I just pulled the trigger on the Tamrac Velocity 10X...
Looks like a good call to me. Two bodies with lenses mounted make for the fastest change as Trenchmonkey pointed out, yet easy access to other gear. I'll be on the lookout for a 10x bag myself . . .
I'd read somewhere that it won't actually hold 2 bodies as advertised (it was a review from someone on B&H)... although I don't know if that's true. But since I only carry one, it's not a concern to me right now... I did want a bigger bag since I don't want to keep buying bags every time I get more lenses! And the fact that it will fit D700 + grip + a big lens mounted is a plus.
I had the velocity 9 and ended up selling it. Holds a lot of gear but not comfortable with sling on shoulder. Plus its not that quick and easy to pull gear out on the fly as I thought it would be.
My current thinking is that the fastest lens changers would be a belt system, such as Think Tank.
poisonpill wrote:
Is there something against the slingshot? I'm a rapid lens changer, dust be damned, and I have both a slingshot 100 and 200. Generally I stuff a D700 with 28-75mm attached, 80-400mm on side, 14-24mm on other side, and a speedlight in the top. There's still room in the front for grey cards, filters, extra CF cards, and a battery or two.
I've even stuff a 70-200mm in there sometimes. I think it's great. I just swing it around, swap out a lens in 20-30 seconds, and I'm ready to go.
Sure it's heavy and you probably don't want to go rock climbing or extensive hiking with it. ...Show more →
I had the 300 for a very short period. I found it way to cumbersome and very heavy when full. Holds a ton though, just don't put it on your shoulder.
rjk55425 wrote:
I had the velocity 9 and ended up selling it. Holds a lot of gear but not comfortable with sling on shoulder.
Isn't that the case for all bags of this type? They probably get heavy after walking for a long time...
Plus its not that quick and easy to pull gear out on the fly as I thought it would be.
My current thinking is that the fastest lens changers would be a belt system, such as Think Tank.
Why did you find it more difficult than anticipated? I've looked at the belt stuff... yeah, it's quick access, but again it seems cumbersome to carry. I guess you really have to have either / or. I should've probably phrased my initial question differently...
Glad to hear you like it. I had forgotten about this thread and the existence of the Velocity 10x (I still haven't seen one in a local store).
Can you list all the gear you've put in it and how much it weighs? Can you really put two bodies w/lenses mounted on each?
I've had my Velocity 9x for two years now, and it's still my most used bag. I shot a school track meet (8th grade) a few months ago. When shooting the 4x100 relay, I positioned myself at the 1st hand-off spot at the end of turn, using the 70-200 VR. After catching the baton hand-off, I ran back across the infield to position myself for the finish, and managed to change lenses to the 24-70. If that's not quick change ability, I don't know what is.
davewolfs wrote:
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 used Domke for many years, designed by and for news photogs. I can carry two pro bodies with lenses face down and numerous other lenses. The side pouches can expand to carry as many filters, batteries, cleaning supplies, etc as needed. Domke makes bags in a variety of sizes, the F7 being the largest, but you can pick you poison:
Plus it has a built in waist belt. I only use the waist belt on longer treks. But it is sooo nice to have it when you need it. And it can stabilize the bag when changing lenses from your hip. Why throw out your back?
You can rip out all the inner compartments and use a very minimal stripped down bag with minimal bulk or add padding as needed:
I actually prefer the minimal bulk bags with the least padding. But it's nice to have the option to add padding when needed. It has a hard bottom to protect lenses placed face down.
I've packed this bag to the gills with bodies and lenses as an aircraft carry-on and never had a problem. Other times I'll FedEx out the gear in a hard Pelican case and bring the empty Domke in my checked baggage. Then I can lock the Pelican in the trunk of a rental and pop the gear into the Domke as needed.
But I have to concede for event work the Thinktank stuff looks like a really cool kit and many also swear by it. So I'd definitely consider it. But I haven't had a chance to try it. Kinesis also makes a nice belt system. I love the Kinesis backback for my really long lenses. But as much as I like to move and jog around I'm not sure I'd be a good candidate for a belt system as much as event photogs that stay in one place. A single bag like a Domke has it's own inertia to keep it put along with the optional waist belt.
I got a Thinktank Skin set. 149 bucks for 4 waist carry bags (belt extra). There is little to no padding in the bags (they do have dividers); they're light and collapsible
You can configure for what you shoot. I used a D700 w 70/200 and a D90 w 24/70. Two bags worn holster style. Very easy access for switching
Have you considered a Kata 3n1-30? It'll hold a gripped body + 70-200/2.8 VR with an SB-900 and a 24-70/2.8 or 17-55/2.8 no prob at all. It's a side-loader like the slingshot bags, but a hell of a lot more comfortable. I owned the Slingshot 200 & 300 previously.
If you decide to go for a shoulder bag, the Domke F2 will get the job done. I used a Domke F2 for my D2H + 80-200, 85/1.8, 50/1.4, 12-24/4, SB-800, + extra EN-EL4 battery kit almost exclusively.
+1 Thats the bag I am currently using and it is very easy to access anything in the bag without setting it down. I would imagine a D700 w/ grip would fit perfectly fine. I have a D2h and there is some space on the sides for the slightly taller form factor of the D700/grip
