Bag for body and one lens - with an L-plate

When I bought my first DSLR, I also bought a toploader bag that fit just the body and lens (600D and 15-85) - a Lowepro Toploader Zoom 45. I subsequently expanded my gear, and my bag, collection, but found that I still often just take a body and one lens with me - especially if I'm out with the family, rather than a specifically photographic outing.

Now I have a 6D and 24-70 II. I leave an L-plate on the camera body (except when I use a grip). Thus my little Lowepro Toploader Zoom 45 is no longer big enough to hold the camera (unless I go out with just the 35 f2 IS or a similarly sized lens). So I usually end up taking a bigger shoulder bag (TT Retrospective 10), and usually end up adding another lens or a flash 'just in case', and because there is room in the bag, which of course adds to the weight and decreases the convenience.

So I am seeking input into a shoulder bag large enough to fit the 6D with L-plate plus 24-70 (which should also cover me if I mount my 135L or 100L), but small enough to be light, inconspicuous and convenient.

The relevant dimensions are:

• Width - 16.5 cm (the L-plate adds 15-20 mm to the body) (I usually leave a hand strap attached, so more wriggle room in width is probably better);
  
• Length - 19 cm (body plus lens); and
  
• Height - 13 cm (L-plate to top of prism box)
  

How about the Think Tank Turnstyle? I've had a Retro 10 and 20, currently have a Retro 30, but find myself using the Turnstyle the most. Its a sling which I find more stable than a shoulder bag. I have the largest in the series and can fit a 5DIII with RRS L-plate, 24-105 mounted with the hood in shooting position, along with a 70-200 f/4 and 580EXII. Perhaps one of the smaller models in the series would give you the lower profile while still holding your camera and single lens.

mike_d wrote in post #17528728
How about the Think Tank Turnstyle? I've had a Retro 10 and 20, currently have a Retro 30, but find myself using the Turnstyle the most. Its a sling which I find more stable than a shoulder bag. I have the largest in the series and can fit a 5DIII with RRS L-plate, 24-105 mounted with the hood in shooting position, along with a 70-200 f/4 and 580EXII. Perhaps one of the smaller models in the series would give you the lower profile while still holding your camera and single lens.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried a sling bag before, but didn't really like it. Not as quick access as a shoulder bag (which I wear like a sling, BTW), not as comfortable as a backpack.

I am in the same boat with you! I went to my local camera shop and really love the quality feeling of this new Think Tank Urban Approach 10.
It is perfect size for me yet it is not tiny.

Here's the link for amazon!
http://www.amazon.com …psc=1&smid=A35Z​38INQ6BCGI

I tried it in store and it fits the camera with my tamron 24-70 attached(with hood), which is pretty much same size as 24-70ii. And I was able to put 70-200 mkii with collar in it too. And there's still a bit space over the side which i believe I could fit my flash in too. It is a bag with quality, design, yet not too obvious. I think the L bracket should fit in just fine, not super sure about this though.

Thanks. I looked at the Urban Approach, it looks like a typical messenger bag, so about as long as the Retro 10 (give or take), but narrower. Not what I'm looking for at the moment.

My Crumpler 5MDH fits the 6D with RRS L plate & 100L, 600EX flash, 40STM and some small accessories. Perfect day Kit.

My one lens bag is a Domke J3.

Fits enough without weighing a ton.

Body with lens, flash, and minimal accessories.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #17531705
My Crumpler 5MDH fits the 6D with RRS L plate & 100L, 600EX flash, 40STM and some small accessories. Perfect day Kit.

That's interesting. I had ruled the 5MDH out as being too narrow. I'll have o try it with my camera.

DisrupTer911 wrote in post #17532328
My one lens bag is a Domke J3.

Fits enough without weighing a ton.

Body with lens, flash, and minimal accessories.

I have been considering a F-3X which, I think from the website, is a little smaller than the J-3. However, the bag itself doesn't seem too different in the size to the Retro 10 - but I like the look of the larger outside end pockets, and it's only about 2/3 the weight of the Retro 10.

I wouldn't have any trouble using an F3x for a body/24-70. I've carried my 5D and 24-70 Mk. I in the F5Xb, but the F-3X is easier (less constricting) to pull the camera in and out of. It also has room to shove a second lens (as large as a 70-200) in the main compartment and a flash in one of the end pockets with room for a water bottle in the other end pocket.

Thanks, Jon, that's about what I thought. My question therefore becomes whether buying the F-3X would just be buying another Retro 10 size bag, just a different style.

I'm not saying that that might not be a bad thing (I can see how that bag may suit me better than the TT, in that the TT is fairly rigid and can be a little awkward to get bigger lenses out of), but in the interests of thread purity (), I'm still trying to see if there are other minimalist offerings that suit the body/lens only.

Out of interest, to any Domke users out there, what is the quality of the current range like? Having done some recent reading, I have come across a few "they used to be fantastic" comments which make me wonder about the workmanship of the newer bags.

I haven't even seen any of the new line, just what's been posted on websites.

If you want a messenger style bag, I have the Domke j803 that will work for that. It comes in the wax wear and non wax versions. Very sturdy.

Well, I've just ordered a Domke F-3X ruggedwear version. I think that it will be about the size (but not weight) of my TT bag, but be a bit more flexible when not loaded (so feel like a smaller bag with less gear, if you get my drift). I'll give that a go and see how I like it.

The Toploader pro 70 would work, I've used it for the 6D + L bracket + 24-105 + hood attached and it's a good fit.

I've used it with the 16-35F4 and tamron 24-70 F2.8 and they both fit. I really love the toploaders for single lens and camera combo, really nifty being able to use a belt.