Another request for bag help...

[EVANDIXONdotCOM]

Okay guys, I have been searching through threads and debating what to buy. I am leaving on the 28th for a 4 month trip as a missionary to Nicaragua. I need a smaller bag than my Lowepro AW Computrekker Plus. It's huge, and we use public transportation a lot, so its bulkiness doesn't complement my 6'4" big build very well when I'm trying to get on a bus. Great for getting ALL my gear there, but not wonderful for getting around.

Nevertheless, I want a recommendation.

Things I want to carry:

Gripped 50D, preferably with lens attached
70-200 2.8 IS
17-55 2.8 IS
580EXII
Maybe my 50mm 1.4, but I could live without it.
Misc small stuff like batteries, memory cards, remote, etc.
I don't want to spend much more than around $100.

So far I've seen these bags:


Tamrac Velocity 9x (-Very obviously a "camera bag" +carry format)
ThinkTank Urban Disguise 35(Seems to be highly recomended, big enough?
Domke F3X (big enough?
Crumpler _ Million Dollar Home (-a bit pricey)Weather resistance is important, as we get stuck in the rain occasionally.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[ed rader]

Okay guys, I have been searching through threads and debating what to buy. I am leaving on the 28th for a 4 month trip as a missionary to Nicaragua. I need a smaller bag than my Lowepro AW Computrekker Plus. It's huge, and we use public transportation a lot, so its bulkiness doesn't complement my 6'4" big build very well when I'm trying to get on a bus. Great for getting ALL my gear there, but not wonderful for getting around.

Nevertheless, I want a recommendation.


Things I want to carry:
Gripped 50D, preferably with lens attached
70-200 2.8 IS
17-55 2.8 IS
580EXII
Maybe my 50mm 1.4, but I could live without it.
Misc small stuff like batteries, memory cards, remote, etc.I don't want to spend much more than around $100.

So far I've seen these bags:


Tamrac Velocity 9x (-Very obviously a "camera bag" +carry format)
ThinkTank Urban Disguise 35(Seems to be highly recomended, big enough?
Domke F3X (big enough?
Crumpler _ Million Dollar Home (-a bit pricey)Weather resistance is important, as we get stuck in the rain occasionally.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Domke-F-2-Original-Camera-Bag-Canvas-Brwn-Waxwear-Coatd_W0QQitemZ220512707916QQihZ012QQcategoryZ5050 4QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo% 3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63

ed rader

[Undispu7ed]

Okay guys, I have been searching through threads and debating what to buy. I am leaving on the 28th for a 4 month trip as a missionary to Nicaragua. I need a smaller bag than my Lowepro AW Computrekker Plus. It's huge, and we use public transportation a lot, so its bulkiness doesn't complement my 6'4" big build very well when I'm trying to get on a bus. Great for getting ALL my gear there, but not wonderful for getting around.

Nevertheless, I want a recommendation.

Things I want to carry:
Gripped 50D, preferably with lens attached
70-200 2.8 IS
17-55 2.8 IS
580EXII
Maybe my 50mm 1.4, but I could live without it.
Misc small stuff like batteries, memory cards, remote, etc.I don't want to spend much more than around $100.

So far I've seen these bags:

Tamrac Velocity 9x (-Very obviously a "camera bag" +carry format)
ThinkTank Urban Disguise 35(Seems to be highly recomended, big enough?
Domke F3X (big enough?
Crumpler _ Million Dollar Home (-a bit pricey)Weather resistance is important, as we get stuck in the rain occasionally.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Domke-F-2-Original-Camera-Bag-Canvas-Brwn-Waxwear-Coatd_W0QQitemZ220512707916QQihZ012QQcategoryZ5050 4QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo% 3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63

ed rader

lol

[EVANDIXONdotCOM]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Domke-F-2-Original-Camera-Bag-Canvas-Brwn-Waxwear-Coatd_W0QQitemZ220512707916QQihZ012QQcategoryZ5050 4QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo% 3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63

ed rader

Well then, your simplicity is very much appreciated, though I am left hungering for a little explanation.

They're going for $100-110 depending on color on Amazon.

[tvphotog]

Look at the Lowepro Stealth Reporter series, the 300 model, though there are larger ones and smaller. They come with a waterproof cover, top access and are very well constructed.

[Jon]

I'd suggest the Domke F-3x. I carry a body (gripped or ungripped) and 2 largish zooms (24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 IS) in the main compartment with a flash and water bottle in the outer pockets; the front pocket has room for a Pixel Pocket Rocket (up to 10 cards), a battery or two, a filter wallet and the odd cable. The back (papers) pocket usually holds a plastic trash bag in case it gets really rainy; all my bags have a disposable plastic poncho ($0.99 at our local grocery) in the top compartment which adds additional water-resistance until I actually need to wear it.

[hfgarris]

Well then, your simplicity is very much appreciated, though I am left hungering for a little explanation.

They're going for $100-110 depending on color on Amazon.

The one Ed linked to is a "waxwear" finish, which appears to be more waterproof than the regular bags, but is always more expensive than the same bag in simple canvas. It is also better looking in my opinion.

You can also use Bing Cash Back on that purchase and get 8% or more off the price (the % off varies daily and even hourly).

-howard

[EVANDIXONdotCOM]

I see the thing about the finish now that you mention it.

Seems like the Domke is the most revered of the bunch.

Now, the F-2 or F-3...

You guys gave me one too many options.

[EVANDIXONdotCOM]

Theyre so close in price, and I can't decide. What I have to have will apparently fit the F3x, but the F2 would allow for some extras...

Someone sway me, please.

[janelleee]

UD35! big enough for all of your crap! if you are bringing a laptop bigger than 10", i wont fight in the bag if you have your grip on. none-the-less the bag is amazing!

one recommendation is to buy a lowepro WIDE strap for the bag as it might get heavy on you. a wide strap definitely saves shoulders.

[tvphotog]

If you're going to be in Nicagagua, whatever bag you choose, you better make sure that you can make it waterproof, make sure it has a waterproof cover, and make sure it's not open on the ends. You're not saving money if your gear gets wet.

[Jon]

F3x and F2 side by side (comparable lenses in each; not fully loaded)

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=143977&d=1170449516

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=143978&d=1170449516

[EVANDIXONdotCOM]

F3x and F2 side by side (comparable lenses in each; not fully loaded)


Thank you for the comparison! I like the way the gear lays in the F2 much more. If I get the Domke, that's what i'll go with.

If you're going to be in Nicagagua, whatever bag you choose, you better make sure that you can make it waterproof, make sure it has a waterproof cover, and make sure it's not open on the ends. You're not saving money if your gear gets wet.

Yes, I very much agree. This will be my 5th trip, only my 2nd extended say, but nevertheless, waterproofedness (sp?) is important. A lot of times we'll be riding in the back of a pickup truck and the rain hits, which compared to the rain here in NC, is like a monsoon. This is why I loved having my Computrekker with the waterproof cover, but it's just too bulky.

With all that said, are the domke bags waterproof enough? Looks to me like the material may be, but since they don't zip up, water would still be able to get in. If that is the case, I need another suggestion. Trash bag seems like a silly option when I could have just bought something with a cover.

Is the Think Tank UD 35 waterproof/weatherproof?

Am I wrong about the Domke?

Thanks for all the help guys, just wanting to make a good decision here that I don't regret.

Money is tight for the trip and I can't afford a $150 mistake on a bag that isn't what I need...when that's the better part of a month's living expenses in Nicaragua...

[tvphotog]

IMO, you should stick to Lowepro AW bags with waterproof covers built in, such as the Nova and the Stealth Reporter series, even the Classified series. The cover has saved my bacon a couple of times.

[EVANDIXONdotCOM]

IMO, you should stick to Lowepro AW bags with waterproof covers built in, such as the Nova and the Stealth Reporter series, even the Classified series. The cover has saved my bacon a couple of times.

Just finished looking at the Stealth Reporter 300 and I am now pretty sure that's more of what I need. The AW cover is awesome for what i'm doing. I'd want it to be able to hold my Gripped 50D with a lens attached, preferably my 70-200 but I could live with just the 17-55 attached. Do you think it would work? What configuration do you carry it in? Should I go up to the 400?

I cant find a review with images of the bag loaded up in the sticky, just the product images on Amazon.

[tvphotog]

Just finished looking at the Stealth Reporter 300 and I am now pretty sure that's more of what I need. The AW cover is awesome for what i'm doing. I'd want it to be able to hold my Gripped 50D with a lens attached, preferably my 70-200 but I could live with just the 17-55 attached. Do you think it would work? What configuration do you carry it in? Should I go up to the 400?

I cant find a review with images of the bag loaded up in the sticky, just the product images on Amazon.

I can put the 5D2 with a 24-105L attached with the lens down into the 300, and have room for the 100-400L upright and another lens, a Speedlite and accessories. The top closes easily this way, but it's difficult to pull the camera with lens through the ziptop. For me, that's not a hassle as I can always just raise the top completely to access the camera.

However, when I know I'll be shooting, I carry the camera on a shoulder strap, and keep the two lenses in the middle sections, because for a lens change, they are easy to access quickly through the zip top.

Here's what to do. Order the 300 and the 400 from B&H. See which one works best. Return the one you don't like. You will pay the $10 shipping back, but you'll get the one you want, and the credit will appear on your credit card before the payment is due.

[TeamSpeed]

Kata H-16 would fit all the items you list and is a good shoulder bag. Well padded and comes with a weather cover as well. Shoulder strap is comfy.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=513999&highlight=kata+h-14

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=294508&stc=1&d=1217980351

[Cam97]

I have an F2 with an XSI gripped with a 50mm mounted, 70-200, 18-55, flash, and accessories, still have room for 2 more lenses. Nice size bag to carry, not to heavy, and easy to get around with.

[EVANDIXONdotCOM]

I've decided to go with a Think Tank Urban Disguise 35, as a forum member has offered it to me at a good price.

It has the rain cover, and reviewers have shown it will hold my gripped 50D with 70-200 2.8 IS, along with other lenses and a flash. Rave reviews of its quality are a big plus as well.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me in the decision making process, one of the big reasons I love POTN!