which do you have and would you buy it again??

Boda & Yes. Had a few friends lose their lenses in the ShootSac (dropped out). Also, my wife likes having the Boda as a waist belt. Takes the stress off her shoulders and back a little. Boda has lots of great pockets. Weatherproof and just the right size for everything. Solid design. I know people love their ShootSacs too though. For us, Boda was a better fit.

Boda. Didn't buy it the first time, but I'd ask for it as a gift again. It's great.

Boda and yes two times! Combo'd with the R Strap it's awesome!

bobbi=shootsac
mike=boda

we both love ours for our own reasons.

The Boda is a bit bulkier but has more compartments for stuff. It's a very smart bag.

The Shootsac is slim, hugs my hip, fits exactly what I need... and OH SO stylish.

my wife and i have shootsacs. so far i've had no issues with either of them. i am looking into getting a sturdier bag for my bigger lenses. haven't found one yet, but really impressed with armin's review. he has a killer review on his blog on the boda bag.


http://armindefiesta.blogspot.com/2008/02/...en-waiting.html

Boda... although I have never tried shoot sac. I do love my boda.

ShootSac, and I would buy another one in a minute. Love it, love how it fits, love wearing it, love that the neoprene has never torn up my clothes like so many other bags have in the past.

I've had both and IMHO they both have their perks.

I think I like the smaller Boda for light travel. I could get my camera and 2 lenses into that. The large Boda would be awesome for a guy but for me it was too heavy and too awkward to change lenses on the fly with.

The Shootsac still wins hands down for ease of switching lenses. I just wish that there was a classier shoulder pad (I use a $3 Wal Mart Special!) and that the neoprene had a bit more stretch to it so that it bounced back after having a lens in it. Mine is a bit stretched out now and I worry about my lenses falling out more.

i love my sac. can't shoot wtihout it. its pretty. its fashionable - and seriously, that means a lot to me.

i would love a shootsac version of a camera bag to carry my camera on small personal trips with only like two lenses... hint hint.....

shootsac
sHoOtSaC
SHOOTSAC

have had both; knew after the first or 2nd use that boda wasn't what i was looking for; but note:
shootsac is like a purse, for lenses...it's a LENS bag, NOT a camera bag. If you're thinking you at times want to put your camera INSIDE, this probably isn't the bag for you. (though with a camera body cap and no lens attached, you can squeeze the 5D in a pocket.

here's my go-to combination of late:
take a rolling case on site (into church or into reception hall, etc); leave extra bodies, batteries, chargers, lighting stuff etc in THAT bag; WEAR the lenses and cards in card case (and aargh, reminding myself: business cards plus one extra camera battery, too) in shootsac. then carry the camera you'll be shooting with in hand.

further note: i've not had any problems with the 70-200 lens BUT (noting the "you've heard of others losing their lenses") always put it in the back center slot as suggested.

good luck!

i would not recommend 'squeezing' a camera into one of those pockets - that is putting a lot of stress onto the seems and will just cause them to eventually loosen and that is the last thing you want to happen.....

I've been trying the shootsac for a couple of weeks now-

I wish it had just a few more pockets. I end up with one pocket for batteries and it seems like I have to really dig in there and fumble to get them out.

Not only that, but I'm finding that switching lenses can be dangerous if you have butter fingers. I dropped my lens this week when I pulled it out of the sac.

The good points- it definitely hugs my hip and it is a more streamlined look.

boda. love it. i think it may have a lot to do with the fact that i wear it with the waist strap, not the shoulder strap.

You know what on second thought...

If your lens has the potential to fall out of your bag, that's probably not a good thing.

Go with the Boda... seems to be more for the guys also.

Corey Ann - I totally agree with you on the wish for a classier shoulder pad on the Shootsac! I love my shootsac, but after a long-day of shooting a wedding, my shoulder KILLS.

The 1st time I ever used my shootsac....my 70-200 IS fell out. It hit the concrete pretty hard and shattered my UV filter. (At first glance I thought it was broken-broken and I got sick to my stomach!) I sent it in to Canon for a $190 repair and it was fine...but still. I had to shoot that next weekend's wedding without it.

BUT, now that I knooooow that every time I put my 70-200 into my shootsac, I have to push it ALL THE WAY in, I haven't had an issue with it.

HOWEVER, my only big complaint about my shootsac (other than my poor shoulder) is that it's sooooo dusty! My lenses just get so filthy so quick...does anyone else have this issue? It think the neoprene is shedding.

I still like it enough to keep using my shootsac, but...my eyes are very open to something new-and-better.

shootsac! so comfy, fits everything i need: even the big 70-200 lens, but make sure you take jessica claire's advice and put it in the BACK pocket on the very left, so it rests in the small of your back. works like a charm!

I love my shootsac - don't know how I ever lived without it.

I do wish that Jessica would come out with something soft and comfortable to slip over the strap (please Jessica - are you reading this?) because the strap is the only thing about it that I don't like. It digs in my shoulder.

You might want to consider a Think Tank Urban Disguise or modular belt. That huge flap on the Shootsac is a big pain. If you need a lens fast, the belt is the fastest option.

I've broken TWO of my lenses carrying them in the shootsac. I'll use it for SMALL lenses now - like my 100mm macro, 50mm, and the fisheye - but my L glass doesn't dare enter that bag anymore. I rarely ever use it at all unless it's a venue where it's just not fesible to drag my ThinkTank around and I don't have an assistant with me.

There are a lot of people that do reviews with the boda bag check out Armin De Fiesta and Matthew DeJesus

check out their reviews you will love it. I just bought it and it is so great and safe. Nothing is falling out of that bag!! I never tried the Shootsac though.

Can't comment on the Boda, but had a ShootSac and it just didn't work for me.

I dropped lenses - a lot. The final straw was when I lost a 70-200 into the water never to be seen again. Slipped right out! Not cool!!

And the straps... mine looked as if it was going to bust at the seam after just the first month. I never had an actual problem with it, but it looked inevitable the way it was pulling. Plus, it really hurt my shoulder at the end of the day.

I do agree that I loved how the bag hugged my body and how stylish it was - but that just isn't enough for me with so much equipment at stake.

~~~

I've since found a ~great~ messenger bag and added Domke inserts in the middle and it's been the perfect solution. Stylish, roomy and secure.

By any chance, is it the Tenba Messenger?

Hey there! No, it's just a great leather messenger bag that I found at the Seatac airport and knew would work. http://www.queenbee-creations.com/items/137#.

It is roomy in the middle and fits my Domke inserts perfectly. It has plenty of compartments, a sturdy strap, and is really easily accessible. My big thing is that I don't use a neck strap, so I need a bag that I can quickly stash my camera with a lens attached in a moments notice. This bag does it!

For those with the strap diggin in issue I highly suggest popping over to Wally World (Wal Mart) or any place that sells auto prodcuts and picking up one of their seatbelt covers. I have a black microsuade one and it's not pretty and tends to roll but it's better than the strap w/o anything!

While I do LOVE both of my Boda bags and will be using them forever (highly recommend it!), I do wish for something a bit classier when appropriate. I wonder what the ladies at GoBEE are gonna come up with after seeing their initial products.

I've had my Shootsac for a year and love it. Boda bags are nice too.

I *try* to be a bit more hip and stylish and the Shootsac helps me in that department.

I've used both and I say the Boda Bag wins hands down. I love that there are compartments for everything, including a water bottle and nice little compartments for my cards. The Shootsac didn't work for me. Yes, it is stylish but I got very frustrated with it from the start. I love using the waist belt on the Boda Bag. I'm also not worried about lenses falling out AND my 70-200mm fits in with the lens hood on. That's awesome.

and i bet you have the giddy cover toooooo.....

lol

So, my wife sports the Boda as her bag of choice since she is a one camera, 3 lenses girl. I however, prefer to shoot 2 cameras and not switch lenses (unless I really need to). What is the best camera bag out there that will hold a 5D plus grip with a medium lens (24-70 or 135L) and has room for some CF cards, biz cards, snacks, etc...?

Hey Chris,
I am anxious to hear some answers too but for people I have second shot for they had the boda and a roller. Might need to start using a roller or I am thinking about using these

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MULXPY/photonet

They seem to carry a lot. I dont know, I would need a lot of tylenol after shooting a wedding with that on.

during the wedding? your going to be using a rollie bag during the wedding?

am i confused?

I use a Shootsac but I have dropped one of Cesar's lenses out of it and broken the filter only but just can't do a bigger bag. Other than that Shootsac works for me!

no i talked about a roller and then I had a link to a bagpack camera bag.... sorry I talked about two different bags yeah it was confusing.
Although I still dont think you would wear it the whole weddding

I love my shootsac and like others, wonder why I waited so long to buy one. Have never tried a Boda bag.

It is true, that you have to give it a chance to stretch out (like 6 months of continual use). My husband has one now and he hated it at first because it was so tight, so I gave him mine and will stretch out the new one. And, he loves the cowboy cover and is thankful Jess came out with a masculine cover. Yay! I will agree that you need to put a pad on the strap, because if you are carrying your lovely 70-200mm lens in the back pocket, it can get a little heavy. I had to ask DJ about that and his comment was ABSOLUTELY he carries that lens in the shootsac!

Some of you have complained that your lens' have fallen out. I highly recommend that if you are carrying multiple lens' that you put them in the back pockets and snap them shut.

Now I have a cover for every outfit and then some!

op tech has some strap covers i think...

I have a large backpack that carries everything I need, but it is annoying to have something pulling on your back all day. That is the same reason I get annoyed with my SlingShot 200 after about 4 hours. I am looking for a bag that will go over my chest/shoulder and sit on my side that can hold a camera with lens on it. The ThinkTank belt seems to be the only thing I can find that may meet my needs. Anything else out there made for us 2 camera people besides backpacks?

Generally...women wear shootsacs and guys wear boda.

I can't use a Shootsac...won't fit my zooms plus I have read toooooooo many times that people have dropped lenses. A bag should be stylish but more importantly functional. If it can't fit my lenses and I take the chance of dropping them, then the bag isn't functional.

I was going to sell my Boda and switch back to a belt system but I bought the Think Tank speed system and was disappointed at the fact that I could not get my lenses into their bags easily due to the flimsy top.

I have switched back to Boda and I am now trying it as a sling instead of a belt and I am liking it.

I was in the same boat as Mike, deciding between Boda and Think Tank, and went with the Think Tank and absolutely love it. It's definitely not nearly as stylish as the other options, but I'll take functionality over style any day (just ask my girlfriend). The modular system is fantastic, and I don't have the problem with slipping the lenses in and out, I can get my 70-200 with hood on into the pouch in one try, and it's solidly in there no matter what I do. I also use a Digital Holster 50 attached to the belt to hold my second body (40D w/ battery grip). So I'm carrying around a 40D, usually with 70-200 2.8 IS on it in the DH50, a 5D w/ 24-70 and 580 ex II around my neck, 16-35 2.8, and 50 1.4, plus batteries and cards, keys, sometimes a Sekonic flash meter... it all fits with no problems and I don't have to worry about putting anything down and having it walk away, and no matter what I do, nothing's going to fall out. The integrated rain covers are nice too if you shoot in places where you might get rained on.

Highly recommend looking at the Think Tank system if you want to consider another alternative.

I love my shoot sac but the strap does dig in a little. I might have to try the idea of the seat belt things on it. I've never dropped a lens and I'm constantly crouching down, bending over, leaning, etc. I put the 70-200 in the back pocket like Jessica suggests and it never even comes close to falling out.

Nate had a Kata backback that he was IN LOVE with because it fit so nicely on his back. But for weddings it isn't as practical for switching lenses.

Domke has a shoulder pad that I sometimes use with my shootsac. It velcro's on, and doesn't slip off your shoulder...

Domke Pad

I'm happy with my shootsac and haven't dropped anything out of it yet---I do always put my 70-200vr in the far back pocket though... sometimes I wish it was just a tad larger as I always seem to have so much misc stuff that I want with me, but overall I'm happy.

For those of you who's 70-200's took a dive, can you explain exactly how the lens is falling out? Is it a matter of them not being pushed down far enough, so the neoprene's elasticity causes them to creep farther and farther up until they pop out? Are the openings simply too small? (I don't get why Jessica Claire doesn't do two versions, an original for primes and a larger one for zooms.) Or are your movements - i.e. slinging the bag from back to front, crouching low, doing all the contortionist moves we do to get a shot - causing movement in the bag that causes the lens to flip?

It is well publicized that the 70-200 should go in a certain pocket. Has anyone had theirs fall out when it was in the "correct" pocket?

this past weekend shooting the metal clip on my sac came apart and the sac and my lenses hit concrete. so far the lenses seem ok. the sac has been passed down to my girls. (no L glass) still hunting for a bag, but looks like boda has my name on it.

Well, FWIW - it was not initially publicized that it had to go in any specific pocket. The first time mine fell out - it was in one of the front pockets, the second time it was in the recommended pocket. I'm *guessing* movement causes it to creep up in the pocket then fall out. My 24-70 has also fallen out - my 85 1.2 has come close (like so close that it would have fallen had it not been caught). After the first casulty I was very very very careful to make sure they were pushed all the way to the bottom - but the fatter lenses still seem to creep out. I think it's quite possible that crouching plays a role in it, but I was always very careful to never ever sling my bag around. None of my cheap lenses have ever fallen out though, hahaha! The 50 1.4, the 100mm macro, my old 85 1.8, they all stayed put just fine. Only the expensive ones seem to dislike the bag enough to try to escape. Mine has become the official Flash & Battery bag. That's really about all I trust it with. I thought about selling it at one point - but I have concerns that mine may not be sewn correctly or something - I wouldn't feel right selling it to someone else so their lenses can jump out of it too. I do know of a few other people who've had the same issues I have - but most people just say the 70-200 falls out.Send them in anyway and have them checked, seriously - my 24-70 seemed fine after it fell - till I downloaded the images and they looked like crap because one of my elements had shifted.

thanks melody i will for sure. i had a friend drop his 70-200 worked fine for a month. next wedding. crapville.

I use a Tamrac Pro5, I was originally going to purchase the velocity sling pak. Having a large upper chest made it impracticle and dangerous. Fortunately there was a Pro5 on the shelf I love this bag... it holds just enough to keep me mobile. I can easily reach in and grab the camera with the 70-200mm attached. It can hold two other lenses and an sb-800 easily, plus accessories in a relatively small form factor. It is top loading and secured by a zipper, velcro and a quick release connector. The shoulder strap is one of the best designs I have ever seen or used, it's shaped like a quarter moon so it rides and conforms to your shoulder. Padding is two inches wide with a non-slip type material.

http://www.tamrac.com/5605.htm

Try it, you might like it. I have used it every week for just over a year and it still looks new. One other thing it doesn't scream camera bag.

I shot with a Shootsac since it first came out. Loved the silhouette of it. Wasn't crazy about how it "organized" things -- I was always "losing" stuff down in the back pockets -- cards, batteries, business cards, lens caps -- I knew they were there, and I would dig around searching for what I was looking for, and it was a disorganized MESS. When I carried my two lenses and flash and diffuser, it just wasn't wide enough to hold everything comfortably, and the weight was too much for one shoulder with that plain, uncushioned strap, so I got another Shootsac in order to distribute the weight over both shoulders, thinking the strap(s) wouldn't be a problem once the weight was distributed.

Wrong. The shoulder straps are just awful. Why why why?

WIDE, padded neoprene seems like a given now that I have switched to Boda!

And oh yeah, my lens fell out into the sand on the beach. Anybody want to buy a used Shootsac or two?

I have shot several long family sessions and a wedding with my new Boda. So far, I really love it. Comfortable strap, lots of pockets that are easy to get into and organized. I always know exactly where everything is, my flash and pocket wizards and diffuser all fit along with my two extra lenses, and I love the card organizer and the business card pocket. And I even have a pocket for my wallet, and a pocket for my external microphone for recording laughter without even having to take the mic out of the bag.

Now if I can just find a camera strap like the Boda strap I'll be a happy camper.

My favorite: Domke F-802 Reporter's Satchel Shoulder Bag

http://tiny.cc/ybqBi

I use it with my own inserts and it fits a 5D with lens in the center and a 70-200 and 24-70 on either side, the front pockets are large enough for flashes and battery packs.



or if you want smaller: Domke F-803 Camera Satchel Shoulder Bag

http://tiny.cc/nLQKP

This comes with an insert and is therefore more expensive.

Leaving right now to shoot a wedding, actually today and tomorrow. Will have my assistant shoot pics of me using the Boda and R Strap together. I apologize in advance for the fact that I'm no model.

Mr. Baxter, I've got one word for you man............ BODA! You'll love it.

Be back monday with some images.