Smallest Bag for Two Gripped DSLRS with Lenses Facing Down

[Supastudio]

I have a 7D and 5DMII both with the battery grips attached. Right now I carry them in two Lowepro Toploader bags. What is the smallest bag that would hold both cameras with the lenses facing down for quick retrieval? The lenses on both would be comparable to the 24-105mm f/4 L. The only other gear that I would need to hold would be two speedlites.

I'm leaning towards a Think Tank Urban Disguise bag, but their website surprisingly doesn't have any decent photos of the interior of the bags:confused: Anyone have a similar gear situation?

[hfgarris]

Sounds like the designed application for the Think Tank Urban Disguise 70 Pro...
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/urban-disguise-70-pro-shoulder-bag.aspx

I sometimes carry those 2 cameras, but mine are NOT gripped. I use either the Think Tank UD 60 or a Tamrac Pro5. I also usually have the 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 (or 100-400) lenses mounted which are larger and longer than the 24-105 you specified.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/248073-REG/Tamrac_560501_5605_Camera_Bag.html

-howard

[mr.lemarc]

I have a 7D and 5DMII....

my bag :lol:

[Supastudio]

I sometimes carry those 2 cameras, but mine are NOT gripped. I use either the Think Tank UD 60 or a Tamrac Pro5. I also usually have the 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 (or 100-400) lenses mounted which are larger and longer than the 24-105 you specified.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/248073-REG/Tamrac_560501_5605_Camera_Bag.html

-howard

Would the Think Tank UD 60 be able to hold a DSLR with the grips or is it just too small? It's actually the same price as the UD 70 Pro. Does it have a single zipper on top or is it two rows of zippers for easier access?

[_aravena]

There are some Domke I know will do it but the 6MDH would fit as well pending the size of the lenses.

[tvphotog]

I think the ThinkTank UD may be a bit large. I would look at the Lowepro Stealth Reporter 300. Very well made, top opening zipper for lens changes (is too small to place a body with a lens through.)

[tdodd]

UD 60 video here, which might give you some idea - http://www.youtube.com/user/eezytiger#p/u/5/3n-cx865Q0Y - and picture....

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4_R8TkwT74w/SdofCeIVWjI/AAAAAAABCHA/ytdZ117gSdk/s800/20090406_152017_0375_LR.jpg

[ChristopherMadison]

I have the ThinkTank UD60 and I carry a 5d gripped. It fits fine with the 24-70 attached, but is a bit snug with the 70-200 attached. You can still close the bag, but its SNUG! Probably not intended that way. The UD70 seems to be a much more fitting bag and designed for our situation. However, I only looked briefly at the UD70, I didn't see the laptop compartment like the UD60 has. If you carry a laptop, this might be a concern, otherwise UD70 over UD60 at the same price for gripped body.

ps...jealous of your gear :cry:

[timnosenzo]

The ThinkTank UD70 is a HUGE bag, and the other UD's don't really fit body+grip combo's very well.

You could go with a Crumpler 7MDH, set up like this:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7643053&postcount=2144

It's not terribly big and allows for 2 bodies with grips, each with lenses attached and one or two more lenses in the center (if they're short enough to fit under the bodies).

[ChristopherMadison]

Both UD60 and UD70 are single zipper. I looked at Stealth Reporter series by Lowepro, they are cool too and would also work.

[hfgarris]

The ThinkTank UD70 is a HUGE bag, and the other UD's don't really fit body+grip combo's very well.

You could go with a Crumpler 7MDH, set up like this:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7643053&postcount=2144

It's not terribly big and allows for 2 bodies with grips, each with lenses attached and one or two more lenses in the center (if they're short enough to fit under the bodies).

The Crumpler 7MDH and the UD70 are the same size except for height where the UD70 is 1.5" taller.

The height of a camera mounted 24-105 is 7.5" (8.5" hood extended).
The camera width is 6".
I don't have a gripped body to measure camera height, but ungripped is 4.5"

If the grip adds 2" ... each camera needs a space of 6" x 6.5" x 8.5" or more.

-howard

[hfgarris]

Both UD60 and UD70 are single zipper. I looked at Stealth Reporter series by Lowepro, they are cool too and would also work.

Having a "wide-mouth" or "flip-top" opening does make a big difference when inserting/removing the camera, especially if you have 2 in the bag and they are positioned towards the ends of the bag. A single zipper opening is enhanced IF the zippers extended around the top corners and part way down the side of the bag so the opening is wider.

-howard

[timnosenzo]

The Crumpler 7MDH and the UD70 are the same size except for height where the UD70 is 1.5" taller.


I own both, and maybe it's just the style, but to me the UD70 is a lot bigger. The only thing I have the UD70 for is when I need to lug a lot of stuff somewhere, because IMO it's just too big to use as a casual bag.

I can fit 2 bodies w/ grips (one with lens attached), 5 lenses (one on the body), and 4 speedlites in the UD70... no way I could fit that in the 7MDH.

[hfgarris]

I own both, and maybe it's just the style, but to me the UD70 is a lot bigger. The only thing I have the UD70 for is when I need to lug a lot of stuff somewhere, because IMO it's just too big to use as a casual bag.

I can fit 2 bodies w/ grips (one with lens attached), 5 lenses (one on the body), and 4 speedlites in the UD70... no way I could fit that in the 7MDH.

I don't have the Crumpler, I was just going by the B&H specs vs. the TT specs. Most bags which are wide enough and thick enough for 2 cameras side-by-side are also tall to accommodate a 70-200 preferably mounted. The OP needs the big footprint (width and thickness) for his 2 bodies, but doesn't really need all that much height if his largest lens is the 24-105. He could put his speedlites on the bottom to utilize that space.

Now if he wants to put his 100-400 in there ...

One thing about the TT UD series ... they look neat and trim only if you don't put big bulky things in the front pockets.

-howard

[Supastudio]

Thanks for all the responses. I was hoping the UD 60 and 70 would have a double zipper instead of just the single zipper. This might make me reconsider the Urban Disguise. I do have a 100-400mm L, and I'm a "just in case" person, so maybe the tall UD would help. Does anyone have a Think Tank Speed Demon/Speed Freak Bag? Those bags have the flip tops on them.

Those Crumplers look nice too, but I have no experience with them. If only I could fuse my Lowepro Toploaders into one single bag :)

[chromewaves]

what do you mean by double zipper? that the main container zipper has two moveable ends? Because all the UDs - at least the 40 and 50, which I own, and presumably the 60 and 70 - have two zippers.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/product-images/xlarge/Feature-Urban-Disguise-50-10.jpg

If you're talking about something else, then never mind.

[Supastudio]

Double zipper as in two parallel lines that are about 3" apart that both have zippers. It makes for a bigger opening. It is confusing...

[chromewaves]

Double zipper as in two parallel lines that are about 3" apart that both have zippers. It makes for a bigger opening. It is confusing...

ah, gotcha.

yeah, I can fit my gripped 5D with 24-70 attached in my UD50. but it does feel a bit more distended than I like - obviously not what the design intended. having a slim bag and gripped body seem to be incompatible goals.

[hfgarris]

I used to have a Tamrac CyberPro which would hold 2 loaded cameras and had a double-pull zipper flap on top which could also be opened as a flip-top. It will also hold a computer. I sold it when I purchased the UD60.

http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-5618-Black-CyberPro-Briefcase/dp/B0002FOPOA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258657949&sr=8-1

I have a "Speed Freak" and the flip-top lid really makes getting into and out of it a breeze. It is too small to put 2 gripped cameras on lenses in however. It is tall enough to hold a 70-200 or 100-400 easily, but not on the camera. I think the larger "Speed Racer" is designed for gripped/pro bodies and larger lenses. I think it is also too small for 2 cameras w/lenses at once.

-howard

[eelnoraa]

I think the ThinkTank UD may be a bit large. I would look at the Lowepro Stealth Reporter 300. Very well made, top opening zipper for lens changes (is too small to place a body with a lens through.)

Lowepro SR300 is definitely too small for 2 gripped bodies + 2 speedlite. It will do 2 non-gripped bodies + 2 speedlites or only 2 gripped bodies. To do what OP want, maybe SR400. For pratical reason, I recommand SR series over MDH series by a big margin.

[LIVE4SPD]

The Stealth reporter would be a good choice for this. You might consider their Classified series as well. I think you would need a Stealth Reporter 400 or 550. I have a 550 I know all that will fit.

All TT Photo UD bags except the 70 won't hold the camera gripped w/ a lens attached. They are all designed to have the camera in the front pockets. Which does make some sense because once you are at your shooting destination the camera doesn't really go back in the bag. You might change lens a few times but that's it. The bag flattens out nicely after the camera is pulled out and is pretty nice.

I have a Crumpler 6MDH and while it is nice, I don't care for it because the top doesn't close in a water tight fashion and there is practially no pockets to put stuff in.

[hfgarris]

All TT Photo UD bags except the 70 won't hold the camera gripped w/ a lens attached. They are all designed to have the camera in the front pockets. Which does make some sense because once you are at your shooting destination the camera doesn't really go back in the bag. You might change lens a few times but that's it. The bag flattens out nicely after the camera is pulled out and is pretty nice.

Just to add a bit of clarity... The UD35 is designed to hold gripped/pro cameras too (it was the first designed to do so, and one of my favorite bags). The "laptop section" divider is designed to fold back for additional room at the top for the grip. It will still hold a NetBook in that configuration (as opposed to a 13" MacBook sized computer with a non-gripped body). It will not hold the OP's dual lens mounted camera setup at all.

-howard

[hfgarris]

You might consider their Classified series as well.

The Classified series seems to have an unusual top opening. I haven't actually seen one in person. How easy is it to get a camera w/lens in and out, especially if the storage position is at the extreme end of the bag? Does the flap get in your way while you are doing this?

-howard

[Supastudio]

The Lowepro website has some very nice videos explaining the Stealth Reporter, Magnum, and Classified bags. This is going to be harder than I thought it would be.

[hfgarris]

This is going to be harder than I thought it would be.

Yeah ... the grips really complicate matters.

I find that most "older" design camera bags are sized for the film SLR and lenses. The newer bags are starting to fit the high end DSLR and lenses. Think Tank seems to design around Canon (and probably Nikon) full size body and IS f/2.8 lenses. Very few bag manufacturers seem to fully embrace gripped/pro bodies without getting into the tank sized PJ type bags.

-howard

[Supastudio]

I think I narrowed it down: Tamrac 619 Super Pro 19, Lowepro Classified 200AW, Lowepro Magnum 400 AW. I really wished that a Think Tank UD bag was on the list. I have the Think Tank Airport Security Roller and love it, but it holds ALL my gear. I also like the philosophy and people behind Think Tank.

Any takes on these three bags? Everyone's opinion is really helping me in my selection process. All these bags are huge, but I guess thats the price for carrying two gripped DSLRs around :(

http://www.tamrac.com/619open.jpg http://products.lowepro.com//CatalogImages/18-2122-IMG9L.jpeg http://products.lowepro.com//CatalogImages/18-2138-IMG2_LRG.jpeg

[Todd Lambert]

I think Domke is the answer here:

http://cambags.com/canon/1d/shoulder/domke_f7_frames.htm

[Supastudio]

I think Domke is the answer here:

http://cambags.com/canon/1d/shoulder/domke_f7_frames.htm

Oh, that's nice too! Stop making my choices so complicated :)

[c2thew]

I hope you can lug all that weight. The idea of carrying two cameras is nice, but armed with all that equipment; it will take it's toll.

[Supastudio]

I hope you can lug all that weight. The idea of carrying two cameras is nice, but armed with all that equipment; it will take it's toll.

I already carry the equipment. I just use two Toploader bags right now which makes it cumbersome. Pretty much I'm needing a bag that holds two gripped DSLRs with lenses attached and two speedlites. The problem is arising on finding a bag that has the lenses facing down.

I like this setup because it's a single motion to put the camera back in the bag instead of releasing your standard hold on the camera to grab the lens, then place it back in the bag. Just like a side arm, you don't release your grip from the handle of your gun just to grab it again on the barrel to put back in your bag/holster.

[Jon]

If the size is an issue, consider keeping the bodies on their sides (or at least one of them). You can always keep a couple of batteries, short lenses, teleconverters, filters, or other small items under them.

[hfgarris]

Those bags you have narrowed it down to look BIGGER than the UD70-Pro.

You mentioned one camera having the 24-105 on it. What is on the other camera?

-howard

[Supastudio]

Those bags you have narrowed it down to look BIGGER than the UD70-Pro.

You mentioned one camera having the 24-105 on it. What is on the other camera?

-howard

They are bigger but the UD70 has such a small top opening. I 've seen videos where the camera just scrapes against the zipper teeth. :confused: The Lowepro Stealth has a single zipper like the UD, but it's flapped at the ends making for a wider opening, pretty interesting design.

The other lens would be a Sigma 15-30mm. The Sigma is actually longer than the 24-105L.

[agphotography]

I would take those large open inserts from the Domke F-7 and drop them into a Domke F-2 (I have one and use it regularly) I bet you that would work fine. Then you have 1 small bag that would be capable of holding the two bodies with lenses, and probably room for a flash or two (one on each end pocket)

[TeamSpeed]

Ha, I won't show you what I managed to wrangle out of the Canon DG200 bag... I am in the same predicament and have been leaning toward the Tamrac 5612 or higher bags, but I am glad to see some other nice options.

I currently have been using the DG200 bag to hold:

1D4 w/24-60, 5D2 w/50 1.4, 70-200 2.8 IS, 580EX2 in its case, 2x, 1.4x, spare batteries, filters, etc. If I had bigger lenses like the brick on either body, this configuration will no longer work, or I would have to dismount lenses each time for storage, and not take the flash.