Help with a camera bag

I have been looking for a new bag. I have read through all the cam bags reviews, but it is really tough for me decide what is the right size and fit for my needs. My thoughts are to have 2 bags, one backpack that holds a 17" laptop, all my camera equipment and some room for a few carry one items to be used when traveling. The other, I think I would prefer a nice looking messenger style bag(something that doesn't scream camera bag) that just holds my camera equipment.
My current equipment includes:
40D with 17-55 2.8 mounted with hood reversed
85 1.8 with hood
sigma 50-150 2.8 with hood (a little shorter than the 70-200 f/4)
430EX flash
extra battery, memory cards, couple filters, blower, etc.

I also would like for it to have enough room for a couple more smaller lenses as I expect to eventually buy the sigma 30 f/1.4(again, don't know why I ever sold it) and an ultrawide zoom like the 10-22.

I am leaning towards the Fastpack 350 for my travel backpack, as it seems to have all the necessary components I would need. As for my smaller shoulder messenger style bag, I am not sure. Would the crumpler 6 MDH be about the right size? What other options are there?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Looks like it'd fit nicely in a Domke F-3x for your small bag.

Jon wrote in post #5737641
Looks like it'd fit nicely in a Domke F-3x for your small bag.

I definitely like the look of the domke bags. Are you sure the f-3x is big enough to hold all of the stuff I listed including the 30 1.4 and 10-22 that I may by in the near future? Otherwise after looking through all the different bag websites, it does seem to be up between a domke and crumpler. Anyone else have an opinion? I am gradually going through the super long "show me your bag" thread in the hopes of seeing something definitive.

You might want to look at the F-803 for the extra lenses, or maybe the F-4AF or F-6. I've carried a 5D, 24-70, 70-200 and 15-30 (Sigma) along with a 580EX and a water bottle in my F-3X; I cram them for the initial carry, but once I get where I'm going the camera and 24-70 (typically) are out for use.

james_in_baltimore wrote in post #5737825
I definitely like the look of the domke bags. Are you sure the f-3x is big enough to hold all of the stuff I listed including the 30 1.4 and 10-22 that I may by in the near future? Otherwise after looking through all the different bag websites, it does seem to be up between a domke and crumpler. Anyone else have an opinion? I am gradually going through the super long "show me your bag" thread in the hopes of seeing something definitive.

The F-3x is definitely big enough to hold your current gear. I carry the following:

40D gripped w/ Sigma 17-70
Canon 70-200 f/4 L
Canon 85 1.8
430EX
And plenty of accessories

But adding the Sigma 30 and Canon 10-22 might be a stretch. The F-2 would handle all that. I can add a 30D and 28-135 to the list above in the F-2.

Thanks for the help. I think it is up between the Domke F-2 and the Crumpler 7 MDH. I know they are both a little bit big for what I have now, but they allow me to grow into them - also I can hold other stuff in there if I need to, so that would be nice also.

I just wish I had a dealer near me that had a really big selection.

Some of Penn Camera's stores have a number of the Domke bags in. Don't know about Crumpler though.

any idea if laurel has them? I know that the one in pikesville didn't have a very big selection. Maybe I'll just call around. I really like the domke, and am seriously thinking about the F2. Is the F2 bigger than the 7 MDH or about the same size?

Lowepro Nova 5.

Dunno about Laurel; my usuals are Rockville and Tysons; Tysons had a few couple of weeks ago; R'Ville has some from time to time.

Suzyview's mentioned trying a Mt. Vernon shoot on the 21st; if you're game and it comes off, I can bring my collection . . .

She just PMed me - maybe earlyish down there. I may try for Huntley Meadows after. Both around Alexandria.

I might be interested in making it to mount vernon. I am usually up for early, and I believe I have time saturday morning. That would be very cool. The more I think about it though, the domke F-2 is definately the choice, unless I go with the crumpler 7 MDH, however I like how domke has all the pockets on the outside. The only thing I wonder about is the F-2 comes with the insert for basically 4 lenses and then your camera and lens are suppose to sit next to that in an unpadded area? I am think I would usually want my 40D with 17-55 2.8 mounted. Is there enough room next to the insert for that? Also, is there another insert I could get to fit next to it to protect the 40D with mounted lens?

james_in_baltimore wrote in post #5743920
I might be interested in making it to mount vernon. I am usually up for early, and I believe I have time saturday morning. That would be very cool. The more I think about it though, the domke F-2 is definately the choice, unless I go with the crumpler 7 MDH, however I like how domke has all the pockets on the outside. The only thing I wonder about is the F-2 comes with the insert for basically 4 lenses and then your camera and lens are suppose to sit next to that in an unpadded area? I am think I would usually want my 40D with 17-55 2.8 mounted. Is there enough room next to the insert for that? Also, is there another insert I could get to fit next to it to protect the 40D with mounted lens?

There is enough room to fit the 40D with 17-55 mounted next to the 4 compartment insert. I used to mount my 70-210 to my gripped XT and fit it next to the insert.

There are additional inserts that you can buy as well which is one thing that makes the Domke so great. But you won't need anything to protect the 40D and 17-55. The Domke bags protect the inside compartments very well without any additional padding.

If you don't want something that screams camera bag, I would go with the Crumpler 6 or 7 Million Dollar Home bags - both will fit your current equipment, and the 7 will leave you room to grow.

Service photo in Baltimore has the Domke F-2 in stock in Sand color and normally carries the 7 MDH, but is out of stock at the moment. So it looks like I found a local camera shop that carries both after all. Service Photo in Baltimore is really great, except for the fact that they carry a lot more Nikon than Canon.