The perfect wedding bag

[PhotoMatte]

I've been shooting weddings professionally for 6 years now and have scoured my neighborhood and the internet for the perfect wedding bag. I always have 2 cameras with me; one in my hand and one over my shoulder, as well as a bastardized fanny pack (or bum bag, for you Brits out there), in which I use the water-bottle holders as lens holders.
This has worked well for me, for the most part...except for the few times the lenses have fallen out because the sleeves for the water bottles weren't really designed to hold longer lenses. Does anyone know of anyplace that sells what I'm looking for, or should I design it and try and patent the damn thing?

[currentlyoffline]

I use Lowepro Street and Field Series for this, just choose the components you want, and then put it all together.
http://products.lowepro.com/product/S-F-Deluxe-Waistbelt,2026,31.htm
I use the deluxe waistbelt, and put whichever modules suit the task at hand.
I have a water bottle carrier, two lens pouches, two snaplock all weather pouches, a small bag I use for a spare body, or quantum flash pack, among other things.
I also use a harness and or backpack with this belt, when walking long distance carrying big lenses ie. 400mm/600mm

[tigerotor77w]

www.shootsac.com

This work?

[_aravena]

Well that's not a bag! :p

I use the 7MDH. It's perfect for me. Sounds like you should go with the first suggestion though.

[BBrat]

You could try Think Tank. They have 2 types of modular sytems (modular components or skin components).

Also from ThinkTank which may work for you is one of the belt packs bags (Change up, speed demon, speed freak, speed racer) they have built in belts to wear around your waist and have loops to add modular peices if needed.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html

[jacuff]

Yeah, I like the Pro Speed Belt from Think Tank Photo as well. It's not a bag, but it works well.

[tigerotor77w]

Well that's not a bag! :p

True, but my impression was that the OP only needed lenses and water bottle nooks (which the Shootsac would fulfill to a "t").

That being said, I'm biased now that I've gone through my own research of which bags to buy. May that thought rest in peace for a few more years... :lol:

[jacobsen1]

also consider the boda bag. www.goboda.com. It's a "lens bag" but can fit a body, and hell it can even fit a 100-400 or 70-200 2.8 IS ON a body if you need to. It can be used as a shoulder bag OR waist bag depending on what you prefer.

[stathunter]

I am now using thinktank change up-- at weddings--- wear it when I need to-- carry it like a bag when I need to. I always have two bodies on me shooting weddings.

[GMCPhotographics]

Both the shootsac and Boda bag are designed by wedding photographers for wedding work. The Shootsac is geared for primes, you can fit a 70-200/2.8 in there but it really takes up some space and can over loead the bag. The Boda is designed for f2.8 zoom users, eg a 16-35/24-70/70-200 and a fish eye. Which is fine if that's your lens choice.
I take 2 bags to a wedding shoot. I take a large rucksack that takes all my gear, including spare bodies and lenses that are less likely to be needed. Then I take a small Think Tank UD 40 and I use this as a lens bag. I hold the camera around my neck for most of the day so i don't need any bag space for it. What I need is a bag to hold my lenses and help me change quickly on the fly. Neither the camera or UD 40 gets put down, they stay around my neck the whole day.

What I'd love to see is a lens changing bag that's the height of a 135mm with a hood and is one lens row deep but has 5-6 lens slots. Lightweight design, black and very neat and unobtrusive

[jacobsen1]

What I'd love to see is a lens changing bag that's the height of a 135mm with a hood and is one lens row deep but has 5-6 lens slots. Lightweight design, black and very neat and unobtrusive

think tank belt system with the appropriate lens cases?

and I think you wrote boda twice above when you meant to say boda once and shootsac once? IE boda for 2.8 zooms, shootsac for primes?

[GMCPhotographics]

Thanks, edited and corrected.
The Think tank lens case / belt system is just too big. For weddings it's hardly chich. It's great for paparazzi and press types, but not for a TOG who's trying to blend in.

[jacobsen1]

yeah, I hear that.... :confused:

photo vests can work UNDER a tux jacket. Or a bag that looks the part. For that, again, I'd go with the boda or shootsac as they're both pretty inconspicuous... Obviously get a plain or black cover for the shootsac though. :lol: maybe a black domke would work too?