Which shoulder bag is best?

Hi all,

I'm looking to get a decent sized shoulder bag to hold the following: Canon 60D, Sigma 50-500 (aka Bigma ), Tamron SP 70-300, Canon EF-S 17-85, Canon 50, Tamron SP 90mm macro, Nissin Di866, and the usual bits and pieces. Ideally I'd like to be able to attach a tripod as well, but that's a stretch goal.

I've already got a smaller bag for going out and about with a subset of the lenses - what I'm looking for is a bag that can hold all my kit for travelling with, that isn't obviously a camera bag. I don't really want to go for a backpack either as they are just awkward if you want to get something out when walking.

I've got my eye on the following bags:

• Think Tank Retrospective 50
  
• Thule Covert Messenger
  
• Lowepro Magnum 200 AW
  

I can't speak for the others, but I love my Think Tank Retro 20. I didn't know that they released a 50 model, but it looks the same. Just bigger. I find it comfortable, even with a heavy load.

Just curious why you have two telephoto zooms with overlapping focal length ranges?

You might be hard pressed to fit all that in any of those bags. Pick one telephoto.

I can't speak to its size but I have the Retrospective 50s little brother the Retro 7 and its an amazing bag. The construction is great, its very customizable, holds up really well in the wet, and is very comfortable. I've also owned quite a few Lowepro shoulder bags and both the Retro 7 and the urban disquise that I have now given to a friend beat any of my lowepro bags as far as quality gos.

Thanks all! It sounds like I should strongly consider looking at the Retro series then!

frugivore wrote in post #17431423
Just curious why you have two telephoto zooms with overlapping focal length ranges?

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #17431451
Pick one telephoto.

As to the lenses - I had the Tamron first, and then got the Sigma for the extra reach. The Tamron is MUCH smaller and lighter, so I've kept it for going out when I don't need the extra reach and don't want to have the extra weight of the Sigma to deal with.

I have a hard time picking and choosing which lenses I may want when going out, hence looking for a bag to carry the lot.

cjoprey wrote in post #17431651
I have a hard time picking and choosing which lenses I may want when going out, hence looking for a bag to carry the lot.

Good luck.

IMO a bag to fit them all will soon get discard because it will be too large and cumbersome, as well as heavy. YMMV
I'd rather have two bags for different purposes than one large heavy one.

I have a retro 50 and just love it to bits!! Extremly well made and will last years and years, it's comfortable and fits all my gear easily-5d3 with grip, 70-200, 17-40, 24-105, 50mm, 14mm, 430exii, chargers, cleaning gear, filters, it's just amazing. And if I'm going to be doing a lot of walking I just put in it what I'm going to use and away you go.

Is also easi to swing around to your front to change lenses without taking the bag off...it's just perfect!

Thanks for the feedback!

I think that the Retro 50 may well be the one for me.

Now to find the best deal...

I just checked my bag-it's actually a retro 40

i like that think tank retro a lot. might have to save up for one.

I have the Retro 30 and like it but with all the gear you are looking to pack into it, you really should consider a backpack. Reason I say this is I went out one day with my 5D MIII gripped, 70-200 f/2.5, 24-70 f/2.8 and 100-400 and within an hour and a half my shoulder and back were killing me. It's just too much weight to hang on one shoulder... even alternating shoulders didn't work. I'm not a small guy, 5'9" about 210 and in decent shape. I can get by with a sling pack much better trying to tote around the gear I listed for a day than a messenger bag dangling from my shoulder... just my two cents.

That is a crap ton load for a shoulder bag!

So why's the camera in the bag if you're out shooting? My bag (Domke F1x) typically has 70-200 2.8 IS, 5D3 with 24-70 2.8 attached, 7D2 with 100-400 attached, Sigma 12-24, 100 L Macro and a couple of flashes. No superfluous weight like grips - maybe that's your problem! I'm not quite Medicare-age, but getting the mailings, and not in wonderful shape. But the cameras with their lenses are out while I'm out, so the bag isn't that bad. The weight is distributed all over me. And I can change lenses without having to hassle with a backpack.

OP - look at the Domke F1x or F7 Double AF, if you can find them. Might be a bit difficult your side of the pond, but the search will be worth it. There are probably some Billingham bags that are close in capabilities.

I usually keep my camera in my bag until I reach my destination, I don't like to advertise whats in the bag or to keep it protected if it's a hike through the woods... just my personal preference. In regards to the grips, I like how it balances the camera out with the heavier/longer lens and not needing to swap batteries is nice too but again its a personal preference.

I've had a Domke F2 that I won back in 1989 that couldn't quite fit a gripped 6d. I saw the Retrospective bags at a local store when they were having a 20 percent off event and I picked up the 30. More room than I likely need and as mentioned above, can easily be overloaded and uncomfortable if carried for a overly long time. For shorter jaunts I love it!