Combo laptop + camera bag?

Rob-F

Rob-F

Likes Leicas
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For travel. I'm thinking of airline carryon size as I write this. What makes sense: a shoulder bag, or a backpack? I haven't seen any such bags, so I'm just guessing. Probably a shoulder bag wouldn't be big enough for both cameras and laptop. And I wouldn't really go shooting with a laptop on my shoulder. Maybe a carryon backpack for transport purposes, and a separate small shoulder bag packed empty in checked luggage for shooting upon arrival.

What's out there that can be recommended? What do others do?
 
Depends on what else you want to carry

Depends on what else you want to carry

I've been thinking about this also, I don't I've found the perfect solution for me yet.

First of all, in addition to the laptop (what size?) what camera gear do you intend to carry? Once you identify this I'm quite sure there'll others who'll chime in.
Depending on amount of gear, you could get away with a messenger bag with tenba photo insert. Or get a Kata DR-467. Or try the Domke website, quite sure they have a bag that could carry your laptop.

For me, I rarely bring my laptop with me when I'm out and about shooting, so I use a separate laptop bag.
I just purchased a Lowe Pro Photo Runner- it's small, compact, comes with a shoulder strap or can be used as a waist pack. I can carry my Pentax DSLR with a zoom (16-45mm)+ couple of primes and my Oly 35RC or Rollei 35. I'm quite sure my just purchased Leica CL could fit in there also, but in place of the Oly or Rollei. If I decide to go MF, It will also fit my Hassy 503 with 60/3.5, Gossen meter,, + Leica CL or Oly 35 RC/Rollei 35
 
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The laptop is a 13" Macbook. I'd probably want to carry it plus two Leica bodies and about 4 lenses, maybe 5. And a D-Lux 3 and D-Lux 4. A couple of pockets for small items like a Blackberry, notepad, pen, film, etc.
 
One of the reasons why I like the Bare Bones Bag is that I can actually lay it flat and pack it into another bag, then pull it out and carry what I need for that outing.
 
Rob-F said:
The laptop is a 13" Macbook. I'd probably want to carry it plus two Leica bodies and about 4 lenses, maybe 5. And a D-Lux 3 and D-Lux 4. A couple of pockets for small items like a Blackberry, notepad, pen, film, etc.
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Since you're talking airline carry-on (right?), consider the Tenba ProDigital Messenger Bag. Quite sure It'll fit your camera's + Macbook and more.

Or, try getting a laptop messenger bag and add the Tenba Photo Insert. My son has a Timbuk2 Blogger and it appears that it might be able to hold the Tenba insert. Nice thing about the Blogger is that it's a vertical style messenger bag so it won't be so wide.

Do you currently have a bag/satchel for the laptop when you travel? It's possible you could try using inserts (Tenba or Domke) and try that.
 
another way is get a Timbuk2 Laptop messenger with built in laptop compartment, and put Tenba or Domke camera insert(s). It works super well without shouting "laptop and camera inside!"
 
There are plenty of alternatives. Personally, I likt to travel with a Lowepro Computrekker. Mine was bought some years ago - not sure it's the same, but it looks something like this:

18-1924-IMG1_LRG.jpeg


http://products.lowepro.com/product/CompuTrekker-AW,1924,16.htm

Jarle
 
I use a Computrekker for transport too, together with various smaller shoulder bags for walking around with, eg a Safrotto Domke 803 clone or an Eastpak Madison which I use with a Domke insert for an Leica M-size camera with lens plus 2 additional lenses in neoprene pouches.
 
I just bought the Think Tank Urban Disguise 50, which fits a 15" MacBook Pro:

769008503_Z2fCz-L.jpg


I'm stupidly happy with it and it has become my primary work bag now.

I believe the Urban Disguise 40 will hold a 13" MacBook.
 
Domke F-802 or clone would be suitable. I use the clone, a bit deep for rangefinders but would hold everything you're thinking about as well as the laptop. It's a satchel design.
 
PentHassyKon said:
Since you're talking airline carry-on (right?), consider the Tenba ProDigital Messenger Bag. Quite sure It'll fit your camera's + Macbook and more.

<...>
Click to expand...

My vote goes to Tenba Messenger Bag as well. They come into sizes. The smaller one should be sufficient for your 13" laptop. I'm currently using it to carry a 13" Thinkpad, a camera (a RF or a folding MF) plus a couple of rolls of film to work everyday.

It's discreet...doesn't announce 'camera bag' except for the Tenba badge. I especially like the quick access zipper opening on top which allow me to grab my camera without detaching the buckle and the velcro

-Akarin
 
The most useful bag I have ever found is one that LL Bean used to make but discontinued in 2006. It can be used as a shoulder bag or backpack (which is how I carry it), has a laptop section and a roomy front part where I put a Domke insert (it's big enough I could also carry my Leica bag in there and then pull that out to use separately). There's a fold-over flap for books and other documents and a separate section underneath for shoes and gym clothes. There's a side pocket for water bottles.

I think it was part of their Heatwave line but is not sold anymore and is much more useful than the Heatwave messenger bag. I've carried it with an insane amount of gear: A day's worth of clothes and shoes, two cameras and lenses (one a Nikon D100 with 17-55, the other a Leica M4), a 17" laptop, chargers, phones, etc., so that it was heavy enough to leave welts on my shoulders. But if you don't pack it full it's pretty light.

I wish I could remember what the name of it is, and I wish I had bought two of them when I had the chance!
 
I looked at some thinktank bags in the camera store, They do look right--and tempting. But here's what I came up with for now. Apple sells a slim neoprene slipcase to protect the Macbook. I got one for 40 bucks. Now all I have to do is put the Mac in its little case and carry it inside my carryon luggage. Then I just carry my Domke 803 as my second carryon bag, as usual. Voila!
 
When I travel I do the two bag thing: cameras and laptops in a backpack for the flight, with a shoulder bag packed flat in my luggage. I don't use any bulky padded camera bags and opt instead for any appropriately sized and shaped bag, usually messenger-style. The cameras go in an insert that fits into either my backpack or my messenger bag.

I have lots of bags to choose from and am constantly changing depending on what kit I'm carrying. It's just a matter of slipping the insert into the bag of the day.

j
 
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