toploaders,etc

[bnpndxtr]

Some time ago I posted a question about top-loaders on this forum that people might use with their 10D's. Well, I never bought one (got by with a bag I had at the time), and enough time has gone by that I'd like to again see where everyone's opinion is these days on light travel with the 10D- and what bag is their favorite.

Before, some people commented that they used the Tamrac Velocity 7. This seemed like a neat bag, but I looked one over and it doesn’t look deep enough if I just measure it with a ruler. I’m wondering how people fit a 10D into this bag (it looks like you need at least 4.2” to handle the 10D). Tamrac claims 4.75”, but I didn’t measure anything near this, unless they maybe assume it will squeeze the walls out to reach that depth when you push a camera into it.

But in general I’m interested in everyone’s choice in photo bags for lighter travel (maybe just camera (with medium Zoom lens, ~ 7” to 8” length with lens attached), CF cards, and perhaps flash.

Thanks,

Brian

[ilya]

Question is how long is your biggest lens you plan to carry, as the best way to use the V7 to carry the body attached to a lense, with the lens inserted in the middle compartment. Velocity 7 is about 8-9" deep, which works perfectly for lenses up to about 7" attached, which would require a shoehorn for something 70-200 2.8 at 7.7", but fine with anything shorter like the 75-300. The bag does give you a certain amount of flex if you really want to stuff it.

After inserting a body/lens, that leaves you room for another mid-smallish lens, and perhaps some small gadget of your choosing - though if you want to fit a flash, a body & lens, and another lens, that is also a stretch. But its a great short trip lens, easily accessible, and comfortable.

[slin100]

I'll recommend a brand that is seldom mentioned (only 4 times on this website): www.kinesisgear.com]Kinesis (http:[url) Gear[/url].

I have the C382 (http://www.kinesisgear.com/c/C380C382.html) with the Y315 Padded Shoulder Strap (http://www.kinesisgear.com/y.html). It's a toploader and can accomodate my 10D with a 17-40 attached in the main pocket and a 550EX in the front pocket. The 10D fits snugly. Note: The C382 will not accomodate a 10D with a battery grip. For that, the C500 (http://www.kinesisgear.com/c/C500.html) is probably a better choice.

I usually carry a 50/1.8 in one of the two side pockets and batteries in the other. The side pockets are unpadded, so beware.

The construction is top notch. There are a ton of D-rings for attaching other accessories. The big selling point for Kinesis is the total integration of all accessories in their system. Instead of a shoulder strap, the C382 can be attached to a belt or a chest harness.

Kinesis products are bit pricier than other brands but the quality of the materials justifies the price, IMO. I have no affiliation with Kinesis.

[CoolToolGuy]

I wanted a small bag that could handle all my stuff, but as I acquired more stuff I realized that was not possible. So I decided to go with 2 solutions: A Tamrac 517 holster bag, with add-on pouches that can be configured as necessary for the day; and a Tamrac 5612 to hold everything.
Many days I go out to a specific event where I know which subset of equipment I am likely to need, and the holster configuration lets me travel light. I can change the pouches and include a lens or my G3, or my flash as required. Other times I may be exploring, and I want it all to be with me, and for that I will lug the big bag. I really like the lens gate in the Tamrac bags that allows me to lay the camera flat in the bag with the lens on, ready to be grabbed and used. I looked at smaller Tamracs, but the 5612 (or 612) holds two bodies, and I put my two longest lenses on my bodies (75-300 IS & 28-135 IS) and the bag holds both at the same time. I didn't try any larger lenses, but there is plenty of room for a body with a large lens as well as a body with a normal lens on it.
I tried the Tamrac 612 (virtually the same size as the 5612), but I could not bring myself to spend $200 USD on a camera bag. The 612 is more solidly built, and if I was toting it into the wild or the crowds every day it may make sense, but I chose to go with the lighter-duty 5612.
The Tamrac 517 is the next-to-largest of Tamrac's holster bags. It fits my Digital Rebel (or Elan 7) with the 75-300 IS attached with a little room to spare. It comes with a padded divider which allows you to pack a lens or other equipment below the camera if you want, and it has a large zippered pocket in the front.
For some reason, Lowepro isn't speaking my language. They seem to be better at weatherproofing, but that is not high on my list. I looked at other brands, but one of my requirements is tripod straps because I got tired of lugging a bag as well as a tripod on a sling.
Hope this helps.

Have Fun

[bnpndxtr]

ilya wrote:
Question is how long is your biggest lens you plan to carry, as the best way to use the V7 to carry the body attached to a lense, with the lens inserted in the middle compartment. Velocity 7 is about 8-9" deep, which works perfectly for lenses up to about 7" attached, which would require a shoehorn for something 70-200 2.8 at 7.7", but fine with anything shorter like the 75-300. The bag does give you a certain amount of flex if you really want to stuff it.

After inserting a body/lens, that leaves you room for another mid-smallish lens, and perhaps some small gadget of your choosing - though if you want to fit a flash, a body & lens, and another lens, that is also a stretch. But its a great short trip lens, easily accessible, and comfortable.

Thanks. I might not have been very clear about the measurement I was describing. By "depth" I meant the small dimension of the opening of the top of the bag. This seemed too small to accommodate the 4.2" on the 10D. I think the camera-with-lens length is OK in my case. It was just that one dimension that seemed too small. I guess it just expands to accommodate?

[ilya]

bnpndxtr wrote:
ilya wrote:
Question is how long is your biggest lens you plan to carry, as the best way to use the V7 to carry the body attached to a lense, with the lens inserted in the middle compartment. Velocity 7 is about 8-9" deep, which works perfectly for lenses up to about 7" attached, which would require a shoehorn for something 70-200 2.8 at 7.7", but fine with anything shorter like the 75-300. The bag does give you a certain amount of flex if you really want to stuff it.

After inserting a body/lens, that leaves you room for another mid-smallish lens, and perhaps some small gadget of your choosing - though if you want to fit a flash, a body & lens, and another lens, that is also a stretch. But its a great short trip lens, easily accessible, and comfortable.

Thanks. I might not have been very clear about the measurement I was describing. By "depth" I meant the small dimension of the opening of the top of the bag. This seemed too small to accommodate the 4.2" on the 10D. I think the camera-with-lens length is OK in my case. It was just that one dimension that seemed too small. I guess it just expands to accommodate?


Oh that dimension! Not an issue whatsoever. Best thing to do, if you have a photostore nearby where you can try it on for size.

The most I've stuffed in there is 10D with 17-40L mounted, 75-300, and 28-135. But that's pushing it. Body/lens + 1 other lens + any other small thingie works just perfectly.