I've been lurking around the site for a while, but only just registered, and this is my first post... So go easy.
I'm trying to choose between messenger style camera bags, and I think I've got it narrowed down to the Tenba Messenger Large Photo/Laptop bag, and the Lowepro Classifed 200 AW. I have and use a Lowepro Computrekker, but the gear is flat out overflowing at this point!
If any of you have experience with either or both of these bags, I'd love to hear your opinions!
cantwellian wrote:
The Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home Bag does look like a solid contender, but it doesn't appear to have a top zipper pass-through... Right?
No zippers (unless they have changed again)... velcro on the front only... I have the 7MDH and it's THE best messenger bag I have used - got rid of the others long ago.
After reading many, many reviews, and watching as many videos as I could find, I'm really leaning toward the Lowepro Classified 200... For a couple of reasons.
The Tenba has velcro with no silencer, and I want to stay quiet (weddings, etc.).
The Crumpler has velcro silencers, but no top flap pass through, so quick access isn't very quick... Although other than that the Crumpler would probably be my pick.
Before I pull the trigger, anybody out there have any other experiences to add?
If it's strictly for wedding work you may also want to check out the Think Tank Lens Changer 3. I have a couple of the Crumplers, but plan on trying the Lens Changer 3 next month.
Thanks for the tip, that's a neat bag! A little too specialized for what I'm looking at right now, but it's definitely on the list for later. I want to be able to carry a camera, couple of lenses and accessories, so I need a little more that right now.
Not sure what you mean about quick access on the Crumpler not being so quick. It's as simple as lifting the top flap, quicker than a zipper if you ask me. Their velcro holds extremely well, I never use the backup clippy things except for transport. Love the Crumpler.
I really like the crumpler (I have the 7 million dollar home and it's a good fit if you have more than three lenses or more than one camera, but less than five lenses, I'm starting to outgrow it). I had a Tenba with the quick access and never used it. It's faster to flop up the hood, and quieter.
That being said I really like the offerings from Kata.
I like the Think Tank Retros, but they're a bit more than I want to spend on a bag right now. The other bags I'm looking at run between $90-$135, and the smallest Think Tank Retro (the 10) that I would consider is $160 on amazon. Nice bags, but not as competitive on the pricing. (Which is a consideration...)
@genoph - Thanks! Hearing how these things work in real life is very helpful, since I don't have a decent local shop to try anything out in. I still can't decide, but the Crumpler is still very definitely in contention...
I love my Tenba messenger bag! I haven't tried any of the others mentioned here, but it's a fantastic bag. There's an extra zipper in the flap that allows for a quick and easy lens change.
@Mr Kris - My T2i with the 70-200mm f/4L attached and hood reversed (and possibly another body soon), Sigma 15-30mm, a couple of small primes, Nikon SB-800 (and probably another flash soon), radio transmitter/receiver set, filter case, batteries & cards, and my netbook, with maybe a magazine or two on occasion. And if possible, a Zacuto Z-finder, but that can sit at the bottom, under something else, since I don't use it too often. I'd like to have this gear fit without stuffing the bag to capacity, too. (so I guess realistically it's between the Crumpler 8 Million & the Lowepro Classified 250 AW, unless there's another in that range)
I'm planning on adding the 24-70mm f/2.8L sometime this year, so fitting that would be nice, but not necessarily a do-or-die point.
@Picture This! - The Timbuk2 snoop seems to be significantly smaller than the bags I'm looking at, and doesn't seem to have many/any pockets, unless I'm missing something?
Have you looked at CourierWare, http://courierbags.com/
I love their products, I have two of their camera bags and one of their large bag that I use as my gym bag and as my travel bag. Great service too.
