I appear to have run out of room in my Retrospective 20 already.... Opinions needed.

[10 Gauge]

Well that was short lived. I loved that bag, but I am finding it extremely hard to fit everything in it to where I can access it easily.

I think I'm going to go to a backpack style rig now as I want to be able to carry my full setup with me. For some reason I hate leaving lenses at home even if I don't think I'll need them, because the need always seems to arise!

I've been eyeballing the Lowepro Flipside 400 & 500AW bags after looking through Lowepro's available backpack options. The 500 should fit everything I have pretty conveniently but I'm worried it might just be a giant bag, whereas I might be able to get everything in to the 400 as well and have it be slightly smaller. Using Lowepro's bag finder tells me that my gear assortment will only fit in the Flipside 500 and another bag that I don't really care for. Do I take the chance on fitting everything in the 400, or do I just get the 500?

Personal experience with either of these bags would be awesome.

Gear would be everything in my signature + 2 full size flashes, 4 wireless flash triggers, 6 filters, some random cables, 3 spare batteries, and a medium size tripod.

Flipside 500

Flipside 400

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Consider the Manfrotto Pro Backpack 30 or the even larger Pro Backpack 50.
....

 

[cbay]

The 150-600 and lens hood make it hard to get a lot in the 400. I pack the Tamzooka attached, 18-140, hood loupe, mic, and some other gear but like to have my other body with a lens attached as well so i pack it in one of those ruggard bags that come with the camera. You might be able to pack your body and lenses listed but then getting two flashes, triggers and everything else in the front wouldn't work.

 

[mikew_RIP]

Easy,sell half your gear

 

[10 Gauge]

Thanks for the suggestions [MENTION=13090]Horoscope Fish[/MENTION]. I really like the look of the 30 without the waste strap. I'm so fat those never fit any how so they end up just getting tucked away or left flopping around. I think I could strategically fit my kit in that bag. The 50 would be no sweat but it's got the waste belt like the Lowepro's do. Do you reckon I could fit the Sigmonster along the side of the 30? I'd prefer to not have it as the attached lens in the bag (24-70 would be my choice for that). If it won't fit along the side then I'd have to probably go for the bigger bag.

Thanks @cbay, sounds like I'd probably have to go with the 500....

@mikew sacrilege!


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[Horoscope Fish]

Thanks for the suggestions [MENTION=13090]Horoscope Fish[/MENTION]. I really like the look of the 30 without the waste strap. I'm so fat those never fit any how so they end up just getting tucked away or left flopping around. I think I could strategically fit my kit in that bag. The 50 would be no sweat but it's got the waste belt like the Lowepro's do. Do you reckon I could fit the Sigmonster along the side of the 30? I'd prefer to not have it as the attached lens in the bag (24-70 would be my choice for that). If it won't fit along the side then I'd have to probably go for the bigger bag.

Well if it helps the waist straps are designed to be removed. They're attached in the back with a large pad of what I can only describe as Industrial Strength Velcro (pretty strong stuff) but, like you, I don't care for a waist strap either, so I took it off my current Pro 50 bag. Took a few minutes but once the strap is removed, the bag has a very clean exterior.

The interior of the Pro 30 is about 15 inches and your Big Sig is a 10 inch lens, so yeah, it'll fit. I like having a little room to grow in my bag, personally, and I don't know the extent of the rest of your gear but ether bag, I think, would work for you.

Sans waist strap, of course.
.....

 

[10 Gauge]

Good to know about the removable waist strap!

Choices choices.... I should probably just go for the bigger one and call it a day. Maybe. I'll take the weekend to think on it. Thanks again.

 

[J-see]

Keep in mind that in the future you'll give up on carrying your whole equipment with you. There's a point you start feeling like a donkey.

My Lowepro is collecting dust because I no longer want to take all shots possible all the time.

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Good to know about the removable waist strap!

Choices choices.... I should probably just go for the bigger one and call it a day. Maybe. I'll take the weekend to think on it. Thanks again.

Very welcome...

Finding the right bag can be a real b---h. Good luck on your quest!
....

 

[10 Gauge]

Well I decided to try a completely different brand I've never used before, just because after looking at space requirements it seems like it should be "the perfect fit".

I decided to go with the Ape Case Pro 2000 backpack. Lots of room and no waste belt, also not a super huge price tag. Reviews from Adorama and Amazon are very favorable. Let's see how it goes....

Ape Case ACPRO2000 Digital SLR and Laptop Backpack ACPRO2000 B&H

 

[kevy73]

I wouldn't go the flipside 400, it is full of canon crap.

 

[10 Gauge]

The new bag is the perfect fit for everything but wow I am now realizing how heavy my kit is. The bag also has non removable waste belt that I didn't see in the pix. Not sure if I want to carry this much gear with me everywhere I go now or not..... Lol







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[10 Gauge]

Ok so I'm already sending this bag back, I just don't care for the design. It has a great fit for my current gear list but it is a "bag in bag" design which makes getting to your gear quickly 100% impossible. First you have to unsnap and fold back the top flap, then unsnap the two side buckles, next unzip the outer bag and peel it back, then you have to unzip another bag on the inside to expose your gear. I'm also mad that I missed it had a non-removable waist belt. Too convoluted of a process for me.

I do think I have found my dream bag though, and it has been ordered, coming tomorrow. It had a hell of a damn price tag but it SHOULD tick off everything that I want in a bag.

Meet the Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW II: Lowepro Pro Runner BP 450 AW II Backpack (Black) LP36875 B&H

Lots of space, single zipper access to gear, lots of padding, removable waist belt. Here's to hoping it's the perfect bag! :greedy_dollars:

 

[mikew_RIP]

Ok so I'm already sending this bag back, I just don't care for the design. It has a great fit for my current gear list but it is a "bag in bag" design which makes getting to your gear quickly 100% impossible. First you have to unsnap and fold back the top flap, then unsnap the two side buckles, next unzip the outer bag and peel it back, then you have to unzip another bag on the inside to expose your gear. I'm also mad that I missed it had a non-removable waist belt. Too convoluted of a process for me.

I do think I have found my dream bag though, and it has been ordered, coming tomorrow. It had a hell of a damn price tag but it SHOULD tick off everything that I want in a bag.

Meet the Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW II: Lowepro Pro Runner BP 450 AW II Backpack (Black) LP36875 B&H

Lots of space, single zipper access to gear, lots of padding, removable waist belt. Here's to hoping it's the perfect bag! :greedy_dollars:

Nice,its a lot like a early version i had when i could carry everything all at once

 

[10 Gauge]

Nice,its a lot like a early version i had when i could carry everything all at once

It should definitely carry everything! The Ape Case does but it's just too bulky of a bag since there's a bag inside of the bag. Would have been a lot nicer if they would have just made the bag around the inside bag.

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Ok so I'm already sending this bag back, I just don't care for the design. It has a great fit for my current gear list but it is a "bag in bag" design which makes getting to your gear quickly 100% impossible. First you have to unsnap and fold back the top flap, then unsnap the two side buckles, next unzip the outer bag and peel it back, then you have to unzip another bag on the inside to expose your gear. I'm also mad that I missed it had a non-removable waist belt. Too convoluted of a process for me.

I do think I have found my dream bag though, and it has been ordered, coming tomorrow. It had a hell of a damn price tag but it SHOULD tick off everything that I want in a bag.

Meet the Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW II: Lowepro Pro Runner BP 450 AW II Backpack (Black) LP36875 B&H

Lots of space, single zipper access to gear, lots of padding, removable waist belt. Here's to hoping it's the perfect bag! :greedy_dollars:

That bag looks a LOT like the Manfrotto Pro Backpack 50 I suggested earlier, it's just more expensive...

I sympathize with your plight, though; finding your Camera Bag Nirvana can be difficult.
....

 

[10 Gauge]

That bag looks a LOT like the Manfrotto Pro Backpack 50 I suggested earlier, it's just more expensive... I agree finding our Camera Bag Nirvana can be difficult.
....

I looked at the Manfrotto's there's just something about the design I don't like, I can't really put my finger on it.

 

[10 Gauge]

Here we go. A bag I am really loving so far! Ample room, even has a pocket that should fit my 17" laptop and an iPad if I were so inclined. Very nice with the waist belt removed, good padding on the straps. This may be the keeper!







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