Which bag?

[mid_gen]

Having recently acquired a hulking great 150-600 lens, I'm going to need some way to transport it (outside the very nice padded case it comes with).

Ideally I want one of the those backpacks where I can store it with the camera attached vertically, with pockets for other lenses and bits in dividers around it.

But searching for reviews of anything like this on t'internet these days is awful, just reams of slop.

Ideally want something that will fit airplane carry-on (if that will even work with the lens!), and not be too conspicuously a camera bag.

Anyone got any recommendations?

 

[Raymond Lin]

Having recently acquired a hulking great 150-600 lens, I'm going to need some way to transport it (outside the very nice padded case it comes with).

Ideally I want one of the those backpacks where I can store it with the camera attached vertically, with pockets for other lenses and bits in dividers around it.

But searching for reviews of anything like this on t'internet these days is awful, just reams of slop.

Ideally want something that will fit airplane carry-on (if that will even work with the lens!), and not be too conspicuously a camera bag.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Check out the Tenba range. I really like mine. Very understated, not a brand a lot of people think of like Peak Design or Lowerpro that associate with cameras (thief targets).

Camera Backpacks | Camera Sling Bags | Tenba - Page 2

Discover Tenba’s durable and versatile camera backpacks designed for photographers, videographers and content creators. Shop the latest collection featuring a range of comfortable and stylish options for all your adventure needs. Perfect for professionals and enthusiasts.

uk.tenba.com

 

[Derek W]

I've got one of these for when i was doing the footy photography. So that had my 70 - 200 + extender attached to the camera plus room for a few other lenses and accessories as well as a flap at the front for some clothing items so plenty of space.

Think Tank - Best camera bags, shoulder bags, backpacks, and rollers

We are a group of product designers and professional photographers on a mission to design and create the highest quality travel gear for the world’s Venturing Observer.

www.thinktankphoto.com

EDIT

I had the thinktank Airport Antidote 2.0 but that was bought 14yrs ago and the range has changed a bit since then!

 

[mid_gen]

I've got one of these for when i was doing the footy photography. So that had my 70 - 200 + extender attached to the camera plus room for a few other lenses and accessories as well as a flap at the front for some clothing items so plenty of space.

Think Tank - Best camera bags, shoulder bags, backpacks, and rollers

We are a group of product designers and professional photographers on a mission to design and create the highest quality travel gear for the world’s Venturing Observer.

www.thinktankphoto.com

EDIT

I had the thinktank Airport Antidote 2.0 but that was bought 14yrs ago and the range has changed a bit since then!

Darklight 20l is looking promising....hmm. Need to check some measurements and see if it'll take the 60mm and a 15" MBA.

 

[ttaskmaster]

Dunno how big your kit is, but most of the photographers I know seem to like the Hazard 4 brand. They do these weird vertical semi-hard case backpacks and slingbags, with top & side access and internal padded dividers. They look cool, if you're into camera kit, and they use PALS webbing on the side for adding extra pouches.

Photo-Recon™ Tactical Optics Sling Pack by Hazard 4® - Outdoor, Military, and Pro Gear - We Ship Internationally

The Photo-Recon sling pack - part of the Evac Series by Hazard 4. Designed with easy maneuverability in mind when carrying your digital camera. Get yours now!

hazard4.com

Plan-B Hard™ - Evac™ Series Go-Bag Shell Sling-Pack by Hazard 4® - Outdoor, Military, and Pro Gear - We Ship Internationally

The Plan-B Hard™ is a hardshell version of our popular Plan-B™ sling pack, this rugged pack protects your gear by marrying light molded-foam shells and 360 padding for demanding users like press, military, vloggers, etc. The striking aesthetics project an image of the owner at the leading edge...

hazard4.com

 

[JRJ]

Went through this last year, some really great camera bags out there but as I travel a lot I found they went over sized for most carry on when the lens was attached, settled on one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00YTZO2PG?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2 which was considerably smaller than the manufacturers padded case, I was then able to carry on using the mix of 5.11/Osprey bags I already own.

The Lowepro Protactic 450 III was probably my favourite, that thing felt bullet proof. But right on the upper end of carry on sizes, they really need a 400 in the Protactic range which would have been perfect as the 350 III is a tight fit for 150-600.

 

[mid_gen]

Thinktank Darklight 20 arrived, it's absolutely perfect, really impressed.





Takes:

Panasonic S5ii with smallrig cage
attached to: Sigma 150-600 sport
Panasonic 20-60
Panasonic 50 1.8
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
DJI battery charger/pack
DJI Osmo 360
DJI Mic 2 TX+RX
Shotgun mic
Filters
DJI selfie stick

Laptop sleeve fits the 15" MBA.

Tripod goes on the straps on one side. Water bottle goes externally on the other.

A few different pockets for bits and pieces.

Exactly what I wanted, and build seems really good. Doesn't scream camera kit too much. Nice and comfy to wear too.

 

[Raymond Lin]

how much does that weigh all packed?

 

[mid_gen]

how much does that weigh all packed?

8.5kg, without the laptop.

In reality I would rarely take it fully loaded. Generally I’ll either be out shooting photos, in which case case I’d leave all the DJI kit, or video, in which case the only lens I’d take is the 20-60.

 

[Raymond Lin]

That's not too bad.

 

[nlel1975]

I’ve ordered a Lowepro Adventura, Camera Shoulder Bag.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B82J939B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

To hold my camera plus 24-70 lens and if possible a smaller lens as well.

 

[nlel1975]

Received the bag today, enough room for A73 with Sigma 24-70mm lens attached with the lens hood reversed. Not much room for anything else.

 

[ajf]

Still debating on a bag that will house the Sony 200-600 with body attached, but I had a thought.
If it is just a single body/lens combo, is there any reason I shouldn’t just use a standard backpack - I have an Osprey one for example.
Put some padding in the bottom?

 

[Terminal_Boy]

Still debating on a bag that will house the Sony 200-600 with body attached, but I had a thought.
If it is just a single body/lens combo, is there any reason I shouldn’t just use a standard backpack - I have an Osprey one for example.
Put some padding in the bottom?

You can get padded camera protector inserts for backpacks from camera shops etc. that will allow you to carry your gear discreetly without looking like an extra from a Covert Ops movie.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Still debating on a bag that will house the Sony 200-600 with body attached, but I had a thought.
If it is just a single body/lens combo, is there any reason I shouldn’t just use a standard backpack - I have an Osprey one for example.
Put some padding in the bottom?

When I carry my 70-200 GM, I just wrap it in a T-shirt and put it in my backback.

 

[whitecrook]

I thought the trend these days was camera 'cubes' and then what ever bag is your favourite. Because a single GOOD bag and a GOOD camera bag is usually a difficult grail to find, it's easier to get a good bag, and put in your camera cubes. Ther's various brands, even lowepro make the cubes. Also means if you travel you have the flexibility to remove the cubes if you dont need some or all of your camera gear and take your bag

 

[Raymond Lin]

If you are not getting a camera bag, pay EXTRA attention to the straps and the stitching of the strap to the bag. A cheap bag might look good from a design POV, but that connection between the strap to the bag will take all the stress and it is the first thing that break.

I learn this years ago when I carry a Dell laptop in a messenger bag that isn't designed for laptops. Sure it fit the laptop but the nylon stitching on the bag just slowly ripped itself apart from the weight.

 

[ajf]

Thanks both.
The cubes might work. In this instance it’s just the one camera/lens combo. I tend to not need anything else with it at the moment.
Will keep an eye on the seams though. It’s a decent bag - Osprey - just that I already had it and not being used.