How do you carry the DA*300?

[mtngal]

I just bought a DA*300, and it doesn't easily fit in the Slingshot 200. How do people deal with carrying this lens as well as others? I'm now trying to find either a new bag or a system to carry the lens. I don't want a backpack - whatever is in them doesn't get used as I hate taking it off and putting it back on a million times. The slingshot works very well for me as I can carry more than I remember being able to comfortably carry in a regular shoulder bag, but I'm starting to re-think this. Is there any sling bag that is big enough? Or should I start looking at either harness systems or a larger shoulder bag? Or a combination of some sort?

How do you handle hiking/carrying this lens along with several others?

[kerrowdown]

Have a look at the Crumpler range of products, they will have one to meet your needs.

[HermanLee]

I resort to this one versatile bag:
Video bags camera bags Kata - Manufacturer of camera bags

for my K20D + FA*80-200/2.8 (which is way bigger & heavier than DA*300)

[pxpaulx]

Originally Posted by HermanLee

I resort to this one versatile bag:
Video bags camera bags Kata - Manufacturer of camera bags

for my K20D + FA*80-200/2.8 (which is way bigger & heavier than DA*300)

Well, to the thread title I was going to respond (if I owned it) - very carefully!

Herman beat me to a great option. Pretty much a sling bag the size of a backpack (or a backpack that thinks its a sling?). It can be either (that versatility makes it stand alone I believe). No problem fitting the k20d/grip w/50-135 and lens hood in extended position - and it is not a tight fit.

[mtngal]

Thanks for verifying that the 3N1-30 will work with the DA*300. I wish I could find one locally so I could see just what it would hold. I almost bought one last fall when my previous Slingshot 200's zipper gave out (from over-stuffing), but Costco had them for $67, so I just replaced mine. I wonder if the Kata would hold the K7, DA*300, and at least 3 other large lenses, maybe more? My lens collection is getting larger, not only in numbers but in the size of the lenses, too.

At the moment the Kata is leading the field. I might have been tempted by a big Tamron shoulder bag I saw, until I looked at the price tag ($299 is a bit much for me to spend on a camera bag, no matter how big, well made and organized it is!). I don't suppose anyone here would know of a camera store in SoCal that would have the Kata 3N1-30 in stock, do they?

[pxpaulx]

try looking up a retailer through the Bogen Imaging Inc. | photo - audio - cine - broadcast - video - digital website. As far as how much will the 3n1 30 hold? well, as mentioned above I can fit the k20/grip and 50-135 with hood extended. Following that, if needed, I can fit everything else in my sig - and most of it in the bottom camera section, with room in the top for a netbook and probably a light jacket.

[mtngal]

My only problem with finding on is finding one in-stock. I called 3 different camera stores who carry Kata and none had the 30 (all had the 10 and 20).

You all are selling me on the 30 bag - I'm still not quite sure what combination of lenses I'll want to carry on a regular basis. As much as I'd like to take along all of my main ones, I think it's probably impractical. I do know that I'll want the ability to carry both the DA*300 and DA*200 at the same time, along with at least 2 or 3 lenses, which could potentially be the DA*50-135, DA*16-50 and Viv S1 105 macro - none exactly small. I'm discovering that camera bags could easily have enough slots for so many lenses, but the slots are often too small, or if you can fit one of these big lenses in, you can't fit in the others.

Is there an easy way to carry a tripod with the 30? I saw their tripod carrier about a year ago but it seemed like it disappeared. I figured out an easy way to do it with the Slingshot 200. I've also thought about the Tenba Shootout bag - I don't know if its big enough but it offers tripod straps on the side.

[pxpaulx]

The tripod question is an excellent one, as I am in that boat right now. I just got a gitzo series 1 basalt, which is just over 3 pounds. I am looking to add a photo clam ball head bringing it to about 4 pounds. Considering that kata's official solution basically involves a nylon bowl-like base attached to both bottom clips (via tie-on straps - I think their website has a video showing how it works), and a velcro strap around the top handle, I am going to go with two velcro straps from rei, strapping it directly to the top handle, and then having it slightly angled and directly strapping it to one of the clips on the bottom side (rather than strapped to both in the middle, as kata's solution does).

I have sort of tried this solution already and it seems adequate (just need a larger strap for the top as the one I have only goes through 2 legs and not around the whole tripod).

I think you can order the official version directly from the bogen site above (may be backordered) and I am pretty sure B&H has them (may also be per-order basis).

Well, after re-watching the official video, I dont know if I will be comfortable with my solution! I have a padded case coming anyways and will probably just carry separately. Their tripod holder does look pretty secure though, but I dont know about my DIY, will have to re-think it, oh well. back to square one I guess

Edit: backordered at BH, Amazon, listed as new waiting from manufacturer on Adorama; says its available at the bogen website, possible as they are the US distributor, but more than likely actually not in stock as that site doesnt really be intended for shopping...

[pxpaulx]

One other thing, If you are on the fence and can take a look at the 20 version relatively close by, I would go and take a look. It really is the exact same bag, minus 3 inches (or whatever the exact dimensions are) on the width side. Same height and depth. I am suggesting this because I saw the 20 in store just after I got the 30, and it will give you a good idea of the quality and size (you may decide the 20 is even enough, although what you listed that you may want to carry, the 30 probably would be the way to go).

[mtngal]

I discovered the same thing you did about the tripod accessory, but Calumet's website is showing it in stock. I think that your idea might work with a bit of modification. At the moment I'm carrying my gitzo CF Series 2 attaches to the Slingshot with 3 pieces of double sided velcro and a flat piece cut out of a plastic milk carton. There might be a way to adapt that to the Kata somehow, but I'm not sure.

pxpaulx - I've looked at the 20 but know it's not big enough (a local camera store carries the 10 and 20 all the time). There's not a lot of difference between the Kata and the Slingshot 200 I already have, and the Slingshot was somewhat marginal (depending on what I wanted to carry) before I got the DA*300. So it's going to be the 30, I think.

[NaClH2O]

How about externally?
I've got the Sigma 180mm macro and it is basically the same size as the 300mm (I just checked...3.3x7.2 for the 300; 3.1x7.2 for the 180) . I can fit it in my slingshot 300, but with precious little room left over for anything else. So I got a lowepro exterior padded case that attaches to the hip belt or the shoulder strap of the slingshot, I prefer the hip belt as it doesn't slide around as much on a horizontal belt. Here is the soft case I use:
http://www.adorama.com/LPSFLC3.html
It works quite well. I don't use the 180 as much as I should, it's too big to hand hold for macros, but at least carrying it isn't that much of a chore once I got the soft padded case.

NaCl(and it is sure cheaper than a new bag)H2O

[apisto]

Originally Posted by pxpaulx

...I am suggesting this because I saw the 20 in store just after I got the 30...

Which store did you see the Kata in? I looked in National Camera and I didn't see them. I ended up getting the Slingshot 200.

[pxpaulx]

Originally Posted by apisto

Which store did you see the Kata in? I looked in National Camera and I didn't see them. I ended up getting the Slingshot 200.

West photo in downtown mpls (next to surdyk's liquor/high end cheese, haha - might be an easier landmark!) - www.westphoto.com - they have a TON of bags. Tamrac, lowepro, kata, and others, and from what I saw pretty much everything all of those brands offered. Easily 3 times the amount of bags natcam carries, and it is all bigger bags generally - they are not catering to the p&s crowd that is for sure. Some really big, high end stuff. It is a nice shop, they do studio gear rental too (nikon and canon stuff from what I could gather, they dont carry pentax).

MTNgal. I think my primary concern with just strapping it on with several velcro straps was that after watching the official tripod attachment demo, it seems they put most of the weight supported with the d-ring on the middle/back of the pack.

I went to REI and picked up a 3rd velcro strap to run through the d-ring and down under the center column and d-ring (since the gitzo stays tight together with a velcro strap around the bottom, a second strap can run under the center column without coming loose), and that seems to help support it well enough.

I think I will do a mini review and cover the bag, tripod and the photo clam ball head I hope to get early this week after next weekend (going up north to a relative's cottage next weekend). Hopefully I can put everything to the test together and give a good rundown on what works (hopefully everything!), and what doesnt.

[mtngal]

An external bag is the second option I've been thinking about. There are some advantages and disadvantages to it. The big disadvantage is that I have the Slingshot 200, which doesn't have the hip belt (I didn't want a bag with one you couldn't take off). I use the side for the tripod, which would be a logical (if not very convenient) spot for an external pocket. Putting a big lens like that using the pocket on the upper part of the shoulder strap doesn't look like it would work well. It would work well to have it on the bottom of the shoulder strap - but I already use that for a water bottle or a GPS. I could still put it on a belt on the right side, along with the phone and the GPS when I'm carrying the water bottle. I think I need a pack mule!

I'd be very interested in seeing what you come up with and the tripod. I ended up removing the center column and put one of the legs through the velcro loop I have attached to the Slingshot's top grab loop. That supports the weight then I have two other velcro strips that I wrap around the legs to keep the tripod stable and closed. These two strips go through a flat piece of milk carton (top and bottom) that is stuck in the side slit for external bags. It works reasonably well, and is completely removable.

[pxpaulx]

hey, just an aside I was wondering if you were the same mtngal that used to post over on steves digicams. I havent gone on those boards in forever, used to post under milrodpxpx under panasonic, later the pentax boards there...funny how you eventually end up at the same points in photographic growth!