds the cam during travel then it is removable during the shoot so i dont have to carry the laptop anymore.

i also agree with dex on the waterproofing and a bag that doesnt scream "steal me"

if a test unit will be made, please let me know.

hope it comes out soon

How about something that is foldable and expandable? Something that would give extra space if you unfold a part of it. This way you dont have to buy so many bags. And hopefully, inner padding is available so that the user could customize the internal padding.

If you could copy the suspension of the Mountain Hardware packs and the hipbelt of Osprey packs then i would be very happy. I havent found a camera backpack with a good suspension and harness/hipbelt. With all those heavy cameras and lenses you need an excellent backpack harness. Waterproof zippers is a plus.

And the most important! Should be cheaper than those currently available :)

It would seem that from the mix of ideas and opinions here, you should be designing a full and new line of camera bags and not a single bag to fit all the different requirements.
Dependencies would be on application, equipment to be placed inside and personal preferences of each person.

Happy designing

:Grin:

Maybe you can get some ideas from my experience with the bags i have owned:

Lowepro Mini Trekker backpack - Sturdy, hard wearing material, good padding and firm dividers. Access required putting it down. Some sort of elastic retianer for the compartments would be nice. I once picked it up when it was open (my fault) and my lens flew out. :(

Lowpro Nova series - Same hard wearing materials, compact size (but the larger sizes were awkward to carry at hip level). The zipper on the main compartment is hard to open one handed as it makes 90 deg. turns.

Tamrac Velocity - I had the 9 and while it carried a lot of gear it never felt secure. The padding and dividers were all soft and the bag would sag to one side when loaded unless you perfectly balanced the gear inside. The single strap design gave me back-pains if i used it for more than an hour. The three clip-style locks for the main compartment were a hassle to unlock, If you only keep one locked you risk spilling gear while swinging it to the access position.

Crumpler $M Home - I have the $7M. Less obtrusive vs. the equivalent LP Nova, both in terms of size and appearance. Easy to get to the camera with the simple but secure single velcro closure (I dont use the clip). Good amount of padding but the padded shoulder strap slips off my shoulder. Outside materials are pretty hard wearing but becasue of the colors they can easily get dirty (I have the oatmeal color). The inner dividers are a good thickness and rigidity but easily get dirty. I'd like more weather proofing particularly at the sides of the main flap (or an optional rain cover).

:)

i'd like to see a well padded messenger bag. something along the lines of a timbuk2 that'll protect the cam from a short fall. a cross strap for stability would be good. i think our bicycle riding photogs would appreciate this. :)

Maybe you can integrate the concept of the Pacsafe bags... with metal lining (not sure) so that it can't be slashed.