Designing bag layout, would appreciate opinions

Merkin · 07-08-2009

Due to a number of reasons, I have had to take the leap and switch to a DSLR setup. I am currently planning out/designing the layout of the interior of my camera bag, and I would like opinions on which lens to leave on the camera body while the bag is fully packed. The choices are listed above. After you vote, if you feel so inclined, post your reason for the choice. I am purposely not mentioning what types of photography I do most often, as that tends to change more often than I plan to change my bag.

If you are inclined to vote for one lens over the other ONLY on the virtue of that lens being either a zoom or not a zoom, please refrain from voting. If that is ONE of your reasons amongst several, that is perfectly acceptable, but this question is more than just a referendum on the relative merits of zoom vs. prime lenses.

Thanks!

ETA: Forgot to mention, the camera body has a full frame sensor. Thanks for bringing that oversight to my attention, Kent.

kxl · 07-08-2009

I'd say leave on the body the lens that you think you will use the most for a given photo outing -- in general, probably the 17-35mm?

What kind of bag?

Chris101 · 07-08-2009

50mm because it not a z... nevermind.

50mm because the other two are specialty lenses. The 80-200 is long and the 17-35 is short. 50 is right in the middle, and easy to remove if you need to swiitch to either of the other two lenses.

Why do you inply that you are forced to switch to a dslr. Most folks do that because they want to.

Ronald M · 07-08-2009

Design the layout so the 80/200 can be on the camera. Then any other lens will have space and you can use a portable or fold back divider to have a 50 on the camera and 17/35 in the same space.

Merkin · 07-08-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris101

Why do you inply that you are forced to switch to a dslr. Most folks do that because they want to.

Well, I was in a position where I finally didn't really have a choice but to go digital, because that is what is needed for the paying gigs, and it is usable for the stuff I do on the side. Also, not one, but two Leicas decided to go tango uniform in various ways while I was on a trip to Mexico, which I didn't find out until I got back. The trip wasn't a total loss, but a significant number of rolls aren't printable, and a significant number will be difficult to print.

The digital rangefinders just don't cut it for the price in a number of ways, imo, and the medium format digital backs are way out of my price range. Therefore, going digital, a dslr was pretty much my only option. Don't get me wrong, I love my new setup, although I wouldn't have been happy a year or two ago.

Merkin · 07-08-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by kxl

What kind of bag?

Sorry about the double post. I am choosing the bag based on my optimal layout, not basing my layout around what will fit in my bag and how, so I have not chosen a bag yet. It will likely be a domke of some description, along the lines of an F2 or an F6, depending on what I decide, although that is certainly not set in stone.

Kent · 07-08-2009

Depends on the cam and the photo occasion.
Generally? With a crop-cam the 17-35 and with a fullframe the 50mm.

Rob-F · 07-09-2009

Sounds to me like you got a Nikon, Carl. Is it a D700? Er, Tango Uniform? OK "TU" but what is that? I would not use any of the three as my first go-to lens on a full-frame. I'd want maybe a 28-105 or a 24-85.

AgentX · 07-09-2009

T**s up.

I can't say what I'd do with regards to the lens/bag...it would depend on what I shot the most and what I was shooting on a particular day, and also how much I was planning on carrying the camera inside the bag while actively working. Versatility is a great thing...I have at least one modular bag I can reconfigure if I need.

I also wouldn't use a 50 just because it's a midpoint between wide and tele. If you shoot mostly wide or mostly tele, having a too-short or too-long lens on the camera most of the time is no great help. It means you almost always have the wrong lens on, rather than the minority of the time. Edit: By all means, though, if 50 is your most-used lens, it'd be the way to go...

pvdhaar · 07-09-2009

My first instinct says the 17-35.. it's quick enough on the draw and plenty wide to catch anything happening near/fast. Cropping down to 50mm is no problem, the reverse would be. The 80-200 isn't practical, unless it's your one-trick pony.

But on second though, maybe from a packing point of view, the 50 is still best. A 17-35/2.8 is a beefy lens, and with hood attached not dissimilar in size to a SLR with 50 mounted. The 17-35 in a compartment next to a SLR/50 in another compartment takes about the same space as a 80-200/2.8 in a compartment twice as large.. neat layout..

AgentX · 07-09-2009

Double negative, you bring up a great point. I wish bags came with the equivalent of what we in the (gun) shooting world call a "dump pouch," which fits on your belt/body armor and folds up small, but expands to a fabric bucket, so to speak, when you need to stash something (typically an expended or half-expended magazine) quickly. A fold-out quick-stash microfiber-lined pouch suitable for a lens, located outside the main bag flap would be an awesome thing for swapping lenses, film, or filters fast and on the fly.

Todd.Hanz · 07-09-2009

most bags are designed with the biggest lense used to go in the middle section, ie.80-200, with camera attached. I leave my 80-200 attached as it's a "go to" lens for candid portraits, my 17-55 sits next to it and any other lens I may want on the other side.

Todd

AgentX · 07-09-2009

Seriously? Cool stuff. I may need a new bag soon...

kxl · 07-09-2009

With your gear, a Domke F6 will be too small. An F2 will be barely large enough. The 80-200mm won't fit standing up in the F2 (if you want to close the top flap), so you would have to lay it horizontally. If you plan to do this, then it would work best attached to the body, while the other two lenses (in fitted lens cases, lay on top of it. It is NOT the most convenient set up.

I have similar gear -- D700, 17-35/2.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 and 70-200/2.8. With the 17-35, 50 and 85, I DO use a Domke F2, with the 17-35 on the body and the other 2 lenses in Domke inserts. However, if I add the 70-200 (or take it instead of the 85/1.4), then I switch bags -- either the Domke F1X if I want to "work out of" the bag, or a backpack (if I want to be nice to my shoulder and lower back).

You might want to check out: http://www.cambags.com

Pablito · 07-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by kxl

I'd say leave on the body the lens that you think you will use the most for a given photo outing -- in general, probably the 17-35mm?

What kind of bag?

Yes, the obvious anwer. Why are you asking others when you know what sort of work you do and what lenses you use most?

Rob-F · 07-09-2009

Carl. take a look at the Tamrac line of bags with "lens bridge." I feel I can get my stuff into my Tamrac bags more efficiently, i.e. more stuff in a given size bag, than with the Domke bags you mention (which I also have). The large fannypack bag (I think the model is 709) has a compartment that will take the 80-200 when not on the camera. When it is on the camera, it will fit down the center "lens bridge." The other lenses can be made to fit the remaining compartments.

Merkin · 07-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablito

Yes, the obvious anwer. Why are you asking others when you know what sort of work you do and what lenses you use most?

It may seem obvious to you, but I will be custom sewing interior padded dividers, and I will not be able to simply switch it around to my whim. I know that the lens I use most varies with a decent bit of regularity, and I asked to see if anyone had any thoughts or perspectives that I had not considered, as well as to see if anyone had any particularly clever ideas, such as Ronald M's. Thanks Ronald!

Rob F- I am a bit confused, as my name isn't Carl.

Where did Carl come from?

Traut · 07-11-2009

I have a Lowepro 85AW that would be perfect for your kit. It is 100% perfecto. Let me know if you want more info.