Good tripod bag for Gitzo 3-series without breaking the bank?

I'd like a decent, relatively inexpensive, padded tripod bag large enough to old the Gitzo GT3541 with Markins M20 ballhead and RRS LR clamp attached, preferably with at least one pocket that could hold the RRS plates. The Gitzo GC-3100 bag, designed for the 3-series, looks decent but doesn't appear to have any pockets and is pretty expensive, for what it is. I'm wondering if there are better alternatives. I'd like to be able to keep my monopod in the same bag so that I can just throw it into the back of my car, when necessary, and have it all with me. I have an old Manfrotto bag that came with my previous tripod, and I can just use that if I can't find a better alternative. Thanks.

I just bought the Gitzo GE10P padded tripod bag for the my 1541T and Markins Q3T head and LOVE it! Sure its $90, BUT I just spent $1300 on a tripod and RRS accessories, so its justified I think. You should just get the Gitzo bag and be done with it.

Is there any sort of pouch or pocket for storing things like the RRS plates? If your Gitzo bag was made for a series-1 tripod, do you think a monopod would fit in there pretty easily too?

sdipirro wrote in post #5969297
Is there any sort of pouch or pocket for storing things like the RRS plates? If your Gitzo bag was made for a series-1 tripod, do you think a monopod would fit in there pretty easily too?

Actually my bag was made for the 0 series or for monpods. My tripod setup is so small it fits in the monpod bag with a little room to spare too. There is a zippered pouch inside but it is so small in mine being the bag is so small that all I could fit in there was the shoulder strap for the bag, my bubble level, an allen wrench, and an RRS lens plate. Not that I wanted to carry much more than that... You should pick on up from amazon free shipping no tax and if you dont like it, return it! Thats where I got mine.

Domke tripod bags are nice. They aren't padded but they are very thick canvas; I use a 27" for my 3540LS and Markins head, $40 at Adorama

http://www.adorama.com​/DMF427.html

See if one of these is suitable for you...

http://porters.com/

Search 'tripod bags'

I've read suggestions that fishing rod bags and shotgun bags are cheap alternatives. Maybe a trip to you local farming supplies outlet would be worth a try?

I have a couple of Bogen 3280 padded bags that I like a lot. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …t&Go.x=0&Go.y=0​&Go=submit

I've had them for years, and they still look like new. They have a side pocket that I use to store extra plates, screw drivers, etc. In one bag I have my Gitzo 3530 with Kirk BH-1 head and a Bogen 3249 Monopod with another small Kirk head. The other bag I use to store some light stands, etc. I got the second one because I found it on a great sale and I figured it would replace the other bag when it wore out. It's not even close to wearing out though.

sdipirro wrote in post #5969297
Is there any sort of pouch or pocket for storing things like the RRS plates?

Might be a silly question, but why do you want to store your RRS plates in a tripod bag? My plates are permanently attached to the camera and lenses

I have spare flat plates to mount rented or borrowed equipment

Good answer!
I'll shut up then

Thanks, gkas. That's exactly what I was looking for, and I just ordered one. Regarding the question about the plates, I do most photography hand-held and don't want the extra weight and awkwardness of having the plates on the camera and lenses all the time. I often hold the larger zoom lenses by the tripod shoe. When I'll be doing something that requires the tripod, I like to have all tripod stuff together, and I can throw the plates on the lenses I'm taking with me. The pocket is also useful for extra plates, allen wrenches, and other misc items I might need. And if this bag turns out to be what I expect, I might also get at least one more for my lightstands! We'll see. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

You might want to consider one of the Think Tank Bazooka bags. They come in several sizes for different sized legsets.