Bag recommendations to hold 200-800mm lens + 3 lenses and EOS R7

[LoveWeims]

Camera Bag Conundrum

I have a Canon EOS R7, a 100mm macro lens, an 18-150mm telephoto, a 100-400mm telephoto, a 50mm lens and now - a 200-800mm telephoto lens.  My backpack camera bag has sufficed up until the LOOONG lens arrived, and I am debating what to do to protect it on hikes.  Finding a bag that will both protect and fit the 200-800mm lens and allow me to carry the “bare essentials” needed when I plan to use it (tripod, gimbal, spare battery, camera body) is the heart of my question to the community as checking pro-type bags out in person is not available in my area of the country,  

I have looked at the Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW III 28L  which has an attractive top load feature, but itself is 6 pounds and has more capacity than I think I will need.  

Any advice?  I am a wildlife photographer.  I intend to keep my current bags (backpack and small box type),

[Waddizzle]

Your requirements are pretty specific.  Have a chat with the specialists at B&H. They are really helpful.

[Waddizzle]

I forgot to add that they are closed on Saturday until after sundown. 

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

The truth about photographers…

• The number of camera bags we have is N
• The number of camera bags we need is N + 1

There are some photographers who follow this truth for camera bodies and lenses too.

[LoveWeims]

I am finding this to be true!  Going through the “order it, get it, evaluate it, return it” phase right now.  It is the Goldilocks Syndrome.  Yes, i measured my stuff, evaluated what i really likely will haul based on my photo goals for that day, and how much weight the bag alone adds.  I just ordered a Think Tank bag which will arrive tomorrow (that will be bag#3).

i will post what turns out to be “just right” for me and why if that will help anyone, esp newbies.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

I have the Protactic BP450.  I use it when I travel internationally.  It holds my R5 C, RF Trinity and RF100-500 and a 14" laptop.  Also batteries, cables, air puffer, etc.  I haven't reconfigured it to carry a body with the RF200-800 attached, but I'll bet it would fit using the top loader feature.  Think tanks have a nice design because the bottom of their boot is a little bit bigger so people don't have problems with the lens hood on or reversed getting them in or out. The lowenpro top loaders (I also own) have a smaller boot but they include all of the straps/belts for varied carry options. With think tank, you have to buy every single single belt/strap, option.  If you find the one that works for you, get it 🙂.  

[LoveWeims]

I looked very hard at that and it is very nice but way bigger than i think i need.  I tried the Vanguard Alta Sky 66 and it easily fit the large telephoto but it was too big and too heavy and did not allow for much storage of anything beside the camera and lens!  I ordered a Think tank Mindshift Backight Sprint which intrigued me for the security considerations esp when traveling on airplanes/thru airports etc and seems big enough for the 200-800mm with body and a couple others perhaps.  We will see!  

[LRK1]

I’m no expert but I recently took a trip to Alaska to do aurora, landscape and wildlife photography so I took everything except my 100mm macro lens. I settled on a Manfrotto messenger bag that fits under the seat on a plane so I didn’t have to put it in the overhead bin with who knows what being shoved in next to or on top of it. I took my R8 with the 24-50 kit lens, a 70–200 f4 L IS USM, and a 100-400 telephoto. I still had room for one more long lens, but I don’t know the dimensions of your 200-800mm so I can’t say if it would fit. I took my iPad and the usual assortment of batteries, charger, and cables, plus lens cleaning kit. I recall shoving assorted other things like gloves, snacks for the flight in there, too, so it had quite a bit of room. My favorite feature is the opening on top of the bag so I didn’t have to open up the whole thing to get to my camera. I am an older female and I could handle all of that okay traveling on planes, trains, and automobiles on that trip. Only thing that didn’t fit was my small but not travel sized tripod. It has straps for a tripod, though. And a strap along the back to hold it on top of a suitcase handle.

[John_Magnan]

I have the R6 MK2 with RF200-800, RF 70-200, RF 24-70.  All that fits in my Tamrac Anvil 27 back pack.  Also have room for spare batteries, filters, tripod, room to bring a sandwich couple bottles of water and a few other items to support an all day hike to find that perfect shot.  For traveling with my gear I use a hard pelican style case.  Got it on Amazon it's called Case Model 839.  Hope this helps.