Camera bag for a 600mm f4 (1 Viewer)

[Davecr24]

Hi all, this has most probably been posted before but I'm looking for a good camera bag that will carry my 600mm f4 and camera equipment that will meet carry on regulations, I've been looking all over the Internet so have been spoilt for choice but just wondered what other wildlife photographers use in this situation, many thanks Dave

 

[Dave Williams]

I'm surprised you are spoilt for choice Dave, when I was looking a few years ago now, the choice was very limited. I ended up buying, on recommendation from a friend, a Gura Gear Bataflae 32L bag which just squeezes into the size limits of most airlines, (but not all) although the handle might just protrude ever so slightly if you were asked to put it in a measuring box. It will take a 600mm comfortably as well as a lot more gear too but nowadays it's the weight you need to watch as much as the size and because it's a big bag it draws attention and you are likely to have to have it weighed which then can become a new problem altogether depending on who you are flying with.
The Bataflae seems to have been replaced with the 30L Kiboko which looks almost identical but with some added tweaks and probably as good as you'll get.I also have two Think Tank bags and I like this one the best although it doesn't have a dedicated laptop compartment like the TT 's do. You can slip a laptop inside though. Weighs less than 2kg, well constructed and weather proof. Mine still looks like brand new. They are not cheap but neither is a 600mm f4! I paid over £400 for mine ....the bag that is!!

Kiboko V2.0 30L Lightweight Super telephoto Camera Backpack - Pre Sale

Backpack designed for DSLR Cameras and Super Telephoto Lenses. Holds 2 mounted DSLR cameras plus additional bodies and lenses (unattached lenses up to 800mm), Ultradurable X-Pac VX-21 water resistant outer shell, Patented Butterfly access to Dual Compartments Water Bottle and Tripod Sleeves...

guragear.com

 

[Davecr24]

Thanks Dave, I have the Gura gear 26l one that I travelled with my 500f4 and 100-400 plus cameras in it which was perfect but now I've traded the 500f4ii in I need a bigger bag, my 600 does fit but not much else will fit!! i am looking at the mindshift 36l backlight but a tad worried it might be a too big for air travel especially with a Spain and Finland trip booked up over the coming months....

 

[Dave Williams]

Thanks Dave, I have the Gura gear 26l one that I travelled with my 500f4 and 100-400 plus cameras in it which was perfect but now I've traded the 500f4ii in I need a bigger bag, my 600 does fit but not much else will fit!! i am looking at the mindshift 36l backlight but a tad worried it might be a too big for air travel especially with a Spain and Finland trip booked up over the coming months....

The Kiboko is definitely smaller and lighter by the looks of it Dave, but it appears to be unavailable anywhere. Not sure if they have discontinued them.
I seem to remember that the company was taken over by a well known brand like Manfrotto.Might find one on eBay though?