desperately need a bigger over the shoulder lens bag - suggestions?

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tikigod19

Well-known member
hi all, I currently use this bag but trying to squeeze 4 or 5 lenses into it along with a couple of other accessories is getting too difficult. I need something thats about 50% bigger but I'd like it to still be not too bulky to wear over my shoulder and move between a crowd at a wedding. I change lenses so frequently that a rucksack or bulky bag that I leave on the floor wouldn't suffice.

I'm based in the Uk but willing to pay import tax from the US if I find the right bag.

No need to fit the body in, I just need room for let's say 5 lenses, one of them being a canon 70-200 2.8. (I currently don't have this in case you think the existing bag looks a bit small, but I will be getting it very soon)

Thanks in advance.
 
I use a Kata 3in1 33 bag which holds my camera (Sony Nex-5n), a bunch of lenses (up to 10) and 15.5" Laptop. Has plenty of space for auxillary gear too. It can be a backpack or sling, and there are some smaller sizes too that hold smaller notebooks and /or no notebook, but they are really quality bags and aren't crazy expensive. Mine was about $100. Check out Amazon, or if you're in desparate need, you could go in the morning to B&H or one of the NY shops..
 
Kit Hannah said:
if you're in desparate need, you could go in the morning to B&H or one of the NY shops..
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as much as I'd love a holiday, it wouldn't be worth the plane ticket! hehe.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'm going to have a look through them all now and no doubt hopefully decide on one.

Any more suggestions welcome!
 
ok have had a look guys, the tenba p995 doesn't seem to be in stock anywhere and although quite expensive its probably the nearest to what I want that i've seen. The think tank urban disguise don't seem to go big enough for my liking and the kata 33 is more of a backpack. Oh, and Domke don't have pictures of the inside of most of their messenger bags on their website!!

As I already have a really decent lowepro backpack, I'm more after a top loading each to access quite deep bag (just deep enough for the 70-200) which ideally has the 2 rows of 3 lens pockets made up by dividers so I can put 5 or 6 lenses in there. A couple of front zip pockets would be handy too.

Most of the bags are obviously designed to put a body in which makes sense but it's not what I'm after, but as long as the bag come with enough dividers (I even have some spares from my backpack if they fit ok) I should be able to make the 6 pocket configuration I want, the key is it not sticking out too much when sitting on my hip.

If it saves loads of space I may consider a separate belt bag for the 70-200 and put the remainder of smaller lenses in the shoulder bag. However experience of these individual belt bags is not good as I find they flap around all over the place.

edit: Just found this... Tamrac Pro 8. this is very near to what I wan't, might try to find it locally to check size (worried it may be too small, but they do a couple that are larger)
 
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has anyone used the Crumpler 8 million dollar home bag? I really like the look of it but it appears that although it'll take the 70-200 fine standing up vertically, I'd end up having to stack other lenses on top of eachother. They've increased the size in terms of height from the 7 million but not width. I think I'd prefer to have enough room for one more lens on the width but without all the height so that I can avoid stacking. I feel I'm getting closer.. I really appreciate all of your help.

edit: this picture is of the 6 million dollar home (apparently? - seems a bizarre website) and it's given me hope.. it looks like I may be able to squeeze 6 lenses in there (I have 3 large 3 small to save listing them all)

If the 6 is as big as it looks in that picture, I think the 7 will be perfect for me without having to get into the stacking territory of the 8 million.
 
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I am a massive fan of Billingham

I use multiple Packington bags - deep enough for a 70-200 (no hood)

I work with James who just bought a 445 or something -loaded it is very heavy for one shoulder

I would seriously consider getting two small Billingham Packington bags

Ive been doing photography and video since 1994 and have owned Tamrac, Big Billinghams, lowe pro, peli cases - you name it - and I always come back to the Billingham Packington

The main thing is it is deep enough to never spill stuff unless you are abseiling

S
 
thanks for your suggestion morgan. I've had a look but they seem a little old fashion looks wise for me, and although I only skimmed quickly (about to go out) do they only come in that tan colour? As I shoot weddings I ideally want black. A lot of them seem to have buckles for the securing straps too which seems a bit old fashioned again..

I've just experimented with different compartment configurations of my existing cheap bag and it's a shame as it's only fractionally too small. I've measured what I think the ideal dimensions would be (internal) and I think it'd be about 43cm wide, 22cm deep and 23cm high. Not as big as I'd first expected so I now think the 8 million dollar bag would be more than enough for me, I just can't find it anywhere where I'm not going to get stung for import tax!!
 
It would have been perfect if I weren't looking at external dimensions thinking they were internal :( it's too small. I think I'm going to take a risk with a dodgy looking chinese site selling the 8 million dollar home for £36 (it's £110 on their official site) but it's the only option I have...
 
BIllinghams come in black - yep they have the old man look a bit - but James who works with my is a fashionable young man - he's been converted!

My experience of Tamracs is that they are easy to spill the contents on the floor - they offer good access however

I do however use one Tamrac - it my 'narrative extras' bag - with bits and bobs Id use shooting narrative work - I assume that a narrative location we are taking more time and care so the spillage wont become an issue - I would use a Tamrac in an eng/wedding/corporate environment

My multi bag system..
Packington 'FS': FS100+3 lenses (full)
Packington '5d': 5d, 28/2 24-105 Lcdvf (loads of space)
Packington 'D3': NikonD3, 20-35, 50 1.4, 70-200, 55micro, metz flash (full)
Large Billingham 'stills extras' : pocket wizards, 14 2.8 D80, misc crap
Large Tamrac 'motion extras' : various primes, lens converters and filters spare Vlock
Army Kit bag: 'Life support' - Hat Gloves Rain jacket, builders knee pads, drinking water, some muesli bars, toilet roll, gaffe tape, roll of bin bags (to cover kit in a downpour)


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could you give me your address so I could pop round with a transit van and sledgehammer in the dead of night? :Drogar-Shock(DBG):
 
Tamrac Super Pro series are awesome. Yes, they're expensive but they will last you an age and can hold SO MUCH. The joy is they don't look too big so you can also easily take them on flights as hand luggage (even if it does weigh 20kg, how will they know?!). I've used mine to pack all of my kit, plus laptop, an extra four lenses, portable drives and some of my clothes. Keep you eyes peeled on photography forums and ebay for them second hand, I got mine for less than 1/10th of the retail price in near new condition.

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