Or if not the fastest, but one that would provide reasonably fast access? I am leaning towards a slingshot, rather than a shoulder bag...I've looked at a few options... Boda seems to be a lens bag only (okay, it's not a slingshot at all, but fast access) so I don't think that would work... with the Lowepro sling shots, they aren't top loading, so access to lenses isn't quick. Tamrac Velocity 10X seems to be the best option, since when opened, lenses are immediately accessible. Any comments?

I think most of the bags you mention will still require you to dismount the bag and put it down somewhere (table, floor, etc) to access the lens compartments. That's going to slow you down more than anything. Have you considered no bag at all and going with a solid waistbelt lens carrier instead?

Wouldn't Tamrac Velocity work without having to set it down? I have thought about what you are saying... but that's something I'd rather avoid.

I guess fast is a pretty relative term, so my suggestion might not be the best... But I use the Domke J-803 when I am on the go. I can access everything while it is still on my shoulder, in a reasonably fast fashion. It doesnt hold a lot though. I usually have 1 long lens, one prime, and a SB900, plus the body.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/218284-REG/Domke_701_J83_J_803_Digital_Satchel.html

Anyone use the lowepro flipside 400? I have been looking at this bag and think it would provide reasonably fast access.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lowepro-Flipside-400-AW-Camera-Backpack-SLR-DSLR-Case_W0QQitemZ250384975750QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item250384975750&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Well, in the video for the flipside, it looks like it will fall when it's at the front unless you prop it up?

I think fairly easy is key... not necessarily 2 seconds, but something that allows me to access lenses without putting the bag down.

Boda can be fast. It's top loading. I am able to place my 70-200, 135L and a 17-40, plus one flash (580ExII).

Boda would be nice, but it's specifically a lens bag and not a dedicated camera bag, no? Plus, it's pretty damn expensive.

I love my Velocity 9x. I frequently carry my D700 mounted to either the 14-24, 24-70, or 70-200 while carrying the other two lenses. If I'm shooting sports, I can replace the 14-24 with my 300 f4 (I've even had my 1.4 and 1.7 TCs). I can also bring my SB-900, 2-extra batteries, 2 sets of replacement AA-batteries for the flash and a CF card wallet. Access to gear is very fast and I find it quite comfortable and very mobile. It's really a great bag.

Does D700 with *grip* and 70-200 VR fit into the Velocity 9x? I know it will in the 10x.

m_appeal wrote:
Does D700 with *grip* and 70-200 VR fit into the Velocity 9x? I know it will in the 10x.

I don't have the MB-D10 grip for the D700 yet . . . but the Velocity 9x bag has the room to accommodate it when attached to the D700. It would be snug, but I'm certain it would fit.

My d300 w/grip and 70-200 VR fit in the Velocity 9x when I had one.

dennisgibson wrote:
My d300 w/grip and 70-200 VR fit in the Velocity 9x when I had one.

Any reason you don't use one now?

Chris Noyes wrote:
m_appeal wrote:
Does D700 with *grip* and 70-200 VR fit into the Velocity 9x? I know it will in the 10x.

I don't have the MB-D10 grip for the D700 yet . . . but the Velocity 9x bag has the room to accommodate it when attached to the D700. It would be snug, but I'm certain it would fit.



I see... well, it's not a necessity. I do have a grip for now, so I'm using the D700 with one sometimes... but I was considering maybe selling it. Or I could buy the 10X. I wonder how bulky that bag is though.

I recently picked up the Kata 3N1-30 bag in hope I could carry both my D300 with the 300 f4 lens and the D700 with 7-200 lens attached. I can do it, but it's not "convenient, quick access". The Kata hasn't been out of the house yet. :-(

At the time I picked up the Kata, I don't think the Velocity 10x was available . . . if it had been, it would have certainly influenced my purchase decision.

Ah... I did look at the Kata 3n1, but as you said, it doesn't look like you can change lenses with it easily. Too bad, because the idea of it doubling as a backpack is very appealing.

I've gone through a lot of bags and what I find to to be the best are the Thinktank Photo modular components or the Domke F3X if you are carrying something like a 17-35 and a 24-70.

I've gone through so many bags. This is the best one.

ThinkTank Urban Disguise 40
http://thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_UrbnDsgs.php

Domke J1. it was designed by a news photographer for news photographers. i've been using my original for over 15 years now

The only downside I see with the Velocity series bags is the inability to carry a tripod. The Kata 3N1 came with a tripod strap, and enough room for 2 bodies and 3 lenses + flash lens filters . . . more than what the Velocity 10x appears to hold. However, when I load the Kata up, it's too heavy to be carried as a sling-bag and changing lenses on the fly is more difficult. What's that they say about having your cake and eating it too?

The Velocity 9x is great for when I'm shooting school sports. The shoulder strap is wide enough to distribute the weight of its contents, so it's pretty comfortable, and changing lenses on the fly is a very fast and secure. I also like it for general "tourist" duty. I already know that I'm a "bagaholic", but the Velocity 9x is definitely my most used and liked bag.

The Lowepro Flipside 400 interests me, but I'm wondering how cumbersome it is to rotate it, and what especially concerns me is whether the waist belt would be able to handle all that weight hanging in front of you... the video makes it seem that without the knee supporting it, the backpack's content would just spill over.

I use primes, so changing lenses easily and quickly matters, and I like to carry 6 of them around with my 5D MkII. Both my Lowepros, a slingshot 200 and a Stealth reporter D300 AW let me do that without setting them down. But I do not carry large telephoto/zoom lenses.

Tamrac Velocity 9 works well for me. Holds my D300 (and MB10) with 17-35mm attached, 35-70mm sitting underneath that, 75-300mm on one side, and two sb80dx's sitting in the other side.
I don't have to take the bag off to change anything. Very handy in the wet.

any satchel bag...