[JMitchell]

I haven't posted a question in a long time, but now I have one.
Despite the niceties and gimmicks of the Slingshot 200, I want a modern, tough, capacious and quite cheap top loading bag.
By top loading I mean like this (but bigger)



Anyone know of anything good? There seems to be so much on the market these days that I can't get my head around what to look out for....

EDIT: Like the Lowepro Nova. Are there others? I had a look in reviews, but seeing as bags is a new section, the reviews are more sparse

EDIT 2: now that I ask, I start finding myself....like the look of the Tamrac 5608 Pro
EDIT 3: actually it looks a bit small....

Thanks


Jack

[Dabhand16]

Tamrac do a fairly big toploader in three sizes, and there are three or four Lowepro models too.

I can't remember all of their names offhand, but the largest Tamrac is about £80 and seem very good value, and the largest Lowepro is about £160 - all RRP's so probably cheaper on the net.

Biggest problem is finding them all in one place to compare them.

[silkstone]

I've always been a Lowepro fan and have the bags to prove it.

Not sure which Nova is in that photo, but the Nova 5 is large and cheap (got one) and anything more will require a yak.

Alternatives are the Billingham 550 - (even larger, has a glorious smell of leather but costs a lot) or maybe the Lowepro Stealth Reporter D650.

Lowepro - Stealth Reporter D650 AW

[Steve]

You could go for something that offers the best of both worlds, a top loader and backpack combined. Have a look at a ThinkTank Rotation 360, we have a review of it up in the Equipment review section.

[Charlotte]

£180 might seem "quite cheap" to you Steve ...

[WOODY]

JACK, I HAVE A LOWEPRO MAGNUM AW, FANTASTIC BAG, GET LOADS IN IT.
WAREHOUSE EXPRESS ARE DOING THIS FOR £109.99

[VinnyP]

I am a recent convert to the Domke range for a minimalist top loading range

[silkstone]

Also these which are very much in the Billingham style but not quite as expensive...

Chapman Bags

[Markulous]

When I want to carry less than my Tamrac Expedition 7 will hold, I use a Tamrac - Model 608 Pro System 8. When I really want to carry kit I use both (Pro 8 fastens on front of 7) but that's reserved for being out all day on the hills (when I take spare fleece, food, etc)

What won it for me with the Pro 8 (aside from the obvious calling it a Pro, implying I was one - doncha just love marketing!) was the natty pull-out card holder - which works incredibly well as you don't have to hunt around for cards (and used ones go in one section, unused in another). Oh, and I paid well less than the £100+ it seems go for - about £40 on fleeBay!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Charlotte

£180 might seem "quite cheap" to you Steve ...

Well I could say something there but I better not...perks of the site and all

[JMitchell]

D3...etc...etc...there ya go, I said it for you


Mark, thanks, I was leaning towards that as well Sounds good, although I don't want to end up as a fellow tent-boy

[Charlotte]

I meant that you'd said in your initial post that you were looking for quite a cheap one, Jack

As it happens, I've been looking at bags too, but I'm after a top loading waist bag that will fit my D3 with long lens attached ... it seems they have yet to make a suitable bag, according to all the reviews I ploughed through

[JMitchell]

Lol I know Charlotte

Not even the Lowepro Topload zoom for you?

[silkstone]

Funnily enough, I have one of those too.

It's a bit big to hang from a belt though. Unless you have a big belt.

How about this? Lowepro - Toploader 75 AW

[WOODY]

CHARLOTTE, TAMRAC DO HOLSTER TYPE WAIST BAGS, IF YOU JUST WANT IT TO TAKE YOUR CAMERA PLUS ONE LENS. I BOUGHT ONE FOR MY D200, IT'S OK BUT A BIT TIGHT WITH BATTERY GRIP ON.

[spacepacker]

I have a "TAMRAC" Pro 8. Takes two bodies with lens,Flash,Light meter,Bean bag,10 Cokin filters,Quite a few bits and pieces,Two side pockets full of useful bits,Front pocket with lots more bits and a side "pull-out" for spare cards and batteries.
Can't remember what I paid for it but it wasn't expensive and its proved to be very durable...Kenny

[Charlotte]

Jack, Silky + Woody ...

Originally Posted by WOODY

... I BOUGHT ONE FOR MY D200, IT'S OK BUT A BIT TIGHT WITH BATTERY GRIP ON.

That's exactly what most of the reviews for the current line-up of belt bags said re: the D3 It defeats the object if you have to struggle to get the camera out of the bag

[Charlotte]

Originally Posted by silkstone

It's a bit big to hang from a belt though. Unless you have a big belt.

That's the other problem Silky, one could end up with more bags/kit than belt

To avoid hijacking Jack's thread, I've started a new one on the question of housing the D3.

[mr cat]

I guess it depends on your age etc - but those Lowpro ones look like they're designed for old men and train spotters imo...get a crumpler.... very nice...

Crumpler - Photo Bags - Get your bag at the Crumpler Online Shop

[silkstone]

Ah, you mean as opposed to young men who fancy a 'Pretty Boy' and believe that 'Crumpler makes you Sexy'?

Gives me the trains any day.

[dandan]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

Tamrac do a fairly big toploader in three sizes, and there are three or four Lowepro models too.

I can't remember all of their names offhand, but the largest Tamrac is about £80 and seem very good value, and the largest Lowepro is about £160 - all RRP's so probably cheaper on the net.

Biggest problem is finding them all in one place to compare them.

Dabhand I am told the on good authority that the finest show of Camera bags is to be found on Silkstone Common

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by dandan

Dabhand I am told the on good authority that the finest show of Camera bags is to be found on Silkstone Common

[silkstone]

This is all mischievous misinformation put about my the last person who opened the storeroom door, and it's not fair 'cos it only took 20 minutes get him out from under the pile.

I am, in fact, down to my last 12 bags at the moment, and none of them are sissy Crumplers.

[JMitchell]

LOL you lot

[Dutchie]

Would I be an old lady if I would buy a lowepro nova5. I think that bag is affordable and has a lot of space in it as well. Have you made your choice Jack?

[silkstone]

The Nova 5 is excellent but rather heavy if you fill it up! If your mobility scooter is ever around these parts, you're welcome to call in a look at one. Embrocation will be provided.

[JMitchell]

I was also looking at the Nova 5, but think I will most likely go for the Tamrac Pro 8, so perhaps expect to see a Slingshot 200 on the selling list soon

[M1ke A]

Originally Posted by silkstone

Alternatives are the Billingham 550 - (even larger, has a glorious smell of leather but costs a lot) or maybe the Lowepro Stealth Reporter D650.

Lowepro - Stealth Reporter D650 AW

I have a 650 and it's a good bag . You can get a pro body & 70-200 f2.8 in the middle without any probs, along with another body and loads of other kit. In fact its downside is that you can pack loads in and it gets very heavy.

However I rarely use the top opening (the stealth zip that gives it its name) as I find it a little restrictive.

Oh and I got a bargain on Sat. Found a 2nd hand one of these for £100

[Dutchie]

Wow Mike, you've done well there

I've got one of those small lowepro's for a camera and lens. But my D200 with 18-200 lens doesn't fit in it. So I'm gonna have to fork out on a bag which gives me some space for a few more bits. To be honest, it doesn't even need to be that big. As I've got my lowepro backpack anyway, which I use when I go out. I might even go for the nova4 or even 3.

Silkstone, I've heard of girls having a tick on handbags. But men having a photobag tick How come you've got so many bags?

[silkstone]

Originally Posted by Dutchie

Silkstone, I've heard of girls having a tick on handbags. But men having a photobag tick How come you've got so many bags?

Well, you see, I didn't to start with....

And then I thought I should get a bigger one, and that was fine but too heavy when full. So I thought a backpack would be a good idea. No, not really - not convenient and probably a little too large. How about a smaller backpack? Well, OK, but maybe what I really need is a medium sized bag? Billingham bags look nice - let's get one of those. Ah, well, yes, but actually slightly heavier than most and perhaps not quite as much room as I'd hoped. Never mind, that Lowepro will be a good compromise - oh and look! - there's another Billingham going fairly cheap on eBay - can't miss that!

Etc, etc.