alright so I've been looking all over at the various options for shoulder bags.

lowepro ones I'm liking:
Compact AW - probably the better for me but not sure due to lack of good pics for the lowpro line...
Magnum 200 AW - only available in black..
Nova 200 AW
Stealth Reporter D400 AW

it's just hard to really get a grasp on their bags as the photos I've found of them suck in terms of letting you see what you might be getting....

Tamrac of course has a lot of great stuff but IDK what models to look at more.
Tamrac 606 Zoom Traveler 6 Camera Bag, just need a khaki or light color version. but it seems like the best of the brand but not sure though.
System 6
Super pro 17

Think Tank:
Retrospective 30
I really like the look of the pinestone material and this would probably hold all the crazy stuff I carry and will be expanding to but the problem is the padding, it doesn't seem like it has a whole hell of a lot of it... If it just had a little more padding I would probably be all over it.


Mainly what I am looking for is a bag that I can grow with a little. I already have 3 main lenses and will probably want to end up carrying 4-5 for major things with me. plus a couple flashes, trigger/receiver sets, other cables and wires and many other little dopey things like the lens hoods and so on.

So break down:
4-5 lens capacity (currently the EF 70-300mm IS USM, Sigma 30mm f/1.4, and kit lens which I'm hoping to replace soon). (want 70-200 f2.8 and another prime.)
T2i - later upgrading to a 7D or 50D MarkII
2 or more flashes.
Trigger/receiver set
lens hoods
other miscellaneous wires, cables, and stuff. (I tend to carry a lot of junk, I'm a bit of a carry everything whether I will need it or not kind of person.).

Must haves:
Must be padded! (I'm a kluts and need to protect my gear).
All weather, I live in Florida where rain comes from no where and also when transporting in and out of the car it would be nice to be able to protect the gear better from rain.
I would much prefer lighter colors as well, again Florida - SUN - not good!


Reason: I'm really getting annoyed with the backpack style bag I have right now. It's always falling off my shoulders no matter what I do and accessing gear on the fly is a pain in the ass. I can't just flip the lid and get at my stuff and flip it closed...

please help me to find a bag, I'm up in the air with this.

the stealth reporter series is very good, but IMHO get the TT R30. I have the R10. It's padded, it's padding just isn't overly thick. It'll take normal abuse. It's got a rain cover (as does the stealth series). The biggest question you need to ask yourself is do you want it big all the time, or do you go with the R10 and add side pouches as needed for the extras... I can fit 4~5 lenses (with one on the body) in my R10 and then I have pouches for flashes and a long lens ETC. Makes the bag small when you want small but a workhorse when you need the garage. I will say I've also thought about the R30 so I could carry more, but I've yet to run out of room in the 10 with pouches. The 30 is only 3" wider than the 10 in terms of width, height and depth are identical, so it's not massively bigger but it does have more room.

Check out youtube for video review. They help me tons. Then search flickr for the bag names and also go to cambags.com.

http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Ho...:50805/I/56026

Had my eye on one of these and picked one up this weekend.

It carried a Gripped D300 with 70-200 attatched, 24-85mm, 50mm 1.4, 35mm 1.8, AA battery tray for grip, more AA's, CF card case, a few bungies, 12mm macro tube, SB-800 and SB-28. I had my monopod strapped on the back of the bag in the belt loop during the race.

I don't think you can find anything as durable and usable for the price. Got mine for $45 and another $5 for my cell phone holder for it.

Originally Posted by a.hoglen

http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Ho...:50805/I/56026

Had my eye on one of these and picked one up this weekend.

It carried a Gripped D300 with 70-200 attatched, 24-85mm, 50mm 1.4, 35mm 1.8, AA battery tray for grip, more AA's, CF card case, a few bungies, 12mm macro tube, SB-800 and SB-28. I had my monopod strapped on the back of the bag in the belt loop during the race.

I don't think you can find anything as durable and usable for the price. Got mine for $45 and another $5 for my cell phone holder for it.

that's actually a pretty cool bag but I really need something with a rain guard. Right now I'm kind of leaning to the lowepro stealth reporter 400 or 550 aw. still looking though.

I'll weigh in on the R20.. you don't have it listed, and I'll tell you what I fit in it:

Strobist setup:

Main Compartment:
5D Mark II
70-200 2.8 IS
16-35
Sigmalux
85 1.8
l-358
2 x SB25
Large Rocket blower

Main compartment front pocket:

Memory cards - I think about 8?
Lens pen
2 x pens
Plenty of room for other stuff the pocket goes all the way to the bag bottom

In the front pocket:

CableManagement 20 with :
3 x Cybersync CSRB
1 x Cybersync CSR
1 x Cybersync CST
Associated trigger wires, the red bungee cord managers

Raincover in it's pouch

Back Zippered pocket:

Pose chart, model releases.



Event Setup:

70-200 2.8 IS
16-35
40D
5DII
580EX II
Memory cards
pens
lens pen
Rocket blower
Sigmalux
85 1.8



Hmm I dunno.. essentially I'm able to carry all my necessities in the one bag, for on location stuff I have a 2nd wheeled bag (needs to the trash to be replaced by a pelican) that carries light stands and modifiers, but if I'm going lightweight.. or natural light I can leave that bag behind and have my entire kit in my R20.

The padding is not an issue, it's padded enough. If you're tossing your bag against walls, dropping it, and generally treating your gear like a child's play thing, I don't think any bag can help you and realistically the most damage you'd find is from your 70-200 2.8 IS smashing your lighter weight items inside the bag. There are dividers but if you want to pack it tight there's no way around having lenses or other items next to mammoths.

I'm sure you can't go wrong, but the biggest thing for me with a camera bag: Theft. Nobody is going to think my camera bag is just that unless they see me in and out of it with gear. Otherwise they'll just think is some sissy man purse. That's fine.. think what you want.. but don't lift my gear

I love my R20, and I've seen a few of the Retro bags up on POTN now.. you may be able to snipe one cheaper than brand new, but you'll also be stuck with it or have to sell it to someone else if you buy used.

Originally Posted by Blazin

I'll weigh in on the R20.. you don't have it listed, and I'll tell you what I fit in it:

and just so you know the differences... there's the R10, which I have. Then the R20 is the same footprint, but ~2" taller so you can put a body in it WITH a 70-200 2.8 IS attached. Same everything else. The 70-200 2.8 IS fits in the R10, it just can't be on the body. The R30 is the R10's HEIGHT (so you can put a 70-200 in it, but not ON the body unless you lay it sideways) but it's ~3" WIDER.... That means you get about 2 more lenses in there (so 3~5 to 5~7?) or more of something else.

I should be doing my final video review on the R10 this weekend, but check out my initial impressions of it here:
http://gear.benjacobsenphoto.com/201...rospective-10/
including a video of what I fit in mine...

It's a great bag. it really is. I was surprised at how it collapses very well at an event when you only put lenses in it too, it gets nice and thin. The other nice surprise with it is how much I LOVE the inside accessory area. I thought that'd be weird but I LOVE it.

The stealth series from lowepro is also nice, and I think cheaper, but having owned both, the retros are nice bags. TT makes VERY nice products.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

a
I should be doing my final video review on the R10 this weekend, but check out my initial impressions of it here:
http://gear.benjacobsenphoto.com/201...rospective-10/
including a video of what I fit in mine...

CUSTOM WB!!!!!

yeah, dude, that was just to get something up for a PotN guy asking a million questions. I don't do inside reviews normally.

The stealth reporter series is nice, but I could never find a local shop with the larger series to see it in person.

I'm really loving my TT Urban Disguise 30 I got from Ben. I like that the bag is more vertical than horizontal (stealth reporters are more flat and wide).

Blazin, your argument for the retro 20 is really strong. Thanks for the info! Also with Ben's info on the retro series I really do think if that's the line that I end up with I would rather go with the 20 for the simple fact that I would be able to have a 70-200mm attached and in the bag ready to go. I will be doing a lot of out doors type events in the near future and that will be the best thing for me to have the longer lens attached.

I'm going to be doing some work with Alejonin ( my friend that signed up on here). He's a videographer and he's got a major event scheduled for September 23rd that I'm working hard to line things up for. I really need to get a second battery by then. He's going to work on getting me setup to get into the event as part of his crew..., I'm super stoked about the idea and am working hard on getting my numbers memorized so that I can make sure that I really setup the shots on point and set myself apart for anyone else taking photos that day. It's a racing event, mostly drag racing but there might be some other stuff as well.

Also ben, I dug up that youtube video of yours earlier today on my phone while I was on my "break" and watched it. Thanks for posting it in here as well though, it's really informative. I hope to see your in-depth review soon. Also, LOL @ needing custom White Balance! I was thinking that when I was watching on my phone but I wasn't sure it was my phone or the video... lol.


But like both French and Freq make points about the style of the bags is where my main dilemmas lie:
Stealth Reporter line is more of a flat style bag that you can kind of use as a workstation while out and about, the 400 seems like the right one for me. the 530 and up have a laptop slot that I don't really want. I already have a laptop bag and I kind of like having it separate form the rest of the stuff.
Retro series are more of a flat sleek style bag that wont stand out as much from the body which is also a nice thing as well....

Both have disguised appearances which is a major bonus IMHO (this is something that I rather prefer), but the Retro seems to have the corner market on really stealthy styling...

One other major point is that the Stealth reporter has a "poncho" that stays in a compartment of the bag... Living in Florida and the way we get rain out of no where all the damn time this would be a real plus for me. I haven't seen anyone with a rain cover for it at this time, it would be really nice if TT would make one specifically for it. Right now I'm carrying a couple garbage bags with at all times to cover my stuff in the even something happens and I also keep a brand new poncho in the same spot so that I have something ready and waiting if I need to put one on. I've already used a couple of them at least 3-4 times to make sure my stuff doesn't get wet.

If any of it doesn't make sense to you it's because I just got home and took 15mg of vicodin and 2 muscle relaxers. Damn sciatic nerve is acting up today, screw it though, I don't let it slow me down...

I think I'm going to call around to the stores near me and see who has what and all. See if I can go see these bags in person.... The problem though is that I live in the middle of no where and my options are limited!!!

Wait are you saying the ThinkTank Retrospectives don't have a poncho? They do.. it comes in a pouch too.

The Retros (at least the 20) can be flat, or it can be almost like a cube. At maximum capacity it's not -flat- but what do you expect? I have my own custom bag that I really liked, it's just falling apart. It has more classic padding and stays in a uniform shape regardless of the amount of **** you stuff in it. At the same time when it's empty it retains that shape. Just something to think about.

The Urban Disguise (I know you haven't mentioned them specifically yet) also have a poncho

Originally Posted by Bone

Blazin, your argument for the retro 20 is really strong. Thanks for the info! Also with Ben's info on the retro series I really do think if that's the line that I end up with I would rather go with the 20 for the simple fact that I would be able to have a 70-200mm attached and in the bag ready to go. I will be doing a lot of out doors type events in the near future and that will be the best thing for me to have the longer lens attached.

when I bought my R10 my longest (physically) lens was my 70-300, so it fit. I now have a 100-400 (same size as a 70-200 2.8) that doesn't fit. What I do, is I have their belt/lenscase for the 70-200. I put it on the side of the bag for when I'm at an event using the 100-400. I'll use a neckstrap with this setup, but when I'm walking somewhere the lens portion of the setup goes into that case on the side of the bag and the body just rests at the top. Not sure I'd trust it w/o the neck strap, but it worked VERY well at ALMS. When I do my video review, I'll try to bring my side bags along to show you what I'm talking about.

but yeah, I almost wish I had the 20 or 30 as well, but every time I think that I just use my side cases/bags to add things. That takes away from the stealth part at the time, but it keeps the bag smaller for day to day use.

the 530 and up have a laptop slot that I don't really want. I already have a laptop bag and I kind of like having it separate form the rest of the stuff.

the laptop compartment in the stealths is just a divider in the camera section isn't it? It WAS when I had my 650... So you can pull that one divider out and use that space for lenses if they still do it that way.

One other major point is that the Stealth reporter has a "poncho" that stays in a compartment of the bag...

as mentioned the retros also have the ponchos:


I think all TT bags do, but I KNOW all the ones I have had do... The lens cases, the skin50, the UD30 and the R10 all have them.

OOOHHHHHH, lol, I guess I missed that when I was looking over the various pictures and info of the bags. I was reading on the ThinkTank website and IDK how I missed that one, lol...

As for the stealth reporter line, I haven't found any good videos for the newer style models of them.

I called up the closest Ritz camera store to me (1 hour + drive) and they don't carry either model and the guy hadn't even heard of the think tank line... shows how much he knows about his stuff.

I don't know of any other camera stores anywhere near me thought that might have this kind of stuff or any stores in general that might have stuff like this in stock for me to go take a physical look at.

EDIT: **** me! the closest retailer for TT bags is the other side of Florida...a 3 hour drive! It's either drive to Orlando or West Palm beach... SCREW THAT! It's be a **** load cheaper and easier to just buy it new and return it if I don't like it... lol.

just found the:
Lowepro Classified 250 AW Shoulder Bag (Sepia)

that one looks like a nice option as well.

Originally Posted by Bone

I called up the closest Ritz camera store to me (1 hour + drive) and they don't carry either model and the guy hadn't even heard of the think tank line... shows how much he knows about his stuff.

this should be stickied somewhere

Originally Posted by Bone

SCREW THAT! It's be a **** load cheaper and easier to just buy it new and return it if I don't like it... lol.

always an option.

I did buy mine without physically touching it, but I based my decision on seeing it "in person" in Ben's video review (get a feel for the size vs benbacca, etc).

A camera bag has to work for you or you won't use it. Its tough to buy an expensive bag sight unseen.

Originally Posted by PhatheadWRX

A camera bag has to work for you or you won't use it. Its tough to buy an expensive bag sight unseen.

yeah, I always add $10 for return shipping to the total in my head assuming I'll send it back if I don't like it.

Originally Posted by Bone

just found the:
Lowepro Classified 250 AW Shoulder Bag (Sepia)

that one looks like a nice option as well.

That's another problem with buying a camera bag. There are lots of "great options" online. Too many. You can drive yourself crazy at times. To make it even tougher, have you seen this site: http://www.cambags.com/

Sometimes you just have to pull the trigger.

also check flickr's pools for bag groups.

and I agree with French and disagree at the same time. I've owned enough bags at this point I know some things that piss me off. So I research and make sure a potential new bag doesn't have those issues. Then I buy it and try it and either return it or sell it used depending on how long I've tried it.

But the other thing to realize, is you will NEVER find ONE bag that's perfect. You can find a perfect shoulder bag, a perfect backpack etc, but never one bag that does EVERYTHING.

I have:
chestbag: mountainhardware descent
shoulderbag: TT R10
backpack: f-stop tilopa

those all work pretty well. My biggest wish right now is a shooter backpack. The F-stop is a great hiking backpack, but it sucks to shoot out of (back access only). I want something that has 2 straps but side access, but I want the side access to be the WHOLE BAG. InCase's sling would be perfect if it had 2 straps. My nikon kit didn't fit in it but I think my canon might (my filters are small enough to fit in the front pocket now)... I've been considering getting one and having someone hack an old backpack's straps onto it....

Originally Posted by PhatheadWRX

That's another problem with buying a camera bag. There are lots of "great options" online. Too many. You can drive yourself crazy at times. To make it even tougher, have you seen this site: http://www.cambags.com/

Sometimes you just have to pull the trigger.

lmao, aint that the damn truth...

and yeah, someone had already posted that link. I've been all over that site for a while now.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...&highlight=135

Odd, if you get the link structure... but there you go, an R20 on the cheap!

Originally Posted by Blazin

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...&highlight=135

Odd, if you get the link structure... but there you go, an R20 on the cheap!

thanks for the link but that one is black, I'd rather go for a the pinestone one, that would suit me much more. I prefer the lighter colors.

can the R10 hold a 70-200 without the body attached?

Right now i have a crumpler 8mdh and its HUGE. I would like to get a bag that is smaller and made to just carry a few lenses. It would be my vacay bag that I would bring with me in addition to my backpack.

I really wish there was a store near me that carried these so i could take a look.

okay.. i re-read bens post... answered my Qs....

Originally Posted by Blazin

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...&highlight=135

Odd, if you get the link structure... but there you go, an R20 on the cheap!

haha, went ahead and sent that guy a pm....

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

and just so you know the differences... there's the R10, which I have. Then the R20 is the same footprint, but ~2" taller so you can put a body in it WITH a 70-200 2.8 IS attached. Same everything else. The 70-200 2.8 IS fits in the R10, it just can't be on the body. The R30 is the R10's HEIGHT (so you can put a 70-200 in it, but not ON the body unless you lay it sideways) but it's ~3" WIDER.... That means you get about 2 more lenses in there (so 3~5 to 5~7?) or more of something else.

I should be doing my final video review on the R10 this weekend, but check out my initial impressions of it here:
http://gear.benjacobsenphoto.com/201...rospective-10/
including a video of what I fit in mine...

It's a great bag. it really is. I was surprised at how it collapses very well at an event when you only put lenses in it too, it gets nice and thin. The other nice surprise with it is how much I LOVE the inside accessory area. I thought that'd be weird but I LOVE it.

The stealth series from lowepro is also nice, and I think cheaper, but having owned both, the retros are nice bags. TT makes VERY nice products.

did you ever get to do your final review of the bag?

Originally Posted by PhatheadWRX

always an option.

I did buy mine without physically touching it, but I based my decision on seeing it "in person" in Ben's video review (get a feel for the size vs benbacca, etc).

A camera bag has to work for you or you won't use it. Its tough to buy an expensive bag sight unseen.

I just realized what you wrote in your post when reading back through... lmao, nice!!!

Originally Posted by Bone

did you ever get to do your final review of the bag?

its in other thread

Originally Posted by unamused

its in other thread

yeah, I just watched it. I forgot I had subscribed to his videos.



I also watched his video on the EF-S to EF lens video.

So after much thought and comparisons. It looks like the Lowepro Nova 200 AW will be the bag that I order. That will be my carry all and then later on this year I'll order the Retro 20 as my walk around bag.

i ended up going for a streetwalker HD for carrying gear large scale, then the r10 for my walkaround.... i plan on using it more like a shootsack type of deal....

Im having a hard time figuring out the best layout though... my crumpler had much more velcro attachment points which helped when trying to separate the sections.

If padding is important that is one thing that the Crumpler bags definitely have, lots and lots of padding. Unfortunately I do not believe they have ponchos built in but I thought I'd throw that out there. I have a December Quarter and like it when I need to bring lots with me. I've been lusting after the Brazillion Dollar Home but that's almost how much it costs...

https://www.crumplerbags.com/flash/f...ome-bz01a.html

I think someone had a used 7 or 8 Million Dollar Home for sale here recently.

^^ i looked at their line and I just wasn't all that impressed with their stuff.

Originally Posted by unamused

Im having a hard time figuring out the best layout though... my crumpler had much more velcro attachment points which helped when trying to separate the sections.

I divided the main part into 3 sections. When I put 2 lenses in 1 section I use one of the extra short dividers and just put it between the lenses. You can velcro one end to one side and it'll stay mostly put. You can also use the domke inserts (I already have some) and drop them right into the bag... They velcro to the side on their own and make each of the 1/3 sections into TWO sections which is nice for lenses.

Originally Posted by Bone

So after much thought and comparisons. It looks like the Lowepro Nova 200 AW will be the bag that I order. That will be my carry all and then later on this year I'll order the Retro 20 as my walk around bag.

You should look at Tamracs as well, if you haven't... I have liked my Tamrac bags over my Lowepro bags every time, and the Tamracs are cheaper, to boot.

Originally Posted by Markitos

You should look at Tamracs as well, if you haven't... I have liked my Tamrac bags over my Lowepro bags every time, and the Tamracs are cheaper, to boot.

I did look at their bags, but I just couldn't seem to find one that really fit my style personally, a lot theres were just too shallow and would have wanted me to put my camera in laid down instead of standing. So I opted to not get one of their bags. Although I think I might have found a Domke that I might be getting as a walk around. f-831 (or 832/833), They seem to be kind of styled a little like the Retrospectives but with padding. I'm still researching them though, haven't found many images of them opened up and all.

EDIT: Nevermind, the Domke F-83* series is not something that I would want. maybe the 5xc, but who knows....

Originally Posted by Bone

I did look at their bags, but I just couldn't seem to find one that really fit my style personally, a lot theres were just too shallow and would have wanted me to put my camera in laid down instead of standing. So I opted to not get one of their bags. Although I think I might have found a Domke that I might be getting as a walk around. f-831 (or 832/833), They seem to be kind of styled a little like the Retrospectives but with padding. I'm still researching them though, haven't found many images of them opened up and all.

EDIT: Nevermind, the Domke F-83* series is not something that I would want. maybe the 5xc, but who knows....

Really? I can stand up a body with a 70-200 attached in both my Tamrac bags, though one of them won't close if I do... but definitely fits with the 5D or 1D3 with any of my other lenses mounted. Check out the Tamrac Pro 5 or similar:

Originally Posted by Markitos

Really? I can stand up a body with a 70-200 attached in both my Tamrac bags, though one of them won't close if I do... but definitely fits with the 5D or 1D3 with any of my other lenses mounted. Check out the Tamrac Pro 5 or similar:

it seems they don't make the pro 5 anymore... The new version seems to be the Ultra Pro 7

I like that but idk...It could be a little wider to accommodate a little more.

I also like the Adventure Messenger 5 as well, but it has a laptop slot that I have no need for... So it would be nice if they had that very same model with a lack of laptop compartment.

For now the Nova 200 AW will be my carry all for major outings and I'll reconsider these models later on when I'm ready for a nice little walk around bag. Right now I'm after the carry all craziness bag that I just ordered. It was pretty cheap luckily too, comparatively...

Originally Posted by Bone

it seems they don't make the pro 5 anymore... The new version seems to be the Ultra Pro 7

I was going to call BS, but when I looked you're right!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...specifications
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...specifications

but looking at the pics/specs, it's basically the same bag? Price seems higher though.

Originally Posted by Bone

I like that but idk...It could be a little wider to accommodate a little more.

I can fit a 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, one body, and a 1.4TC in that bag--WTF else do you want to haul around? Seriously, that **** was heavy!

I also like the Adventure Messenger 5 as well, but it has a laptop slot that I have no need for... So it would be nice if they had that very same model with a lack of laptop compartment.

One of my most used bags is the Adventure Messenger 4, which is exactly that--the 5 without the laptop slot. Dunno if they've discontinued that one, too, but you might want to check it out.

Originally Posted by Markitos

I can fit a 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, one body, and a 1.4TC in that bag--WTF else do you want to haul around? Seriously, that **** was heavy!

Well, I have my Dirty 30 which is an EX lens and is really wide/bulky compared to a lot of other lenses. Also the Sigma 17-50 EX OS f2.8 that I'm after is also another rather bulky lens. I'd be a little concerned that they wouldn't fit well in the bag with a 70-200 f2.8 IS, The front pockets could easily hold 2 strobes as well.

Originally Posted by Markitos

One of my most used bags is the Adventure Messenger 4, which is exactly that--the 5 without the laptop slot. Dunno if they've discontinued that one, too, but you might want to check it out.

Well the A-M 4 is close to the A-M 5 but Internally the AM5 is 2 inches wider and 1 inch taller. Granted the 1 inch taller isn't all that much of a deal breaker but I would like the extra 2 inch width..

Originally Posted by Bone

Well, I have my Dirty 30 which is an EX lens and is really wide/bulky compared to a lot of other lenses. Also the Sigma 17-50 EX OS f2.8 that I'm after is also another rather bulky lens. I'd be a little concerned that they wouldn't fit well in the bag with a 70-200 f2.8 IS, The front pockets could easily hold 2 strobes as well.

Well the A-M 4 is close to the A-M 5 but Internally the AM5 is 2 inches wider and 1 inch taller. Granted the 1 inch taller isn't all that much of a deal breaker but I would like the extra 2 inch width..

Go to a store and try these bags out--bring all the gear you think you want to put in them. I have a much bigger bag--I Crumpler 6 million dollar home--that holds both bodies, the 70-200, 16-35, 24-70, 1.4tc, 580ex, and accessories... I hardly ever use it--you just don't want to carry 40 lbs. around on your shoulder for much time.

If you want something to hold everything, I'd look into a rolling case or similar, though I think that's overkill for what you have right now. Trust me, none of your lenses or bodies are bigger or bulkier than the zooms I have or a 1-series. I'm not trying to be a dick here, just speaking from experience.

Originally Posted by Markitos

Go to a store and try these bags out--bring all the gear you think you want to put in them. I have a much bigger bag--I Crumpler 6 million dollar home--that holds both bodies, the 70-200, 16-35, 24-70, 1.4tc, 580ex, and accessories... I hardly ever use it--you just don't want to carry 40 lbs. around on your shoulder for much time.

If you want something to hold everything, I'd look into a rolling case or similar, though I think that's overkill for what you have right now. Trust me, none of your lenses or bodies are bigger or bulkier than the zooms I have or a 1-series. I'm not trying to be a dick here, just speaking from experience.

I would gladly go to a store and try them out tomorrow, if I had the opportunity, but the problem remains that the closest camera store is 1.5-2 hours drive for me. So I'm not going to be able to do that for a while yet. I might however do this in the future when I know I will be down that way for something else as it is.

For part 2 I get what you are saying but I'm also not looking to buy and sell bags later on down the road. I'd rather get the right bag now and be able to grow into it with the stuff that I know I will be getting over the next while. Mostly all will be bought after I sell my extra vehicles, lol, I have a few... And I get that you aren't trying to be a dick, just honest and helpful. I truly do appreciate that! I'd like to find the best fit for me for a walk around bag and I just feel it's going to take some time for me to do that.

Originally Posted by Bone

I would gladly go to a store and try them out tomorrow, if I had the opportunity, but the problem remains that the closest camera store is 1.5-2 hours drive for me.

Local area camera groups? You have a local flickr group(s)?

Originally Posted by kensington

Local area camera groups? You have a local flickr group(s)?

I've looked but sadly no. there are not any local groups that I know of / have found at this time...

Wow, that is sad. Between flickr and meetup.com I could meet with locals every couple of weeks easy.

My daily bag is the Tamrac Pro 5 mentioned above. Main bag is split into 3 sections - Left is the Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR1 w/hood reversed - Middle has Nikkor 50 1.4 w/padding above the the D700 w/MB-D10 grip w/Nikkor 17-35 2.8 mounted - Right SB-900 w/diffuser dome. Front pocket Nexto eXtreme PSD, battery tray, batts, filters, remote, memory cards, etc.

I can flip flop the left and middle compartments - Left has 50 1.4 w/padding above then 17-35 2.8 on top and in the middlethe 70-200 2.8 mounted on the grip'd D700.

It does not come with a poncho, not sure if you can purchase it as an accessory.

^^ yeah that's what I get for living in the middle of nowhere..

One of the other things that I have been looking for in the bags that I'm looking at is something other than BLACK, i don't like that and also for some level of stealth appeal. I don't want that classic camera bag look. I'd rather it just look like a normal bag to a degree so people don't automatically think... hey that's a bag of expensive stuff, let me walk off with it....

^ to me black is as stealth as you can get really. Any other color just draws attention? The SHAPE is what makes it NOT look like a camera bag though, not the color.

Originally Posted by kensington

Wow, that is sad. Between flickr and meetup.com I could meet with locals every couple of weeks easy.

yeah, here in RI we have neither really either. NSOP meets FTW.