Bag for pro dslr and a couple of lenses ....

Keith

The best camera is one that still works!
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My son keeps disappearing with my D4 which is fine because I bought it to be used not admired but I would like to get a dedicated bag for it. One that will hold the body with the 24-120 zoom fitted and maybe a couple of extra lenses .... I have 50mm and 35mm Zeiss primes for it as well.

I've had a look at few online sellers here in Oz that sell various brands of bags but really can't get my head around what I need. I'm fairly happy with something like Lowepro but I am open to suggestions of others in a similar price range.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
You need to decide on contents first, extra lenses yes or no.

Go to Lowe Pro, Think Tank, web sites and look over the selections. Lowe will tell you what fits.

Avoid cheap bags. When you get them in your hand, you will see why they are cheap and why not to trust heavy expensive gear in them.

My bags are all old and I have moved dividers around to accommodate the newer bigger cameras. My fav is a Tough Traveler from 1970. Deep and compartments big enough for
my D3 on its back with lens us. Ballistic Nylon construction.
It carries more than I can lift today.

Lowe Pro Field & Stream 500. Discontinued.

Lowe Pro compact Magnum. Holds Pro DSLR, 70/200 lenses, 24/120, 910 Nikon flash after I rejiggered the dividers which were set for old MF lenses.

Get something with WELL padded sides and bottom . Accidents happen. You can pad a bottom, but side are harder.

A holster bag will fit your bill, but buy something that holds a wide Pro DSLR. Most are for small consumer cameras.

I am a Lowe Pro fan, but not the cheap stuff they have expanded into. Expect to spend $200 min
 
You need to decide on contents first, extra lenses yes or no.

Go to Lowe Pro, Think Tank, web sites and look over the selections. Lowe will tell you what fits.

Avoid cheap bags. When you get them in your hand, you will see why they are cheap and why not to trust heavy expensive gear in them.

My bags are all old and I have moved dividers around to accommodate the newer bigger cameras. My fav is a Tough Traveler from 1970. Deep and compartments big enough for
my D3 on its back with lens us. Ballistic Nylon construction.
It carries more than I can lift today.

Lowe Pro Field & Stream 500. Discontinued.

Lowe Pro compact Magnum. Holds Pro DSLR, 70/200 lenses, 24/120, 910 Nikon flash after I rejiggered the dividers which were set for old MF lenses.

Get something with WELL padded sides and bottom . Accidents happen. You can pad a bottom, but side are harder.

A holster bag will fit your bill, but buy something that holds a wide Pro DSLR. Most are for small consumer cameras.

I am a Lowe Pro fan, but not the cheap stuff they have expanded into. Expect to spend $200 min


Thanks Ronald. I have a Lowepro that I bought about five years ago and it's been a fantastic bag .... absolutely no complaints. The 240 and four lenses live in it! :) Not big enough for the D4 with a couple of lenses though!
 
You need to make sure you have shoes that match whatever you get Keith otherwise you'll have to re-do your entire outfit. :p

Maybe something like this for a rough-tough antipodean like you http://www.vancitybuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/shutterstock_102537575.jpg

But seriously. I'd consider a backpack for that kind of kit. It's a fair bit of weight and better distributed across both shoulders.
I use a Fjallraven bag with a padded insert for my D800 (and lenses, filters etc.) and find it to be preferable to my Billinghams when walking around all day.
 
Check out the Domke J3, which has full hook and loop tape in the main compartment, allowing you to custom your layout. The side pockets have removable inserts that allow you more space, but would easily fit the Nikon 50 and 35.

The other option would be the F6, but that would be too small if you want your 24-120 mounted on the D4 all the time. You can consider the additional side pouches to mount lens/accessories though.

The advantage of the J3 is that you can add the shoulder harness to turn the bag into a bag pack (of sorts).
 
I have this for my D3 setup

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/0/MB+MA-BP-TL/_/Advanced_Tri_Backpack_large?partner=kata_bags

I carry a Nikon D3 with 28-75 f2.8 Tamron lens mounted on the body. 70-200 goes to the side, and I keep either a 20mm f2.8 or a 17-35 f2.8 on the other side. Flipping the bag around, I sometimes keep a 50 f1.4 for lowlight work there too. Top compartment is big enough for 3 SB 800 and 1 Sb900 flashes and accessories. Back compartment is great for laptops. It's my go to heavy rig bag.

For smaller work I have an old Tamrac bag that does great. Keeps chugging along. I can easily fit the D3, a flash, 70-200 f4, 50mm f1.4, 35mm f2 AIS, 24mm f2.8 AF and a bunch of accessories. I think this is the closest version I could find on Tamrac's website: http://www.tamrac.com/products/pro-convertible I've actually yet to pay more than $10 for one at garage sales or junk shops (I've bought 3; gave my first one to a friend after heavy use for 10 years, kept the second for a daily user and have the third as a storage bag).

For backpacking daytrips, I use a lowepro AW Trekker? for the ease of carrying my tripod.
 
My usual walking bag for Nikon F6 or D750 with up to two lenses is a Domke F5XB. It's a snug fit for D750 fitted with Nikkor 25-50/4 and a 50mm f/1.8G AF-S, or D750 fitted with 50/1.8 and a 180/2.8. Perfect bag for a casual day walk.

When I need/want to carry any more than that, I pull out the Tenba Messenger Mini. That can handle camera and up to four-five lenses (plus a 13" laptop and other accessories), isn't overly bulky or expensive, and is light for its size and capacity. I only rarely carry so much gear any more, but it's nice to have a good, solid bag that can do it without any issues.

G
 
sounding like a broken record...have you checked out the domke 4af bag? made for dslr, nice & deep and holds a lot of gear.
 
My usual walking bag for Nikon F6 or D750 with up to two lenses is a Domke F5XB. It's a snug fit for D750 fitted with Nikkor 25-50/4 and a 50mm f/1.8G AF-S, or D750 fitted with 50/1.8 and a 180/2.8. Perfect bag for a casual day walk.

G

Godfrey, how did you manage to fit the D750 mounted with a 50 (possible), and yet add the 180? I have the 180, but would never think that it would fit my 5XB!
 
My usual bag for a D800e, 3 prime lenses and accessories is a Thinktank Urban Disguise 40. I realize it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I've had it with me on at least 3 int'l trips and it's held up very well.
 
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