lowepro bag question

hi there. I am quite pleased with the lowepro system - I am using the side bag stealth reporter 300 and generally I am pleased.

however,
i am now aiming to get some larger and heavier lenses (100-400 and possibly the 70-200 II) and was considering changing to the reporter 400AW

but then I saw their magnum series.

so I was planning to carry
7d, 600 ex rt, 100-400, 100L, 70-200 (not sure the f4IS or the 2.8 II), 10-22 and the 85 1.2 - most likey one of the lenses as an "add-on" with lowepro case attachment.

so my questions are:
1.) anyone have experience with both bags (reporter series vs the magnum series) given the above...?
2.) any other bag suggestions for the above are welcome

Based on you mentioning the larger lenses I think I would start looking at a sling type of bag or backpack, something with more support. Reason I say this is I have a ThinkTank Retrospective 30 which is also a messenger style bag and when I have my gripped 5D MIII, 70-200, 24-70, 16-35 and a few accessories it starts to take it's toll on the back pretty quickly. It doesn't sound like a lot of gear but it adds up quickly and you'd be surprised how fast it will irritate your back even when switching the bag from one side to another and I'm in pretty decent shape.

I actually have a LowePro Classified 220 AW scheduled to be delivered today http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ssified_Sling_2​20_AW.html . I have had a chance to check out one of these bags and I think it will suit my needs and save my back. Know that this bag is pretty large but what I like about it is I can have my 5D with the 70-200 attached standing up in it and my other lenses standing up as well plus room for accessories. This way I won't have anything buried and will be able to swap lenses on the fly quickly which is what I'm after, the size of the bag is the trade off.

I also have a Manfrotto Pro backpack 50 on the way http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …50bb_pro_backpa​ck_50.html for the days when I'm also going to be carrying the 100-400 along with the other lenses I mentioned and be walking all day. This one is a compromise as I will only have quick access to what ever lens I have attached at the time but with the opening at the top designed the way it is I can sling the bag to one side and get the camera out/put it away quickly without having to take it off and put it on the ground to get into it. Just some stuff to think about.

thanks. you bring up a good point about the weight and the "balance" of the bag. truthfully, I am interested in a bag which will allow me easy access to the camera and allow me to change lenses relatively easily. I have used the stealth reporter sometimes even as a "shelf" to hold a lens/body while changing my configuration. I don't often carry the whole "arsenal" but sometimes I do.

I have considered also the lowepro backpacks - e.g. protrekker 300. The idea of a better balance while walking and not shooting is quite attractive. The process of changing configuration with the backpack is less attractive.

I had not considered a sling because I thought that the slings on average are smaller bags but I am now going to see what is available in that style - both from Lowepro (my preferred) and other companies too.

You seem to have larger lenses than I for the most part, but fewer. I wanted in my bag 7d (no grip) with 24-105 mounted (my general go-to lens), 70-200 f4IS, 10-22, 100IS and the 600 ex rt. When I get the 85II and the 100-400 (approx 2 months from now) - I will change the composition of the bag according to the event.

Thanks for the idea.

I have about 6 lenses but the 3 I always have with me are the 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200. You may have a lot more sling options available to you as you have a 7D with no grip, I have the 5D MIII gripped with an L plate so I kept running into the issue of the bag not being wide enough when a lens is attached. If you plan on doing quite a bit of hiking you may want to look for one that also has a waist belt to help distribute the weight.

If you want access while you work, consider the Domke line. For big bags they are the best working bag platform that I've even encountered.

ceriltheblade wrote in post #16813043
so I was planning to carry
7d, 600 ex rt, 100-400, 100L, 70-200 (not sure the f4IS or the 2.8 II), 10-22 and the 85 1.2 - most likey one of the lenses as an "add-on" with lowepro case attachment.

If that's your proposed loadout, you will not want to carry all that with a "sling" type bag, no matter how padded. It will be WAY too heavy and entirely uncomfortable. You're looking at 25-30lbs on a single shoulder.

That's a lot of weight and I would consider the MindShift backpack series. You have access to 50% of the pack without removing it.