It was a trip to Bali that started me on this. I needed a bag for two bodies with lens attached (as Bali can be quite dusty in places). I tried a few brands and decided that the Vanguard (Heralder 33) had the best all round features for my needs. Quick access, tall enough for the camera attached to the longest lens - 70-200f4 IS. Overall the bag performed very well. The only thing missing was the option I wanted to convert it to a backpack with optional straps - which was not available at the time before I left. Will be looking to get hold of this for my next trip. My photography buddies with me both carried only a single body in smaller bags but they complained that they had to keep changing lenses in poor conditions - thus not optimal.
The bag had room for a 13" laptop but I resisted the temptation to bring it along as I knew I did not have the time to do any editing while I was there for only four days. So it took all my resistance to bring along my Macbook Pro 13"!
The bag itself performed very well during my trip. No issues whatsoever and it kept its shape and performed as expected to protect my gear as well as being not too uncomfortable on my shoulders. The best way to carry it was across the shoulders. It has however the capability of being converted into a backpack with a backpack harness. I recently acquired the Think Tank harness and it works wonderfully despite being able to be packed into a small bag. Especially useful for travel in urban areas and when on foot for long hours. The option to change over is great.
My only slight regret - is that the bag is not small but again, its impossible to carry what I wanted to bring to Bali in any smaller configuration.
As for the lenses - what surprised me was how slow the 135L focussed on the 5D2. So in essence it was a disappointment. However the 70-200f4 IS on the 7D was super fast focussing and near bullet proof performance. Both my friends were thoroughly impressed with its performance in terms of capability to make first class captures in really difficult conditions like shooting from a moving vehicle.
I also regretted taking the 17-40 instead of the 24-105. As I could not keep changing lenses due to the conditions, the 17-40 stayed on the 5D but the gap between the 40mm end to the 70mm end of the 70-200 (on the 7D body) was too wide. Also I found that it was quite rare that I had to use the 17mm end.
The other regret was not having a top quality ND filter Grad ND filters. I thought I could do without them (or borrow from my friends) but I was wrong. Lost opportunities. Never again! Also - I never used the 1.4 Teleconverter as the 200mm end on the 7D was long enough for most uses. On this trip, I never needed the extension tubes or a macro lens. Maybe my next trip to Bali they will come in useful.
The Vanguard Bag -
(see this page for official info - Vanguard )
How it looked filled with lenses and cameras -
The gear I brought along -
How it looks on the shoulders of my son -
Here is a Youtube video of the bag - Vanguard Heralder Camera Messenger Bag - YouTube
I forgot to add in the images above the tripod I brought along!
(NB - all images taken with G9)
The bag had room for a 13" laptop but I resisted the temptation to bring it along as I knew I did not have the time to do any editing while I was there for only four days. So it took all my resistance to bring along my Macbook Pro 13"!
The bag itself performed very well during my trip. No issues whatsoever and it kept its shape and performed as expected to protect my gear as well as being not too uncomfortable on my shoulders. The best way to carry it was across the shoulders. It has however the capability of being converted into a backpack with a backpack harness. I recently acquired the Think Tank harness and it works wonderfully despite being able to be packed into a small bag. Especially useful for travel in urban areas and when on foot for long hours. The option to change over is great.
My only slight regret - is that the bag is not small but again, its impossible to carry what I wanted to bring to Bali in any smaller configuration.
As for the lenses - what surprised me was how slow the 135L focussed on the 5D2. So in essence it was a disappointment. However the 70-200f4 IS on the 7D was super fast focussing and near bullet proof performance. Both my friends were thoroughly impressed with its performance in terms of capability to make first class captures in really difficult conditions like shooting from a moving vehicle.
I also regretted taking the 17-40 instead of the 24-105. As I could not keep changing lenses due to the conditions, the 17-40 stayed on the 5D but the gap between the 40mm end to the 70mm end of the 70-200 (on the 7D body) was too wide. Also I found that it was quite rare that I had to use the 17mm end.
The other regret was not having a top quality ND filter Grad ND filters. I thought I could do without them (or borrow from my friends) but I was wrong. Lost opportunities. Never again! Also - I never used the 1.4 Teleconverter as the 200mm end on the 7D was long enough for most uses. On this trip, I never needed the extension tubes or a macro lens. Maybe my next trip to Bali they will come in useful.
The Vanguard Bag -
(see this page for official info - Vanguard )
How it looked filled with lenses and cameras -
The gear I brought along -
How it looks on the shoulders of my son -
Here is a Youtube video of the bag - Vanguard Heralder Camera Messenger Bag - YouTube
I forgot to add in the images above the tripod I brought along!
(NB - all images taken with G9)
