Another bag recommendation thread, bear with me please...

[maverickliew]

Hi all,

Yes i do know there are more than enough threads on bag recommendations in here but i do need some help as i have patiently read up most if not all of them and nothing really come close to what I'm looking for.

Equipments I'm planning to stuff in the bag:

1. 5D with grip, 24-70 2.8 attached.
2. 40D/30D with grip, 70-200 2.8 attached.
3. 50 1.4
4. 85 1.8
5. 580 EXII with bounce card
6. ST-E2 (planning on this soon)
7. 15" MacBook Pro and power adapter
8. 4 x 4 AA battery
9. 2 x 2 camera battery (2 each)
10. some memory card and Lexar FireWire card reader and cables

That is as much as i can think of at this moment to pack for a whole day wedding shoot jobs that i will be taking up more and more in near future. Have been carry the extra camera with lens by slinging at the side while my 5D and lens are kept in my LowePro Stealth Reporter 200 or Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home. That is the 2 bags i have at the moment. Pretty much used and planning to replace them with similar sized bag soon for a lightweight small setup on normal days.

Basic requirement other than the ability to squeeze all of those mentioned above.
1. Hood of each lens in the bag if possible. Reversed to save space and available when i used the lens as I'm quite a clumsy person who moved fast and need those hood to protect my lenses from knocking.

2. Style. Something simple as age is catching up with me. :oops: Hope to move away from loud exterior like Crumpler despite the fact that I'm looking at Brazilion Dollar Home which offer the capacity i wanted. Something like Domke or Billingham (though ex but if it does the job, i might burst my budget on it). Have checked reviews on Domke and Billingham but not much pictures available for me to estimate the space available for my possible configuration.

3. Trolley compatible if possible, not a must though. I notice Brazilion Dollar Home have a nice trolley insert at the back of the bag. It will be lovely to have this function but like i said, not a must.

Hope to get some input from big bag users. Apologies for this long and naggy question posted.

[nwa2]

I think you need something with wheels like this.



(courtesy of Landrover UK)

[René Damkot]

The biggest "problem" will be the body with 70-200 attached I think.
My Billingham 445 is just not deep enough to fit a 1D2 with 80-200L (without hood) upright. I think the 70-200 f/2.8 is a bit longer. It will be fine for working out of, but for transportation, you'ld have to remove the lens I think.
When removing the inserts, you can fit in the camera + lens at the bottom, but not all of the rest.
This is my 445 in "storage / transport mode". It will close this way with room to spare.

http://www.moonglade.net/rene/POTN/Billingham445.jpg

And off course, Cambags (http://cambags.com/) is a good resource.

I think you might need a bigger bag then the 445.

[dicktay]

How about one of the Think Tank "Airport" bags.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html

Edit: I don't own one (yet)

[The_Camera_Poser]

What about that Lowepro briefcase satchel- it's designed to fit inside of a pelican case. You can find it on their website.

Also, Tamrac photographer's daybags and expedition packs (the larger ones) are designed for lens to lens camera storage. I really like my Tamrac bags- much nicer than my Lowepro and Mountainsmith bags.

[shazzer]

Ive just got a stealth reporter 650, massive and heavy with every thing in it but it will take my 5D with 24-105 lens and grip along with 20D and 100-400 lens plus 17-40 with hood reversed same for 100mm lens. 12' laptop and various bits, ex flash and it has a trolly strap.

[maverickliew]

Thanks all for the wonderful reply with personal experiences and picture!

Not that i'm fussy (but guess i am). Lowepro and similar does offer some good alternative like the bigger sleath reporter. However, leaning more to domke or billingham if possible and on the net, there isn't much pictures showing the bigger billy though i can find more on domke. Reason why i'm leaning to this 2 brands is the less-look-like-camera-bag outlook.

Keep the comments coming. Simply love the response and sharing of knowledge existing here in the forum.

[René Damkot]

there isn't much pictures showing the bigger billy


Some in this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=204695&highlight=billingham).

[_aravena]

Yeah but carrying something that big it won't matter. They look it whether you like to think so or not, they're just somewhat prettier. :D

[fishfoto]

What is your intended use for the bag? You should also not pack bodies with lenses attached, especially heavy glass. An impact could easily destroy both the lens and the body.

An 'end use' of the bag makes all the difference in what bags are best to use (and again, don't pack bodies attached to glass!)

[maverickliew]

Thanks again for your concern. Something that i do not really think about since there is padding in the bag to provide some form of shock absorber should there be an impact.

Of cos i won't be bumping them around and carry them carefully in between the destinations.
Main function is to allow me to carry all the listed items together for a wedding shoot that last half a day to a day. Upon reaching the location, 2 camera with 24-70 and 70-200 will be out of the bag and on my shoulder while the rest remains in the bag till i need them.
Hope to get a simple bag that contains all with a style. :)

[fishfoto]

Maverick,

Visit Flying With Fish, www.flyingwithfish.com

Search:
Mountainsmith Parallax
Mountainsmith Correspondent
Pelican 1514
Think Tank Airport Addicted
Domke F-805


Really,I'd say just check out the classic Domke F2

[SuzyView]

I love my Domke bags. They are very sturdy, but can get very heavy if you plan to carry it all on your shoulder. I have the Think Tank International and it's pretty good to carry what you have there, but if you want a good shoulder bag, be prepared to look a lot like Jon with is F-2.