I like my Peak Design 10 L, and I figure it should fit your kit.
It's my walkaround bag and a good fit for the A9, Tamron 35-150, and Sony 20/1.8 (my street kit) with a bit of space to spare.
Can take reasonable amounts of rain and comes with a zipper. Doesn't fold entirely flat.
Thanks, I’ll check that one out, I do like Peak Design stuff.
I
love my original PD 10L Sling V1 (so much so I bought a second one on clearance cause I wasn't crazy about some of the changes to V2, aesthetically and with regards to the front pocket)... It'll definitely fit your 3 lenses with some room to spare and I can tell you the smaller 6L won't (I've been using that one more often but my 3rd lens is small - 2.75" or so), and the zipper pulls can be looped with each other for some security if you aren't using a lock.
I think the PD Slings fail in one respect tho, I wouldn't say they fold very flat at all... In fact I typically fill my 6L with stuff rather than trying to fold it flat and then I throw it inside my 45L carry on, but that might be harder to do with the larger 10L. You
will have room to spare inside it too since the two other lenses not mounted won't fully fill each divided section. I don't think the new 7L Outdoor is large enough at all (internal space with the camera cube actually seems smaller than the 6L...), but that one does fold flat.
I'm curious what else someone might recommend because I love slings myself and I'm curious what else is out there that could fold flatter or pack away better than PD's but still retain some dividers etc. I've been using the 10L less since I've been traveling with a 20L backpack + carry on, but I've been using the 6L a ton since I throw it inside the carry on as mentioned, along with other smaller slings or waist packs not meant for cameras.
PD's V2 Slings did generally improve on V1, nicer/detachable external carry straps, they stand on their own whereas V1 didn't necessarily manage that (5L V1 in particular, 6L replaced it), nicer zippers, etc. I love them, I just don't think they might be the ideal solution if you really need em to fold as flat as possible.
I used a ThinkTank Turnstyle 10L before the PD bags and I don't think that was meant to fold flat easily either but it was more tapered so a bit slimmer. Always wanted to but never tried Mindshift's (their sister brand) slings, could be worth a look too. I think most dedicated camera slings with dividers and such won't fold flat easily unless they're not very padded and/or unless you can take the internal cube w/dividers out and fold disassemble that to fold flat.
Edit: OTOH, the 10L should always pass as a "personal item" on any airline and should always fit under the front seat, so if you travel only with a single carry on bag (in addition to it) and don't mind using the 10L like that then it could be ideal (in the US, idk about restrictions elsewhere). In fact that's how I used and traveled with mine for years, still had room in there for headphones and other stuff (or a couple extra lenses). You
can overpack it easily which won't be comfortable for walking, but can be useful for air travel.
I only stopped using it like so when I started wanting to carry the 50-400 and/or a tripod at times, the lens was more awkward (but fit) in it and the tripod was just unwieldy on the bottom of the 10L (rode fine but adds too much weight to a single shoulder), I had started wanting more room for non-camera stuff too. That's where the 20L backpack came in... I kinda miss traveling with the 10L TBH, right now I shuffle stuff around a lot between my 6L and backpack once I'm at my destination, the 10L was more central for the camera stuff.
If you wanna see how any lenses fit in it just lmk, tho keep in mind I have V1 which I think might be wider (not sure)... Sometimes it's hard to picture how the folding dividers can segment the space or how well a lens will fit on top of another when it comes to smaller mirrorless gear.
Thanks for the detailed and very helpful post, as always it's very much appreciated.
I only got back from my Portugal trip last Friday and managed to get to my local camera store on Saturday (Park Cameras, UK) to check out the bags mentioned on this thread (and to pick up a lens.... oops!)
But also, I've thought about this some more and modified what I'm looking for. I've concluded that I'm covered for long haul trips and have that dialled in with existing luggage and camera bags.
However, it's short haul/shorter trips within the EU from my base in UK that I'm dialling in on now, something I want to do more of in 2025 and beyond. Especially photo-centric and impromptu 1 to 2 night city breaks.
There are basically 3 airlines that cater for this market in Europe. EasyJet, Wizz Air and Ryan Air.
They all work on the same model. That model is to offer a ridiculously cheap headline return fare, which includes an equally ridiculously small carry-on size. This is further complicated by the fact that the "free" carry-on is different for all 3 airlines. I'll come back to that.
The business model then allows you to add additional luggage either as a second larger carry on, or an even larger checked bag. The latter of which is unnecessary for short haul trips <2 weeks really.
The thing is, the headline return fare can be as low as £20 GBP, but immediately becomes at least £120 once you add an extra cabin bag or checked bag.
What I'd like is to do is more of these short trips and only with a "free" carry-on for those £20 tickets. Playing the airlines at their own game I can do a lot more of these trips.
This seems impossible for us photographers, but as a seasoned solo traveller I'm determined to find a way to make it work.
That means using seasoned travellers tricks like wearing a teeshirt with a shirt over it for the flight, the latter becoming your day 2 shirt, and so on. I recall Mark Galer talking about this somewhere before. That means you only have to pack underwear and the absolute basics of toiletries alongside your camera gear. Etc.
However, the free-carry on size varies for each of the 3 airlines mentioned. From most generous to least generous:
EasyJet - 45x36x20cm
Wizz Air - 40x30x20cm
Ryan Air - 40x25x20cm
So, I'm now working on Ryan Air as the least generous.
This rules out the Peak Design 10 litre because that is 42x25x13cm. I looked at it on Saturday and it's a great sling! It will accommodate what I want to carry, but it's a shade too big.
However, my camera store also carries the Wandrd range and their 9L sling is compelling! Plus it meets the size criteria being 34x22x18cm.
This sling is deceptively spacious given its dimensions. In store I was easily able to accommodate:
1. A1 with Small Rig baseplate attached and 20-70mm attached.
2. 20mm 1.8G
3. My newly acquired 50mm 1.2GM
4. 10" iPad
The above kit fitted with ease and with a fair amount of room to spare. I don't know how they managed it with a 9L sling?! Therefore I know that it'll also accommodate the bare minimum of extras I'll need for say a 2 night city break:
1. PD charger and USB cables.
2. Spare camera batteries and memory cards.
3. Bare minimum toiletries (can always buy more at destination)
4. Underwear and socks for max 2 nights.
I didn't buy there and then, but I'm minded to go back and get one. Price is £134 GPB. There is a funky range of colours to choose from as well as black!
https://eu.wandrd.com/en-gb/products/rogue-9l-sling?variant=40522317135914
If anyone knows of a better sling that holds as much and is <40x25x20cm I'd love to know!
Of course I'll pony up the price of extra baggage for longer trips, as I've always done.
Having said that, if I pay for extra carry-on, the smaller free one needs to be < 40x25x20cm anyway!
).
)
