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Hey,

I have come to realise that I need a shoulder bag to fit some serious gear (D300+MB-D10 + 24-70 2.8, S5 Pro + 17-50 (or an ultra-wide when I get it), SB-800, SB-600, 180 Macro, 50 1.8, filters, memory cards, cleaning gear and 70-200VR (when I get one) and 85 1.4 (when I get one)) and get to it quickly.

I like the size of the Compact AW, but it is too shallow to stand up a 70-200VR (important factor), the Magnum is a little bigger (about the biggest I really want to go) and then there is the Commercial which will happily swallow up the 70-200VR but is getting monstrous in size. I really like the build on these bags.

Anyone use any of these bags? What have been your experiences with them? Will I be able to fit this lot into one? Any alternatives - I dont like the Stealth Reporter series and not certain about the Nova series?

Cheers

Large shoulder bags full of heavy camera gear are wonderful to work from but will eventually damage your spine/back/shoulders and/ or neck unless you are built like Rambo and aged between 17 and 34 years of age. Carry the smallest bag you can or/and consider a back pack. A word of warning....never stoop so low that you buy one of those bags with little wheels on it like a shopping trolley. No man should be seen dead with one of them and they are a pet hate of mine. Every time I see a 'photographer' dragging one of those behind him I feel like yelling out, "PICK IT UP AND CARRY IT LIKE A MAN....SHRIMP!"

Matt. K wrote: "PICK IT UP AND CARRY IT LIKE A MAN....SHRIMP!"

Beautiful!

Cameron I use the Lowepro Minitrekker AW, a lot of people here bought one and probably know what it is, fits a 70-200 and enough junk to make me look like a semi pro, price was about $150, will try to find out what it is as I ripped off all the labels. It is bigger than I like most days.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Min ... 965,14.htm

Sling bags will kill your shoulder.

HOWEVER - if you want a Tamrac Velocity 9X, I've got one for sale

I have a Vertex 200AW, great backpack for carrying everything, I need a shoulder bag for quick access, it will never be used as a trekking bag as this is what the Vertex and the Fastpack that I already own are used for. I have been doing some event work and have found a backpack is a hassle to work from in these cases.

I already considered the disadvantages of the shoulder/sling bag, hence the fastpack (I was looking at the compact earlier in the year). Thanks for the warnings though, I am sure they will help someone.

mickeyjuice wrote:Sling bags will kill your shoulder.

HOWEVER - if you want a Tamrac Velocity 9X, I've got one for sale

Thanks, but no thanks, I dont think it will be big enough for my needs.

Matt. K wrote:unless you are built like Rambo and aged between 17 and 34 years of age.

CHECK - age is between 17-34 (yes I am of that crazy age)

Matt. K wrote:Carry the smallest bag you can or/and consider a back pack. A word of warning....never stoop so low that you buy one of those bags with little wheels on it like a shopping trolley. No man should be seen dead with one of them and they are a pet hate of mine. Every time I see a 'photographer' dragging one of those behind him I feel like yelling out, "PICK IT UP AND CARRY IT LIKE A MAN....SHRIMP!"

A small bag is on the list of bags to buy, and I have a good backpack (which you have seen) already. I will never consider a rolling camera bag!!!!

Glen wrote:Cameron I use the Lowepro Minitrekker AW, a lot of people here bought one and probably know what it is, fits a 70-200 and enough junk to make me look like a semi pro, price was about $150, will try to find out what it is as I ripped off all the labels. It is bigger than I like most days.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Min ... 965,14.htm

Thanks Glen, but I have the backpack sorted already, I love my Vertex 200 AW!!!

aim54x wrote:

mickeyjuice wrote:Sling bags will kill your shoulder.

HOWEVER - if you want a Tamrac Velocity 9X, I've got one for sale

Thanks, but no thanks, I dont think it will be big enough for my needs.

What you get will kill you, then

I've got a roller/backpack for my laptop, and it's utterly brilliant.

Cameron sorry missed the shoulder bag requirement.

Mickey, don't stand near Matt K in a crowded airport in case you hear the call "PICK IT UP AND CARRY IT LIKE A MAN....SHRIMP!"

No worries Glen, looks like I have a job lined up for tuesday week, hmmm a bag would be nice for then, and a 70-200VR (grrr I have no money!!!)

Glen wrote:Mickey, don't stand near Matt K in a crowded airport in case you hear the call "PICK IT UP AND CARRY IT LIKE A MAN....SHRIMP!"

Man, they're such a brilliant thing, saves your back, makes life SO much easier.

MattK is welcome to call me a shrimp...

but when I fly, I take a wheely bag, that takes a laptop and two bodies and a few extra bits, called a "Tamrac CyberPro Express". If I am taking a fairly full kit, perhaps also SBs and stands, I also have a "Tamrac Pro 12" which has a sleeve on the back to slip over the wheely handle so I can stack them when walking through airports etc. I dont like the idea of using the wheely on the streets, as smashing my laptop and glass into gutters/kerbs/stairs etc doesnt sit well with me.

for a normal shoot, I would take the Pro12. It has lots of space, fits all the gear you refer to, for example, you could have a body each end, with say a 17-35 on one, and a 28-70 on the other, with a 70-200 and an 85 tucked underneath, perhaps a meter and a few small primes or flashguns.

lowepro sideline shooter is a great bum bag for a flash, meter, or lens etc if you sling the camera over your shoulder. it can fit a 70-200 with ease, as well as a few other bits and pieces.

recommendation, Pro 12 until its not enough

Matt, have seen a new emoticon just for you to use. This thread brought it to mind.

Oz_Beachside wrote: I also have a "Tamrac Pro 12" which has a sleeve on the back to slip over the wheely handle so I can stack them when walking through airports etc. I dont like the idea of using the wheely on the streets, as smashing my laptop and glass into gutters/kerbs/stairs etc doesnt sit well with me.

for a normal shoot, I would take the Pro12. It has lots of space, fits all the gear you refer to, for example, you could have a body each end, with say a 17-35 on one, and a 28-70 on the other, with a 70-200 and an 85 tucked underneath, perhaps a meter and a few small primes or flashguns.

recommendation, Pro 12 until its not enough

It looks like the Pro 12 is very similar to the Magnum in size, I'll have to see if I can find one in a store (when I find the time to go shopping for one). Thanks for the input Oz_Beachside.

Oz_Beachside wrote: I also have a "Tamrac Pro 12" which has a sleeve on the back to slip over the wheely handle so I can stack them when walking through airports etc.

recommendation, Pro 12 until its not enough

Or until it kills you. I've got one, and it's a seriously heavy bag if you fill it up.

BUMP!! Just to get this a little back onto topic. Anyone had any experience with these bags? Anyone managed to fit a Zoom-Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR into the Magnum AW vertically (hood reversed)?

I am seriously looking into getting a 70-200mm f/2.8 VR now, and it is proving devilishly hard to find a shop that has all three bags in stock.

Cheers

I have a Stealth Report D600AW. Everything fits inside that, so i'm sure the what you want fits inside the magnum AND the commercial. ON the other hand, I've been exploring the possibilities of the Lowepro street and field system (the harnesses and holsters). They look promising with the vest and can carry all that much stuff anyway.

I also own a Stealth Reporter and find it a great bag to keep everything in. Cameron, you're welcome to borrow it for your upcoming job if you like to see if such a bag suits your needs. I have a couple of other bags I can chuck all my gear into while you borrow it.

ABG wrote:I also own a Stealth Reporter and find it a great bag to keep everything in. Cameron, you're welcome to borrow it for your upcoming job if you like to see if such a bag suits your needs. I have a couple of other bags I can chuck all my gear into while you borrow it.

Thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind, but the upcoming job got cancelled so I have a bit more time to mull over this decision. I have always heard great things about the Stealth series of bags, but I have always been put off by the look and feel of this bag (I know it is purely a psychological thing, but they strike me to be a little flimsy looking/feeling).

I've got the Magnum and seen the commercial, there really isn't much difference.

Trust me, been many idle hours looking at them when I had spare time at Photo Continental.