Camera bag for the prime lens shooter?

[Stricks]

For all of you who who shoot primes and use a gripped camera, what are you using to carry it all (and access it easily) when you are on the job or off in far away lands?

[toverman]

Lowepro Stealth Reporter 550AW. I can fit two gripped/pro bodies with lenses attached (usually zooms) and have room for 2-3 other lenses, usually primes, flashes and a bevy of little things. It's a big bag and everything is accessible. Not sure about the "stealth" part in the name, as when it's loaded you can hear me coming with all the grunting and carrying on. She's heavy!

[Stricks]

Originally Posted by toverman

Not sure about the "stealth" part in the name, as when it's loaded you can hear me coming with all the grunting and carrying on. She's heavy!

Ha!

Yeah, I'm actually using the Stealth Reporter 300AW right now...which is big enough to carry my gear (sans-flash), but everything's just a little too crammed in to access things easily while I'm moving around. Heck, just getting the gripped body + lens out is a beating.

I'd get something like a Shootsac, but I need a place to put the camera as well. Maybe a huge bag is what I'll have to get, despite my best efforts to keep things a little more compact.

[kayumangi]

I use a regular messenger bag, neoprene wine bags for the longer primes and a couple of thick bonnets for the gripped 7D, lens and flash.

I like to blend-in as I don't want to broadcast that I'm carrying expensive gear =)

[toverman]

For primes, that's why there's the "holy trinity" of 35, 85 and 135. If you need more than those three, you'll need your chiropractor on speed dial!

[Daniel W.]

Domke F2. 2 Gripped bodies, 4-up divider in the middle separating the two bodies (usually standard) - or replace with 1 gripped body with lens attached
Divider quarter 1: 17-40, off shoe cord, and a spare set of AA's below a lens cloth (to pad and just in case)
Divider quarter 2: 35/1.4
Divider quarter 3: 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 (stacked, maybe a Crown Royal bag for the 85 so they aren't knocking on eachother so heavily)
Divider quarter 4: flash, either 2 small ones or one big one.
Side pocket 1: gels, gum, multitool, camera batteries, point and shoot camera
Side pocket 2: LED flashlight, cards (if not in the pants pocket), maybe a flash diffuser. Gaffer tape, rubber bands.

Domke F6 (my favorite, and what seems will suit you best)
1 Gripped body
Same setup with the 4-up divider as the F2, the bag is a bit tighter so maybe I move the flash to the front zippered compartment (fits fine)

The Domke bags aren't tops for long travel if you're used to a Lowepro. Domkes are bare bones compared to any Lowepro bag, much less padding - but much easier to work out of and they flex and move with you much better because of it. I used a Stealth 400 or...whatever for years until getting a Domke. It's great for moving quickly (short of a belt system), but the stuff inside is a bit less protected. That being said, boarding a plane with it is much easier than the stuffy padded Lowepro.

[Stricks]

Originally Posted by toverman

For primes, that's why there's the "holy trinity" of 35, 85 and 135. If you need more than those three, you'll need your chiropractor on speed dial!

*Looks up chiropractor's number*

[Stricks]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

The Domke bags are definitely top of the list. Also at the top is modifying a messenger bag (maybe Timbuk2) by retrofitting some of the Domke inserts into it -- I'd love to find something with a little water-resistance to it.

[kocphotography]

jill-e designs - professional quality, designer electronics bags for women .. these jill-e bags are pretty nice and the rolling bags can hold a lot of gear!

[ggeen]

Originally Posted by toverman

Lowepro Stealth Reporter 550AW. I can fit two gripped/pro bodies with lenses attached (usually zooms) and have room for 2-3 other lenses, usually primes, flashes and a bevy of little things. It's a big bag and everything is accessible. Not sure about the "stealth" part in the name, as when it's loaded you can hear me coming with all the grunting and carrying on. She's heavy!

+1 that!