Toronto Photography Meetup Group

As the subject reads, I'm looking for a new shoulder bag, and want to know what opinions are out there.

So far I have 1 body, 2 lenses and 2 flashes, but I would like the bag to have space for a long zoom and a medium telephoto prime. The bag should also have space for a 15" laptop, and optionally, it should also have space for a second full sized body.

I am planning to travel with it, and I intend to carry almost everything I have, at least for the flights. At the destination, I would definitely carry around only a subset of the gear.

So far, I have been looking at Lowepro's offerings (online), and I like the Classified and Stealth Reporter range. Also, I've looked at the Tenba shootout bag.

Any other brands/models I should consider? What factors make a shoulder bag good? Weather resistance? Strap quality? Material and build? Where's a good place downtown that will have these bags on display so that I can get a good touch and feel? Any good/bad experiences to report?

I'd go with Think Tank.

ok. Why?

I have a LoewPro CompuTrekker http://products.lowepro.com/product/Com ... 924,16.htm that I use to haul gear to and from location shoots - it has a slot for a 15" laptop. Overall it is a tad bulky.

I also have a Crumpler 7MDH which is a good day bag that will carry what you describe.

I also have a knockoff 5MDH and that is basically my camera/lens (identical to yours, unless you changed things up recently) and one flash.

I have heard good things about the Stealth bag you described and considered one before I picked up the 7MDH.

I use and like my Lowepro fastpack 250. Good for two bodies, 3 lenses, 1 flash and a big pocket for other stuff. It will also fit a 15inch laptop. If you need larger then there is the fastpack 350. Henrys and DT Camera have good selections for you to tryout in person. Personally, comfort is important and the ability to whip out the camera quickly and easily.

I've got the Fastpack 250 myself, but I found that it has not much space for expansion, and besides, for travelling, I am intending to carry a backpack, so having another is not ideal.

I'm looking for something like this:




Anybody have experiences with Domke gear? I hear good things about it from more experienced photographers.

Yeah, I thought you had the 250. Sorry, I misread the post .. shoulder bag .. I get it.

Think Tank is really durable and weather resistant. I don't own one (yet) but I have tried them out and they were really nice. I think most of their shoulder bags should fit your criteria space-wise.

I'd suggest a rolling camera bag to carry most of your gear. Material and build would be the most important factor. You need something to take bumps and bruises. Think Tank would be great for that.

Go with something smaller and more comfortable for the bag you'd go out with. Lots of selections for this. Your Fastpack 250 would be fine too.

Of course, you have to go and try them out for yourself. We can only give you suggestions. Henry's and Vistek would your destinations.

Crumpler 8 Million Dollar Home may be worth looking into for you. The build quality is great on the Crumplers and they're pretty customizable. I've been happy with my 6 & 8 MDHs. I traveled for a week with the 6 with just my gear in it and it was great.

I thought the 8 Million Dollar Home only fits a 13" laptop? The other option might be the Bazillion Dollar Home which can fit up to a 17" Macbook pro.

I have a Brazillion Dollar Home and it holds 2 pro bodies or 2 bodies with grips at least, and contrary to statement on their website and in stores this bag does not carry a 17 inch macbook pro. or at least not a new one. i have a 15 inch brand new macbook pro and it is a perfect fit with not much extra room. Other then that it is an amazing bag in which i carry 2 bodies with grips and 2 pro telephotos attached with my primes and a small cheapo lens hidden in the bottom. 3 flashes, lots of little extras, and the tripod strapped to the bottom (you cant set the bag down when there is a tripod there however as it tips over but it is still there!) I love it but if you plan on ever loading it prepare to use the double strap feature often as i can get VERY HEAVY!!!!! so buy an extra strap pad and use it as a back pack when needed and slide it down the back slot when not in use.

Note that the MDHs aren't quite as weather resistant. Resistant to precipitation but not to things like sand or pollution in China (the dust clouds are crazy..) They are also not built like a tank.

Also note that the 8MDH and Brazillion will kill your shoulder if you fill it with gear.. imagine carrying it all day. My 7MDHs full of gear gets heavy after a 4 hour photowalk; and I only recommend it for that.

Oh and they have not said anything to me on flights with it.

Mike, you may want to check out Merkle as well - they seem to have a big selection of bags that I had not seenm at either Henrys or Vistek.

Oops, sorry. Nevermind. You said "shoulder bag."

Can't comment on what shoulder bag you want (but from what you mentioned, that's a lot of stuff to carry in a shoulder bag, aware that it's only short term for flights). I'd go with Lowepro just because of the excellent warranty. Couple of us here had zippers and clips break and the bags were replaced under warranty - no questions asked.

Hey Tanner, Do you mean that flights will become more or less restrictive in the future? I know some of the roller bags (Think Tank Airport Security comes to mind) were designed to fit carry-on size requirements.

My post was probably badly worded, I was referring to him loading up the shoulder bag with everything for the flight but he'll carry less stuff when he's out shooting and leave other non-essential equipment behind.

yeah, that's the plan, load everything up, computer, disks, camera, lenses, wires, accessories, take the plane, and then at the destination, unload and only use the minimal set.

Yeah, I was thinking of Lowepro too; anybody know the major difference between the Stealth Reporter and the Classified models?

I thought of Crumplers, but I think their messenger bag design does not do a really good job of dust/water sealing, and there aren't many pockets(?)

The Think tanks look good; but is there a brick and mortar store stocking them?

And oh yeah, current flight regulations allow a carry on camera/laptop bag in addition to another small bag, right? Anybody have problem with one of these large messenger bag styled shoulder bags recently (post underwear-bomber recent)?

I have seen a pretty full line-up at Henry's for Think Tank in the downtown store.

I had 3 Stealth Reporter bags (sold the 600) for the same reasons ie weather resistant, zip close top, rain cover and decent space for gear. The 650 I think is the one that can fit a laptop. I know I couldn't fit a 15" MBP in the 600 that I had.

I think carrying all that gear on your shoulder would be a bit heavy after awhile. But its different for everyone.
I just bought the the classified series recently the 160 and its great, I think the 250 should suit your needs. Very easy access, plenty of pocket space, AW, and feels solid.
the 160 I can fit sony a700, 17-50, 10-20, 70-200 f4, 50, one flash unit, and usual accessories, small notebook, and i can still attach things on the outside if i need to. I think its great as a walk-around bag.
no experience with other ones, but i think the 250 will fit much more and laptop aswell.