Shoulder bag for 350D + attached Canon 100-400 lens

[GMS]

Does anybody know of a shoulder bag for the above combination ?
I've been trying to find a suitable bag for a while with no great success. All the bags seem to be for smaller combinations only.
I'd like to have an easy access shoulder bag to be able to get the camera quickly.
Any help would be much appreciated.

[James Eaton]

I use a Lowepro topload zoom AW for my equipment, which is a Canon 20D and 100-400 zoom lens.I went into a shop to try it out and it fitted perfectly, despite advertisements to the contrary. Overall the bag has been superb, though this is the second Lowepro toploader I've had in 2 years, and will be on the look out for a third now, as the zips around the corners keep on coming aprt, not sure why, maybe over use or wear and tear, but its very frustrating, anyone else experience similar problems? Otherwsie I'd strongly recommend the bag, you may struggle to find anything else.

All the best,

James

[christineredgate]

I use a cycle bag for my 20/300d with the 100-400 lens attached.It is the long bag which is meant to be fitted on the rack which is often fitted to a cycle behind the seat(usually fits over the rear mudguard.It is just long enough to fit the combi into,the lens just sits inside the lens cover.It is not padded,but as I am not actually carrying the bag(sits in my trike basket),I do keep a bean bag inside the bag,to act as a buffer on bumpy journeys.

[stuartelsom]

Graham,

I have just changed to the LowePro Specialist 85 AW which offers what you need and also has a substantial waste belt arrangement. I only got mine last week after seeing Tony Mills using his. Very happy so far.

The best web photo's are on the LowePro website.

Hope this helps

Stuart

Does anybody know of a shoulder bag for the above combination ?
I've been trying to find a suitable bag for a while with no great success. All the bags seem to be for smaller combinations only.
I'd like to have an easy access shoulder bag to be able to get the camera quickly.
Any help would be much appreciated.

[RoyH]

Does anybody know of a shoulder bag for the above combination ?
I've been trying to find a suitable bag for a while with no great success. All the bags seem to be for smaller combinations only.
I'd like to have an easy access shoulder bag to be able to get the camera quickly.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Hello GMS
I use the Lowpro Nova 5 ( olive green/black ) with my 10D with 100-400L attached, I like the belt loop strap arrangemet as most of the weight is carried around the waist, I bought an ex army 2.1/4 inch quick release belt, that cost me £10 but it was well worth it. The bag and contents are quite heavy but you get used to that. Nice bag but its not fully water proof as I was led to believe...shower proof yes. Think it cost around £35 and its very well made.

regards, Roy.

[bob hastie]

Hi there GMS
I see that 7dayshop have special deals on Lowpro packs at the moment. Don't know how they compare to other peoples prices, but they are usually fairly competitive.

[GMS]

Thanks guys for your advice.

I did go for the Lowepro topload zoom AW in the end. Bought it from 7dayshop which worked out cheaper than Warehouseexpress,etc....

Camera fits nicely and I will give it test at the weekend.

[mad]

im after the same adive but for 350d and sigma 50-50 does any one use any of the lowepro toploader bags.
cheers mad

[graham catley]

the LowePro Specialist 85 AW is the updated version of the bag which I have used for over 6 years first with SLR and 400mm and now with a 20D and 100-400----it is still in good nick and has an all weather cover which wraps over the case and makes it 100% waterproof---as regards the zip I have heard that if you return the bag with a broken zip Lowepro will replace same--worth a try
I also carry a standard lens and 1.4x plus cleaning cloth, camera manual! and brush in the upper front pocket and 3 batteries and tripod plate in the lower zipped front pocket--a versatile bag

[Tannin]

Trouble with the LowePro Specalist 85 is that you can't really use it for a DSLR (mine is a 20D) and Canon 100-400 lens unless you remove the lens hood first. This makes the whole procedure a lot slower. My favoured habit - developed largely because the supplied lens cap with my Swarovski ATS80HDs is so incredibly crappy - is to always leave the lens cap off and rely on a modicum of care plus the lens hood to keep objects from contacting the front of the lens. This is miles faster when it comes to going from walk-along mode to taking-the-picture mode, and with birds quite often you only get a few moments.

But you can't do that with the 100-400 and the Specialist 85, the bag is just a little too short.

Seems to me that the answer has to be some kind of holster arrangement, so that the camera plus lens can sit on your hip, weight taken by a waist belt, ready to whip out and use at a moment's notice. I'm thinking about trying to fine a good quality but much smaller waist belt bag and cutting the bottom out of it so that the lens drops through. Sure, a proper bag for longer-term storage is appropriate (carrying in the car, for e.g.) but for walking around use, it's really just support I need.

Carrying it on a strap around my neck is not really practical: I already have scope and digicam on a tripod on my (padded) right shoulder, plus my faithful old Nikon 4500 (retired as a bird shooter but still doing duty for macro work) on my other hip.

I imagine that a lot of us are the same, in the sense that we want to be able to record the things in the natural world around us, from distant birds to landscapes to tiny wildflowers, and this (alas) takes a lot of gear. It's all about finding ways to carry that gear comfortably and be able to get at it as needed. The Specialist 85 comes close to doing what we need, but not quite.

(It is a great bag, I hasten to add - just as good as any of the other LowePro product I've used and liked, just not quite big enough for a 100-400 lens.)

[John151]

I have 20D+100/400 lens. My method for carrying is not ideal, I know and it's useless when its raining. I fasten a belt round my chest and I hook the lens tripod mount onto this, then place the strap around my neck. All the weight goes onto the belt and the carmera is available for use instantly. I find it very comfortable when placed to one side.

When I take my backpack, which has a chest strap to help prevent the straps slipping off the shoulders, I use this instead of my trousers belt.

[Boy George]

Hi Stuart,

Interesting info you provide - can you tell me where you bought the Lowepro Specialist 85 AW and at what cost as I can't seem to find one.

If it was a local shop it would be most convenient for, as you can see, I too am in Cambridgeshire'

Regards

Adrian

[christineredgate]

The Jessops "Town and Country" range do a bag large enough to take a 20d plus 100-400 with the lens left on the cam.You need to invert the suncap and just slide the lens into it when it is in the bag.I leave a large lens cloth stuffed in the end so when the lens is slipped into the bag I do not need to clean it,it rests agains't the cloth,so no need to keep replacing the lens cap.
Also I purchased from Warehouse Express,a Tamrac ,Velocity 3,they were half price at £15.Similar to a journalist type bag,but ample room for the lens and cam attached,lots of extra pockets,very comfy to carry on ones shoulder and not a heavy padded bag.I found them in the bargain basement.

[IanF]

I have the 20D+100-400mm IS and I'm using a padded Tenba shoulder bag that I picked up from a local camera shop for a fiver several years ago. I didn't realise at the time just what a bargain it was. The material is waterproof and it's well padded.

The bag is large enough to take the camera+lens+lens cap though not with the lens hood which has to be reversed.

Tenba are still on the go but looking at their web site the Tenba Traveler 554 (http://www.tenba.com/camera/traveler.htm) looks to be the flashy update from my bag. The main compartment is the same size and nicely takes the 20D+100-400mm. There would be no room for an additional lens. Mine only has the front pocket though with loops to dangle a tripod along the bottom. I suspect the 354 Pro maybe more suitable for you though.

I like the Lowepro bags myself and the Rezo 190 AW looks to be the nearest in appearance, but slightly shorter.

[christineredgate]

Ian,the Tenba traveller looks very similar to the Jessops one.It cost around £35.An excellent bag.