Help me chose the right bag to take to Europe

[Don Parsons]

Hey Folks,

Planning a trip to Europe this summer and having trouble finding the "right" bag.

I would like a small camera/messenger bag that is capable of holding a bottle of water on it's side.

It needs space to carry a 9.7" Ipad, an EM5 w/15 attached and then 3 m4/3's lenses: a 12-42, a Bower 7.5 and an Oly 40-150 f4 (the smaller one) along with cards, spare batteries and chargers. I'll also have a Panny Lx-5 in the mix.

Like for it to have a little extra room for a notebook, guidebook, etc.

The closest I've found, I think, is either the Case Logic Reflexion or the Tenba DNA 11.

Has any one used either of these bags?

Do you know of a bag I've missed that I should consider?

TIA

Don

 

[raid]

I use some basic and old camera bags, Don. I am also planning a Europe trip. I have been traveling with two camera and two lenses only. I don't want to take off lenses.
Good luck in your camera bag search.

 

[rlouzan]

Domke 803
Lowepro Passport Sling II
...

 

[CliveC]

I don't have any specific suggestions, but I would say the lower-key the bag, the better. During my limited travels to Europe, I've personally seen attempts to distract and grab belongings from touristy looking people. Train stations are especially bad for this.

 

[raid]

This is one reason why I keep things basic when I travel. I got the LUMIX LC1 for this reason too. If stolen, no big deal.

 

[Jockos]

I hear that Europe is a first world country, so anything that goes in the US should work there as well!

 

[konicaman]

Tamrac Apache 4 or 6 - two of the few bags that have room for a bottle.

 

[seakayaker1]

If you would consider a back pack style bag, you may want to take a peak at the F-Stop series. The Guru and Kenti bags would meet you needs plus additional room for snacks and hold a jacket/sweater when out on walkabouts.

I own a Guru and a larger size that I have used when traveling and found that it has worked well.

http://shop.fstopgear.com/us/products/mountain/backpacks/guru.html#.VSGM5lx96-I

Great as a carry-on for the plane trip. They are comfortable to wear when out about town or on a trail.

Good luck with your search and happy trails!

 

[xxloverxx]

I've always loved Billingham bags and have only ever had one person open it and try to take my wallet in the metro, but the Reflexion and DNA 11 both look low key enough not to attract attention in most areas in Paris.

I often carry my f1.4 around, and I always have my M2 or M6 worn across my shoulder —*even then I don't attract a lot of attention. And that's a boxy bag.

You don't have to be so careful as to be paranoid, in my experience…you just have to look like more of a hassle to rob than the people standing around you…and never hesitate to raise your voice to anyone grabbing your hand/bag/camera (though, in the metro, you might not get an awful lot of help).