Smaller Bag

[fritz1]

I have the Tamrac Expedition 7 currently, while it's a great bag it's big bulky and heavy when loaded, I am looking for a smaller one to hold 5D with 24-105 with hood attached reversed, 70-200 f4 with hood 17-40, 580exII and few accessories, any tips would be great, I tried the Adventure 74 but a tad too tight width wise, so something a tad bigger.

[MRagon]

Here's a good review on the Domke f-3x. I just got mine today and I love it. The size might work for you. It holds a lot without looking and feeling bulky.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=587520&highlight=domke+f-3x

[hi-landr]

Lowepro flipside 200 will work great.

[crn3371]

I have the Expedition 5, and while it's a nice bag for traveling, it sucks for shooting out of. I went to my local shop and looked at the Tenba large photo satchel. It's a small no frills shoulder bag. No bulky side and front pouches. Just a minimalist bag to shoot out of. Playing around in the shop it looked like it would hold my 100-400, 70-200, 100 macro, and flash with my 20D and 17-85 attached. Seemed like a very good "shooters" bag to me.

[fritz1]

Thanks every one I went with the Expedition 5, it is smaller than my expedition 7 and I'm used to the layout. crn3371 can you elaborate why do you think it sucks?

[crn3371]

Backpacks are great for storing your gear, or transporting your gear from point to point. A few days ago I spent the day shooting at a local botanical gardens with my expedition 5 and while it was a nice way to carry my gear, it was a PITA to shoot out of. Every time I wanted to swap lenses I had to take the pack off and either find a bench to set it on , or set it on the ground and it dawned on me that this is not a fun way to shoot. That's why I went to my local shop and looked at the Tenba. It looked like it would hold all my lenses standing up and that I would be able to swap lenses with the bag on my shoulder without have to stop and take my pack off.

[ChasWG]

I'm in the same boat as some of you guys. I have my old Tamrac bag that has served me well as a shoulder bag, but it's not as convinent for travel. I'm looking for a sling style bag that will hold my 40D with grip, a 24-70 f2.8L with lens hood reversed and my 70-200 f4L with hood reversed and my Tamron 10-24. I'd also like to have a bit of room for a flash, but not entirely needed.

[tvphotog]

The only bad thing about the 5X is that the belt is very thin and is not padded. Get this belt pad (http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum3327.php) to use with it, as the waist belt should support most of the pack's weight.

[fritz1]

Backpacks are great for storing your gear, or transporting your gear from point to point. A few days ago I spent the day shooting at a local botanical gardens with my expedition 5 and while it was a nice way to carry my gear, it was a PITA to shoot out of. Every time I wanted to swap lenses I had to take the pack off and either find a bench to set it on , or set it on the ground and it dawned on me that this is not a fun way to shoot. That's why I went to my local shop and looked at the Tenba. It looked like it would hold all my lenses standing up and that I would be able to swap lenses with the bag on my shoulder without have to stop and take my pack off.

Agree with you there, I used to enjoy my Low Pro AW fanny, I could unzip it reach for stuff without taking it off
I guess it's a compromise because I can fit a lot more in the Expedition series 5/7, even EXP 5 holds my 11 inch notebook and it's padded on the outside.