Bag advice needed ( HELP )
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What do you use it for? Do you walk a lot with it? Need to carry a tripod?
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- Glen
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Have a look at this thread http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=215006
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- Tim
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Allen, I know you're a big roughty-toughty sort of bloke, but I would be cautious about picking a shoulder bag for that much gear if you are planning on carrying it for extended periods. The bag alone is almost 2.4Kg. I have a shoulder bag - Think Tank Urban Disguise 60 - which can hold a fair old bit of kit, but it soon gets very tedious to lug it around.
Yesterday I took delivery of a Lowepro Flipside 400 in preparation for our holiday. It looks smaller than I was expecting, and I have yet to try fitting my gear in, but I'm hoping it will do the job. The big benefit is sharing the load between two shoulders. Also, the design of the bag is intended to avoid the need to take the bag off or put it down in order to access gear, which could be a bonus on wet/muddy conditions. Anyway, I'll try a kit fitting today and post back with a pic.
Yesterday I took delivery of a Lowepro Flipside 400 in preparation for our holiday. It looks smaller than I was expecting, and I have yet to try fitting my gear in, but I'm hoping it will do the job. The big benefit is sharing the load between two shoulders. Also, the design of the bag is intended to avoid the need to take the bag off or put it down in order to access gear, which could be a bonus on wet/muddy conditions. Anyway, I'll try a kit fitting today and post back with a pic.
OP
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:rules: wet/muddy conditions :shake: no no no not allowednot on our holiday
Well, of course - I was thinking more about rock pools and things by the coastline
Anyway, here is the Flipside 400 AW....
Contents here are....
Top row :
- hidden in the extreme left corner - macro tubes + 1.4X teleconverter (hard to access);
- left- 16-35/2.8L II;
- centre and right - 580EX II;
Centre row :
- left - hoods for 16-35 and 24-70;
- centre and right - 100-400 and 7D;
Bottom row :
- small vacant slot;
- 24-70/2.8L;
- 5D2
Here are the contents of the outer pocket....
- Full Cokin ND grad filter kit with mounts for 16-35 and 24-70;
- Optech camera strap;
- Lens Pen;
- Optech rain (sea spray) cover;
- Wireless shutter release/flash trigger;
- Camera adapters for Cotton Carrier camera carrying system.
In the side pockets I have a CPL and a flash extender (Better Beamer).
Across the top I have a travel tripod strapped on as well.
All in all it is a VERY tight fit, but that is pretty much everything I can see me needing while out and about each day. Anything else will have to fit in pockets or perhaps a belt pouch. Of course, as soon as one or both cameras are deployed the bag itself will be under far less strain, but at least I can get everything in there for stops off at the pub or for long yomps between locations.
I have put the unique design to the test, indoors, and it does indeed function as advertised, allowing access to the gear while the backpack remains attached at the waist and clear of the ground. It isn't super-slick, especially when packed out tight, but it does work, and is a significant improvement on a traditional backpack design when working in wet/dirty/dusty conditions.
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OK
On you recommendation I have changed the bag order to a
Tamrac Expedition 8x Black/grey
Now all I need is someone to carry it for me
Nooo! Change it back - to a Billingham
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OK
On you recommendation I have changed the bag order to a
Tamrac Expedition 8x Black/grey
Now all I need is someone to carry it for me
Wowzers thats one big bag !
I own the 7x version and it's BIG .Going off what kit you are carrying the 7x is ample ,,,,my tuppence worth.
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- Tim
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The choice really depends not only on capacity and comfort but also the type of use it will be put to. e.g. a backpack is a poor choice (IMHO) for "working from" because you can't access anything without taking it off and putting it down. It is, however, a great solution for simply humping stuff from A to B. For working out of the bag, and quickly accessing accessories and swapping lenses, shoulder bags and sling bags have their advantages. The downside of those designs is the strain on one shoulder and the lopsided gait that ensues. For those of us not as young, fit and lightweight as we once were, those are important things to consider.
The bottom line is one size does not fit all. Different situations require different solutions. Being out and on your feet all day, possibly covering tricky terrain, carrying kit to shoot landscapes, wildlife and macro is not the same as a short wander round town to grab a few candids, or to shoot a wedding, for example. If you want a bag that can also be used for airline carry-on, with or without a laptop, with a snack, water, spare clothing, waterproofs.... etc. etc..
That's why, despite owning a traditional photo backpack, a sling bag, a shoulder bag, a belt system, as well as the Cotton Carrier, I have just invested in the Flipside 400, for a combination of better weight distribution plus the potential to access kit without getting the bag filthy and wet. I've just reconfigured the Flipside, since taking the photo above, and have now found room to add a 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 to the main compartment. I might still use a belt pouch or two, just to ease some weight from my back, and for quicker access to things I might need more frequently.
The bottom line is one size does not fit all. Different situations require different solutions. Being out and on your feet all day, possibly covering tricky terrain, carrying kit to shoot landscapes, wildlife and macro is not the same as a short wander round town to grab a few candids, or to shoot a wedding, for example. If you want a bag that can also be used for airline carry-on, with or without a laptop, with a snack, water, spare clothing, waterproofs.... etc. etc..
That's why, despite owning a traditional photo backpack, a sling bag, a shoulder bag, a belt system, as well as the Cotton Carrier, I have just invested in the Flipside 400, for a combination of better weight distribution plus the potential to access kit without getting the bag filthy and wet. I've just reconfigured the Flipside, since taking the photo above, and have now found room to add a 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 to the main compartment. I might still use a belt pouch or two, just to ease some weight from my back, and for quicker access to things I might need more frequently.
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Whatever you choose, I would advise getting something slightly bigger than trying to cram everything in to a slightly smaller bag.
The difference in size and weight is minimal, plus you get everything in easily which helps access. Maybe spare room for some sarnies
You just need some self control not to fill any extra space with kit, just because you can Tricky I know.
The difference in size and weight is minimal, plus you get everything in easily which helps access. Maybe spare room for some sarnies
You just need some self control not to fill any extra space with kit, just because you can
Tricky I know.
Mike Jackson
Billy Brownnose
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Nice to see a flipside in use. I've got the slingshot 300 and, since I got my 100-400 am finding it uncomfortable due to the weight so I'm looking to go back to a design with 2 shoulder straps. Just need to drop plenty of hints for my birthday now.
