My next purchase is going to be a camera bag. I assume I really need to handle these in person. Any brands I should make a point of examining?

Handling them in person is highly recommended. I have two bags, a largish Crumpler one which has the benefit of not looking like a camera bag.

http://www.crumplerusa.com/products/camerabag/tall_e.html



I can fit my Canon 10D and my three lenses into it (17-40L, 28-85 and 75-300) with some room to spare for other bits and pieces. If I had a flash there would just about be room for it in there as well.

I also have a smaller Lowepro bag for when I'm travelling light with one lens.

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/toploads/top_one.htm



The Crumpler is the better bag, excellent padding to protect stuff and big chunky bits of velco meaning you can quickly close it up without fiddling with the catches all the time.

They are both very well designed and made. I would recommend both brands.