Is this bag suitable for my gear?

[apodo]

Brief version: can the bag linked below safely fit a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens and a Canon 7D with attached Sigma 17-70mm lens?

I have always used a shoulder bag as my normal camera bag. But by motorcycle I mostly only used one lens, so could just keep my camera in a case for protection, inside a regular backpack, which is much better suited when carrying other items to. Having just bought the Sigma 150-600mm, I now need a backpack suitable for camera use but which also has enough space to include something to eat.

Having looked at a lot of bags, it is clear that nothing perfect for me exists, however, the one below seems by far the closest. But does anyone think it would be realistic for carrying a Canon 7D with attached Sigma 17-70mm (which I measured with maximum dimensions being 6.25” x 5.75” x 5”) and the Sigma 150-600mm (11" x 4" x 5", the extra inch for the tripod collar)? It looks like it should, but I am not used to a bag where everything is laid flat rathe then dropped vertically into holes!

This is the bag: https://www.amazon.co.uk/BAGSMART-Camera-Backpack-Anti-thief-Resistant/dp/B07WN1VHK9/

A vital feature is that whatever bag I get must fit in my top box, which has an internal area of roughly 18" x 12.5 " x 9.5", and that seems to rule out most of the bags that suit my needs. For food I normally use a simple picnic style cool bag that measures 8.25" x 6" x 6". That is a little taller than the bag's upper compartment, but it will not be full so can be squashed down. And being diabetic, dinner is important!

What I like about the bag is: it should easily fit in my top box, it has a a sizeable non-camera compartment, it has a water bottle pocket on the left (so many bags, not just ones with side access, only have a pocket on the right, which is then inaccessible if you carry a tripod too), I like the connectable and lockable zips, it is well reviewed, yet cheap, and does not give the impression "I contain expensive camera gear, please steal me." Well, not unless you carry a tripod.

What I dislike about the bag: it is an unknown Chinese brand, it is a few inches shorter than ideal, and it lacks extra pouches (something on the front of the top to store medicines, non-camera battery packs and cables, keys, sunglasses, a small towel etc.) so the only space is the top section.

Does anyone thing the bag will not be suitable the the camera gear I want to carry, or have a better recommendation?

I almost feel a two-bag solution might be better, like a sling bag for non-camera gear and a small backpack for everything else. But I do not feel I have enough shoulders to make that work, as I only have two.

 

[jerry12953]

To be honest only you can decide that. Buying online you do have a 14 day (I think) return period during which time you can try it out to your hearts content.

It is very unlikely that you will ever find your ideal camera bag, but if you do, you can guarantee that you will buy some new/different kit and will need a new one.

 

[Deleted member 49428]

No waist strap?? Dealbreaker for me.

 

[apodo]

jerry12953: Including my current option this would be my fifth bag, and because of a new lens, so I totally get that new gear effect! It is just my unfamiliarity with backpack type bags I do not know if you can simply measure things and compare them with dimensions. But that is a very good point about the return period. I did not consider it, but obviously could load it up without removing tags or going out to find out if it is suitable without commitment.

soeren: Is a waist strap that important? I could understand it it were a full backpack fully loaded with lenses, so the weight would need the extra support. But this will only have a few, and should be lighter than my usual bag which has just a single shoulder strap. Even though it is only the contemporary version, I was still surprised that the 150–600 is lighter than Canon 70-200 f/2.8, which is a standard lens in my shoulder bag. It does have a chest strap, which will be able to ensure it would not slip off the shoulder.

Other than walking to or from the bike, or to keep the camera safe whilst sitting and eating or checking my phone etc., the camera spend most of its time in my hand (with a wrist strap) than in the bag anyway, so that is even less weight in the bag.

Otherwise, does anyone routinely "wear" two bags, such as a sling bag for gear along with a regular bag for everything else? A review to one of the Lowepro bags said it could hold the Sigma lens as well as a body with shorter lens so that could be a viable option if possible. However when visiting my parents by train or coach I would normally have both a back pack and shoulder bag and it is incredibly uncomfortable and inconvenient so I cannot imagine how a two-bag option would work.

Thank you both for the replies.

 

[jerry12953]

For years I carried my landscape kit in a backpack and my birding gear (body + long zoom) in a vertical pouch on a strap around the neck / one shoulder. Not ideal but it allowed me to take what I thought I might need on each trip. So the answer is yes.

I have now down sized to micro 4/3 so everything will go in one rucksack.

I would say that a waist/hip belt is crucial to take weight off your shoulders.

 

[Deleted member 49428]

jerry12953: Including my current option this would be my fifth bag, and because of a new lens, so I totally get that new gear effect! It is just my unfamiliarity with backpack type bags I do not know if you can simply measure things and compare them with dimensions. But that is a very good point about the return period. I did not consider it, but obviously could load it up without removing tags or going out to find out if it is suitable without commitment.

soeren: Is a waist strap that important? I could understand it it were a full backpack fully loaded with lenses, so the weight would need the extra support. But this will only have a few, and should be lighter than my usual bag which has just a single shoulder strap. Even though it is only the contemporary version, I was still surprised that the 150–600 is lighter than Canon 70-200 f/2.8, which is a standard lens in my shoulder bag. It does have a chest strap, which will be able to ensure it would not slip off the shoulder.

Other than walking to or from the bike, or to keep the camera safe whilst sitting and eating or checking my phone etc., the camera spend most of its time in my hand (with a wrist strap) than in the bag anyway, so that is even less weight in the bag.

Otherwise, does anyone routinely "wear" two bags, such as a sling bag for gear along with a regular bag for everything else? A review to one of the Lowepro bags said it could hold the Sigma lens as well as a body with shorter lens so that could be a viable option if possible. However when visiting my parents by train or coach I would normally have both a back pack and shoulder bag and it is incredibly uncomfortable and inconvenient so I cannot imagine how a two-bag option would work.

Thank you both for the replies.

I find a waist strap important even with only a few lenses. Thing is it start to add Up and a Long telezoom does weight in a bit. Even if it's relatively light at some point you want to take some weight of your shoulders.
Well thats my experience and preference, YMMW.

 

[Brentor]

It does not look wide enough for a 150-600 C, although I have not checked the dimensions.

 

[apodo]

Brentor: I measured the lens as being 11" long, and the interior dimensions given are for the compartment being 11.8" wide, so it should fit. So my concerns is how well the body would fit with a lens attached as normally it would sit across three rows. There should still be enough space across two, but I do not know if any sort of configuration that way would be unsafe for the camera.

I will probably do as jerry12953 says and order the bag, so then I can try it out and return it if it does not fit or seem safe. Although that would have to wait until I can stop isolating so I will be able to drop things at the post office or a collection point.

 

[Brentor]

Brentor: I measured the lens as being 11" long, and the interior dimensions given are for the compartment being 11.8" wide, so it should fit. So my concerns is how well the body would fit with a lens attached as normally it would sit across three rows. There should still be enough space across two, but I do not know if any sort of configuration that way would be unsafe for the camera.

I will probably do as jerry12953 says and order the bag, so then I can try it out and return it if it does not fit or seem safe. Although that would have to wait until I can stop isolating so I will be able to drop things at the post office or a collection point.

Please let us know the outcome. If you have Prime they will collect returns from your home, not sure if it applies to non-Prime, you also need to be at home.

 

[Brazo]

No is the simple and factually correct answer.

If owning just one bag was enough photographers wouldn’t have six or seven and still be looking for more lol

 

[apodo]

Now that I know what is happening with shielding, I will wait a few weeks before ordering in case I do need to return the bag. Especially after a slightly odd situation today.

Collection for returned items is apparently a normal service, not just for Prime, which makes sense as they charge the same fixed fee for voluntary returns so it is probably better for them to use their own logistics than the Royal Mail etc.

But last week I ordered a phone case and was sent a version for a different phone. Online I was not offered the collection option, so I contacted customer services and explained I could not drop it off anyway so they gave me a refund and said no need to return it. When I said I could print a label now so I could return it when it is possible they insisted I should not do that but just give it away of dispose of it!

I imagine they would be less forgiving of a more expensive bag, so for now I am not going to rely on there being a collection option for returns.

Although I still intend to buy the above bag, I have become a little interested in this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer-Waterproof-Fashion-Messenger-Shoulder/dp/B00PW2HQY4/

In the customer reviews there is a photo showing how easy it is to wear chest mounted, so can be worn with a backpack. Though it obviously would not be big enough for a Sigma 150–600, it would fit everything else I would carry meaning I would only need a backpack for the one lens. And if I find a suitable compact case, because the Sigma one is rather crazy, I could just carry the big Sigma in a regular backpack.

So to prove Brazo's point, even if I am happy with my original choice of bag I will almost certain buy this one too at some point. Because for £22 it just provides useful options. It may even fit in my regular non-camera backpack, so that I could carry it around that way and wear it when shooting for the quick-access.

 

[apodo]

So I bought the bag. I choose the khaki colour which looks an ugly tan on the Amazon page, but it was £8 cheaper than the other colours, plus had a £6 off voucher. So at £36 instead of £5 it seemed worth gambling it would not be as bad in person, and could still be a useful bag even if not big enough for how I want to use it.

Firstly, the colour is indeed just, boringly neutral like any other khaki bag, including my usual shoulder bag. Secondly, I think it will just about suit my needs, just about. Here are some terrible iPhone 6 shots taken in bad light.

How the bag looks closed, an 18" tripod is pushing it

The bag is opened

This is my sandwich cool bag (stuffed with laundry), no room for anything else but it fits fine

The gear compartment, 150–600 on the bottom, lens hood in the top right with a 17-85mm inside, 7D with attached 17-70 to the left

The weight feels okay even on just one shoulder, though that is only at home and not walking around, going up gradients etc.

I probably could do with replacing the dividers to shape the gear compartment better for my needs, and avoid exposed rough velcro. I have other bags I can try to cannibalize for that.

Either more padding under the big Sigma, cloths on top, or perhaps a combination of both, are also needed. The length of the lens just fits without causing bulging, but the depth of the bag leave too much space either side. It is snug enough to not roll around, but better padding will make me feel more comfortable. You can never have too many cloths, anyway.

Although I have not tried it, the Sigma teleconverter in its own case looks like it could sit on top of lens. But certainly if I want with a 70–200 instead there should be no problem taking that with some shorter zooms primes.

The bag is wide enough so the camera could be turned to so that it is parallel with the ground rather than the back of the bag, doing that looks at though it would even make space for a cheap 50mm f/1.8, although that is probably pushing the bag too far.

As shown, the buckle is just for show, it is just hides a simple clip behind it. The divider between compartments can also be removed to it is just one big bag, although because of the side opening and the soft lining only going just above that it does not allow the relative size of the two compartments to be adjusted.

My reservations about the lack of extra pockets is confirmed, though. A pouch on the front of where it opens and on top would have made a huge difference. As would if the bottom of the bag was a small compartment to hold the waterproof cover and a drop out pocket for the tripod, so its height could be better balanced. Those seems common features on other comparable non-branded bags. Together with just an inch or two extra height in both compartments and it would almost be perfect for my needs.

But as I do not plan on taking a laptop, but the back is very well padded so my usual extras like a battery pack and USB cables can fit in there as they should not cause any discomfort.

I would not consider it an all purpose bag, it is a bit too small for that, but as something to take out of the top box and go and wander around with the basics I think it will suit my needs.

The proof will be in the using, but unfortunately that opportunity still a while away yet.