Boda dry -vs- think tank UD30?

will do.

For now you'll have to do with reading what works.

so far this bag is very nice and a great size for what I want to do with it. I can easily fit my 100-400, 17-40 and 24-105 in there WITH the 5Dii with ANY LENS on it. The center divider is actually what pushes the camera to the top, even on the 100-400 because you can't really velcro it any lower. But it fits about perfect with it as low as it'll go so I'm happy. Right now I have my 24-105, 17-40, 24L and 50 1.4 all in there with the 5Dii.

I don't love all the exterior pockets. A few would be nice, but the flap in the front, it's storage, the side flash pocket then a mesh one on the other side then the cell pocket are all a bit much for me. I would have rather seen them do something like a sliplock system where there were just straps there and you could add/remove what you wanted/needed for that day/shoot. Basically if I'm using it as a murse the pockets are OK, but if I'm just shooting I'd want one pocket that expands (and more importantly sits flat when not in use) and not much else.

And the thing that KILLS me? There are two very nice D rings low down on the back of it. Then ONE nice attachment point on the top left, but the cell/card holder pocket is where the other one SHOULD BE.... So it's 3/4s of the way to being able to be used as a holster/chest pack.... UGH! With my LowePro Harness, I can attach the top clips to the handle and it'll work, but yeah, there should be 4 points not just the 3...

Also, the lid is interesting. I wonder why it flips towards the user? I know it's meant to be a shooting lens bag, so they want it out of the way, and towards you/against your leg is very out of the way... But with the snap they give it (to keep it out of the way) then the snap is against you, PLUS if you're going to use a snap, couldn't it have flipped out (since the snap will keep it out of the way?)?? My point is, either use no snap and go in, or use the snap and flip out. This is also important for using it in a holster mode as the flap helps keep things contained when swapping lenses in weird locations (up masts, on chairlifts).

The straps are a bit weird too. In use they're AWESOME. Both the waist AND shoulder are very comfortable and the bag sits nicely on your hip in either way. But they attach with big giant clips AND these weird "buttons" on posts. The buttons allow it to rotate which helps with the comfort and is rad.... BUT!!! Because you can remove them, if you pick up the bag at EXACTLY the wrong angle, they can (and already have once) pop off... They need some sort of safety to prevent that IMHO. Once on the weight of the bag will prevent this so it's only an issue when picking it up. Also, because they rotate a full 360, you can get twists in the strap because of them (again only when picking the bag up). And again that's something a safety can (and will) fix. I'm thinking velcro straps or rubber (giant ones) bands.

Basically this bag is a VERY well thought out product. I can see why they're charging what they are because it is indeed very well done. I'm just SUPER picky about my bags, and this comes soooo close on so many levels to have it not be perfect makes me more critical I think. Honestly, I'm VERY tempted to buy another, find a good seamstress than can sew (and retape the seams) this stuff, and modify one to be "perfect"... It's 95% of the way there, fixing a few issues would make it ideal for me.

I'm also going to email them suggesting since their site says they want them, but I doubt what I want is what enough other people want to make it worth while.

Blue S2 wrote in post #7305839
Pictures! Here ya go!

http://gallery.soundvi​sionpassion.com …038_S8dmN#34682​7172_m22st

Now, the fully loaded setup is really more of transport solution, and not what I consider a fast paced working solution. I use a speed belt system when I'm working generally. If I want to shoot around town with a shoulder bag, I will generally only have 2 lenses and a flash.

Thanks for the pictures - it seems amazing that the UD30 will fit all that stuff.

Just out of curiosity: What sort of eye-piece are you using attached to the 5D in this picture?

James

http://www.brightscree​n.com/eyepiecemagnifie​r.html

I use a Brightscreen eyepiece as well as a Brightscreen focus screen. That combination is dangerous...you won't ever go back if you try it! It gives a HUGE, bright and clear view while still showing corner to corner with greater eye relief! It makes a very worthwhile difference.

Note: In that picture I have the eyecup folded backwards.

Jannie...try the belt-packs before you buy one if you intend to keep the camera in there. I use a full belt system from ThinkTank, but I just could not deal with the actual belt-packs.

A 5D with a 70-200, or even a 24-105 hanging you your waist is really uncomfortable in the long term. Or at least from my experience. I only use the belt pack when I'm working and I never have the camera attached to it since it become a tremendous weight to one side.

Thant might be different if the belt pack also has a support shoulder strap. Just something to keep in mind.

I actually prefer this, or the skin equivalent... http://www.thinktankph​oto.com/ttp_product_LC​75PpDwn.php

I swap 24-105 and 70-200 out in the same modular case. The actual modular belt system spreads the weight out better than the belt packs.

Another thing I do is occasionally attach my Holster 20
( http://www.thinktankph​oto.com/ttp_product_Dg​tlHlstr.php ) to the steroid speed belt. That way I can have the camera on one side and a different pouch and lens on the other. This way when I take the camera out I can slide one other component over to that side and re-even the weight out.

The holster 20 is nice because it is small...but expands to hold the 70-200 just fine. Its also very light weight.

It really comes down to what you are trying to achieve. I couldn't imagine shooting concerts, architecture, events, etc... without a belt system. When I'm working I have the belt and the camera on a strap. I carry the camera in a holster, or if I have a lot more gear, extra bodies, etc... I carry either a small backpack or a UD40 or something.

Jannie wrote in post #7372024
I just checked out the Boda website, as a lens bag/kit ( no place for the camera body).

I think I'd prefer something where I can stuff the lens with a camera body attached, there are times I need my hands for other things like lunch.

jannie, don't be fooled by them calling it a lens bag. Yes, that's what it's designed for, but because it's designed around a 70-200 2.8 IS with the hood in shooting position, when you reverse it the camera fits in there ON the lens. I've tested this with my 100-400 on the 5Dii and it works w/o the lens even touching the bottom (there's about a half inch of space, the camera resting on the divider keeps the lens from touching bottom).

Also, you can get a belt for the boda, so it can be both a belt bag or shoulder bag. I went for both and both seem VERY NICE. I've only used it with the shoulder strap so far, but I'm loving it. The belt portion will get tested this summer at airshows and auto races. Basically I plan on using it as a should bag when I'd use a camera bag, but waist when I'm using it as a lens caddy.

I have a better review of it here (lots of pics):
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=646054

but Jannie, while I have you in here, I saw your post on the UD35 in your other thread... I want the 100-400 ON CAMERA (.3" shorter than a 70-200 2.8 IS) HOOD REVERSED? It's 10" exactly for that setup, the UD30 is 10.25 or 10.5... Will that fit?

here's a shot of me wearing the boda from Saturday:

Were are the pictures?

in their own thread of course!
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=646054