Maxpedition fatboy etc. as camera bag?

[tm3]

wondering how the fatboy, jumbo etc. would work as a bag for a DSLR with zoom lens attached. the dimensions indicate that the camera would fit, but i'm wondering if it is easy to get the camera in and out, is there still room for CCW, general level of satisfaction, etc.?

thanks for any input!

 

[powernoodle]

I have a couple of Fatboys and a Jumbo Fatboy. While I do not use them for a camera bag, I suspect that it would work. One consideration for me would be the lack of padding, i.e., the camera in the main compartment would be subject to whatever knocks and bumps the bag receives during use. I think that you could probably get an SLR with lens in and out of the main compartment without much trouble.

A concealed weapon of small to medium size would fit in the zippered compartment that lays closest to your body, but again there is no padding between it and the camera in the main compartment.

I use my Fatboys on field trips with my progeny, trips to amusement parks, etc., and use the Jumbo as a bugout type bag in my vehicle. They are very useful, and would work with a camera, but the padding issue is something to consider.

Peace out.

 

[tm3]

thanks for the info! the lack of padding is a good point.

i measued my DSLR and it is 4" tall. the measurement on the jumbo is 3" so i'm not sure it would be a good fit. maybe i'll consider the colossus.

there are several camera bags in this same style that i'm aware of but they don't have the CCW capability that i'm trying to get.

 

[Zero_Enigma]

While I don't own a Fatboy I do own a Thermite Versi-pak it's go-lite little brother in the versi-pak series.

I'm only commenting on the material here as the Thermite bag I have is durable witht he ballistic nylon but I would worry scratching the finish on the DSLR. I own a Canon S2-IS which I was thinking of using the Thermite for housing it originally till I decided to get a lens adaptor barrel which makes it look like a compact DSLR but it's not. Tho it does have many SLR features but not the true definition of a SLR. Anyways here is an idea I just thought of. Get some industrial strength velcro (I think Home Depot has them) and then buy some thin soft fabric at the fabric store or Wallyworld or I think Home Depot may have something there so you can get it all at one place tho I think Walmart may be better if they allow you to cut by the foot or something.

So what you do is you measure the inside of the bag then glue the velcro to the sides of the bag then put the other side of the velcro to the liner fabric then you can elimate the risk of scratching the LCD or finish of the camera.

 

[Buster Bodine]

I have a Jumbo I use while backpacking and I keep my ancient but much loved Sony Mavica in it along with everything I always tote into the woods with me. There's plenty of room in there for your camera and at least one or two other lenses, as long as you're not using those huge old 500mm telephoto jobbies.

Uhm, just coincidentally, I've got a brand new, in bag, with tags, Maxpedition Jumbo in Desert Tan that's been laying in the back of my "toy chest" for about a year and a half. I might be willing to trade if I was offered something cool. (Dunno what though, sorry)

 

[Edwood]

The Colossus is you best bet for a Maxped bag as a DSLR bag. You could carry large soom lenses around as well with Bottle Holders attached.

Scroll down 3/4 of the way down the page, and you'll see pics and comments about the Colossus being used as a photography bag.

http://www.milspecmonkey.com/maxpedition.html

 

[Buster Bodine]

Ya know, I've looked at that Colossus but I haven't tried to carry one. I've got to say though, I think the Jumbo is about the upper limit of what I'm willing to carry as a one-shoulder bag. As comfortable as the Jumbo is, it stills wears awful heavy after a few miles. I can't imagine what that well named colossus would feel like.

 

[Edwood]

Ya know, I've looked at that Colossus but I haven't tried to carry one. I've got to say though, I think the Jumbo is about the upper limit of what I'm willing to carry as a one-shoulder bag. As comfortable as the Jumbo is, it stills wears awful heavy after a few miles. I can't imagine what that well named colossus would feel like.

The Colossus is kind of an oxymoron name for this bag. As a Versapack it's quite large, relatively speaking. But as a bag in general, it's quite small. The overall outline is not much larger than my very small NeatFreak, but it's a lot deeper and has a lot more storage capacity.

As for the weight the padding does not add a lot of weight. It's heavier empty than other versapaks, but not that it makes it heavy in general. The real problem is the temptation to load it completely up, because it's capable of carrying a lot of stuff. Keep it lightly loaded and you'll have a nice small sized bag with a lot of protection for your gear.

I loaded mine with a lot of stuff, to the point where it's somewhere between 10-15lbs of gear. The shoulder strap is the weakest point, the padding is just inadequate for heavier loads. I ended up ordering this Domke US Postal Service Shoulder Pad, which is supposed to be legendary in comfort and durability.

-Ed

 

[Buster Bodine]

As for the weight the padding does not add a lot of weight. It's heavier empty than other versapaks, but not that it makes it heavy in general. The real problem is the temptation to load it completely up, because it's capable of carrying a lot of stuff.

Well, YEAH!

I loaded mine with a lot of stuff, to the point where it's somewhere between 10-15lbs of gear. The shoulder strap is the weakest point, the padding is just inadequate for heavier loads. I ended up ordering this Domke US Postal Service Shoulder Pad, which is supposed to be legendary in comfort and durability.

-Ed

That sounds interesting, I'll check it out, thanks!