I went over the B&H yesterday to check out the difference between these two bags in terms of size. However, I wasn't able to fully appreciate what I could get into them because B&H doesn't keep the dividers in the bags on the floor. Given that I found it difficult to see if the gear I would take with me on the road would fit into the 335. I definitely liked the size of the335 better, the width of the 445 makes it seem like it would be bulkier to walk around with. I would like a bag to travel and walk around with that can hold the following: Canon 1DMkII, 24-70/2.8L, 70-200/2.8 + 1 prime (depending on the situation 50 1.4, 85 1.8 or 135 2) + 550EX and some small accessories.
If anyone has experience using these two bags any advice on what type of load and the ease of walking aound with them would be appreciated.
Also, does anyone know the difference between traditional canvas and nytex materials. According the billingham site nytex is more weather proof and sturdier. However, does this come at some price? My guess is that it does, given that at B&H the nytex bags are a few dollars cheaper than the canvas bags.
HERE is the insert dimention table and you can find out the actual inserts that comes with the bag to know. I have a 335 and found that the inserts that come with the bag can not hold lens with hood reversely attached. You can order slightly bigger inserts to help it but please note that the depth of all inserts are the same so the bigger the diameter, the less of the other section (each insert has two sections).
By the way, 335 is big enough to hold your gear. If you need hood attached, order a 10-18 to hold 70-200 IS with hood.
I'm sure the 335 will do, but I have the 445, and I absolutely love it. It will be more than capable of holding your gear and more. I also enjoy the fact that when I have a job, I can place my laptop in the bag as well. Personally I'll get the 445 again simply because you will never know if you need the extra space or not and if you do, its there for you.
I have the 335. It's great. I can fit a lot in it, more than your list. I am actually planning to get a smaller version, because I rarely fill the 335 for walking around shooting. I actually use it two ways:
Use 1: normal work days, I fill 1/2 with papers for my job (I'm an architect) and the other half gets a 20D w/ 17-40 attached (nose down), a 135 f2, and an 85 f1.8. If I need it, there is still room for a 580 EX and I haven't even started putting anything in the exterior pockets. And I can still put a roll of architectural plans under the top flap. Note: to get 1/2 the bag to hold papers, I replace the Billingham bottom pad with a piece of foam I cut that is only half the width of the bag, which leaves the papers-half full height and therefor tall enough for a letter size file folder.
Use 2: full photo packing: I don't fill 1/2 with work papers; I put the full pad back on the bottom. I carry the 20D w/17-40, the 135, the 85, plus 1.4 TC, 10-22, two 580 EX's w/ Sto-fens, ST Transmitter, hoods for all of the lenses, misc. like CP and step up rings, spare batteries, etc. go in exterior pockets, monopod slipped under top flap.
I will keep the 335 because it's great for those two uses. I am considering getting the Billingham medium "Hadley" (I think they call it the Hadley Pro) with which to "walk arround" carrying 20D w/17-40, 135, and 85, plus a few gizmos.
I think you will be able to do what you want, but you should check that the 70-200 isn't too tall to stand inside the main compartment.
I have the 335 and it can hold a lot of gear, this is what I carry around in it:
20D + grip
D60
17-40
28-135
70-200 (F4)
100-400
135 (F2)
50
1.4x
580ex
plus spare batteries, cards and flash extension, plus the oversized hoods for the lenses.
Ditto on all of the above for the 335. The Nytex is robuster and more weather resistant than canvas and requires less care too. Otherwise it's a matter of taste. I suppose the reason Nytex costs less is because it is synthetic.
I also have two Delta pockets that attach on each end. Haven't used them much yet, but good to have when the ocassion arises.
I carry it everywhere and it is relatively easy to access while over one shoulder. When it is really full, after a while you are happy to put it down, so you can imagine what the 445 would be like after a bit.
Here is is loaded, using the 8-15 and I think it's called the 9-18 inserts that come with the bag, plus something called "the flap" which makes an upper and lower compartment on the right
Here it is lfully loaded the way I like it now, using the 8-15, a 6" full divider, a little divider, and the flap (next shot will show those pieces with some stuff removed to show the lower level and some burried stuff
I have the 550 but just never really got with it. So I got a nytex 335 and love it. With some planning you can get an awful lot in it.
My usual working loads vary according to the situation but are either: 2 X 1D, 17-40, 70-200 f4, 300 f4, 550EX or in poor conditions both cameras and flash plus 17-40, 70-200 F2.8 and, believe it or not, 300 2.8 ! All in the 335.
My trick is to remove the thick foam and its board and replace with sturdy foam. For me that provides enough padding as I'm wearing it and don't slam it down.
Do think about the weight - the 550 tempted me to really fill and you can't run around the track all day lugging that ! These days I really prefer the smaller bag and working with f4's. Its just so ideal.
I doubt it will hold a 1D sized body but i found the Billingham Large Hadley
to be the bag of all bags that stopped my buying more bags. My requirement
was to find a bag that would give me easy access to my kit while walking around
without the need to put the bag down. I was looking for something that could
hold 10D + 70-200F4 either attached/detached and alongside 2/3 other lens
and in this regard the hadley is perfect.
Which ever one you go for i am sure its money well spent.
