Looking for a new bag: old one broke my lens :(

[Sageg]

I had my 100mm in my lowepro slingback 100, when the bag fell off a chair and hit the floor (about 1.5 feet). The damage was pretty obvious when I took the lens out (sound of broken glass). I can't even get the lenscap off. It was at the back of the bag and I guess the cushioning wasn't thick enough. I know it would have been better on the floor than on a chair, but it isn't always feasible.

Has this happened to anyone before? I wrote to lowepro, but didn't hear back from them.

I really like the slingback 100. Perhaps a little tight with my lens & camera in, but I thought it was okay.

I'm looking for something similar: backpack style, smallish--perhaps slightly bigger than the 100.

Any suggestions for anyone? I know....and I did read the long thread, but most of the emphasis seems to be on large bags, not small bags. And the ones that seem to appeal to me the most are the lowepro bags, but I think I might avoid them now unless I hear some amazing stuff.

Thanks in advance!

[Jon]

The old bag didn't break your lens; the fall did. The cushioning isn't intended to keep your gear invincible, just to help keep mild bumps and jars from busting it. If it hits at the wrong angle, most bags will be unable to protect their contents. Conversely, if it hits "safely", padding's unnecessary. My unprotected 5D/24-70 fell out of the back seat of a car onto the pavement below with no discernable damage. If you want to protect against that kind of drop under all conditions, you'd need a couple of inches of high-density foam around your gear. So unless you really want a bigger bag, don't run away from what you've got. And don't worry about the padding. My gear lives in essentially unpadded Domke bags, and has done so for close to 30 years, without problems. The secret is to not expect the bag to be the protection against damage. If you're expecting the bag to be protection against a fall, you'll be disappointed sooner or later.

[Sageg]

Thanks Jon.

[Lester Wareham]

As Jon said. I know thin pading can be a problem, I bag I used to use with my film system was thin enough if I put it down on sharp rocks they might push into the equipment, I added some thick carboard to the bottom of the bag to spread the load from sharp forces.

But the only think that will give a reasonable chance of survival from a drop is an instrument case, hard outer and full of foam.

[nutsnbolts]

If you have tons of money, I would highly suggest the Thinktank Rotation 360. Bigger than the 100,200 and possibly comparable to the 300 in size. Other than that, finding a bag that will be completely drop proof is impossible.

As Jon stated, it's the fall that broke the lens. YOu can take a look at Tamracs. This is not a blanket statement for all their bags but they are definitely one company that has the look for overall protection. Rubberized corners, bumpers, rigidness, etc. Completely the opposite from Domke's.

[Bumgardnern]

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your lens.

I really do not have a bag that I can recomend that will offer full protection from drops.

I personally use Domke bags, but would not recommend that you drop your gear if its in one.

[Double Negative]

A Pelikan case would do the job; get one big enough for whatever gear you want to stow and arrange it nicely atop the foam... Then get to plucking out the bits.

But short of that, a "soft bag" won't help against every fall. Some are better than others in this regard, at least.

[MisterPhoton]

I second the recommendation of Tamrac bags. I have the Tamrac System 6, and while I haven't dropped my bag (I wouldn't recommend dropping any camera bag), it definitely feels like it has the padding necessary to keep my gear in one piece.

I keep meaning to do a review of my bag, since I haven't seen one on here...maybe I'll do it this weekend.

If you have tons of money, I would highly suggest the Thinktank Rotation 360. Bigger than the 100,200 and possibly comparable to the 300 in size. Other than that, finding a bag that will be completely drop proof is impossible.

As Jon stated, it's the fall that broke the lens. YOu can take a look at Tamracs. This is not a blanket statement for all their bags but they are definitely one company that has the look for overall protection. Rubberized corners, bumpers, rigidness, etc. Completely the opposite from Domke's.

[Double Negative]

Kata I believe, also prides themselves in providing a healthy amount of padding. They do make protective apparel, so it would make sense. From what I've seen of the bags they're definitely plush.

[Sageg]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I will not be putting bag on chair again. Not sure why I did--I usually put it on the floor. Sad lessoned learned.

I think I'll be looking for a hard case for general transport, and probably the kata or tamrac for day-to-day.

Thanks Jon, Lester, Nuts, Double and Matt. :)

[Matthew62024]

A little off topic, but this may be a good time to consider getting insurance for your gear. I just did with State Farm for $6500 worth of gear for $115 a year. I think that is at $1.77 per every $100 of coverage.

As for a new bag, I have a kata 102 backpack and love it. I have seen it fall form about that height and no problems with the gear at all.

[The_Camera_Poser]

My Tamrac adventure bags have a hard plastic shell around the camera compartment. Definitely tougher than my Lowepro bag.

[Scott-LYP]

A Pelikan case would do the job; get one big enough for whatever gear you want to stow and arrange it nicely atop the foam... Then get to plucking out the bits.

But short of that, a "soft bag" won't help against every fall. Some are better than others in this regard, at least.

I agree with Double negative. You really can't go wrong with a Pelikan case. They even float!

[Sageg]

Thanks Poser & Scott.

Matthew: my household insurance will cover damage to camera equipment. My whole kit was stolen last year and I replaced. :(. But the deductible was too high to warrant claiming the fall. :(

[DDCSD]

Have you gotten the lens cap off yet? Do you have a filter on the lens?

[Matthew62024]

Thanks Poser & Scott.

Matthew: my household insurance will cover damage to camera equipment. My whole kit was stolen last year and I replaced. :(. But the deductible was too high to warrant claiming the fall. :(

Wow, sorry to hear that. Sounds like you have all the bad luck when dealing with your camera gear. I just got my insurance today before work and don't know everything about it yet but I did find out that there is no deductible on my coverage. I went with a "personal articles application" to keep it separate from the house plan. I hope your luck changes and things get better.

[SQMazda6]

how about a crumpler 5MDH or 6MDH either will be large enough and most people say the padding is way too think any way. Lenses are heavy.

Sorry for your loss

[Sageg]

Oh. good point. I haven't tried too hard. I did have a filter on it. Maybe I was lucky & it was only the filter??? I'll have to try later. Thanks for the reminder. :)

Have you gotten the lens cap off yet? Do you have a filter on the lens?

[Sageg]

Thanks Matthew. Yes, I've been cursed the last year. :)

SQM: I really like the crumplers, except for velcro. I end up getting everything stuck on velcro. :)

[DDCSD]

Oh. good point. I haven't tried too hard. I did have a filter on it. Maybe I was lucky & it was only the filter??? I'll have to try later. Thanks for the reminder. :)

I'm sure that the front element is not broken. The filter is surely shattered, and hopefully none of the shards scratched up the front element and the threads aren't mashed up too badly to get the filter off.

[Katbird]

My motto has always been if it can fall to the floor then put it there gently before it falls and breaks. This applies to everything not just photography. Sorry for your loss.

[Sageg]

I tried, but couldn't get it off. I'll pop by Canon tomorrow and see if they can do something. I don't want to force it.

I'm sure that the front element is not broken. The filter is surely shattered, and hopefully none of the shards scratched up the front element and the threads aren't mashed up too badly to get the filter off.

Katbird: absolutely right!

[Sageg]

It was just the filter!!! Thank you. :) :) :)

Quick shot to test functionality, not for any aesthetic reasons. A little soft, but it was dark & I didn't use a tripod. But my most favourite one ever. :)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c263/sageg2000/30May08-008-2.jpg

[SQMazda6]

Looks perfect for me. great picture. Talk about good luck. I know if that was me it would not be repairable.