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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Advice for a new shoulder bag
Matthew Cavanah, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | US | Posted: 2:33 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> I've been toting around the Canon DSLR Gadget Bag pretty much since I started shooting. It's still holding up just fine but it often becomes a mess of chaos and if I load it up with two cameras, 2-3 lenses, and a flash, the shoulder strap tends to uncouple.
I'm wanting to get a new shoulder bag for assignments that can easily fit two bodies, three lenses, and a few extras and falls under $150.
Suggestions? |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Juliann Tallino, Photographer
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Seattle | WA | USA | Posted: 3:19 PM on 05.28.10 |
| ->> my brown Domke f2 still looks great after 24 yrs. :) |
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Robert Caplin, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 3:53 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> If you're looking for a great bag to also cary a laptop, I recommend the Think Tank Urban Disguise 50.
Photo Brigade did a review on the product aimed at students: http://www.thephotobrigade.com/2010/05/think-tank-urban-disguise-50-review/
The next bag we're reviewing is the Retrospective 10:
http://bit.ly/daYxBD
They also have a few larger versions, the 20 and 30. I'll link you to the review of the Retrospective after it's complete!
Cheers,
Robert |
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Dan Megna, Photographer
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Coronado | CA | USA | Posted: 4:00 PM on 05.28.10 |
| ->> Gotta go with Domke as well. Even with two Think Tank rollers, the F2 gets the nod whenever possible. And it's amazing how much stuff it'll carry. |
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Gregory Greene, Photographer
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Durham | NH | USA | Posted: 4:06 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> I've used a Lowe Pro Reporter for a long time. Easy
access and lots of space and pockets. I like the zipper
on the top cover to quickly get something.
Mines older and has two front clasps instead of one but I
think the current version is essentially the same.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=lowe+pro+reporter&N=0&InitialSearch=yes |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Indiana | IN | USA | Posted: 4:53 PM on 05.28.10 |
| ->> I've had three Domke's, a Lowepro, Tamrac, Think Tank Urban Disguise and by far my favorite is what I carry now, a Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home. It does a nice job of dispersing the weight in the bag, has adequate padding, but doesn't overdo it. I also like the flap that folds over the side of the bag with velcro. It's got to be the best velcro I ever saw. It sticks and stays put even when I pick it up by its handle. Plus it's not bulky and hugs to my side very nicely. |
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Jonathan Castner, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 5:17 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> I'm a Domke guy for shoulder bags, have 4 of them, a Think Tank guy for belt bags, have 2 of them, and for big backpacks - the Airport International, but I still love my LowePro Computrekker for a smaller backpack that fits my laptop. Frankly if there is a computer involved with my moving about I want it in a backpack.
Domke are to me still the easiest to work out of shoulder bag and I'm a bag junkie so I try ever bag possible. |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 7:59 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> Another nod for Domke's.
I have an F2-ballistic, F4AF and a F5Xa. All fantastic bags and made in the U.S. |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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| | | Posted: 8:23 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> I second Juliann in the Domke F2 door a shoulder bag. My black F2 is almost 20+ years old (and I turn 35 in a few weeks). Mine looks like hell but it works great! Oh and I have the chocolate brown insert :0)
I also like the Domke F6.
While I love the Mountainsmith bags, they won't match what you're looking for. |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Matthew Cavanah, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | US | Posted: 11:38 PM on 05.29.10 |
| ->> Thanks all for the help! I'll probably go the F2 route, but I'm gonna be getting a bunch of hospital bills soon so I might wait a bit. |
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Ed Mulholland, Photographer
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Pompton Lakes | NJ | USA | Posted: 1:52 AM on 05.30.10 |
| ->> I just picked up a Think Tank Retrospective 30, and love it...we'll made and very easy to organize gear... |
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Jack Kurtz, Photographer
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Phoenix | AZ | United States | Posted: 9:48 AM on 05.30.10 |
| ->> Another vote for the Thinktank Retrospective bags. I just got the 30 and Ed's one sentence review is spot on. If you don't have a ton of gear the Retrospective 10 might be a little easier to work out of. I can see myself getting the 10 down the road. The 30 for day to day, the 10 when I am working light. |
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Ed Mulholland, Photographer
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Pompton Lakes | NJ | USA | Posted: 9:37 AM on 05.31.10 |
| ->> Just as a followup, I just got back from a UFC shoot in Vegas, I knew I was octagonside, so I didn't need long glass, so no TT airport security, used the TT retro 30, carried a Mark IV with 24-70 attached, a Mark III body, a 70-200, 16-35, lensbaby, extra batteries, charger, cards, reader, etc...still had room and it felt pretty good on my shoulder. Worked out of it at the Fan Expo all day... |
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Codie McLachlan, Photographer
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 12:09 AM on 06.01.10 |
| ->> My F2 is awesome. It's the ultimate shoulder bag. |
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Dominick Reuter, Photographer, Assistant
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Boston | MA | USA | Posted: 11:40 AM on 06.01.10 |
->> I used to carry a Tenba knockoff of the F2, but I found the side pouches redundant and useless when I used my belt system.
The Domke F6 is a little bit smaller than the F2 and doesn't have the side pouches, so it's slightly more discreet. Also, I heard from some folks that they tended to overload the F2, making it too heavy and unbalanced for extended use.
My current favorite system is to throw two bodies with lenses attached into the F6, separated by a Domke soft wrap, and random accessories in the bag pouch. Paired with that is a Domke belt with some think tank lens pouches for additional stuff. My usual kit is a 1Ds, a 5D, five lenses, a small flash and cord, all fitting neatly in the setup.
Both the bag and the belt fit comfortably on one shoulder, or I can separate them to balance out. Also, when I wear the belt for shooting, the camera bag doesn't get in the way and is especially useful, easily holding a 300 2.8 if needed on the fly.
Give a serious look at the F6, but make sure you get a soft wrap or two, since the supplied foam insert isn't very versatile. |
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