I've spoken to a lot of wedding togs who love their Boda and a lot who hated theirs on the first use. I guess that the more personalised a bag becomes, the smaller the catchment of users. If you don't shoot with the recomended "boda" gear and the "boda" way then the bag can feel like a constraint. But if you like to cover a wedding with one camera, a 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 and a fisheye, plus flash then it's the most perfect bag ever.
But, i like to shoot with two bodies, 4-5 fast primes, and I don't even know where my flash gun is... I use a bag to hold my 2-3 primes, the other two are on my cameras. So i just us a bag to hold my lenses and little else.
For me the Think Tank skin range is far more practical.
I hope this time they used better materials (instead of plastic) for the parts that they connect the belt or the strap to the bag. With the previous plastic construction, the bag while hanging it on my shoulder, 3 times got released from the lock and fell on the ground with all my equipment. Needless to say I never used it again. Since I live in Greece I do not think I can return it.
Not to mention that the front zipper does not work and the thin clothing around the upper zipper has become a mess.
I ll stick with TT.
I've pre-ordered mine, was scheduled to be shipped this month and I just got an e-mail yesterday stating that the release is being pushed back to January now. I thought I would try them one more time, I've had the same issues with my current bag, but it's so convenient! : ) In the e-mail I got yesterday advising me of the delay I found out that I get a free hat for my patience. : ) Isn't that exciting?! Ha!
Also will be my first and also pretty excited. I don't generally buy anything that hasn't had a couple versions or updates under its belt, whether its laptops, software, bags etc. From the new pictures it looks like they've finally got it up to ThinkTank standards (hopefully pics don't lie). It also actually looks nice finally. Take a google for pics of the original one and it looks like shit compared. And yes I'll actually admit that I care what it looks like... but it better work well too.
nilo4fm wrote:
I hope this time they used better materials (instead of plastic) for the parts that they connect the belt or the strap to the bag. With the previous plastic construction, the bag while hanging it on my shoulder, 3 times got released from the lock and fell on the ground with all my equipment. Needless to say I never used it again. Since I live in Greece I do not think I can return it.
Not to mention that the front zipper does not work and the thin clothing around the upper zipper has become a mess.
I ll stick with TT.
If you are referring to the plastic buttons that the triangular part snaps over than I have a simple solution. Small black plastic wire ties. They fit through the holes on the open side of the keyhole slot and prevent them from coming apart.
The first was a horrible piece of crap. Zipper broke in minutes and I used w/o zipper for a tad, but eventuall gave up and tossed the thing.
This version does look to have more of a lowepro/think/tamrac construct. I will have a look/see @ trade show in Nash-town next month.
why would anyone buy a BODA...they are brutal. I have had 3 and all 3 have fallen apart. (bought original..fell apart. bought v2 with hopes of better construction...worse zippers known to man and had another given to me by a friend...same thing. POS!!
buy a ThinkTank Urban Disguise 30 and re-jig the inside to split down the middle (like BODA) trust me...once you see the quality in ThinkTank, a BODA will look like a toy.
hey everyone if you go to : http://www.thinktankphoto.com//affiliate and enter my code AP-385 and if your order exceeds $50, you will receive a free camera bag (such as our Lens Changer 35) with your order. must be done via ThinkTanks website.
I'm a ThinkTank fan all the way - my Airport Security V2 roller bag is the best! But I like my Boda's convenience and shoulder style carry for my lenses and small accessories. I use their waist belt too if I feel like it. I also have my ThinkTank configured to carry the Boda in a "stow-n-go" fashion - I keep my Boda loaded with my essentials (I'm primarily shooting weddings) inside the ThinkTank. When it's time to move I just grab my SLR out of the ThinkTank and pick up the Boda. I'm a one-body shooter too (I keep the spare in the ThinkTank). Side Note: GoBoda is launching a roller bag this year that will do this same stow-n-go thing using Therm-A-RestŪ.
Anyway, I've had my Boda V3 for a couple of weeks now and I am pleasantly surprised. My Boda Dry V2 served me well, but yes it had its issues - fraying material, losing it's shape/strength. It became an essential part of my gear though and works very well for me. I was excited to get my V3 and was very happy to see the improved and stronger feeling molding - this is a big deal because I feel that was what was missing in my Boda V2. The zippers seem stronger and less susceptible to fraying, but time will tell. The locking hinge points for the shoulder or waist strap seem much more enhanced and stronger. I've beaten this V3 around town and on shoots for the last few weeks and it's holding up like new so far. It's pretty much reminiscent of what some of my Tamrac bags feel like in terms of molding and strength.
Here is my Boda V3 lens bag review.... you'll find some photos and my demo video in there:
I talked about the things I liked and what seems to be improvements. Hope you find it helpful before buying - I do have a coupon code that will last another few weeks in there too - B1210DeFiesta for $30 off the V3 bag.
Got my Boda V3 last week and used for a wedding over the weekend. Like the myriad compartments for all kinds of gadgets. One criticism is the media card pocket that they are so tight that you have a difficult time access them in a hurry. In addition, the belt is quite big for someone very slim like me. It kept slipping down and ended up my assistant was carrying for me. That defeated the purpose.
Any Boda updates? Was thinking about ordering the V3 since I found a $30 off coupon online. Its B1210DeFiesta for anyone interested, but the quality issues scare me. I was hoping to use this for an upcoming two week trip to SE Asia and some weddings when I get back
