Shoulder bag recommendations for MF kit

[ggervais]

Greetings all.

I'm looking for a good sturdy waterproof shoulder bag for either my Pentax 6x7 with 45, 75, 105 & 200mm + extension tubes, some film & a couple of filters.
or
My other MF kit which consists of a Pentax 645N with 45, 55, 75 & 120mm lenses +extension tubes, 2-3 film inserts & a couple of filters.

Thank you for your time.


Guy

 

[c.w.]

I have a Lowepro Rezo 190 I use for my Bronica ETR kit, which should be pretty close to a Pentax 645 kit. I can fit 2 bodies, 3 lenses (50, 75, 150), wind grip, 4 backs, a prism, and a light meter in it. It's not exactly super handy in that configuration, but it all fits. Once one of the bodies is out and in use, it's handy enough though.

 

[polyglot]

I've been using a Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home (bought when I was starting out with a DSLR because it can fit a 300mm lens vertically) for that purpose. However, I would recommend from painful experience that you do not put a big medium format kit[1] into a shoulder bag as it will cause you spinal issues due to the asymmetric loading; I've just bought a photo backpack (Kata 3N1-30) to solve that very problem and am eagerly awaiting its arrival.

[1] my typical loadout is RZ67, 2-3 lenses, a flash or two and 2-3 backs. It hurts after a couple hours and is very bad for walking.

 

[Luseboy]

I have an older domke shoulder bag with a 4-lens padded seperator. Fits my bronica s2a with 3 lenses, 2 film backs, lots of film, 10 filters, etc. with no problems. It's a great bag, and these things last forever, my dad, who up until recently, was a newspaper photographer, used one for over 10 years, for 2+ shoots a day, 350 days a year. Great, comfortable bag that I love. Or if your the camera belt type, the think tank belts are great. I personally do not like the belt systems, so i don't use one, but my dad's friend who also was a newspaper photographer was basically the inventer of the belt system, and i was given one a while back, it's a nice set up, would be great for weddings or sports.

 

[Mark Fisher]

a bigger Domke like the F2 would be worth looking at. Personally, I couldn't carry that much on my shoulder all day so I'd recommend looking at a backpack.

 

[fmajor]

I have the Kata 3n1-30 and it's a excellent bag - my favorite for dSLR's and/or 35mm (no contest), but not so much for my RB67 Pro-S gear. The opening's aren't so well configured/configurable for the large-size of the RB (in my 15 months of use anyway).

For my RB67 kit i use a simple day-pack - nothing special because once i'm in the 'zone' i carry my camera on my beloved Tamrac strap (and an improvised extension) so it's long enough to rest at my side as i'm walking. When i 'see' a photo i hand hold it for the shot and then it's back to sling mode.

 

[ggervais]

Thank you for your replies.

I'll go with a backpack instead. Easier on the old back...

 

[segedi]

I too have the Kata 3 in 1 30 and it fits my Hasselblad and two lenses and leica and 2 lenses in the bottom and I can fit a light jacket and light meter in the top compartment.

For a long hike with an rb or RZ you might want to cross the straps across your chest. Makes removal slightly more inconvenient but more comfortable. I find the straps a bit thinner than I like but it's my favorite bag at the moment.