Another bag question

[dan_bgblue]

I suspect that you get tired of seeing another question from some one that has outgrown their current bag and is in search of another one. If you are willing to look at a gear list and suggest a bag to hold it all in comfort, I would appreciate it. Shoulder bag, backpack, slingbag are all OK for suggestions as I have found nothing in the multiple threads here that catch my eye, and that includes the one stuck at the top of this forum.

I would like a bag that can carry the below without a lot of fuss. (keep the entire kit in one place so I can pick it up knowing everything is there) I have a smaller bag already that will go along and I will move the lens, body, flash, etc. into it to carry it where I want to shoot if the main kit bag is too much for me to lug around for long.

List of stuff that needs to fit in the bag

Non gripped 40D, might grip later but not now and I want to carry the body and all lenses unmounted.
70-200 F4L IS with inverted hood it is 7.75" long and 4" wide
17-55 F2.8 IS with inverted hood it is 5.25" long and 4.25" wide
I don't have this lens yet, but want the bag to accommodate it in case...
Bigmos (150-500 sigma) 9.9" long and 3.7" wide without inverted hood. I suspect with inverted hood it will be 4.25" wide
Kenko 1.4 TC
430EX II
charger for body battery and a small rapid charger for the aa flash batteries
mini maglite flashlight
body and lens manuals
a few filters, lens cleaning stuff, pocket blower, 4 extra AA batteries and 1 spare 40D battery
and last but not least is a convenient way to incorporate a tripod into the carry package.

The tripod part is a wish and not critical as I have a bag for the tripod that I can carry on the opposite shoulder if necessary.

I do not expect to expand the kit anytime soon, other than maybe the Bigmos, so thoughts of expansion should not enter into the mix if you chose to think about this one.

Thanks very much

[crn3371]

You'll probably get a different recommendation in every post, but here's mine. If you want a backpack take a look at the Tamrac Expedition series. I have the Expedition 5 and it holds everything in my sig. I'm assuming that the Bigmos is comparable to the 100-400 in size. The bag does have external straps for a tripod, but at least in the case of the 5 it better be a very compact tripod as it is going to stick out fairly high above the bag.

[jcothron]

If you're looking at backpacks.. I'd suggest something from the Lowepro (like NatureTrekker, Tamrac, Kata, or Think Tank lines. There will be many opinions as to which is better. Personally I think Lowepro does a great job with their backpacks... especially in cases where you actually hike with it. I like them better than Tamrac. Kata is popular as well though, as is Think Tank. I do like the looks of the Think Tank products although I haven't tried any.

In shoulder bags you're going to need a relatively large bag to hold the size of your lenses if not so much the amount of gear. I'm sure many will work including the popular crumpler. I have a 7mdh that would probably hold all that (it holds the 100-400 with ease). Again you have Lowepro with some attractive (if perhaps large) options (Stealth Reporter, Magnum, etc.). I'm sure Tamrac and Think Thank have something as well.. especially since you're willing to carry an unmounted body. I have a LP Magnum as well, which does have tripod loops over some of the other options.

I didn't give you many specifics because there are huge number to choose from. You'll have to pick one that has the features and overall design that's appealing to you.

[prrs4me]

Lowepro Slingshot 300. Everything but the tripod.