Bag for 2 SLRs with lenses attached

nicola cane

nicola cane

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Nicola
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Hey all,

I am after a bag which can hold my 6d, 5dm2 both with lenses attached. i tried using the lowerpro bag finder but it doesnt really seem to suggest anything that useful. I want a backpack or slingbag.
Would prefer one that doesnt look like camera bag as I am often taking pics at concerts and sometimes not in the nicest of places. The lighter the better as i am quite small.
I have looked at other discussions but cant seem to find one that has this or is in the last six months, if there is one please point me to it.

Thanks!
 
Flipside 400AW will do the job nicely for you - opens on the inside and doesn't look like a camera bag. In mine I've got my 7D, my 5D2 with 24-105 attached, my 70-200, my 100-400, my 12-24 & my 50mm - fairly light when it's empty but weighs a ton when it's fully loaded!!!
 
Think Tank Retrospectives range will have something big enough and they don't look llike camera bags although they are a messenger style bag and far from cheap
 
I have carried my 5d3 and a crop dslr in my Retrospective 20 which held them both very well. It's a fairly big bag but is used as my staple go to gig back now and packed right it feels a lot smaller that it is..
 
I've a Lowepro Mini treker that should fit your gear in (obviously, depending on what size lenses you've got attached) - I think the new mddl is the pro runner...

As far as one not looking like a camera bag - Crumpler are good for this, but I'm not sure which one would be suitable, another alternative is something like the Lowepro Toploader series in a normal backpack ???
 
Gura Gear.
I've been using a Kiboku 30L for several years, this particular model has been "upgraded" to a Bataflae 32L and there are 20 and 24L versions. It's a light bag, ample padding but not overbuilt. Comfortable to carry depending on what you put in it... I carry a D4/D800/400mm 2.8/120-300 2.8/ TC's etc etc with lenses/tcs attached to the cameras.

It is not a cheap bag...costs ~ $350-450 here in the US.

Another option for shorter lenses might be the Mountain Smith parallax. I have their Odyssey model (no longer produced) which is just a bit bigger. These bags are more "heavy duty" backpacks and better for more serious trekking. Costs ~ 1/2 the Gura Gear bags but they are heavier. I prefer the divided design of the Kiboku, but it makes for uneven balance if one side is almost empty.

Of course there's the LowePro Pro Trekkers (400/600), but their price is up there w/ Gura Gear and they are heavier bags... I own a Super Trekker (also discontinued) and I don't like it much... but I can fit almost everything I have in it.

FWIW, I hate working out of backpacks. IMO, they are best just for transportation. For moving two bodies and 3 lenses + (smaller lenses up to 70-200 2.8 not attached) I prefer the Think Tank Shape Shifter.

For working w/ smaller gear. I prefer one camera on a strap or spider holster and the Think Tank Speed Racer (I have a V1; also discontinued. The spider holster hooks to the bags belt.) The V2 looks like it might be nicer as it's "convertible" and the V1 isn't.
 
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I've got a Flipside 400AW.

Its loaded at the moment with
6d + 24-105
450D + Sigma 10-20
50f1.8
430ex II
430EZ
Rollei 35B
some filters
And there's some more room. A very comfortable bag to wear even with a fair bit inside.
 
Thanks a lot, you have given a lot of useful information. The lenses will be a 24-70 f2.8 and a 70-200 f4, if i could get a couple of small primes in as well that would be great but carrying everything at once regardless of what bag will be too much. Hence me thinking just the 2 bodies with the 2 zooms.

I really like the Think Tank 20, i will find a shop where i can actually see one. Online i can get it for 115, whilst i wanted to spend less, its not likely to happen. And i realise its not a backpack.

I think if i got the flipside 400 i would be tempted to take 3 primes as well and end up killing my back.
 
I also own a retrospective 20. Personally, I think you will be pushing it with those lenses or if you have grips on the bodies. I know the f/4 is just a bit shorter, but if I put my (Nikon) 70-200 2.8 in the bag w/ the hood on in shooting position the camera body is above the top of the bag. The flap still covers it and I don't feel like it's going to fall out, but definitely pushing boundaries. My bodies are both gripped (D4/D800) and to get them both in there w/ lenses attached I think I would have to put one in w/ the lens pointing up.

I really like the bag, but I don't think it's one you want to over stuff... the padding is adequate but very light. I think it's a good choice for you if you're planning on primarily having one camera out of the bag, and one in it. I think it will be just adequate if you're planning on having both cameras in the bag most of the time.... but a camera isn't very useful when it's in a bag.
 
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Thank you for your opinions. I want something they can both fit in when I'm leaving venues and on public transport so don't want to feel like it's falling out. Sk66 your view on the think tank has helped but now I'm confused, I just need to go to a shop and done with it. Cheers all.
 
I should have added, I get my gear in the retro without grips - gripped bodies would make it too tight - in fact you would need to put the second body in the front pouch. I carry a 24-70mm F2.8, a 70-200mm F2.8 with one body mostly. But I could have both lenses in the bag with bodies attached without an issue. With this combo there is also room for a couple of primes and any extra bits I need.

However for me it was about more than just transport.

I can roam the venue with the 24-70mm or 70-200mm, hood in position, body attached and the combo is still safe in the bag. The flap sits over the top of it nicely.

Also, it's not a combo I would want to take too far on public transport. If I but it into the city I have a 15 minute walk one end of the journey and a 10 minute walk the other. With the retro 20 full of my gear I know I've done it...
 
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I ended up getting the Retro 20 and used it at a gig on Thursday. It fitted what i needed it too. Bit too heavy with tablet in but realistically anything will be that isnt a backpack. Thanks for your help!
 
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