But I have NO idea what kind to get. I got a Tracy Joy Kristine bag (www.tracyjoy.com) that was recommended on another forum, but I don't think it's padded enough that I'm secure that it'll protect my equipment. (it's a messenger-style bag). And there isn't a small pocket, which I kind of want for cards and other small pieces.
I would like to carry ...
2 camera bodies, one with a small lens, the other with a 70-200 lens. 580EX flash and 430EX flash. Light meter, ST-E2, shoe cord, extra batteries, lens cleaner/duster, CF cards, and if room a diffuser or two. I don't generally go hiking in the woods, but I do go on location to the park or downtown and need to carry stuff. I like to have backups for things (hence the 2 flashes if indoors, etc) and don't like to leave equipment in the car. (heat, theft, etc).
My current bag can fit one camera body with small lens attached, the 580EX flash, the ST-E2, and some small odds and ends.
Try the KATA R-103. You'll get the body with 70-200 attached in the central compartment but you might not get the other body in with the lens attached. Other than that, I think it will all go in there.
Start by looking around at www.cambags.com. Then browser around the Lowepro, Tamrac, ThinkTank, and Crumpler sites. The search for the perfect camera bag is worse than the quest for the Holy Grail--at least that is supposed to have actually existed. The closest many of we bag-a-holics have come is the ThinkTank stuff.
I kind of like the look of the Urban disguise 40. Do they protect gear well, and would I have to unpack the whole thing to get things out? There isn't a good image of what the interior looks like.
I have the UD-40. Works great. General set up for me is a 30D with a lens attached in the main compartment (Tammy 17-50, Canon 10-22) with a lens under that (50 1.4 or 35 1.4) on one side is a 70-200 2.8 on the other side is a couple more lens.
The I have a 580 in a flash pocket. A 20D is in one of the spare body slots.
Can get to the 30D with lens no problem and very easy to get everything else out (assuming I have not buried the item to far )
I've spent hundres on camera bags - I have a whole closet of bags I don't use, Lowepro, Tamrac, etc. I recently bought a UD-40. Thankfully, I feel my quest is now over. I just wish someone would have told me about them to begin with!
They have several styles and sizes. I have the Reflex II, Extra Large and it holds everything I need to throw in. You might be able to go with one of the smaller sizes though.
Here are some shots of mine with and without gear. It also has a full rubber bottom to protect it from dirt and moisture when working outside.
Domke F-2 all the way... or the F-1 if that's too small.
I finally caved after years of owning other Domkes, Billinghams, Thinktanks, Crumplers and got myself an F-2 and it's just the perfect-sized bag... big enough to hold two bodies and associated gear, small enough to be an easy carry, and low-key enough to not scream CAMERA if you go anywhere dodgy.
I think you also have to come to terms with the fact that there will never be a perfect bag... as your camera gear changes, so will your bag(s) IMO. I get a new one about every two years and usually sell whatever it replaces. Now I'm down to an F-2 (for travel/PJ) and a Thinktank UD60 (for urban camera/computer outings and as my computer-only bag), and am about to sell my Domke J-3.
The closest many of we bag-a-holics have come is the ThinkTank stuff.