Travel Photography - Nikon D60 with 18-200 lens - which camera bag?

I've been looking, without success, for a camera bag that will fit my Nikon D60 with 18-200 lens, a 15 inch laptop, and still have space for a couple of chargers, passport, mobile phone etc.

Any recommendations?

You're probably looking at a backpack of some sort to get both the laptop and the camera. I have the Tamrac Adventure 9 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F31KLA?ie=UTF8&tag=wandearame-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000F31KLA) and it would definitely meet your needs with plenty of space left over. I actually use it as an overnight bag even with the laptop and camera gear in it. The Crumpler bags also get good reviews (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PDGRZS?ie=UTF8&tag=wandearame-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001PDGRZS) but I can't figure out which is the right one to go with for a 15" laptop.

Thanks smb12.

The crumpler bags sure are expensive... how do people justify such an investment?

Thanks smb12.

The crumpler bags sure are expensive... how do people justify such an investment?

That specific one is very expensive but they have many that are at a more reasonable price point. I just couldn't figure out what the sizes were on them though they look reasonably sized. As for justifying the expense, I dunno. I doubt I'd be able to justify the $300 bag personally.

I have a smaller version of the crumpler that should hold the D60 plus the lens (I think I used if for my D200 and the 18-200). Probably significantly cheaper.

I noticed that the versions shown in the link have two straps/buckles to hold the flap down. That is an improvement. My smaller version has only one strap and it is very easy to forget to close it because the flap has a large velcro strip. I was warned by the guy at the photography shop that forgetting to clasp the buckle gives the false impression that the flap is secure. A heavy camera + lens could lead to disaster.

Do the versions shown in sbm12's link have a place for a laptop? I could not tell from the photos.

I guess as most observers state, its important to go buy this at a retail location so this meets your needs, not just order online. Thank you all for the opinions thus far, it has made me think in directions I would not have imagined... :)

I have the Think Tank Urban Disguise 60 (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/urban-disguise-60-shoulder-computer-bag.aspx) and it works very well for me. It's not the most comfortable thing to carry around all day but it allows me to carry a 17" laptop, my D90 with an 18-270mm lens attached. It also allows me to carry all of my work stuff such as files, folders, manuals, etc. (the primary reason I travel). They also make the Urban Disguise 50 (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/urban-disguise-50-shoulder-computer-bag.aspx) which is just a smaller version, allowing for a 15" laptop.

Just my $0.02, hope it helps!

I have the Think Tank Urban Disguise 60 (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/urban-disguise-60-shoulder-computer-bag.aspx) and it works very well for me. It's not the most comfortable thing to carry around all day but it allows me to carry a 17" laptop, my D90 with an 18-270mm lens attached. It also allows me to carry all of my work stuff such as files, folders, manuals, etc. (the primary reason I travel). They also make the Urban Disguise 50 (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/urban-disguise-50-shoulder-computer-bag.aspx) which is just a smaller version, allowing for a 15" laptop.

Just my $0.02, hope it helps!

How protected is the camera body? The padding shown in the second image looks a bit thin to me.

How protected is the camera body? The padding shown in the second image looks a bit thin to me.

Yeah, I don't think I would put my camera body in there if I was traveling with it (as in putting it under the seat in front of me or in an overhead.) However, this picture (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i.pbase.com/t3/17/367817/4/88867590.vJJIqVTz.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pbase.com/chammett/thinktank_urban_disguise_40%26gcmd%3Dadd_comment&usg=__lMMzairz2ktFKG9larbzUpjFmS8=&h=107&w=160&sz=9&hl=en&start=266&um=1&tbnid=FqvN4MwLTGlaKM:&tbnh=66&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthink%2Btank%2Burban%2Bdisguise%26nds p%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D2 60%26um%3D1) is more representative of how I use it. This one is the 40 model so it's considerably smaller than the 50 or 60 but gives the general idea.

To OP:
We have the Lowepro Slingshot 200 for our D40x plus a few lenses. This camera is the same size as your D60. The Slingshot 350 is designed to hold a laptop in addition. I saw it in Hong Kong but didn't look at it in detail how the laptop goes in.

For live action pictures of photo related bags check http://taschenfreak.de/indexlisteart.htm
Note that some of the Crumpler bags have different names in the different regions of the world.

Take a look at the Kata DR-467. It has a laptop sleeve and the bottom portion can be configured to hold your camera. I've got a Nikon D40, so it's close to the same footprint as the D60. I travelled with my 55-200 lens attached and it fit just fine in the bottom with an additional lens, card case, hard drive (for my netbook), extra filters, cleaning stuff, extra battery and charger. The upper portion could hold other camera stuff or, as I did, hold your typical carry-on items (toiletries, meds, iTouch, headphones). The back portion holds a decent size laptop - I had my netbook and Kindle in there without problem. The price point is excellent. It was pretty rugged - I sometimes forgot I had a camera and netbook in there when I dropped it (oops). And, it fits under the seat on the plane if you can't get overhead space (happens on a totally full plane and you're in Zone 4 or 5). I'm really happy with this bag.

I landed up purchasing the Tamrac Aero 85. While I am very pleased with the build, design, and the fact that it lived up to its advertising, I already dont like it for the following reasons:

I will be a casual user of the bag - I dont like the stiffness and would have preferred something less bulky.

It was expensive - at $119.95, I would have preferred to spend less and would have tried the Kata 467 except that I have already bought and used the Tamrac and therefore its not returnable.

Bottom line: I recommend the Tamrac. Just remember it is slightly bulky and rugged, goes far beyond the casual use.

Thanks smb12.

The crumpler bags sure are expensive... how do people justify such an investment?

Search 'crumpler' through bing and shop through the portal to get 25% back. They also have their neck strap which is worlds better than the crap that comes with the camera. Crumpler bags are pretty awesome though, and the brightly-colored insides make it easy to find small dark items in the bottoms. Also, everything camera-related is expensive (especially considering that for many people and practical purpose the differences in cost between lenses/ bodies does make that much difference in the final images).