2 Questions

How we doing guys? I'm atill pretty new to the world of Canon photography and i need some advice. I used to be a Nikon guy for 6 years and now that I have made the jump I am adjusting nicely. My new kit consists of a 7D body, 24-70mm f2.8, 430ex ii flash and I am getting the battery grip next week. I plan to get a few lenses over the course of the next few years. I need some advice on A) which bag to get for that kit (i am use to over the shoulder but i am open to suggestions.) and B) Which tripod can i get that will work with that body and lens (my concern is the "top-heavy"-ness of 24-70mm f2.8). Any and all feedback is is greatly appriecated.

Domke F3x will hold that nicely and allow you to add a couple of smaller lenses, maybe even one other largish zoom.

Price range for the tripod? Manfrotto 055 or 190 are the most common recommendations, in their various (# leg segments, CF vs. aluminum) configurations, combined with the Manfrotto 498RC2 head. I use an older Manfrotto 3444 with a modded 488 head using the RRS LR2 clamp since I use the ReallyRightStuff L plates on my cameras.

Jon wrote in post #9985962
Domke F3x will hold that nicely and allow you to add a couple of smaller lenses, maybe even one other largish zoom.

No personal experience with the Domkes, and they do seem to have a very loyal share of enthusiasts. But I just came across this review that does cast some doubt on the durability of the canvas material:

http://www.rebaseonu.n​et …super_compact_b​ag_review/

Maybe something to consider before you make a decision.

My canvas Domkes have held up better than any of the various nylon/cordura/packclot​h bags I've ever tried. My oldest one is something close to 30 years old. I strongly suspect the reviewer made a practice of carrying something rigid in the back pocket (in fact he shows illustrations that make it obvious he does) and would have found the exact same problem regardless of the fabric. If he hasn't seen that wear in other bags it's because there aren't a lot of other bags that have the slim document pocket that the Domke F2 and F3x have on the back. I keep emergency raingear and tissues in my back pocket; guides go into an end pocket where they don't compromise the flexibility of the bag.

That might partially explain it, but the picture towards the end of the page shows a lot more damage than just to the back pocket.

That's been chewed up by his washing machine. That's not normal wear. He's just lucky his nylon one hasn't gotten similarly caught. My experience laundering nylon bags with "waterproof" coatings is that the water will get caught so you don't get a good rinse and the waterproof coating will flake in chunks that are far worse than the cotton fibers you might get coming off the canvas Domkes (lint's not a problem I've had). For the record, I've washed 2 of my Domkes in their lifetimes; the most recent was the F7 that I used in the Galapagos because I wanted to get any salt out of the fabric. And I get the sand ones not the black.

I hope you're right because I've been considering this very bag myself.

Admittedly, this is the first (and so far only) review I've come across that criticizes the quality of a Domke bag.

First, welcome to the forum and congrats on your purchase. For my gripped 7D I use the ThinkTank Urban Disguise 70 Pro. It's a messenger style bag designed to accommodate a gripped body. http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …-70-pro-shoulder-bag.aspx. I have owned four ThinkTank bags and they are very high quality, not exactly cheap but worth the price to me. My tripod is the Manfrotto 055 XPRO B. It's very sturdy and decently priced. I have had up to a 50D with the 100-400L mounted on it with no stability issues at all.

thanks a lot guys but now the problem is i have to decide between all of these options! haha kidding seriously thought thanks for the help.

Meve2441 wrote in post #9988166
thanks a lot guys but now the problem is i have to decide between all of these options! haha kidding seriously thought thanks for the help.

It seems like finding the "perfect" bag is a never-ending quest! I have only been shooting for about 3 years and I'm on my 7th now and would probably have 5 more if I didn't make myself quit looking at them. There are a lot of bags that will fit a given amount of gear, it usually comes down to the style you prefer. For example, there are a lot of people that swear by the Domke bags and I know they are great bags, but I don't care for the canvas look so I ended up going a different route. My bag looks boring compared to the Domke and Crumpler bags, but I like it that way!

Consider a medium sized backpack. The one I use is the Thinktank Rotation 360, which has a rotating lower compartment so that you can access it without taking it off. The wide trekking-style waistbelt and two substantial shoulder straps will distribute weight of several lenses better than a single shoulder bag strap. This pack is expensive, but it is built like a tank, the best of any packs I've seen, and the accessibility was worth the money to me.

If a shoulder bag is best for you, consider the Lowepro Stealth Reporter series. Waterproof, top access, a professional series of bags. Nothing wrong with Domke, but for me this Lowepro has easier access and gear protection.