Yet another bag post

Well, as the title says, I'm in search for a new bag. The old one -Lowepro Slingshot 200AW- is too bulky for city walks, and it doesn't fit the 70-200 without stretching it.

I am looking for a discrete shoulder bag. When i say discrete, i mean not one that says "hey, look, there's camera gear inside". It should also be waterproof. I used the bagfinder app at lowepro.com and one of the suggested bags, and the one i most liked, was pro messenger 160/180, but it's not available in Europe (yet?)

Anyway, searching the shoulder bags reviews in here, i liked a lot the lowepro exchange messenger. I would have already bought it, if it was weatherproof. One member, suggested the acme made Union Photo Messenger which seems nice. But I decided to make a thread asking more suggestions

I almost forgot:

The gear it is supposed to carry:
Canon 5d mk2
24-70
70-200 f/4

and it should also have a pocket (with zip) to store a wallet, id/passport, such things

Oh, and please don't suggest too pricey bags

If I forgot to mention something important, ask me

I don't know your definition of "pricey", but for weatherproof ... I pick Billingham every time!
(no silly rain-covers needed)

I would start with the "Hadley Pro" (in black/black) for that gear.

-howard

Do note the difference in meaning between "waterproof" and "water-resistant". Although every Lowepro bag is made of water-resistant materials, only the DryZone series is actually waterproof.

You may want to contact the Lowepro distributor in Greece. They should be able to tell you if it will be available in Greece or not . You can find them by selecting 'Greece' in the drop-down menu on the page below .

http://www.lowepro.com​/about-us/where-to-buy

Personally, I'd certainly check with the distributor regarding the Pro Messenger AW series ...

hfgarris wrote in post #13391920
I don't know your definition of "pricey", but for weatherproof ... I pick Billingham every time!

This.

I chose the small(est) Billingham Hadley Digital for exactly the reason Howard used.
I've already spent my allowance, or I would have a Hadley Pro too.

Good gear helps me take photos. For me, Billy bags and Domke are good gear.

My Digital carries my d300s and 18-200vr. I can even put my grip on it! Need more? My Domke F3X. Both are incredible, allow me to carry my gear in bad weather, getting photos I couldn't get before.

Another bag I like? LowePro Stealth Reporter. All Weather. Mine is 300.

Dionysis, I felt the same as you about "pricey".

Took my Retro10ps on vacation; my only bag there. Cape Cod in the spring. Warm enough; drizzle, wind and sand. Had lots of walking to do. First day I took my Retro10 with basic gear. (Great bag for others; too darn big and heavy for basic--1 body, 1 lens.) Put the raincover on when heavy rain was imminent. Photo-wise, I was shut down.

Next day, left bag in the hotel. Carried my camera on a Black Rapid strap. Rain threatened--put my goretex shell on over it. Walking along a rough sidewalk, I fell when using my P&S. My dslr survived. The coat kept the camera from hitting the sidewalk.

When I got home I bought the Billy bag.

First, I should thank you for your responses

hfgarris wrote in post #13391920
I don't know your definition of "pricey", but for weatherproof ... I pick Billingham every time!
(no silly rain-covers needed)

I would start with the "Hadley Pro" (in black/black) for that gear.

-howard

René Damkot wrote in post #13393130
This.

2mnycars wrote in post #13393270
I chose the small(est) Billingham Hadley Digital for exactly the reason Howard used.
I've already spent my allowance, or I would have a Hadley Pro too.

Good gear helps me take photos. For me, Billy bags and Domke are good gear.

My Digital carries my d300s and 18-200vr. I can even put my grip on it! Need more? My Domke F3X. Both are incredible, allow me to carry my gear in bad weather, getting photos I couldn't get before.

Another bag I like? LowePro Stealth Reporter. All Weather. Mine is 300.

Nice bags the Billinghams, but, well... they're too expensive for me, at least for now. the "hadley pro" costs about 190 pounds, or 220 euros, and i'd prefer the max cost to be at about 100-120 euros

The Lowepro Stealth Reporter 300 is in my budget, so i should check the reviews

Joris wrote in post #13393022
Do note the difference in meaning between "waterproof" and "water-resistant". Although every Lowepro bag is made of water-resistant materials, only the DryZone series is actually waterproof.

You may want to contact the Lowepro distributor in Greece. They should be able to tell you if it will be available in Greece or not . You can find them by selecting 'Greece' in the drop-down menu on the page below .

http://www.lowepro.com​/about-us/where-to-buy

Personally, I'd certainly check with the distributor regarding the Pro Messenger AW series ...

Good to know the difference!
When I say a "waterproof/weatherpro​of bag", I mean a bag, that will protect my gear in a sudden storm till i find somewhere to cover.

I'll ask my local distributor, although i don't think I'll see it soon in Greek shops. even Amazon.co.uk doesn't have it yet

2mnycars wrote in post #13393299
Dionysis, I felt the same as you about "pricey".

Took my Retro10ps on vacation; my only bag there. Cape Cod in the spring. Warm enough; drizzle, wind and sand. Had lots of walking to do. First day I took my Retro10 with basic gear. (Great bag for others; too darn big and heavy for basic--1 body, 1 lens.) Put the raincover on when heavy rain was imminent. Photo-wise, I was shut down.

Next day, left bag in the hotel. Carried my camera on a Black Rapid strap. Rain threatened--put my goretex shell on over it. Walking along a rough sidewalk, I fell when using my P&S. My dslr survived. The coat kept the camera from hitting the sidewalk.

When I got home I bought the Billy bag.

Billy bag? When i googled that, the results were about an accessories designer for women. So could you be more specific?

deninho wrote in post #13393541
Billy bag? When i googled that, the results were about an accessories designer for women. So could you be more specific?

I believe Dave is referring to his Billingham when he mentioned "Billy bag".

-howard

that's right. I was being lazy with my iPad keyboard. It corrects me every timeI don't make a mistake. Sorry!

Any bag large enough to carry a body and a couple of lenses is conspicous. Doesn't matter the color, black or not. Billingham's are gorgeous and stand out.

Anything that size says "camera" or "computer". Just look for the features you want. Style...Billingham or Crumpler. Performance...Lowepro Stealth Reporter series. I don't like the ThinkTank Urban Disguise, as I don't think they're as well-made as the Lowepros, and they look just like you're carrying a camera or a big laptop.

If you're worried about theft, you're out of luck. Might try a steel-wided Pacsafe or Corporate Security strap on it instead of the OEM strap. That's what I do.

hfgarris wrote in post #13393604
I believe Dave is referring to his Billingham when he mentioned "Billy bag".



-howard

2mnycars wrote in post #13393830
that's right. I was being lazy with my iPad keyboard. It corrects me every timeI don't make a mistake. Sorry!

Hahaha! That's good, the bags from billy bag wouldn't look good on me :P

tvphotog wrote in post #13394294
Any bag large enough to carry a body and a couple of lenses is conspicous. Doesn't matter the color, black or not. Billingham's are gorgeous and stand out.

Anything that size says "camera" or "computer". Just look for the features you want. Style...Billingham or Crumpler. Performance...Lowepro Stealth Reporter series. I don't like the ThinkTank Urban Disguise, as I don't think they're as well-made as the Lowepros, and they look just like you're carrying a camera or a big laptop.

If you're worried about theft, you're out of luck. Might try a steel-wided Pacsafe or Corporate Security strap on it instead of the OEM strap. That's what I do.

Hmmm... Crumpler. They're pretty nice bags. Would you suggest any specific Crumpler bag?

I also liked the Lowepro Classified 160, from what I saw from the reviews in here. Do you guys have an opinion on this bag?

deninho wrote in post #13394640
Hahaha! That's good, the bags from billy bag wouldn't look good on me :P
Hmmm... Crumpler. They're pretty nice bags. Would you suggest any specific Crumpler bag?

Any Crumpler that fits your needs with a little room to grow. The construction and colors are excellent, but they are not waterproof and are open at the sides.

The Lowepro Classified 160 is a huge bag, go to the Lowepro site to see a picture of it on a guy. I would sooner recommend one of the Lowepro Stealth Reporter series if you're considering Lowepro.

Just came back from Disney World where I used my Lowepro Exchange Messenger. While not waterproof, it did provide enough coverage until I found shelter. I used it to carry my XSi (450D) with 15-85 mounted hood reversed and nifty fifty under it in the middle, 430 ex on one side and either 55-250 or 70-210 on the other side with hoods reversed. I did not feel that it shouted camera gear. It is not padded except for the bottom, so you do need to be mildly careful.

tvphotog wrote in post #13394681
Any Crumpler that fits your needs with a little room to grow. The construction and colors are excellent, but they are not waterproof and are open at the sides.

The Lowepro Classified 160 is a huge bag, go to the Lowepro site to see a picture of it on a guy. I would sooner recommend one of the Lowepro Stealth Reporter series if you're considering Lowepro.

Unfortunately the 6mdh, which seems nice, is not available in Europe. So, the cupcake 5500 is my only choice. But still I have to find reviews to see if it fits the 70-200 f/4.

As for the Classified 160, I'm going to take a look of the bag, in a store one of these days. I hope it's not too big for me, cause that would take me out of a lot of trouble Thanx for noticing the size issue

bresdogsr wrote in post #13395145
Just came back from Disney World where I used my Lowepro Exchange Messenger. While not waterproof, it did provide enough coverage until I found shelter. I used it to carry my XSi (450D) with 15-85 mounted hood reversed and nifty fifty under it in the middle, 430 ex on one side and either 55-250 or 70-210 on the other side with hoods reversed. I did not feel that it shouted camera gear. It is not padded except for the bottom, so you do need to be mildly careful.

Well, if i dont find any suitable bag, in the end I may give a chance to the Exchange Messenger. I'm not concerned by the lack of padding, since i'm very careful not to bump my bag with my photo gear

PS I asked lowepro, if/when they'll bring the pro messenger in europe, and now i'm waiting their reply.