recommend me a bag? a big one?

Hey all,

I have some particular requirements for a bag, and I'm hoping someone out there will be able to recommend one that fits the bill.

I have my 60D, my three lenses, two lens hoods, and a teleconverter. I'd like a bag that can EASILY fit all these, PLUS another lens or two (with accompanying lens hoods). By "easily", I mean that I can reach into the bag and not have to struggle to pull one out...I mean that they're not crammed in together so tightly that they're impossible to retrieve without a crowbar...I mean that they're not stored on top of each other so I have to pull out one lens to access another lens.

I also have some accessories--charger+plug, spare battery, an ND filter and UV filter or two, a remote cable release, an intervalometer, the printed manual for the camera, and some USB-to-whatever cables. These all have to live in zippered pockets somewhere on the bag.

In other words, I don't really want a small "field bag" that is highly portable; instead I need a "storage bag" that I can keep all my stuff in, yet bring to my car and have access to everything wherever I go.

I currently have much of the stuff in what I guess is called a "gadget bag". I like the basic design (looks sort of like this), but it's too small to hold all my stuff comfortably. I don't really want a backpack or shoulder pack, if possible...just a basic traditional-looking gadget bag that's big enough for everything and then some. Oh, and budget? As cheap as possible $100 or so max if that's at all possible (why do I have this bad feeling that someone's going to laugh at me for even thinking it MIGHT be possible? lol) If it isn't possible, then maybe $150-$200, and I can save up for it. Anything over $200 and it's out of the question. I'd rather buy another lens for $200 or more, even if I have no place to put it!

Does anyone know of a bag they can recommend? The number of choices out there are truly daunting to sort through! Thanks

Suggest you check out the Lowepro magnum series, I'm satisfied with mine, it holds just about everything short of the tripods. well except for the 150-500

That's not all that much. A Domke F2 will easily hold all that and leave enough room for it to rattle around and get mixed up if you so choose.

Dear CANADAVE,

As helpful POTN stickies and endless POTN threads reflect… bags and equipment are such an individual preference and “big one” is a relative term, but here's a few suggestions,
with your criteria of “storage bag” and “cheap as possible <$100, or <$200” (and I too, like you, want value for money in my purchases):

LOWEPRO NOVA 200AW [Mfr# LP35264-PEU]: $89.95 USD
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Nova_200_AW_Sho​ulder.html
ID: W13.6” x D7.1” x H9.1”= 879 cubic inch Wt: 3.0lbs
Good storage for you, including main compartment and front and external pockets; a great value for money equation, protective, durable bag!
Also its ID width of 13.6” enables you to have your 60D with say your mounted EF75-300 f4-5.6II or a 70-200f2.8 IS USM +mounted teleconverter(1.4x or 2x) with lens hood reversed – sometimes a very nice capacity feature for your criteria of convenience if you need to grab a “quick shot” with camera/lens ready!
Your indication of three lenses, of which two hooded + maybe 1-2 more; here is an example of its storage capacity
i.e. If I want to carry just one camera, numerous lenses all with mounted lens hoods, and misc stuff etc. – the Lowepro NOVA 200AW bag holds my 1DmkIII with mounted 70-200f2.8L IS USM + mounted TC2xmkII, 580EXII, 24-70f2.8L USM, 85f1.2L, 50f1.2L, all lenses with hoods reversed, compact macro50f2.5 and misc stuff, spare batteries, water bottle etc. Have used it for approximately five years and still good as new, exemplifies its durability.

Joe Ravenstein's good suggestion of the Lowepro Magnun AW's; the new Lowepro MAGNUM bag series are a bit like tool boxes and a bit more awkward if you took it out of your car trunk and occassionally were to use as a shoulder bag. (like Joe, I also have the MAGNUM 400AW [Mfr# LP36054-PEU])
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …gnum_400_AW_Sho​ulder.html
(but it is $239.95 USD, which is over the <$200 threshold criteria)
- now if you are looking for big, that is a “big one”; if I want two cameras, 4-580EXII's, lots of lenses, storage capacity & don’t want my heavier with wheels Lowepro ProRoller X200); but the Lowepro MAGNUM 200AW [Mfr# LP36053-PEU]:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …gnum_200_AW_Sho​ulder.html $ 184.95 USD
with ID: W12.4” x D6.5” x H10.4” = 838 cubic inch Wt: 3.8 lbs and when compared to the NOVA 200AW is a bit bulkier, heavier but luggable and almost double the price, of the well established Lowepro NOVA 200AW.


Else
With your indicated storage criteria and if plan for possible future of adding the additional criteria of “field”/”shooting” bag then:

THINK TANK Speed RACER V2.0 [Mfr# TT409]: $ 179.75 USD
http://www.thinktankph​oto.com/products/speed​-racer-v2.aspx
ID: 11.8” x 10” x 7” = 826 cubic inch Wt: 2.3-3.1 lbs
Storage and nice shooting bag; would likely fit your 60D with mounted EF75-300 f4-5.6 (if LOA guess approx 5"?), but can’t store camera with mounted 70-200f2.8 IS USM(LOA 7.8") +teleconverter(say LOA 2"),
Or,
As Jon already suggested
DOMKE F2 [Mfr# 700-02B]: $ 149.99 USD
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …riginal_Shoulde​r_Bag.html
Main compartment ID: W12” x D 6.5” x H 9.0” = 702 cubic inch Wt: 2.0 lbs
Space, convenient access - if you don’t mind flaps, instead of zippers.

If you don’t want to do internet/mail-order and given Canada’s less than ideal scope of selection at most major cities retailers; then I would think Lowepro products perhaps more likely available in Halifax than Domke or Think Tank products.

You want a bag that will protect your stuff and endure from those unforgiving maritime nor-easters weather!!
Good luck in your selection.


Mary
P.S. You “Bluenosers” (I say with an admiration for Nova Scotians’ character, for those readers not familiar with the term), certainly have some lovely tranquil and picturesque areas to photograph!

This might sound unusual but I have never had the magnum on my shoulder, I have spinal cord damage and use a walker and the Magnum 400 fits on the "seat" perfectly. I carry a tripod &the Sigma 150-500 in the front basket. I thread the bags strap around the walkers frame to secure it from falling.

Thanks everybody, sorry I haven't replied back sooner.

In thinking about it more, I'm thinking I'd like to reduce my bag budget and apply that toward my tripod budget So, with that in mind, how would this be?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ional_Gadget_Ba​g_1EG.html

If you want a big bag, the Lowerpro Pro Runner 450 AW. It's huge, I had to return it to get the 350 AW because I feel like I'm carrying a brick on my back.

http://www.ebay.com …_Bags&hash=item​48448f8015

Not much above $200 and you get one of the best and have space for more gear.
EDIT: Sorry just noticed your statement "basic design". My suggestion seems Off topic.

Okay...I've narrowed it down

I decided that really, the only thing that will save me the maximum amount of money, while still allowing for storage of all my current and future equipment, is an SLR backpack. Bear in mind that I don't need anything too heavy duty, as I'm not a pro and I wouldn't be going out on a shoot with the bag every other day or anything like that.

So I narrowed it down to three candidates:

AmazonBasics:
http://www.amazon.com …ories-Black/dp/B002VPE1WK

Polaroid:
http://www.amazon.com …ra-Backpack/dp/B005FYNKBW

DuraGadget:
http://www.amazon.ca …ra-Shoulder/dp/B005CHW23E

They're all about the same price. The DuraGadget one will be released to the public on April 14, but I won't be able to receive it until May 20 or thereabouts (ouch).

I know these aren't "pro quality", but I figure for light-duty field use and storage at home, they would be sufficient. Thoughts?

Well, I made an executive decision, bit the bullet, and ordered the AmazonBasics bag. Hopefully it's as good as the reviews show