Which Bag is Best for Me? Please help!

I've never really had a proper camera bag. I see plenty of makes out there and I don't really know where to look first, so I was hoping some people here who have experience with camera bags can help point me in the right direction

I'm looking for a shoulder-bag "messenger-bag style" that is soft so it wont stick out blocky and stiff against my hip. It needs to be comfortable, since it will also double as my school bag when I go to college in the fall for photography. This is what I would like it to be able to hold:

- Canon 5D mkIII (with the ability to hold it gripped + lens attached is ideal)
(Possibility to hold a second camera body would be ideal)
- EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L II
- EF 85mm f/1.2 L II
- EF 24-105 L
(Possibility for one or two more lenses would be great, planning for the future purchasing of lenses )
- room for various accessories (smartphone, batteries, etc.)
- ..and a slot for a 15" macbook pro laptop would be great, since then I could carry everything to school in one bag.

Budget wise...lets say I wouldn't want to go higher than $300.

Suggestions of brand+model name would be great
One I've been eyeing is the Domke F-3X Super Compact RuggedWear Shoulder Bag ...pity it doesn't carry a laptop tho, but thats the "look" I was going for, and that it would conform to my body and not bounce painfully around while walking.

I've never used any Domke so I can't comment on that, but I've used some Think Tank Photo products and I really like them. I had a Think Thank Urban Disguise 60 that I think would really suit your needs.

If you plan on adding a laptop, a second body, and more lenses, then the UD60 is probably the one. BUT, I have to say this (and I've been there): all that weight on one shoulder will really be annoying after a while.

If this bag is only going from your car (in the parking lot) to the classroom, then its fine. When I go on a night out in town, I would get dragged down by having that much camera gear on me.

I know messenger bags look cooler and all, but I would seriously reconsider your preference for a messenger bag if you want to carry all that camera gear and a laptop. My suggestion, from personal experience, would be to get a backpack. I went the messenger bag route and used it on a vacation earlier this year and when loaded up with about the amount of gear you're talking about, it was very uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

The more popular brands of backpacks that you'll see discussed on this forum are Crumpler, F-Stop, Lowepro, and Think Tank. They all make very useful, well-designed, and high quality bags (and you definitely see it in the prices). I personally just bought a Dakine backpack, which I find to be more than sufficient for my needs, and would suggest that you take a look at their bags too.

Once you have a chance to browse the websites for these backpack makers, you can search for reviews of specific models here on this forum. Chances are, someone has done a review of the bag you are looking for, and if the reviews don't answer your question about them, you can ask questions in the thread.

If you really still want to get a messenger bag, I would check out those same brands, and also add Timbuk2 to your list. Ideally, you would have a backpack for carrying a heavier load, while having a medium or small size messenger bag for those times you just want to carry around your camera and one or two lenses and accessories.

Note that I am not suggesting any specific models for a reason. There are a lot of great bags out there and I think bags are really about personal preferences - everyone has their own style and needs. Best thing to do is check out some websites first and narrow down your choices, then look for reviews.

Good luck.

Check out the ThinkTank Photo Urban Disguise series: http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …-bags/urban-disguise.aspx

Not the sexiest bags, but has all the functionality you're looking for.

You also might consider the Crumpler Brazillion Dollar Home: http://www.crumpler.co​m …Code=EN&SKU=BDH​001-B00150

That load is going to kill your shoulder, and you're going to look like you have a suitcase hanging off you.

A backpack would be a wiser choice as mentioned above.

With that in mind, I'll recommend some smaller shoulder bags that won't cripple you by the end of the day, as well as some larger ones if you happen to like pain.

"girly" bags:
Something from Epiphanie bags
http://epiphaniebags.c​om/#/shop/

not so girly bags:
Domke f5 series
Crumpler 7MDH or larger

backpacks:
f stop Guru
Lowepro flipside 400
Kata bumblebee 222

You want to carry a laptop? Forget about "conforming to your body" unless you go with a backpack. The Domke F3x is too small for a couple of bodies with 3-4 lenses. Maybe the F2, or the F1x. If you don't use grips an F804 with the 720-230 insert might be the ticket. Put the gear in the back (against your body) and the laptop in the front and it'll conform as well as you can expect anything with a rigid slab in it to.

Jon wrote in post #14210836
You want to carry a laptop? Forget about "conforming to your body" unless you go with a backpack. The Domke F3x is too small for a couple of bodies with 3-4 lenses. Maybe the F2, or the F1x. If you don't use grips an F804 with the 720-230 insert might be the ticket. Put the gear in the back (against your body) and the laptop in the front and it'll conform as well as you can expect anything with a rigid slab in it to.

Haha I didn't mean I would be carrying the laptop on me at all times - that was just when I go to class. I plan on using this bag at events too, and it would be easier for me if it was a shoulder sling bag because I could access my lenses faster on the spot than a backpack. Would the Domke F3x fit one body + the lenses I mentioned? Forget the laptop

If you want to put one lens in an end pocket . . . You might prefer to put the 24-105 on the body and have the 70-200 free for normal carry though; it'll reduce the vertical footprint.

Lowepro Pro Messenger 200 AW.

http://www.kata-bags.us …oom-lens-5-6-lenses-flash

Maybe this one? I have 3n1-22, it can only take small <13" laptop, I think 3n1-30 would be better for your needs. Works as backpack, but also possible to sling to front.

edit: this is the one I meant, with laptop compartment: http://www.kata-bags.us …oom-lens-5-6-lenses-flash

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my bag, and it's about as good as you are going to get for a messager bag, to meet your needs. It only has one flaw, and it's that it won't carry a 15" laptop.

It's the Lowepro Pro Messenger 200 AW.

Took me many tries until I found the right bag. This one is it for me.

http://www.lowepro.com​/promessenger

tenba small messenger would work if you are walking short ranged distances with all of your gear. If you are walking long ranged distances, then you would want to look into a backpack.