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View Full Version : Boda V3 Lens Bag Review

Armin
10th of January 2010 (Sun), 20:23
I received my Boda V3 Lens Bag early from Jim Garner at GoBoda (http://www.goboda.com) and did a little review on the lens bag for those that are interested. You can check out my complete Boda V3 review on my blog HERE (http://www.arminblog.com/2010/01/10/boda-bag-review-the-boda-v3-lens-bag-dc-wedding-photographer/).

If you're ready to purchase this cool little lens bag now, visit www.GoBoda.com and enter my coupon code B1210DeFiesta and get $30 OFF. Code expires January 31, 2010 so hurry!

Here are my first impressions:

1. High quality build and materials
2. Stronger molding seems to enhance rigidity and durability
3. The new molding increases the overall size of the bag (compared with previous Boda bag models) without sacrificing comfort
4. The new shoulder strap totally rocks - thicker & wider, it provides improved weight distribution and comfort
5. Easy access to the media pocket (no more flap to deal with like with the previous Boda Dry "V2" bag)
6. Metal rivets at the bottom of the bag for enhanced support when resting upright on a flat surface
7. High quality fray resistant zippers
8. Retractable lens cloth - way cool =)
9. Larger side pockets that could play double duty as a place for extra lenses
10. Locking hinges keep the straps securely fastened to the V3, plus an overlap strap to prevent the shoulder strap from twisting over and pulling off backwards.

I already have the Boda Dry Lens Bag (V2) and it has served me well. It did have a few issues such as fraying zippers, a somewhat flimsy feel, and a shoulder strap that would tear at the shoulder over time. Overall though it is a wonderful and functional lens bag. Just when I thought there wasn't much to improve on the Boda Dry V2 lens bag, GoBoda proved me wrong. What's my favorite enhancement of the new Boda V3 lens bag compared to previous Boda bags? The answer is BUILD QUALITY.

The previous Boda Lens bags were a proven success for many photographers, particularly in the wedding industry. I believe the new Boda V3 will continue this success and surprise many photographers with its improvements in comfort, gear protection, and ease of use. The new Boda V3 is a weather proof lens bag - it faired very well in the DC area's snow storm recently and through some rainy days as well - the gear inside stayed dry and no signs of moisture seepage was found. The two-piece ergonomic shoulder strap alone is worth the investment - it's wider and thicker than the previous bag's shoulder strap and should last a long time. The high strength molding is a significant improvement and it helps the bag retain its shape in various conditions and situations of handling. The bag is designed to hold as many as 5 lenses and a variety of accessories.

To see more photos, video demo, and read a detailed review, check out my Boda V3 review blog post (http://www.arminblog.com/2010/01/10/boda-bag-review-the-boda-v3-lens-bag-dc-wedding-photographer/).

I will be showing this bag to my photographer friends at a photographer party within a couple of weeks. I hope to share some of their first impressions with you soon! The Boda lens bags are simply one of THE most important pieces of photography equipment I've ever had and the Boda V3 is no exception.

Here's a quick side-by-side comparison of the V3 and V2 Boda lens bags:

http://www.arminphotos.com/photos/761965515_ZP97a-L.jpg

http://www.arminphotos.com/photos/761966561_6kZjB-L.jpg

Following photos courtesy of GoBoda:
http://www.arminphotos.com/photos/761969158_pg45K-L.jpg

http://www.arminphotos.com/photos/761969186_Z9vR3-L.jpg

http://www.arminphotos.com/photos/761969156_82W9G-L.jpg

http://www.arminphotos.com/photos/761969193_wTwCP-L.jpg

http://www.arminphotos.com/photos/761974642_AujLp-L.jpg
Liazon
10th of January 2010 (Sun), 22:12
Fascinating....It is a maxpedition copy gone urban... I had the Maxpedition Colossus Versipack bag with my old Panasonic G1 before going to Canon's 7D. Its been around for years......

Here is photographic proof:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3807304168_5c13252c69.jpg

If people want more info on this, here you go guys:
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=379&idcategory=4

After a light review this Boda bag is pretty much a good bag, but it does not meet the quality of this sudo military constructed bag. But as a camera bag it takes allot of hassle I went though to make mine a camera bag. But the maxpedition has more expansion than the Boda.

I might buy this one as an alternative.

Edit:

Just saw the video....this bag is ok.....not thrilled about it.
Vascilli
11th of January 2010 (Mon), 01:29
Fascinating....It is a maxpedition copy gone urban... I had the Maxpedition Colossus Versipack bag with my old Panasonic G1 before going to Canon's 7D. Its been around for years......

Have you used it with a backpack? I'm interested in getting one to hold my camera while I'm at school, because it won't fit in there..
Liazon
11th of January 2010 (Mon), 15:25
I have had 3 bags on me at once going around the Philippines, and with that said, yep. If you go with this boda bag, it should work too. To take the boda or the maxpedition without taking a backpack off is easy since they both have release buckles for the shoulder strap just hold the bag and release and let it slide off your back and keep the backpack on.

Nice trick for this bag if you want more expandability would to use the Maxpedition JANUS Extension Pocket and it work well for holding other random things. And get a better strap for these bags too, for hikes 30 mins or more, you will notice the weight on your shoulder on any shoulder bag or have another side bag on your other side to have some balance with weight and stress.

But for putting a camera in there, I don't recommend a larger SLR in the Maxpedition Colossus or this Boda V3. See remember I had an awesome G1, but sold it to go pro with more lenses. If I still had it, the maxpedition would be the bag for it. But to keep this more on the Boda, you can probably get generic dividers and make spot for your body without your lens, unless you have a smaller XTI, Panasonic G1, GF1, or Olympus Ep-1 then this would work out REALLY well keeping the lens on, flash, and 2 or more lens's.

I noticed you have a grip, so say no no to that in any of these bags, and the Boda would be much better for that big lens of yours and your nifty fifty. you can probably get large vertically deep "L" dividers and make a center channel for your camera and lens, and it will hold it up to make left and right pockets for 4 small primes, or 2 large lenses, or other accessories.

Seriously take a tape measure to it. Find the dimensions on the Boda site, and do the math. I think it will be a lens bag for out bigger canons, but perfect for a G1.
Armin
11th of January 2010 (Mon), 17:49
For what it's worth, even though the Boda bags are designed to be lens and accessory bags, I have been able to carry my 5D Mark II w/o grip and no lens attached inside my Boda lens bags. I just sacrifice a space for where a lens would go. There is a photo of it arranged that way towards the bottom of my blog post review. I have carried my 5D with a 24-70 attached inside as well but I had to shift the dividers around a bit, but I don't do that often. I also like to use the Boda as a stow-and-go bag - I simply pack it with my essential items and store it in my larger roller ThinkTank bag. When I get to a photo shoot I just grab my SLR out of the ThinkTank and pull out the Boda bag. There's a photo of that setup in my blog review if you care to check that out.
jacobsen1
11th of January 2010 (Mon), 21:24
wow, it's a lot bigger than the v2... Did they finally fix the zippers? I guess only time will tell. I had to send my v2 in to get it's zippers replaced, then they only popped them back together (which I could have easily done) instead of replacing them. I guess I'm getting a refund in the mail but I haven't seen it yet. I think I'll be trying a UD30 next?
eggrollboy
11th of February 2010 (Thu), 12:25
wow, it's a lot bigger than the v2... Did they finally fix the zippers? I guess only time will tell. I had to send my v2 in to get it's zippers replaced, then they only popped them back together (which I could have easily done) instead of replacing them. I guess I'm getting a refund in the mail but I haven't seen it yet. I think I'll be trying a UD30 next?

The zippers feel a lot stronger than the v2. Overall the v3 feels 200% stronger and more versatile.

I actually fit my 5D MKII with 24-70 lens attached on one side while my 70-200 f/4 L lens went into the other side. Also another change is the height of the bag. It's slightly taller.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4347184046_7d2c7d2bf6.jpg
New Boda Bag | William Eng Photography
(http://www.wengphotography.com/blog/2010/02/10/my-new-boda-bag/)
jacobsen1
11th of February 2010 (Thu), 15:35
I actually fit my 5D MKII with 24-70 lens attached on one side while my 70-200 f/4 L lens went into the other side. Also another change is the height of the bag. It's slightly taller.

that would have fit in the old one. I used to carry a 24-105, 100-400 and 16-35 with a 5Dii all inside a zipper boda.