First time bag buyer

[The Ran]

Think this is my first post on here too. Been lurking a while and read some really helpful stuff, but with the amount of bag options out there for me to look through them all would take absolutely ages. Instead I'll just ask if there's anything that will serve me well, perhaps one of you guys have a similar sort of setup and needs as me.

So, here's what I'm after. A messenger style bag would be preferred as I'd like quicker access to my stuff, plus I wear a drawstring bag to hold non-photography related stuff and having two on my back would be awkward.

What I'd like to put in the bag:
20D, no grip yet but I'm looking at getting one
18-55mm kit lens
50mm f/1.8, not the Canon one but a Praktica one, seems a bit smaller
Sigma 400mm, 9" long with about a 3.5" diameter
Standard sized flash with a ballhead making it 10", but could live with taking it off to put in the bag in which case it'd be 6"
Gorilla pod with a ballhead, total length of about 13.5" and measuring about 4" square at the widest bit of the QR plate
Netbook measuring 11" by 9"
Canon Powershot G5
Flash reflector, 9" by 12" layed flat so could possibly just go next to the netbook
Little bits such as filters, cables and AC adapters, could most likely be squeezed in anywhere

Here's an image of it all laid out in what I though was the best way. It all comfortably fits within a 16" by 14" square, depth is about 5" but would be more if I got a battery grip (sorry you can't see the tape measure due to my ****ty phone camera), then the netbook and reflector would go behind it. For the cables and AC adapters an extra pocket somewhere on the bag would be best, thus I didn't include it with the other stuff that would be on the inside compartment.
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/5316/imag0245.png

Now a potential problem I can see is that laid out as it is it would be more suited to a backpack style bag, unless there are any side opening messenger bags. The only way around a top opening bag would be to have everything slide in vertically, making the bag ridiculously wide and having dead space under the camera unless I wanted to pile it on top of things. Of course I'm open to suggestions on backpacks, if I have to have one then so be it. I don't have a specific budget, but I'm cheap and so the cheaper the better but I don't want something really thin that's going to provide minimal protection.

EDIT: I'm also looking at getting a Canon 55-250mm at some point, and possibly some small primes. I figure I'll try and get something that fits my current needs, I can always take out stuff I don't need to fit in future purchases, although a little extra room would be a plus.

[Jon]

Take a look at the Domke F7 Double AF and the 720-230 3-compartment insert. You can fit the flash in an end pocket, the body with 18-55 on top of the 50 in one of the insert pockets and the 400 in another one. With your present layout the Gorillapod would fit along the bottom of the bag in front of the insert. Keep the G5 in the otehr side pocket for easy access and you still have the two front pockets plus one of the insert's compartments for other stuff (like your planned 55-250). The bag's wide enough to take your grip when you get it, too.

That's what I took to the Galapagos with 5D2, 7D, 24-70 2.8, 100-400 IS, Sigma 15-30, a 580EX flash, SX1, A630 audio recorder, MP3 players, and a Netbook with external hard drive all crammed in it. It was my carry-on for the planes and minus the netbook, hard drive and MP3 players it's what I was hopping in and out of dinghies and running around on shore with.

Remember, when you're out shooting, the camera will, by default, be out, so stacking things isn't the big deal you may be envisioning.

[The Ran]

Hmm, the Domke F7 Double AF looks like a nice bag, easily big enough and good looking too. I'm a little bummed about the price, from looking on Google product search it's around £100 for the bag and one insert was £25 (not the 720-230 3-compartment insert but I'd assume they all similarly priced). Now, that's not a lot of money and I'm sure it's worth it, but I won't have that much for about a month as I owe my mum a fair bit already. I was looking at the Lowepro Flipside 300 the other day in a store and really liked it (although it's a backpack) and it was only £25 so I wasn't expecting to have to spend much more than that. Anyone know if the Flipside 300 will fit my 400mm in? It said on the label it would take a 300m f/2.8, not sure if that was with a camera attached which isn't how I'd keep the 400. If it can I could compromise and get that for now, just deal with it being a backpack and fit most of my stuff in, then when the time comes that I'll want everything with me I should have the cash for the other bag.

[HoosierJoe]

Look at the Case Logic SLRC-206. Costs about $110 shipped. Should fit everything you mentioned.

[Savas K]

The Domke F7 looks great.

[SuzyView]

If you want to carry it like a backpack, I think Jon has an attachment that allows him to carry many of his Domke's like a backpack. I don't carry this much gear ever, so I don't want an overwhelming bag, I split the weight, but if I had to, I'd get that attachment to hold the gear easier.

[yourdoinitwrong]

Hmm, the Domke F7 Double AF looks like a nice bag, easily big enough and good looking too. I'm a little bummed about the price, from looking on Google product search it's around £100 for the bag and one insert was £25 (not the 720-230 3-compartment insert but I'd assume they all similarly priced). Now, that's not a lot of money and I'm sure it's worth it, but I won't have that much for about a month as I owe my mum a fair bit already. I was looking at the Lowepro Flipside 300 the other day in a store and really liked it (although it's a backpack) and it was only £25 so I wasn't expecting to have to spend much more than that. Anyone know if the Flipside 300 will fit my 400mm in? It said on the label it would take a 300m f/2.8, not sure if that was with a camera attached which isn't how I'd keep the 400. If it can I could compromise and get that for now, just deal with it being a backpack and fit most of my stuff in, then when the time comes that I'll want everything with me I should have the cash for the other bag.

I have the Flipside 300 and I seriously doubt it will hold the 400mm, it's just too narrow. Also, if you are planning to grip your 20D the the 300 is out as well, not tall enough. I also own the Flipside 400 which I'm pretty sure would hold your gear. Now that I gripped my 7D I have to used the 400 instead of the 300. The 400 is a little bulkier (and not a messenger bag) but you have to go with what holds your gear. Fitting the netbook in it would be questionable though. If you want a messenger bag that will hold what you have and account for adding a grip in the future you could check out the ThinkTank Urban Disguise 70. It doesn't have a dedicated laptop compartment but there is an internal pocket that would hold a netbook. It is considerably over your budget but I haven't found anything yet in photography that I have considered a bargain.

[krb]

If you want to carry it like a backpack, I think Jon has an attachment that allows him to carry many of his Domke's like a backpack. I don't carry this much gear ever, so I don't want an overwhelming bag, I split the weight, but if I had to, I'd get that attachment to hold the gear easier.
I have one that use with my F4 and it works surprisingly well.

[The Ran]

I have the Flipside 300 and I seriously doubt it will hold the 400mm, it's just too narrow. Also, if you are planning to grip your 20D the the 300 is out as well, not tall enough. I also own the Flipside 400 which I'm pretty sure would hold your gear. Now that I gripped my 7D I have to used the 400 instead of the 300. The 400 is a little bulkier (and not a messenger bag) but you have to go with what holds your gear. Fitting the netbook in it would be questionable though. If you want a messenger bag that will hold what you have and account for adding a grip in the future you could check out the ThinkTank Urban Disguise 70. It doesn't have a dedicated laptop compartment but there is an internal pocket that would hold a netbook. It is considerably over your budget but I haven't found anything yet in photography that I have considered a bargain.

I was more concerned about the length of the Flipside 300. It looks as if the main compartment is designed to ave the 300 attached to a camera in the middle with the camera at the top, I wondered if the difference in length of the 400 would be less than what the camera takes up as I wouldn't put it in the bag while on the camera. Next time I go to the store I'll take the 400 with me and give it a go. If it doesn't fit I'll have a look at the Flipside 400 and the ThinkTank.

EDIT: From looking at some measurements on the internet of the Flipside 300 it would seem there's plenty of room inside for the 400mm, and probably most of my other stuff too. Looked at a few stores and it seems to sell for around £70, so for £25 I'm going to pick one up anyway.

[yourdoinitwrong]

I was more concerned about the length of the Flipside 300. It looks as if the main compartment is designed to ave the 300 attached to a camera in the middle with the camera at the top, I wondered if the difference in length of the 400 would be less than what the camera takes up as I wouldn't put it in the bag while on the camera. Next time I go to the store I'll take the 400 with me and give it a go. If it doesn't fit I'll have a look at the Flipside 400 and the ThinkTank.

EDIT: From looking at some measurements on the internet of the Flipside 300 it would seem there's plenty of room inside for the 400mm, and probably most of my other stuff too. Looked at a few stores and it seems to sell for around £70, so for £25 I'm going to pick one up anyway.

It does look like the 300 is narrow enough to fit down the middle. I just ran into width issues trying to fit a 70-200 f/4, a 24-105 in the middle mounted to the body, and a 430EX II. Keep in mind the height issues too if you think you will get that grip in the future. It will fit and the bag will close but the hotshoe will poke up a bit and might not be comfortable against your back. You have the right idea though by going to a store and checking it out to see what works best for you.

[The Ran]

It does look like the 300 is narrow enough to fit down the middle. I just ran into width issues trying to fit a 70-200 f/4, a 24-105 in the middle mounted to the body, and a 430EX II. Keep in mind the height issues too if you think you will get that grip in the future. It will fit and the bag will close but the hotshoe will poke up a bit and might not be comfortable against your back. You have the right idea though by going to a store and checking it out to see what works best for you.

Yeah from some rough measuring it'll just fit with a grip. It'll probably be a long time before I get one though, and it doesn't seem look too much hassle to remove it if I'm going to be lugging the bag around for a while.