Travel bag for DSLR + equipment
 

I typically lug my camera around my neck when out and about on trips. This usually leads to much discomfort by the end of the day and I promised myself I wouldn't do this anymore on future trips. Does anyone have good recommendations for backpacks, etc that may offer a better option? Our next vacation is to Paris and London for a total of two weeks.
thank you b.

I really like the Lowe pro sling bags, such as this one
http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Slings...ingshot+aw+200

They come in different sizes, and are very easy to access and comfortable to wear.

Also, do you use a neck strap or a sling? I've become a huge fan of sling style straps such as those from luma or black rapid. Way more comfortable for carrying the camera for long periods than a neck strap.

I agree with the sling strap. I use a Luma Labs strap. They have a new one now I see.
I like mine and it attaches to the QR plate on the camera so I don't have to take it off to put the camera on the tripod. But they are all much of a muchness.

There are other possibilities like the Capture clip, or the B grip, which clip to your belt.

I have a few camera bags. The back pack I use is a discontinued Tamrac Adventure 6, but I find that too big for city use, even though it is carry on legal. Backpacks are a pain in the city.
There are camera hip bags (fanny packs) if you aren't carrying a lot of gear.

Alternatively consider buying a camera insert and use a non branded messenger or other bag. That way you aren't advertising what you are carrying. I use a large handbag a lot of the time for that reason.

We use a Lowe pro sling bag which is big enough to hold spare batteries and any filters. The zipper round the top can be a pain to unzip so hopefully is reasonably secure when the camera is inside. If we want to carry the telephoto lens or flash we have a slash proof secure bum bag which we use. (The term fanny pack is regarded as rude in UK)

We also have a rucksac which we use to carry all the additional camera equipment (flash, telephoto lens) plus laptop, and use this as one of our carry on bags when flying. But we wouldn't want to carry this around every day.

Another yes for the Low Pro passport sling bag. I bought one for my 6 week trip last year and it worked a treat.

It was big enough to hold my camera (with 2 lens) and also little bits & pieces and a bottle of water.

I also bought a black rapid camera strap which meant I could carry by camera across my body, which I find more comfortable.

http://www.blackrapid.com/

My vote for the Lowepro Passport Sling bag.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...iii_black.html
I carried it for my 6 week trip to the U.S.A. in cities and hiking in the national parks. I also stuffed a tablet in it on flights.
It expands (zipper) and in the evening when I (female) didn't take the camera, I would close the zipper and used it as a regular handbag. But I also saw on Youtube guys dragging it around jungles. So it suits everyone.
Any sling bag is great for getting at your camera quickly.

thank you for all your responses. Looks like Lowepro it is!

I have an Olympus bag that was actually designed for the PEN range, but I know it also comes in a larger size (linked below) so the bigger one might work for DSLR if you are not planning on carting a lot of lenses and accessories. The reason I recommend this is because it comes on a very long strap and can actually be worn cross body/messenger style. It's also pretty cool looking - retro stripey exterior, funky padded neon orange interior.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...=sr_1_7&sr=8-7

It does rather advertise what's in it though doesn't it RM67?

I have a messenger bag I use sometimes with a photo insert. I also use the insert in a big handbag, which can also carry my 11" laptop.

I guess it depends on how much gear you want to take on holiday and or carry around with you. I tend to pack up the rucksack with gear for travelling then take what I might need with me in another bag when walking around.
I always take several lenses and filters with me, plus spare batteries, a charger, a flash and a tripod though.

If you only have one camera and maybe an extra lens a good backpack works well. Plus it doesn't shout I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE CAMERA IN HERE. I have used a piece of minicell foam cut to the size of the bottom of the pack. It cushions the camera when you set down the bag. Or stuff a rain jacket or other clothing in the bag to protect the camera. Another thing is you can carry other items in the bag and a regular backpack usually has storage on the sides for a water bottle.

I have a North Face Recon backpack but that is probably overkill.

To be realistic about this repeatedly getting your camera out to take pictures screams 'I have an expensive camera' so worrying about whether a logo'd bag is going to draw unwanted attention is probably moot.

My camera hangs from its sling strap, ever ready. The rest of the gear (which includes lenses worth a lot more than the body) doesn't need to be advertised.

Another vote for the Lowepro Passport sling. It holds my Canon Rebel plus an extra lens, battery, memory card, plus all my "stuff" (wallet, maps, etc). I love that it expands in the back if I need it to, and really love that it doesn't scream "camera bag!!" Plus the sling aspect makes it good for hiking or hauling stuff around airports/train stations, and it's easy to swing around to the front of your body on crowded metro trains and places like that. The water bottle pocket and exterior slash pockets are really nice too. I've had mine since 2010 and it's held up great on multiple trips.