What to do if camera bag is not big enough?

I have a Nikon D7000 with a 35mm f/1.8, 55-300mm, and an SB 700 flash. I'm also looking to get the 16-85mm and maybe a macro lens. The only problem is that my bag is not big enough and returning it for a new one is not an option. What would you guys do? Only put what you really need in it or just squish everything in? What should I do?

This is the bag I currently have
http://www.bestbuy.com/...&cp=1&lp=5

Get the one I have.
http://tamrac.com/5606.htm

Unfortunately you either buy a bigger bag or you buy another bag to take with you. Such is the life of a photographer. I have about a 1/2 dozen bags that I can't even sell at a garage sale. The only exception to this is if you had a "name" gadget bag, but then too, If it cost's $100.00 you would be lucky to get $15 or $20. For it.

Over the years, my dad and I have accumulated 7 or so bags, each one a different size. We choose based on what we're doing.

we have this bag to store our lenses and bodies when not in use
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...Search=yes

squishing everything in is an accident waiting to happen.

Through the years, I think I have owned a dozen or so camera bags, and even now, I own 5 different bags.

In my experience, what I have come to realize is that if you buy a bag large enough to hold all of your stuff, it will be too bulky and heavy to carry.

Nothing says "amateur" more than someone carrying a full-size backpack or shoulder bag with 35lbs of camera gear.

Do what I do - start using a "day-bag" approach. Your bag is the perfect size for that. Use it as a day-bag and put just the items you need for the day into the bag.

For instance, you don't need to carry all of your lenses all the time, as when you go macro shooting, you probably won't be needing your 55-300 or flash. You will learn what to carry on any given day.

And buy a second battery for your D7000, as there's no reason to carry your battery charger.

As well, leave your cables out of the bag.

I have a Nikon D90, SB700 flash, and 8 different lenses, including a fisheye, super-wide, all-in-one, two macros, a prime, and two telephotos, including a bazooka of a lens - the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8, which is massive.

My main bag is a Think Tank Change-Up, which is smaller than your bag, and I never take more than two or three lenses with me at any one time.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/change-up-belt-pack.aspx

The reason I have several bags is that they are all a bit different sizes, and one thing I do, if I think I might need one of those other lenses is that I put them in a second bag and leave them in the trunk of my car.and

But the point is, that I don't carry everything with me on a day's worth of photographing.

Again, lightweight carry is the theme here. A day bag to carry just what you need for the day is going to be more comfortable and lighter to carry. And it won't be so bulky as to be banging into people or door jambs. Trust me, once you amass 25lbs of photo gear, you will be leaving half of it at home.

Here is a web page on how I pack my day bag:

http://www.althephoto.com/gear/excursion.php

Hope this helps.

A camera isn't a sack of potatoes if you just cram everything in you end up damaging something and stuff will spill out every time you have to root around for an accessory. Imagine your $75-$200 lens falling out of the overstuffed bag into the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls just because you wouldn't pony up another $25 dollars. Your best bet is to get a small child's school back pack it can carry your normally loaded camera bag and any other camera accessories you need plus (keys, snacks, bottle of water). You could probably find one at Walmart or Target for $10.

The bag you've got is a nice size! Make sure you have somewhere at home where you can store your kit, maybe a crate style box with padding that you can transport if necessary (dry, it must be dry). When you go out with your camera think about what you are going to use that day, and just take that out of the storage box and put it into your kit bag.

I've a back pack that holds loads of stuff, but never goes out with the same mix twice, but more often than not I'll use a sling type back pack that big enough for the camera, 2 lenses, a single flash gun and little else. The back pack can be a pain, it gets in the way, and you can't use it on the go.