Suggestions for a new Wedding Bag?

[CaitlinsCreations]

I have been using my beautiful (and stylish) large green Jill-E bag for the past year+, since my business started really taking off. I love the look of it, and it fits WAY more than advertized (I should be a pro at tetris). BUT, it is ungodly heavy (just by itself, not to mention actually holdong equipmen), and I am at the point where I have too much to fit in it anymore.

Soooo...I was hoping for some suggestions on what you guys like to use? Or even a point in the right direction for some good reviews? I use a smaller bag for my sessions, so this is just for my weddings, where I have to bring heaping loads of equipment. There are so many bags out there--I just don't know where to start!

Would like:
--Rolling, but also easy to pick up and carry (stupid stairs)
--Lightweight before the "stuff"

I currently bring with me:
-3 Camera bodies, 2 with lenses attached (average length I would say)
-One small fisheye lens and one ginormous zoom lens
-3 Flashes (Nikon d900)
-Space for my checklists and wedding info (very nicely fits into the laptop space now), and the camera/flash manuals (because you never know)
-1 Gary Fong Lightsphere (I ususally bounce, but it still comes in handy on occasion)
-1 Small spotlight (about the size of a small lens)
-A whole bunch of accessories: batteries (camera and AA's for flash), a charger for each kind, Flash Cards, etc.
-some extras like my wallet, chapstick, lint roller, first aid kit, etc.
-need extra space for a couple of additional lenses, etc. I plan on buying--room to grow!

I also bring tripods and reflector, but I don't expect to fit these in the bag, haha.

Thanks for the help! I love my Jill-E for the "cuteness" (I really do get a lot of compliments on it) and the easy to open (or leave open) zip top. But I think I need to just get over it and get a more practical bag over something stylish.

[ronocnikral]

i'm a fan of pelican cases. we have a 1510 w/ their padded dividers and lid top organizer. and you can carry onto an airplane! I also appreciate that you can lock it, stand on it, drop it, spill fluids on it and drive a truck over it and you don't have to worry about the contents. May be a little heavier than a soft bag, but small beans when it comes to all your gear.

If carrying onto an airplane isn't important, you can go bigger and get all your crap into it. b/c you won't fit all your crap into any bag that is carry on size.

[CaitlinsCreations]

Thanks, but not quite right for me. I don't have to worry about going on an airplane with a carry-on at this point.

I went around to some of the local stores and I noticed that almost everything was either a crazy backpack (great for a nature photographer but no so much for a wedding) or too small.

I guess I am used to the luxury I have in my current bag and didn't realize it's the only bag in the universe that rolls AND opens from the top. In weddings you have to move pretty quickly a lot and you want your bag to be very easy to get in and out of. It's nice that if I am in a hurry I don't have to spend 5 minutes zipping it back up--I can just grab it and go without even closing it. I guess it is a lot more functional than I realized--I just assumed there were pleny of bags out there that did the same...if only I wasn't running out of space!

So, my new "requirements" for a new bag are:
-Rolling, but also easy to pick up
-Opens from the top (I don't want to spend 5 minutes zipping it all back up just to move it)
-A place for a tripod (I can live without this or jerry-rig it but it would be nice)
-Ease of Access Some bags I looked at were packed so tight and had 5 thousand zippers--it just didn't seem workable.
-Relatively lightweight

Anyone know of my mecca bag?

[KenJulio]

Think Tank Airport, if you want something a bit smaller, Think Tank Airport International V2. Both excellent rollers with a lifetime warranty.

hmm....just re-read your 2nd post...opens from the top, like a messenger bag with wheels? hmmm, something similar to the Pelican case that doesnt have zippers....

tarmac - Tamrac - Rolling Bags
think tank - Rolling Camera Bags for Professional Photographers

[CaitlinsCreations]

Thanks, ken74.

I like the style of the Tamrac 5263. That is the type of thing I am looking for! Ufortunately, it still seems a bit too small (smaller than what I have now), and the reviews don't bode well for easy access. A rolling messenger is the right way to describe it!

I think I may just have to suck it up and get used to laying my bag down and zipping and zipping and picking it up. That's what everyone else does and it works fine. I was just spoiled

I did see a Pelican (I think?) that had a prop-stand (like a golf bag). That was knid of a compramise. Maybe I'll check into that one more.

[KenJulio]

I'd be wary of any propping up of any bag as one quick oops of a foot walking by and your bag goes flinging around.

Here's a review of a person who has packed 2 Think Tank International bags: Think Tank International V2

As I keep hearing and am starting to believe there is no one perfect bag.

[Tom]

As I keep hearing and am starting to believe there is no one perfect bag.

This is very true.

If you are going to have a big camera bag, you better have one that will lock to something solid. Lots of theft by waitstaffs at weddings.

I carry two bodies on my shoulders and 4 lenses/2 flashes/1 set of Elinchrom Skyports/Extra AA Batteries/1 5 Hour Energy in my ShootSac for weddings. Then I carry in two small light stands and put them with the DJ.

[CaptainTom]

I simply put big NIKON stickers on my camera bag. That way I'm sure no one will bother stealing it...

If you don't have a sense of humor, don't advertise it to the whole world !!

[WarrenG]

I love my Think Tank Airport. Perfect location bag for me. It will easily carry what you have, including tripod and a reflector as well (assuming it is 32" or smaller).

[ronocnikral]

while i believe the OP's expectations to be a little unrealistic, another thing to do is to make your own.

if you can find any bag that you think is "perfect," simply get some foam, freeze it and then cut it to size. we made cutouts for a camera with a specific lens on it, our 70-200, flash, and a couple of other lenses.

i think we paid like $30 for pack and got the foam free somewhere. plus it carries two lightstands and a reflector. no go on our huge heavy tripod.

[lyncca]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I simply put big NIKON stickers on my camera bag. That way I'm sure no one will bother stealing it...

*ouch*!

I use the Lowepro Pro Roller. I have the 200 version that is still small enough to take on a plane if needed, but I almost need the 300 version. I carry 3 cameras, 7 lenses, 2 flashes, a flash commander, tons of batteries and accessories and it also has a locking system that you can set your own combination lock. It is pricey and kinda heavy but its sturdy and great to carry everything. Then, I use a shootsac for my walking around being able to grab things on the fly.

[3n-Out]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I simply put big NIKON stickers on my camera bag. That way I'm sure no one will bother stealing it...