BAGS!

[I Simonius]

I have been looking for a bag for my kit and wondered if anyone would share their experience and wisdom at bag buying for camera outfit?

I still have my Billingham 335 from the old days but digital cameras are more bulky, so won't fit my kit. (Somehow I got 2 F1n's+17mm,28mm,50mm,70-200,extenders and bits and pieces all in before! Ah no I remember I always had one camera and lens round my neck)

All I need to get in is:
20D, 50 F1.4, 10-22, 70-200F4,
That's it - I want to travel light for days out walking, no 'up Everest' treks!
(PLUS in near future possibly a 35mm lens and 100macro, but would rather have a smaller bag than accomodate ALL that)

I was looking at the Lowepro Orion Trekker 2, and the Orion AW. Jessops won't get them in without a deposit but I ain't paying for something I ain't seen!

I need a back pack rather than a shoulder bag as I have problems after car crashes carrying anything for any length of time on the shoulder.

================================================== =======================
Edited - many posts later here's a buncha the links mentioned:
---
http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm
http://www.mountainsmith.com
http://www.lowepro.com
http://www.crumplerusa.com
http://www.billingham.co.uk
http://www.tenbagear.com/1000.htm

[EricKonieczny]

I just got my Tamrac 5575 Expedition 5 last week, with my new 20D package


(http://www.tamrac.com/5575.htm)http://www.tamrac.com/5575.htm

I love it.

Here is what I have in it so far.

20d with Grip and 2 batteries

Canon 28-105, 3.5-4.5, with Hood.

580EX Flash

Archos Gmini 400

Sony F717, Sony External Flash, 2 Sony Memory Cards

Extra AA batteries, Power Cords, USB cords

I need a few more lenses to fill up the bag.

http://www.ekreating.com/images/Bag.jpg

[pcasciola]

If you want to travel light, with a backpack and the equipment you listed, check out the Micro Trekker 100. It's much smaller than the Tamrac Expedition 5, and you'll still have free room with what you listed. I have the Micro Trekker 100 and 200, and in the Micro Trekker 100, I usually put the 20D + grip + Tamron 28-75, 18-55 EF-S, 50/1.8, 85/1.8 and the 580EX flash.

[chris.bailey]

Strange as I have just bought a 335 as a holiday bag for a 1dMkII, 17-40 and 70-2002.8 plus chargers and the like and I'm really pleased with it.

[DaveG]

I have been looking for a bag for my kit and wondered if anyone would share their experience and wisdom at bag buying for camera outfit?

I still have my Billingham 335 from the old days but digital cameras are more bulky, so won't fit my kit. (Somehow I got 2 F1n's+17mm,28mm,50mm,70-200,extenders and bits and pieces all in before! Ah no I remember I always had one camera and lens round my neck)

All I need to get in is:
20D, 50 F1.4, 10-22, 70-200F4,
That's it - I want to travel light for days out walking, no 'up Everest' treks!
(PLUS in near future possibly a 35mm lens and 100macro, but would rather have a smaller bag than accomodate ALL that)

I was looking at the Lowepro Orion Trekker 2, and the Orion AW. Jessops won't get them in without a deposit but I ain't paying for something I ain't seen!

I need a back pack rather than a shoulder bag as I have problems after car crashes carrying anything for any length of time on the shoulder.


I've discovered a couple of things about camera backpacks. The first is that they are hard to shoot from. With a conventional shoulder bag I put it on the ground and select gear as I need it. When I move positions I put the gear inside and put it on my shoulder. Gravity keeps everything from falling out and I don't need to secure the top of my Domke bag at all. With a backpack I have to put everything back and make sure that it's all zipped up. The packing and un-packing gets old very quickly and I wonder if it has discouraged me from shooting something new 25 meters from my last position?

The other thing is the weight. I use a LowePro Nature Trekker II AW for backpacking my digital gear. Last fall, before I got my 20D, I packed it with my 10D + vertical grip, and then every lens that I owned. That was the 16-35L, 24-85, 50mm f1,4, the 100mm macro and the 70-200 f2.8. I also stuck a 420 flash in the bag along with all the "stuff" we seem to carry.

It all fit and the bag was comfortable. Well it was comfortable for the first two klicks of a 10KM hike. The bag was fine, the weight was just too much. I hurt my knee and wasn't happy about that at all.

Now I'd use the same bag but I'd carry a lot less in it. I think that I'd use a base camp approach and carry what I needed during a hike. I'd take the 10-22, the macro and the 70-200. I'd bring a light fold up reflector not a flash.

With less in the bag the packing is easier and quicker. Yes I'm going to get into a situation where the lens I need is back at the base camp, but until I can afford to bring a mule (I think that I'd name it Bruce) with me then that's the way it's going to be.

On the specific back pack front I really like the Nature Trekker. I can get all of the stuff in it - although I haven't tried it with two bodies and the addtion of the 10-22. It would be great for short walks even fully loaded and I'm mostly thinking of airplanes.

[roanjohn]

For hiking, I just recently purchased a Lowepro MiniTrekker AW. It's a great bag that holds my tripod right in the middle.......this is great so I am not lopsided after a few hours of hiking. It can also fit quite a lot of gears..........two bodies and some lens.

For a lighter load, I have the Tamrac Velocity 3 (model 5743). Its a shoulder bag that can hold a camera with a lens attached (17-40 for me), a 70-200 f4L and a flash .......or a 50 f1.4/85 f1.8. Here is the link:

http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm

Check it out.

Ro1

[Mike Panic]

check out www.crumplerusa.com

[EricKonieczny]

check out www.crumplerusa.com (http://www.crumplerusa.com)

that is one of the most odd websites I have ever seen. :eek:

[roanjohn]

that is one of the most odd websites I have ever seen. :eek:

I think they're based in Australia...........so there goes that :lol: :lol: :lol:

Those crumpler bags are actually nice and hip........very urban. Would like to buy them if they're not so expensive.....And the biggest plus is that they don't look like camera bags at all!!!!

Ro1

[timmyquest]

I've got a mini trekker 200 on its way to my house, i'm looking forward to checking it out. I'll let you know what my initial impressions are later today.

[pcasciola]

I've got a mini trekker 200 on its way to my house, i'm looking forward to checking it out. I'll let you know what my initial impressions are later today.Do you mean a Micro Trekker 200? I didn't think they had any numbers for the Mini Trekker. The Micro Trekker 200 fits everything in my sig (as of today anyway) plus my Digital ELPH, but it's filled to the rim now. You'll like it I'm sure. Hold an amazing amount of stuff given it's compact size.

[timmyquest]

Forgive my typo :-P

As of now all i have is my 1D, 550ex, 17-40, 70-200 f/2.8, 50 1.8

Soon i'll have a 300mm f/4...i'm sure i'll figure it out.

[pcasciola]

I'm not sure if both the 300/4L and the 70-200/2.8L will fit in the 200. That'll be interesting to see.

It's more designed for one large lens like that on the body, and then 6 more smaller lenses like the 17-40L that you have, Tamron 28-75, 85/1.8 and lenses of that size. Or 3 lenses on one side and the flash on the other.

[timmyquest]

I'm not sure if both the 300/4L and the 70-200/2.8L will fit in the 200. That'll be interesting to see.

It's more designed for one large lens like that on the body, and then 6 more smaller lenses like the 17-40L that you have, Tamron 28-75, 85/1.8 and lenses of that size. Or 3 lenses on one side and the flash on the other.

Yeah, i'm not getting my hopes up, but we'll see wehat it can do.

If not it's no big deal, i cant imagine i'll be needing both lenses at the same time all that often, but i guess ya never know.

[pcasciola]

I'd like to add the 70-200/2.8L to go with my 300/4L, but I'm not sure I'd want to lug around both of those either. :D

Oh yeah, also they have those slip-lock attachment bags, and they make a bag that will hold another large prime or zoom that you can put on the outside of the bag as well for the occassion where you might want to bring both.

[I Simonius]

Strange as I have just bought a 335 as a holiday bag for a 1dMkII, 17-40 and 70-2002.8 plus chargers and the like and I'm really pleased with it.

I thin k mine must have shrunk!!

Any chance of a pic of how you get it all in?

[I Simonius]

Thanks for all the input -keep it coming!

I'll do some checking on those links and get back...

Thanks

[cjtinkle]

I use the MicroTrekker 200. I have my 10D, 100-400, 16-35, and 100mm lenses in it (with hoods), various filters, batteries and cards. And it does fit with the battery grip on the camera.

[Tapeman]

Buy a bag with room for at least one more lens.
If you follow this forum you will buy more equipment!!! :)

[blackviolet]

i think we need a bag sticky...

we just picked up a rolling mini trekker aw for our africa trip next month (yes, another bag!!! :rolleyes: ). it's a little bit smaller inside than our road runner aw, but outside it's quite a bit of difference. as often as we travel, having both will be handy. this trip we are taking the rolling mt & the crumpler tallee (see other posts where i've compared the bags i have). the advantage of the lowepro over the crumpler backpacks is the waist belt and the wheels. i'm ok carrying a backpack with 2 bodies, a few lenses (including the bigma) and other stuff all day, but the wife can't. with a waist belt, she can carry all of the above without complaint. and the wheels are great for airports (which we spend waaay too much time in...).

one thing - i should point out the road runner aw is quite a bit more comfortable on your back for extended periods than the rolling mini trekker. you can definitely feel the bar. this might bother some people.

[Andy D]

Simon, as you mentioned Jessop's I assume that you are in the UK. Jessops are expensive for kit, but they do price match. I have the Lowe-Pro Photo Trekker AWII, for all of my Kit. (my Film camera's and older EF lenses are residing in a couple of Billingham Bags) Jessops want £275 for the Photo Trekker, but I paid £180 at A.J.Purdy. You could also check-out Morrisphoto.co.uk, they do deals on Lowe-pro and usually have some freebies (including P&P) on offer.

[Amstaff]

I have a Tenba DB-15C backpack to hold my camera goods and laptop. I also liked the Computrekker. Both are great backpacks for my needs. Both will fit the DSLP body and at least 4 lenses along with misc stuff.

[mjordan]

I have the LowePro Photo Trekker II AW as well and for a bag to carry my 10D, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 100-400 4.5/5.6L, Kenko tubes, 2x tele-converter, CF card wallet, 8 or so batteries, Pocket Wizards, cables, reflectors, cleaning stuff, ground sheet and a number of other things, it's great. Heavy, but great. :D As pointed out above, after I've hiked for a couple of miles, I don't like taking it off to change lenses or grab something else, anymore than I have too. So I got the LowePro Off Trail 2 belt pack. Now I can carry a couple of lenses, CF cards, batteries, towel, and a couple of other things on my waist and within reach if I want. The problem is that it doesn't hold as much as I'd like. I got a bigger side bag (it's a modual design) to replace one of the bags that was about the size of a water bottle and I can put my 24-70 2.8L with lens good extended in there. But I can't get my 70-200 2.8L in there. I can put my 10D with any of my lenses on in the main bag (the bigger zooms I have to reverse the lens shade) or any of the lenses by themselves. It's good if I'm going to be walking just a little ways from my car.

So I've been looking at other belt packs. LowePro has the Reporter and Orion that are bigger and will hold more. They stick out more but it still goes on a belt around my waist so it's easily accessed. I just need to see one to see if I can get enough in it so I don't have to carry anything else. Although with a belt pack, that lightens up my back pack considerably and it's easier to wear for long distances.

Anyway, if you can't do a shoulder bag and a back pack seems inconvenient at times, look at some of the belt packs.

Mike

[k2kv]

I use an Orion AW, a very healthy-sized and lovely bag. Has a really wide waistbelt, and you wear it around your waist while adding extra support from the shoulder strap. This bag converts to a backpack (or "daypack" as they call it), but then you lose much of the convenience features, i.e., the bag opens AWAY from your body, as all bags really should.

It easily holds my 20D with 17-40 & hood attached, plus 70-200 f/2.8 IS, 100-400, 1.4 TC, 500D close-up lens, squeeze blower, several 77mm filters, batteries, cards, etc. If I hang my camera from my shoulder, it will hold another couple of lenses (but then, who will carry me?). Has straps below for tripod, but have not tried this. Since I recently received my 10-22, I've decided to leave the 70-200 at home when I go out shooting during the day, in order to make room for the new lens.

The bag is really nice to work with, easy to open and close, very well-made, too.

Jeff

[Chazs]

My LowePro MicroTrekker 200 arrived today from B&H, and what a sweet little backpack. When I took it out I thought, "That's a cute little bag", thinking it may have been too small. But, boy, it packs well.

http://home.wavecable.com/~stevensc/photos/bag.jpg

So far I have in it:

20D w/28-85mm
28mm
50mm
135mm
200mm
18-55mm
70-135mm
Canon S40
extension tubes
4 filters
extra battery/charger and CF cards
cleaning stuff
OM to EOS adapter
Remote

and still have all the outside pockets free. I can even easily fit my Libretto 110 laptop in the outside compartment (It's a REALLY tiny laptop, but runs PS Elements just fine). This backpack is about the same size as my Lowe Pro Elite III I purchased 25 years ago, but so much more versatile. I'm a happy camper. Also, as I get some canon zooms I'll swap out the prime focus Olympus lenses, so I don't think I'll out grow it anytime.

[added]
I should also add that I'm only 5'4", and if I was any larger the chest strap and "waste strap" would probably not be functional. But for a small person they are fine.

CHUCK

[timmyquest]

My LowePro MicroTrekker 200 arrived today from B&H, and what a sweet little backpack. When I took it out I thought, "That's a cute little bag", thinking it may have been too small. But, boy, it packs well.



Say...mine came today too!

And thats exactly what i thought. I think in a year or two when i have a few more lenses i may have to upgrade, but for now this is pretty much perfect.

Also, i actually think i could probably fit both 70-200 f/2.8 and 300f/4 and 17-40 and 50 f/1.8.

I would have to sacrafice the 550, and put the 70-200 on the side, and the 300 on the camera. We'll see once i get the lens though.

[René Damkot]

Eeehm, my Billingham 335 fits 1D2, 20/1.8; 35/2.0; 50/1.4; 100/2.0 and 550EX...

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Simon King, not sure where you are, but here is my suggestion.

Roots Camera/PC backback. C$89. at Henry's in Canada.

D60, 28-135, 16-35L, 75-300DO, hoods, BGED3, 550EX, filters in the main body. Could easily be adjusted to fit 70-200 and still carry this gear.

Computer pocket is the back area. Well padded. My Dell Inspiron 8100 fits tightly. The company Compac EVO fits much more easily. Large flat pocket on the from easily fits manuals etc. another pocket on the from easily fits the charger and extra day-stuff.

Mesh pocket in the front inside easily fits cleaning kit, batteries, CF card case.

Side strap holds tripod. Water bottle holder.

Good shoulder padding and straps. Hip straps a little less than expected for a serious hike.

Works for me currently.

[I Simonius]

Eeehm, my Billingham 335 fits 1D2, 20/1.8; 35/2.0; 50/1.4; 100/2.0 and 550EX...

It's these zoooooooooooom lenses that are just too big for my 335
The 70-200f4L is just too high if I put it vertical, and just too long if horizontal
The 20d camera with the 10-22 on won't go safely transversly so it has to be either sideways of vertical, and vertical is the only option if I'm to get the 70-200 in as well

Just a TINY bit too small, pity as it's always served me well

As I said before though, my back is none too good nowadays and the idea of a day on my shoulder is too much, it has to be some sort of back pack I think
I like the idea of the Lowepro's that have a waist belt although I'm not really too sure how these work, and can't get my dealer to get them in to look at without a hefty deposit

I never used to be a great one for zooms in the past but now that the zoom quality is acceptable they seem to be de rigeur for these 1.6 chip nowadays
With wide angles I much prefer a fixed focal length - (how hard is it to take a pace or two forward or back?) but the only option is these zooms which are SO bulky - I mean my old 17mm FD lens was big enough on it's own but at least it would fit in the bag!:-)

There must be Masses of people in my shoes who have got a new DSLR with a long and short fat zoom, maybe got to a certain age where we have the time and money to invest in the art but don't need the full tilt professional kit just want the best of what they can comforatbly carry - all we need is something to carry it comfortably IN with quick access! (Maybe it's a bit like the average Harley-Davidson owner - theyre over 45, well heeled and know what they want - Hmmm maybe there's something else I could spend my money on...)

I don't want masses of lenses ( well I do BUT...) because of my bad back/shoulders I can't carry that much stuff and still enjoy myself.
So I will make do with:
-One long zoom (70-200){got}
-One why dangle (10-22){got}
-One Macro (100mm)
-One fast (50 or 35 f1.4)
-One flash or small folding reflector
-One light tripod
-OH ... and a Camera:-){got}


Room for essential sustinance (a drink and sandwich)

Maybe the bags manufatcurers haven't cottoned on to this new trend for small kit with fat zoom syndrome yet? (sorry that sounds rude:oops:)

BTW - Should we have a thread for small kits and for large kits?

[I Simonius]

Simon King, not sure where you are, but here is my suggestion.

Roots Camera/PC backback. C$89. at Henry's in Canada.

D60, 28-135, 16-35L, 75-300DO, hoods, BGED3, 550EX, filters in the main body. Could easily be adjusted to fit 70-200 and still carry this gear.

Computer pocket is the back area. Well padded. My Dell Inspiron 8100 fits tightly. The company Compac EVO fits much more easily. Large flat pocket on the from easily fits manuals etc. another pocket on the from easily fits the charger and extra day-stuff.

Mesh pocket in the front inside easily fits cleaning kit, batteries, CF card case.

Side strap holds tripod. Water bottle holder.

Good shoulder padding and straps. Hip straps a little less than expected for a serious hike.

Works for me currently.

I'm in te UK
Sounds interesting though, do you have a link??
I could do a search.. the range is called 'roots'?

Thanks

[johnnybfan]

Hey there Simon King, just try putting Roots camera bag on an ebay search. I just checked there and they have a couple of bags on auction. Sound a little too small for what I want. Good luck in your search.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

I'm in te UK
Sounds interesting though, do you have a link??
I could do a search.. the range is called 'roots'?

Thanks

Simon,

Sorry about the delay answering, travelling today.

http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PageDisplay?dest=frames.jsp&currency=CAD&storeId=10001

Is the link to Henry's for info on the bag. Roots is international so you may find a local supplier.?

Price is now C$99, up since I got mine.

Good Luck

[I Simonius]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone -- Still looks like the Lowepro Mini Trekker or Orion Trekker or Orion Aw would be best but I guess til I can get a proper look it's guess work


Thanks again for all your input

[Tapeman]

I have the Tamerac 752 Day pack ( in gray) ti dosen't look like a camera bag and holds a lot of gear.

[CaseyScofield]

I just bought one of these last week. Should get it on Monday.

http://www.mountainsmith.com/store/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=376&category_id=1e0b7794617ff4db423e8bc58a73f4ef

[chris.bailey]

Simon

According to the Billingham Website the 335 has recently been redesigned and maybe they have made it a little larger as a result as -


http://www.pbase.com/chris_bailey/image/40962168.jpg

1dMkII with 17-40, 28-70,1.4x,12mm Tubes,Epson P2000,550EX. Charger under the lens of the 17-40 and all the rest in the frontpockets. Its snug but is a great size for taking kit on holiday, with the Billingham backpack straps I would have thought it a great all rounder.

The Billingham bags seem to be so much better than the others I have tried and I have loads kicking about

[I Simonius]

Simon

According to the Billingham Website the 335 has recently been redesigned and maybe they have made it a little larger as a result as -

1dMkII with 17-40, 28-70,1.4x,12mm Tubes,Epson P2000,550EX. Charger under the lens of the 17-40 and all the rest in the frontpockets. Its snug but is a great size for taking kit on holiday, with the Billingham backpack straps I would have thought it a great all rounder.

The Billingham bags seem to be so much better than the others I have tried and I have loads kicking about

WOW your bag is clean!
What's the lens on the top RHS of the pic? - an 'L' lens?
I have retried my stuff in the billingham and it ALMOST fits - just the 70-200 is much too high to do the zip up - not aprob on sunny days but if it rains....
looks like there's more spongy protectors front and back than in mine too
Thanks maybe I'LL atake a look at the new ones but I will still need a back-pack stlye bag I think for walking any distance

[I Simonius]

I have the Tamerac 752 Day pack ( in gray) ti dosen't look like a camera bag and holds a lot of gear.

Had look on the website, interesting, wonder if I can get it in the UK?

[I Simonius]

Simon, as you mentioned Jessop's I assume that you are in the UK. Jessops are expensive for kit, but they do price match. I have the Lowe-Pro Photo Trekker AWII, for all of my Kit. (my Film camera's and older EF lenses are residing in a couple of Billingham Bags) Jessops want £275 for the Photo Trekker, but I paid £180 at A.J.Purdy. You could also check-out Morrisphoto.co.uk, they do deals on Lowe-pro and usually have some freebies (including P&P) on offer.

Thanks for that Andy -weekend - time to check things out!

[I Simonius]

Anyway, if you can't do a shoulder bag and a back pack seems inconvenient at times, look at some of the belt packs.

Mike

will do thanks

[BigRed450]

Tamrac CyberPak 9 #5259

http://users.air.on.ca/cbjaps/jtphotographic/tamrac5259.jpg

I'll have to agree that it does get aweful heavy once its filled up, especially with the laptop.

[I Simonius]

Jeepers!
You'd need a pet heffalump to carry that lot any distance!

[JSolie]

All these packs & backpacks look great...

What I'm trying to find is something to carry around my 20D+grip+17-85mm lens, 70-200mm 2.8L, 580ex, a squeezy blower, some memory cards, spare batteries, some filters, cheeseburger, onion rings and large orange drink (well, maybe not these last three...)

I currently have a Lowepro Nova 1 for my Minolta, which works very well for this camera. It's a shoulder pack and holds the camera, filters, flash and the gobs of batteries this camera sucks dry in an afternoon. Because it's a shoulder pack, it always seems to be in the way for me, or it feels like it's ready to come off.

I'd like to find something that allows me to carry the Canon gear, get the out and in without too much fuss. And have enough room to carry the 70-200 2.8L and 580ex for when I need them.

Any suggestions?

-- John

[chris.bailey]

WOW your bag is clean!
What's the lens on the top RHS of the pic? - an 'L' lens?
I have retried my stuff in the billingham and it ALMOST fits - just the 70-200 is much too high to do the zip up - not aprob on sunny days but if it rains....
looks like there's more spongy protectors front and back than in mine too
Thanks maybe I'LL atake a look at the new ones but I will still need a back-pack stlye bag I think for walking any distance

Brand new, delivered Thursday last! I wanted a small bag just for the holiday essentials, the Billingham fits the bill and is soo well made. The lens on the top RHS is a 70-200 2.8L and it fits in and the zip does up. I also have a 50mm 1.8 in the pic as well.

[I Simonius]

All these packs & backpacks look great...

What I'm trying to find is something to carry around my 20D+grip+17-85mm lens, 70-200mm 2.8L, 580ex, a squeezy blower, some memory cards, spare batteries, some filters, cheeseburger, onion rings and large orange drink (well, maybe not these last three...)

I currently have a Lowepro Nova 1 for my Minolta, which works very well for this camera. It's a shoulder pack and holds the camera, filters, flash and the gobs of batteries this camera sucks dry in an afternoon. Because it's a shoulder pack, it always seems to be in the way for me, or it feels like it's ready to come off.

I'd like to find something that allows me to carry the Canon gear, get the out and in without too much fuss. And have enough room to carry the 70-200 2.8L and 580ex for when I need them.

Any suggestions?

-- John

This has been prettty much what Ive been looking for , something that is easy to carry but which has easy access. Nothing quite sees to fit the bill.
It's either easy access, on the shoulder, or easy carry, on the back
The Lowepro Orion AW is one which I think boasts both capabilities , in that it can be swung round fromthe back, but I have yet to actually see on ein the flesh

[Wibbler]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm on the lookout for a bag as well.

I Just bought an EOS 20D with the 18-55mm and will soon be adding the 55-200mm. I might add a wider angle lens sometime in the future. I have a Vivitar 285 flash as well.

I've looked at the Stealth Reporter 100AW, Nova 2AW and Mini Mag AW from LowePro, along with a Billingham Venture 420 and a few of the Tamrac, CCS bags - I'm leaning towards the Stealth Reporter 100AW or the Bollingham Venture 420, but would appreciate some advice.

I already have a LowePro Compact AW, but its way too large for my proposed EOS outfit.

W.

[I Simonius]

Well I went to the local shop and bought a bag I hadn't even considered because everything fitted in it EXACTLY!! Canon 20D, 50mm, 10-22, 70-200f4L, with room for one more medium focal length prime, and lots of little pocketses;-)

I was really struggling with usability over portability, so I took my kit and put in just about every relevant bag in the shop

It seems to me that the choice if you have just one camera and one lens is easy, also if you have masses of lenses and cameras you are spoilt for choice, as there are so many backpacks and shoulder bags for large kits.

However when it comes to one camera and focal lengths covering wide to medium tele, mostly in zooms perhaps with one fast prime, i.e. two to three lenses, you fall betwen the two posts. Too little kit to warrent a big back pack, too much for any distance in most shoulder bags

What I did notice whilst trying out the bags was that the quality and atention to detail of the Billingham and Lowepro bags was unmatched.

I had narrowed my choice down to:
- Billingham: Hadley or 225 or 335. The first two were just too small, the last too big;
- Lowepro: Orion AW or Mini Trekker AW. The Orion I didn't get to try and I might still get that one in the future for longer treks

What I got in the end was the Lowepro Nova 3 AW, one I hadn't considered but it was handed to me to try and everything fitted in it so neatly. I had already decided that I would ultimately need two bags , one for events etc where I would be in constant need of easy access and another for times when I would be carrying the kit for longer without such constant changing of lenses.

The old (20 years) billingham bag I had was so nearly OK but the long zoom was too high to make it weather proof. So basically the Nova replaced that as my shoulder bag. It's amazing how with thre right design you can get more in so much less space
:D

PS more bags discussion here
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26934

[Canuck]

I have a Tenba DB-17C which i addition to all the stuff shown below, I can stick a 17" laptop in the bottom too! I was looking at the 17" Mac laptop, but I think that has been replaces by something a little more reasonable. I have a 12" iBook that is awesome and got a deal on it so no complaints here. In this pic the 10D w/Big Ed attached on bottom and the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8EX, the one down from it is the Canon 24-70mm F2.8L, and on the right is a Canon 16-35mm F2.8L. Above it is the CF card holder and CPL/extra UV filter. On the left is a ton of extra room. The other camera is a Canon EOS 50E (US is Elan IIE) and above that on top is a FlashTrax 40GB storage device and extra batteries. Here are the pics:
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=5767056
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=5767057
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=5767058

[eosster]

The bag I have is useless for me, I need bag recommendation for following items:

Canon 20D
Canon RebXT
Canon 17-40
Canon 70-200
Canon 50mm
Either, 24-70 or 100 Macro
580EX
other stuff like filters,

Any idea what kind bag I should be looking for, btw, I am only 5'8".

Thanks,

[Canuck]

I am 5' 8" as well so that would work, or the smaller cousin, the DB-15C which holds a 15" laptop if you wanted to do a mobile digital dark room like I do.

[chris.bailey]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm on the lookout for a bag as well.

I Just bought an EOS 20D with the 18-55mm and will soon be adding the 55-200mm. I might add a wider angle lens sometime in the future. I have a Vivitar 285 flash as well.

I've looked at the Stealth Reporter 100AW, Nova 2AW and Mini Mag AW from LowePro, along with a Billingham Venture 420 and a few of the Tamrac, CCS bags - I'm leaning towards the Stealth Reporter 100AW or the Bollingham Venture 420, but would appreciate some advice.

I already have a LowePro Compact AW, but its way too large for my proposed EOS outfit.

W.

The Lowepro Reporter bags seems like a good idea with the zip in the top flap BUT you will find it a struggle to get a camera with lens attached out so you end up opening it up anyway. I dropped my 10D as a result of the struggle, luckily with no damage, but I ditched it as a result.

[I Simonius]

Any idea what kind bag I should be looking for, btw, I am only 5'8".

Thanks,

ONLY 5'8"??
That's not short!
:-)