New baby... New bag.. But this time I need one that can carry an iPad and a dslr camera, along with kid stuff.

These are what I've found, but can't choose between them... And maybe there is something better out there?


This could be used to protect the camera in any bag. Or This could be inserted into any bag. Bags could be This or This. Or something better? Or there is this bag that does it all, Portare. I like the size of the stork Timbukt2, the messenger to backpack of the Ram, and the portare gets good reviews, but isn't exactly my style. Any thoughts to help me decide?

Ram: too flat - would the Snoop fit into it? Stork: no backpackability.
I like the idea of the snoop (it polishes your gear as you go!), but I'd want to find the perfect bag to keep it in, and probably test the combo first...
Portare: my favourite of the bags, but too small...?
I also like the idea of protecting the camera inside any bag - that would probably be my style, but I'm not as camera-ish as you and my "camera" (in quotes so as not to offend) is basically a small flat rectangle.

I'm terrible with bags, sorry if this is wishy-washy! I was once bought a high-end diaper bag by my sister who probably regretted the decision to buy it the minute she was beside me in the store going back and forth and back and forth on 15 different bags... :-o

Don't look at me, I walk around with a belt pouch, and when I was carrying ds around in a sling, I'd stick a diaper, a small pack of wipes, and my nursing cover right into the sling with him.

What sorts of lenses are you planning to carry? Just a kit lens, or do you have others you need to consider?

I have my dslr in its own bag, but I can imagine using the zing if I was only planning on using my nifty fifty lens. On the other hand, the thought of putting my dslr in a diaper bag (that always has water bottles and goodness only knows what in it) makes my skin crawl, though. Something spills, and you're dead. :blink

Right. So I just don't take it out with me enough, because another bag on my body is too much. I have just the kit lens. I'd like to keep it separate from the water bottles and yucky stiuff... Which maybe that camera bag insert does by creating different compartments?

How about a regular bag that feels good for you to carry (backpack, messenger, whatever style is comfortable.
I like bags with bottle pockets on the outside - easy access and less chance of spills making everything else wet. I prefer waterproof, or water-resistant fabrics (much more practical when you have a tendency to drop the bag in a snowbank!) and a few decent-sized pockets, rather than lots of little ones. One or two small pockets can be useful for things like keys and cell phone and wallet, though.
With that kind of bag, you can pack it with smaller bags, like wetbags for the clothes, diaper supplies, etc, and padded for the tech stuff.
I find this makes it easier to take out a whole pouch of muktze for shabbos, without repacking the whole thing, and messy stuff is self-contained in the wetbags. Also, if I only need, for example, diapers and wipes, I just take that wetbag out and carry it in whatever I have my wallet in, or stick it in the basket of the stroller, or whatever is convenient.

I think I'm finally retiring the diaper bag I got when my 12yo was born. It has some holes in the bottom, nothing major, and is in good shape, but I find it heavy compared to other bags, especially when carrying gear for 2 kids. So, I think it will become the bag I leave in the trunk with supplies for unexpected trips or emergencies. I'm probably going to buy a decent, lightweight backpack when the school bags go on sale!

Yes. I have a backpack like that already. But when I have a baby on my back, I can't carry it, unless I have the stroller to put it in/on. And my camera in its bag takes up a big portion of it. I use its different sections for different stuff. One layer/pocket is for diaper, one for snacks, it has a laptop area for my ipad, etc. It works well, but it doesn't convert to messenger, doesn't hang off a stroller too well, and my camera doesn't fit so well in it with the camera bag too.

If backpack style doesn't work for you, then maybe you could find a messenger or shoulder strap style that would be roomy enough? I think if you buy a decent bag (rather than a specialized diaper bag) you'll probably get a better piece of luggage.

The portare would be fantastic in a messenger bag option.

What about one of those camera protectors with an Onbag? Oh, just checked the site, they are out of stock. You don't have anyone where you are who enjoys sewing, do you? They have their pattern up for free. onbag.co.uk

I had a homemade on bag for a while. I didn't love it despite its versatility. It was difficult to switch it around to how I needed it from moment to moment and just wasn't so comfortable to carry in any configuration I tried. I'm leaning messenger style and using the stroller for the water bottles and maybe sharing a bottle when I dont want a stroller.

Sorry - just realized what a dummy I was to answer everything in terms of a knapsack. I have just never liked any other way of carrying anything. When I had a kid on my back, I managed, but never liked it... better to carry a small bag (maybe camera-only!) and give a huge backpack to Joe. ;-)