Shoulder bag for Nikon D500 + 200-500mm

[robg]

Hi all,

I'm looking at bag options for my D500 + Nikon 200-500m zoom. I have a backpack that will fit this combination plus two or three other lenses (Lowepro Flipside 400AW), but quite often I want to just take my 200-500 mounted on the D500, maybe with just one extra lens, and I want something with greater ease of access than a backpack. I've just spent the last hour and a half tooling around on the internet trying to track down shoulder bags that might do the trick, but have just about drawn a blank.

Am I looking for something that simply doesn't exist? Are owners of long telezooms doomed to have to use backpack-style bags?

 

[wild-pics]

Hi all,

Am I looking for something that simply doesn't exist? Are owners of long telezooms doomed to have to use backpack-style bags?

I used this case for the D500+200-500 which I then carry in my backpack. I have two of these cases that I use now to carry both D500+500pf and Z7+70-200S side by side in my backpack.

ACPROLC18 - Large padded professional lens case by Ape Case.

ACPROLC18 designed to carry and protect most large DSLR 300mm f/2.8 lenses. Carry on its own or attach to a person or bag.

apecase.com

 

[robg]

I used this case for the D500+200-500 which I then carry in my backpack. I have two of these cases that I use now to carry both D500+500pf and Z7+70-200S side by side in my backpack.

ACPROLC18 - Large padded professional lens case by Ape Case.

ACPROLC18 designed to carry and protect most large DSLR 300mm f/2.8 lenses. Carry on its own or attach to a person or bag.

apecase.com

Thanks for the suggestion. I've seen this product mentioned elsewhere. Unfortunately, it seems to be hard (if not impossible) to find any retailer that currently stocks it here in the UK.

 

[Harry.G]

Hi robg

The Think Tank retrospective shoulder bag has had great reviews and is a pretty decent bag thats used by quite a few wedding photographers due to its rugged build and easy quick access... I suspect a size 5 or 7 would probably suit your needs..

There are quite a few reviews on YouTube if you`d like to check 1 or 2 of them out go here >>>> Retrospective 5 REVIEW Or this Retrospective 7 REVIEW

The above are the newest versions however there are a few of the Version 1`s that sell on ebay usually in mint condition for less the $100 provided you don`t mind buying used - I missed out on one a few weeks ago that sold for $80 in pristine condition - like this >>>> Retrospective 7 -EBAY

Hope this was of some help

EDIT ..... Upon reflection I hadn`t really looked properly at your requirements and thought you had said your combination was a "D500 with 70-200" now I see you are using a D500 with 200-500 which is much bigger combo so you may have to take a look at the Retrospective 10 ...


Harry.G

 

[Enschnetz]

I use a Think Tank " Glass Limo" currently, with my D500 & 200-500. I ditched the Nikon hood and found a straight 95mm hood ( thread on) on Amazon. The hood is only about 70mm long so the combo JUST fits for length. It doesn't really have space for another lens but once in a while I will cram a 50mm 1.8 in beside it.
I guess the downside is that it's another backpack style but it has a nice carry handle built into the top. I love the bag, it travels with me every day.

 

[wild-pics]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've seen this product mentioned elsewhere. Unfortunately, it seems to be hard (if not impossible) to find any retailer that currently stocks it here in the UK.

I got mine from Amazon Aust it was around 20GBP. B&H has it but postage to UK may be costly. Other options are Think Tank Glass Limo fits with hood in shooting position, Glass Taxi, Lowepro Flipside 300 AWii.

 

[robg]

EDIT ..... Upon reflection I hadn`t really looked properly at your requirements and thought you had said your combination was a "D500 with 70-200" now I see you are using a D500 with 200-500 which is much bigger combo so you may have to take a look at the Retrospective 10 ...

I'm afraid even the 10 is too small. I think I'm probably going to have to give up on the shoulder bag idea.

 

[robg]

I use a Think Tank " Glass Limo" currently, with my D500 & 200-500. I ditched the Nikon hood and found a straight 95mm hood ( thread on) on Amazon. The hood is only about 70mm long so the combo JUST fits for length. It doesn't really have space for another lens but once in a while I will cram a 50mm 1.8 in beside it.
I guess the downside is that it's another backpack style but it has a nice carry handle built into the top. I love the bag, it travels with me every day.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've looked at the Glass Limo and the smaller Glass Taxi. Both nice bags if all you want to carry is that one lens. Hmm.

 

[dabhand16]

Hi all,

I'm looking at bag options for my D500 + Nikon 200-500m zoom. I have a backpack that will fit this combination plus two or three other lenses (Lowepro Flipside 400AW), but quite often I want to just take my 200-500 mounted on the D500, maybe with just one extra lens, and I want something with greater ease of access than a backpack. I've just spent the last hour and a half tooling around on the internet trying to track down shoulder bags that might do the trick, but have just about drawn a blank.

Am I looking for something that simply doesn't exist? Are owners of long telezooms doomed to have to use backpack-style bags?

Tamrac do shoulder bags where you can carry a camera + long lens as their dividers have gates in them. I've had 2 and sold the first (a Tamrac Pro 12, I think) that I bought years ago to a friend who wanted to carry a D810 + Sigma 50-500, which it did easily. Just bought a Stratus 21 for my Fuji X kit that has the same layout. Worth checking if they have one big enough for your use.
This is the one that I got for my Fuji kit

Stratus 21

The bag for the working professional. From studio shots to wedding photography, Stratus has features you need like a removable TPU pouch, LensGate® technology, and Duraflex® buckles

www.tamrac.com

Might be worth looking at used tamrac Pro 12 too.

 

[robg]

Tamrac do shoulder bags where you can carry a camera + long lens as their dividers have gates in them. I've had 2 and sold the first (a Tamrac Pro 12, I think) that I bought years ago to a friend who wanted to carry a D810 + Sigma 50-500, which it did easily. Just bought a Stratus 21 for my Fuji X kit that has the same layout. Worth checking if they have one big enough for your use.
This is the one that I got for my Fuji kit

Stratus 21

The bag for the working professional. From studio shots to wedding photography, Stratus has features you need like a removable TPU pouch, LensGate® technology, and Duraflex® buckles

www.tamrac.com

Might be worth looking at used tamrac Pro 12 too.

I can't find a used Tamrac Pro 12 here in the UK, but that Stratus 21 looks like it could be a good option. How do you find it in terms of quality, usability and comfort? (I have no experience of Tamrac bags.)

 

[dabhand16]

I can't find a used Tamrac Pro 12 here in the UK, but that Stratus 21 looks like it could be a good option. How do you find it in terms of quality, usability and comfort? (I have no experience of Tamrac bags.)

Camera Cases, Bags & Covers for sale | eBay

Buy Camera Cases, Bags & Covers and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items

www.ebay.co.uk

Check the size though.

This Amazon page shows dimentions but they might be external

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00004X10B/

Here is a review

Review: Tamrac Pro 12

Launched back in February 2007, the Richard Flint Photography blog features an extensive archive covering classic and contemporary photography,

richflintphoto.blogspot.com

I've only had the Stratus 21 for 2 days! my favoured bags are Lowepro but the Tamracs are OK.

Where are you in the UK?

 

[robg]

Camera Cases, Bags & Covers for sale | eBay

Buy Camera Cases, Bags & Covers and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items

www.ebay.co.uk

Check the size though.

Strange: I looked on eBay but for some reason didn't see that one. The dimensions look OK – my D500 with the 200-500 mounted is "only" about 35cm long, so even if 48cm is the external length, it should be ample.

I've only had the Stratus 21 for 2 days! my favoured bags are Lowepro but the Tamracs are OK.

I have a Lowepro Flipside 400 AW, which is very sturdy and well made. My only complaint with it is that, for the overall size of the bag, the space inside is pretty tight. Plus it's a backpack, which is OK if trekking longer distances; for shorter distances/more casual use I prefer a shoulder bag of some kind.

Where are you in the UK?

North Warwickshire, just outside Coventry.

 

[dabhand16]

Too far for you to have a look at my one then!

I hate backpacks although I have 2!! A Lowepro Mini Trekker and a Lowepro Pro Runner 450 which is the only bag I have that will take my Sigma 150-600 sport. While they are great if you are doing a lot of walking, I can't stand it when you carry them with the handles and the straps trail on the ground. Lowepro used to do backpacks that had a zipped cover built-in to keep the straps stored when carrying the bag, but they don't seem to do this anymore. Also when you put it on the ground, the back of the bag can get grubbey and that is the surface that is on your back when you put it back on again. I think Peak Design do backpacks that open the other way to prevent this (the lid is on your back when wearing it) but the interiors are based on modules and I could not see a set that would suit me.

If you can't grab that ebay one (if you think it might do the job) I'm still in contact with the guy I sold my one to and he might have moved on to another bag since he bought it and might sell his one. if he still has it.

 

[robg]

I hate backpacks although I have 2!! A Lowepro Mini Trekker and a Lowepro Pro Runner 450 which is the only bag I have that will take my Sigma 150-600 sport. While they are great if you are doing a lot of walking, I can't stand it when you carry them with the handles and the straps trail on the ground. Lowepro used to do backpacks that had a zipped cover built-in to keep the straps stored when carrying the bag, but they don't seem to do this anymore. Also when you put it on the ground, the back of the bag can get grubbey and that is the surface that is on your back when you put it back on again. I think Peak Design do backpacks that open the other way to prevent this (the lid is on your back when wearing it) but the interiors are based on modules and I could not see a set that would suit me.

The Lowepro Flipside 400 AW gets around this by opening on the side that faces your back.

If you can't grab that ebay one (if you think it might do the job) I'm still in contact with the guy I sold my one to and he might have moved on to another bag since he bought it and might sell his one. if he still has it.

I'll bear that in mind, thanks

 

[dabhand16]

I did look at the Flipside when I got the Pro Runner. The guy was banging on how you could get to the kit without taking it off. But when I tried it I knew that the weight of my Nikon kit would make this impossible so I went for the Pro Runner as it was about the same size but a lot cheaper. If the prices were similar I would have got the Flipside.

I don't use the backpacks as much as my top loading shoulder bags so it was the right choice. I still hate them though

 

[DRwyoming]

Am I looking for something that simply doesn't exist? Are owners of long telezooms doomed to have to use backpack-style bags?

FWIW, I've tried two approaches for walk around photography where I want a shoulder bag instead of a full backpack to hold a camera and a long lens.

- A Domke Messenger bag. This works just ok with the D500 and 500mm PF that barely fits and I used to use it with the D500 and 200-500mm but the lens had to be fully retracted with the lens hood in its reversed position. It's tight squeeze with either setup so it didn't really satisfy the rapid access goal but it is a smaller, lighter and somewhat quicker setup than an actual photo backpack. It's also unobtrusive and doesn't really look much like a photo pack so it's not a bad option for more urban areas where you don't really want to advertise photo gear and a long lens. https://www.adorama.com/dmf803rwmg....D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&utm_source=nmpi-google-dsa

- A bike messenger bag. These come in a variety of sizes and I have a large one I used to use for bike commuting that easily carries a DSLR with the 200-500mm or similar lens attached. If anything this approach was a bit bulky though that has a lot to do with the specific bike messenger bag I currently own which is fairly large. There are tons of these out there but check bike shop sites or REI or something like that to see options. FWIW, the one I use is from Timbuk2 and it's very well built and I know they make smaller versions which is what I'd get if I specifically wanted to use with with the D500 and 200-500mm lens.

Realistically neither of these bags is padded for cameras, the Domke comes with and accepts various padded camera insert modules but none of them are large enough for a D500 with 200-500mm lens mounted so when I use that bag I pull out the padded inserts. The bike messenger bag I have is easily large enough to add some padding in there but you'd have to come up with some kind of custom insert or use something like very large Domke Wraps for a combo like the D500 and 200-500mm.

I'll sometimes use one of these approaches for things like longer dog walks around ponds and streams where wildlife is a possibility but hit or miss and if I want some weather protection if the day is questionable. If the weather is great I'll just use a Black Rapid strap and not worry about a pack of any sort. But if it's a longer hike or I want to carry multiple lenses I'll carry an actual photo backpack.

 

[robg]

FWIW, I've tried two approaches for walk around photography where I want a shoulder bag instead of a full backpack to hold a camera and a long lens.

- A Domke Messenger bag. This works just ok with the D500 and 500mm PF that barely fits and I used to use it with the D500 and 200-500mm but the lens had to be fully retracted with the lens hood in its reversed position. It's tight squeeze with either setup so it didn't really satisfy the rapid access goal but it is a smaller, lighter and somewhat quicker setup than an actual photo backpack. It's also unobtrusive and doesn't really look much like a photo pack so it's not a bad option for more urban areas where you don't really want to advertise photo gear and a long lens. https://www.adorama.com/dmf803rwmg....D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&utm_source=nmpi-google-dsa

- A bike messenger bag. These come in a variety of sizes and I have a large one I used to use for bike commuting that easily carries a DSLR with the 200-500mm or similar lens attached. If anything this approach was a bit bulky though that has a lot to do with the specific bike messenger bag I currently own which is fairly large. There are tons of these out there but check bike shop sites or REI or something like that to see options. FWIW, the one I use is from Timbuk2 and it's very well built and I know they make smaller versions which is what I'd get if I specifically wanted to use with with the D500 and 200-500mm lens.

Realistically neither of these bags is padded for cameras, the Domke comes with and accepts various padded camera insert modules but none of them are large enough for a D500 with 200-500mm lens mounted so when I use that bag I pull out the padded inserts. The bike messenger bag I have is easily large enough to add some padding in there but you'd have to come up with some kind of custom insert or use something like very large Domke Wraps for a combo like the D500 and 200-500mm.

I'll sometimes use one of these approaches for things like longer dog walks around ponds and streams where wildlife is a possibility but hit or miss and if I want some weather protection if the day is questionable. If the weather is great I'll just use a Black Rapid strap and not worry about a pack of any sort. But if it's a longer hike or I want to carry multiple lenses I'll carry an actual photo backpack.

Thanks for the input. I'm really struggling on the shoulder bag/messenger bag front. I don't really want to have to try to adapt a non-camera bag.

 

[robg]

Tamrac do shoulder bags where you can carry a camera + long lens as their dividers have gates in them. I've had 2 and sold the first (a Tamrac Pro 12, I think) that I bought years ago to a friend who wanted to carry a D810 + Sigma 50-500, which it did easily. Just bought a Stratus 21 for my Fuji X kit that has the same layout. Worth checking if they have one big enough for your use.

I was considering splashing out on the Tamrac Stratus 21, but I'm a bit worried that, with the D500 + 200-500 sitting along the top, there won't be room for any anything else either side of the lens. And I'm not sure how much room there is underneath. Hmm.

 

[DRwyoming]

I was considering splashing out on the Tamrac Stratus 21, but I'm a bit worried that, with the D500 + 200-500 sitting along the top, there won't be room for any anything else either side of the lens. And I'm not sure how much room there is underneath. Hmm.

Understandable.

There are so many lenses out there in the 150-600, 200-500 and 200-600mm class these days that maybe someone will actually make a padded, camera specific shoulder bag that takes one of these lenses mounted on a matching DSLR or mirrorless body. I haven't found one yet that's ready to use in this way.

 

[robg]

Understandable.

There are so many lenses out there in the 150-500, 200-500 and 200-600mm class these days that maybe someone will actually make a padded, camera specific shoulder bag that takes one of these lenses mounted on a matching DSLR or mirrorless body. I haven't found one yet that's ready to use in this way.

Yeah: I'm actually quite surprised there aren't more carrying solutions on the market for these types of lenses, given how popular they've become.

 

[Bigmo]

After trying several bags and packs, for traveling lite, I chose the Think Tank 150 pro digital holster. Sometimes use bag strap ,other times a belt.

 

[robg]

After trying several bags and packs, for traveling lite, I chose the Think Tank 150 pro digital holster. Sometimes use bag strap ,other times a belt.

I've been considering that one, yes. I just wish there was an option to include an additional lens or two as well…

 

[robg]

I used an apecase which was perfect for a D7500+200-500 attached with the hood reversed. It’s not a great bag, with no pockets, but served it’s purpose for me at the time.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009KY5YYO/

I've seen this bag mentioned quite a few times here and there. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK now.

 

[dabhand16]

Many years ago Lowepro used to do a Pro Trekker that resembled a briefcase in style. You could carry it with a handle, fit shoulder straps on it and it had backpack straps too. Three in one. I could not afford it back then but have always regretted not getting it. To my knowledge they have never made anything like this since, nor has anyone else.

Have you looked at the Peli range or the copies? My main bag is a Lowpro Magnum 650 Internal about 43cm long, 29 wide and 25 deep. Worth a look.

Just put my D850 in the Tamrac and from the lens mount there is 33cm to the end of the bag. It is 23cm wide and 25cm deep. It has 2 big end pockets and storage under the camera body at each end with standard configuration. 2 front pockets with small bits and pieces cases that fit behind the front pockets. There is a laptop pocket and a trolley case sleeve on the back with a zipped bottom, so a pocket if not on a trolley bag.

 

[robg]

My main bag is a Lowpro Magnum 650 Internal about 43cm long, 29 wide and 25 deep. Worth a look.

I looked at teh Magnum 650 but wasn't sure. Plus it ain't cheap…

Just put my D850 in the Tamrac and from the lens mount there is 33cm to the end of the bag. It is 23cm wide and 25cm deep. It has 2 big end pockets and storage under the camera body at each end with standard configuration. 2 front pockets with small bits and pieces cases that fit behind the front pockets. There is a laptop pocket and a trolley case sleeve on the back with a zipped bottom, so a pocket if not on a trolley bag.

Thanks for the extra info. After spending far too long on Amazon this afternoon, I've just ordered this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AT8X80C/

I don't really know whether it will be suitable, or what the quality is like, or whether I'll decide it's too big and heavy and just give up on the whole idea. At least with Amazon I can return it if I'm not happy.