Looking for a good Messenger Bag when I have my 70-200 f2.8 mounted

[Steve U]

I have the Lowepro Classified 200 and the smaller 160, it just fits a DSLR with a battery grip and 70-200 attached. Both are very good bags, but they both get heavy, specially with the load that you are considering. In actual shooting conditions, I find they do get a little uncomfortable and I usually end up having to put them down and hopefully have someone else watch them.


I have tried on the ThinkTank versions and they are very good, but they have the same footprint and weight as the Classifieds.


My best bag is the Tamrac 5788 Evolution backpack. This carries all lenses you specified, plus another one, plus a flash. It has room for filters, cleaning supplies and food or a jacket up top. But, the very best thing about this bag is you don

[btaylor]

+ 1 on Sean

[btaylor]

I just looked on the crumpler website and I see they

[rtapales]

@btaylor: The bag you mentioned above looks great too - now I

[rtapales]

@Steve: How easy is it to get to the camera when mounted on your back? Can you swing it around and pull out the camera? It's a very nice looking backpack - but accesibilty is what I am looking for with a messenger bag.


Thanks,


Robert

[Steve U]

Hi Robert,


If you watch the B&H Videothat shows the Tamrac 5788 Evolution 8 Backpack, it really is that easy and that fast to get access, once the pack is set up right on your back. I have never used it as a sling, as the backpack is so comfortable and easy to use and access. In use, I find that generally I am not pulling the camera out and taking 2 shots, putting it back, 5 minutes later pulling it out and taking 10 shots, putting it back and so on. If I'm shooting something, I'll have the camera strap around my neck and the backpack on. If I have a messenger bag it is a lot more comfortable to shoot for extended periods with the bag off.


Because I have 2 of the Lowepro Classified messenger style bags as well as having tried the Crumpler's, I would say that the Lowepro's are a little more "camera style" design, but the Crumpler is more "street". I also tried the ThinkTank and they are very good, but they have minimal padding at the base of the bag compared to the others, something that you would always have to be aware of.


I may be a little more delicate than most, but I find wearing a messenger bag for more than 30 minutes with your gear list plus a flash to be a very noticeable strain, I am always looking to set it down. Two hours with a balanced backpack and I don't even feel it.


However, if I go to evening indoor events,I always take a messenger style bag butI always set it down somewhere "safe".


Steve

[rtapales]

Great info Steve! Thanks for the video link especially... I

[Trowski]

Another bag you could consider is the Jill-e Jack messenger bag: www.jill-e.com/.../jack_messenger.html(The MSRP they list is high, it's only $184 on B&H).


Jill-e typically makes bags for women, but the Jack line is meant for men.


Its a fairly large bag, and can easily hold a 70-200 f/2.8 mounted on a pro (or gripped) body. I'm able to get a flash, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 (with hoods for all) with room for another lens, plus plenty of memory cards and accessories in the front pockets, and a 15" laptop.


I also have a Crumpler 6 million dollar home, and I would say a 70-200 f/2.8 would be a tight fit (just the lens itself, let alone mounting it), I think you'd have to go up to the 7 or 8 million dollar home. I use it when I just want to carry a couple of smaller (relative to the 70-200 f/2.8) lenses. I suppose it might work if you laid it down flat in the 6 million dollar home, but then it would be difficult to carry other gear.