Best light travelling bag in the parks

[VVFF]

I've used a Crumpler 6 million and 7 million dollar home. The latter is my current bag when I want to carry all my gear with me. I am looking to go to disney this winter and would like to travel a bit lighter. I'll take my 7D w/ 24mm F1.4L II and 17-55mm F2.8 and probably that's it. I may leave my 100mm in the hotel in case I want to use that for AK...not sure.

Anyway, The next obvious choice would be a 5 million dollar home. It looks like it would fit a 7D with either lens on and the additional lens. Not sure how it would work with the hoods mounted and a spare polarizer.

Next I've been looking at the Slingshot 100 and 200 and the Fastpack/flipside. I'm not sure I care for the flipside opening from the back, I don't see myself putting up with the waist buckle to use that feature. These look like they would carry more than the 5 million but I'm not sure which size the 7D plus the lenses described would need nor do I know if these would get annoying on rides. The easier it is to tuck away on the floor the better.

Who knows, if I'm feeling really crazy I might even bring my 580/430ex flash with me...I'll have to think about that one...

 

[Revan]

Very interested in hearing opinions - I was leaning towards the Fastpack 200, I don't like the flipside for the same reasons. I'm trying to contain a 7D, 28-70L, 10-22, and maybe a 50.

I like the Crumplers, my big problem is trying to get a real feel of bag size by looking at photos.

 

[VVFF]

Very interested in hearing opinions - I was leaning towards the Fastpack 200, I don't like the flipside for the same reasons. I'm trying to contain a 7D, 28-70L, 10-22, and maybe a 50.

I like the Crumplers, my big problem is trying to get a real feel of bag size by looking at photos.

For that equipment you would want at least a 6M dollar home. a 7 million dollar home would be more spacious and less difficult to close.

I had a 50D, spare battery, 2 filters, cable release, 100mm F2.8L Macro, 17-55mm in my 6 million and it all fit but was a bit tight

my 7 million allowed me to also fit a 35mm F1.4L and maybe a flash.

 

[WillowBelle]

My DH bougt me a Shootsac for Christmas this year . I asked for it for specifically when we go to Disney. 99% of the time my camera isn't in the bag. I have a Crumpler $6M bag as well as a Lowpro backpack bag. Since Christmas I haven't had a need to carry either bags that I have. To the point that I'm thinking of selling one of them.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

The LowePro Slingshot 100 is rather small. The DW uses the 200 with a Pentax K10D, 18-55, 50-200, 50mm and external flash. Also extra batteries, filters, etc. I use the Fastpack 200 with the same camera w/vertical grip with 28-70 f2.8, 70-200, 18-55 and external flash. The same with extra batteries, etc. The K10 is very similar in size to your 7D.

 

[jimim]

I've used a Crumpler 6 million and 7 million dollar home. The latter is my current bag when I want to carry all my gear with me. I am looking to go to disney this winter and would like to travel a bit lighter. I'll take my 7D w/ 24mm F1.4L II and 17-55mm F2.8 and probably that's it. I may leave my 100mm in the hotel in case I want to use that for AK...not sure.

Anyway, The next obvious choice would be a 5 million dollar home. It looks like it would fit a 7D with either lens on and the additional lens. Not sure how it would work with the hoods mounted and a spare polarizer.

Next I've been looking at the Slingshot 100 and 200 and the Fastpack/flipside. I'm not sure I care for the flipside opening from the back, I don't see myself putting up with the waist buckle to use that feature. These look like they would carry more than the 5 million but I'm not sure which size the 7D plus the lenses described would need nor do I know if these would get annoying on rides. The easier it is to tuck away on the floor the better.

Who knows, if I'm feeling really crazy I might even bring my 580/430ex flash with me...I'll have to think about that one...

Domke makes an F-5. I have this bad. Fits my 7D with the 17-55mm canon on it. along with my flash and another lens like say your 24mm. It alos has a pocket for an extra filter or such. I like the bag. worked great on and off rides. The build of the domke is perfect. I also use on of their larger F-3x series for everything when i'm on the plane. I lets me hold my ipad too cause this is my HD for trips anymore.

At night when I carried only the camera and one lens U used my wife's 3 million dollar house. I really like the crumpler bag. Very light. but u know that.

jim

 

[Icemann]

I like the Domke F2 it fits my needs perfect

 

[VVFF]

My DH bougt me a Shootsac for Christmas this year . I asked for it for specifically when we go to Disney. 99% of the time my camera isn't in the bag. I have a Crumpler $6M bag as well as a Lowpro backpack bag. Since Christmas I haven't had a need to carry either bags that I have. To the point that I'm thinking of selling one of them.

Only problem is that it appears designed for just holding lenses. I'd want something to protect my camera + lenses when on rides I would think. Our wedding photographers used this bag(or something very similar) but they obviously never put away their cameras.

Think Tank just came out with the retrospective 5, I'm considering that for a very small messenger bag. The Kata 3n1-10 also appears nice but is again larger. It is a nice smaller backpack though.

The 5 million dollar home(and smaller) appears like the 7d+17-55mm would be a tight squeeze and may not close well when mounted. I changed my 6 million to a 7 million because I was always reorganizing and stuffing things in to try to get it to close nicely.

The slingshot appears similar to the Kata, but I like the Kata design better.

If there are any more comments on these observations I'd appreciate any. I'm leaning towards the Retrospective 5 but I don't know how the size will work at this point since there are no reviews. Also the Retrospective 10...but that's not any smaller than my 6 million dollar home so it seems like it could be a bit of a waste.

::sigh::

 

[gokenin]

I am thinking of picking this up for my next trip. It is capable of holding my camera and two lenses as well as either an Ipad of my Kindle which is something I was looking for since it will be a solo trip and wanted something to have to read while at meals. So if you are looking to travel light and easy i would suggest looking at it.

 

[SorcererGrandma]

I have a Lowepro Micro Trekker 100 (I think the name has been changed to "Pro Runner"). My Canon 7d, 10-20mm, and 28-135mm fit inside with a few extra sections for miscellaneous things like a hood for the wide-angle, extra battery, etc. As it comes, the 7d wouldn't fit, however I moved one of the vertical velcro pieces so that the thicker right side of the camera would fit in. The bag size is perfect for when you just want to take along a few things.

 

[andytaro]

I always use a backpack in the park to evenly distribute weight of my gear on both shoulders.
I can fit 5dmk2 with 24-70 attached and 70-200mm 4f in 5mdh, but it is a bit tight. If you want another lens, you should go with 6mdh.
I have this sling bag, it has plenty of space to fit your gear.
http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/sling-pack-cl58032/

 

[Khokhonutt]

Not sure how the 7D compares to the Sony A700, but I had no problem carrying my A700 in my 5 million dollar home. I typically carried it with a Tamron Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 mounted (I always flip and reverse mount my hoods when in the bag). I put the camera in the center and had room to carry a 30mm on lens one side and a Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 on the other side. Extra battery and cards rode in the front flap. It was a tight fit (and frankly too darn heavy) but it fit. I'd think unless your camera body is significantly bigger than mine, you could make the 5MDH work.

I'm a big fan of the over the shoulder carry. In fact most times, I actually hung the bag and extra lens to my rear with a Black Rapid strap for my camera and lens. Then I'd pack things up for rides and such.

There are certainly a lot of options out there. The good news is you have time to try a couple out and send them back, if needed.

 

[alloyd1170]

I'm a big fan of Thinktank and just used the Change Up at Disney last week. I have the Canon EOS 7D. I mostly carried my camera around my shoulder with the Tamron 18-270 on it. It my bag, I either carried the 50 1.8 or one night I lugged my 100-400. With the smaller lens, I could fit my camera in the bag, but it was tight. No way with the big lens.

What I like about the bag is that I can wear it as a belt pack alone, with a cross-body or shoulder strap, or use both straps and cross behind the back for a harness carry. The waist straps also tuck into the back so you can use it like a shoulder bag. It comes with a rain cover, and has extra pockets for a water bottle, wallet, etc. If you're looking for something a bit bigger, check out their speed series (speed freak, speed racer, etc). I have come to find that I prefer waistpacks as they are easier on my back and shoulders, and cooler than a backpack.

 

[WillowBelle]

Only problem is that it appears designed for just holding lenses. I'd want something to protect my camera + lenses when on rides I would think. Our wedding photographers used this bag(or something very similar) but they obviously never put away their cameras.

The Shootsac is exactly for the purpose you described. My DDs don't go on 'big' rides (they JUST rode BTMRR this past visit, they are 10 & 12 ), so the only ride I really have issue needing to put it away is KRR. That said, I have a huge ziploc bag that I carry along with putting on a poncho (myself) on the ride, wearing the camera under the poncho. I've not had any problems (yet) with getting it wet.

 

[photo_chick]

My DH bougt me a Shootsac for Christmas this year . I asked for it for specifically when we go to Disney. 99% of the time my camera isn't in the bag. I have a Crumpler $6M bag as well as a Lowpro backpack bag. Since Christmas I haven't had a need to carry either bags that I have. To the point that I'm thinking of selling one of them.

A word of caution on the Shootsacs.... they don't offer much in the way of padding. If you're a bag dropper like me (I set my bag down with little regard to what kind of surface I'm setting it on) you can easily break some lenses with them.

 

[WillowBelle]

A word of caution on the Shootsacs.... they don't offer much in the way of padding. If you're a bag dropper like me (I set my bag down with little regard to what kind of surface I'm setting it on) you can easily break some lenses with them.

Thanks for the tip! I will be more conscious about how I put it down. The only thing I don't like about that bag is that the strap isn't neoprene like the rest of the bag. It starts to get so heavy on my shoulder that I typically end up with a headache if I wear it for hours on end. (Which is why I set it down a lot, hence keeping your tip in mind )