GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Let's break this down to 3 questions.
1) If I take my camera out of my Swiss bag, I can fit another lens in the bag. So, I looked at the spider holster to clip my camera on my hip, but I don't think I would like carrying my camera all exposed like that; plus I didn't like the op/tech sling strap I own for carrying my camera on the side. I looked at other sling bags that would hold just the camera with lens and hood attached (but there's no room for a speedlight and one extra lens). I love the small Tamrac bag I have for the D5100, and was considering a larger Tamrac bag for the D7100.
2) Do I really want to carry my camera and ALL my lenses? I purchased a LowenPro bag. I could get everything in it, but then it was pretty heavy and I didn't like the way the camera had to fit in the side opening. I also couldn't find a comfortable way to carry the bag, so I took it back. I tried to find the BBP bag, but apparently this is no longer available. I may have the same problems with it that I had with the LowenPro bag.
3) On the last trip I took, I brought all my gear and 3 bags! Is there a good bag that all my lenses & speedlights will be protected in without their flimsy bags they come with? I would carry the camera with one lens attached another way for a day trip.

The D5000 w/18-55 lens attached, the 35mm lens and SB400 would be in the small tarmac bag. The SB900 is in it's own case, so I'm looking for a solution for carrying the rest of my gear. I will be purchasing (at least) one more lens, so I want room for it; probably a 24-70 f/2.8

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

How many lenses can you use on your camera at one time? What lenses will you need for the shoot you doing? I rarely take all my lenses with me, only the two or three I think I might use and then I rarely change lenses.

billwassmann Loc: Emerson, NJ

Haven't you ever heard of zoom lenses? When they first came on the market they weren't sharp but now they are excellent.
Last time I went to my daughter's I took my camera - Sony a58 and a Sigma 18-250 lens. You really don't need a lot of lenses. Even when I used fixed focal length I carried a minimum: wide angle, normal, 100 and 200.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I have a few bags. The one for hiking is a photography back-pack with a chest strap. It's great. Medium shoulder bag for not taking most of the stuff, small shoulder pouch that doesn't hold much more than the camera. It depends on what I think I'll use and where I go. Primary lens is a 18-200, and a 50mm. I did the eight lens thing years ago....
It IS nice to be prepared for any contingency, but less weight is better. I might take EVERYTHING up to Maine, but for day outings I've become a little selective on what I actually take.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

This won't help your bag selection but why carry both an SB-400 and an SB-900? I would either retire the SB-400 and use the more capable 900 or carry the 400 alone for it's tiny size and use it TTL.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

For the very reasons you state here, I have more bags than any photographer in the world! Really, I'm a really bad bag freak! What I wanted, and what I have pretty much accomplished is that I have a bag for most situations I get into. Very small shoulder bags when I need to be somewhat invisible, hard for me given my stature, to very big shoulder bags for occasions when I need to carry more. Large rolling cases that can carry more than I can lift comfortably, but need a lot of gear, or the heavy artillery, and smaller rolling cases that I can carry on an airliner. I even have a carry on bag that will hold my Nikon 400/2.8, a camera, accessories and another lens or two. Lightware, very expensive, but worth every penny when I must travel with that gear. It seems that at every photo show I attend, I pick up another bag, particularly if the deal is good. I've spent hours searching for "the" bag at B&H in NYC and I do a lot of research on line. Get, or measure, your gear, decide how you want it stored, and see what bag will fit. In my roller bags, I usually store my smaller lenses face down, and I use those imprinted lens caps so I can easily and quickly locate what I want. The better I know the venue I'm going to be working in, the less I need to take, but I always take more than I think I'm going to need. Hard to find a battery for a D4 at a local CVS! So, other than making you crazy, I, at least, feel that multiple cases are needed. Find one that you want for what you want to do right now, via on-line and in person. You'll want something different in six months when you see some piece of new gear you can't live without.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Wife says if I get one more lens, I'll be put in a larger bag! Sorry I'm not adding anything of value...

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Yes, silly, I use my 18-300 as my walking around lens. I used to use the 18-55 on the D5000 and carry the 55-200 for more reach, but I didn't like switching lenses and the 200mm wasn't quite enough reach, so I dumped the 55-200 and purchased the 18-300. I know there are better lenses, but for the price, I am very happy with it. My question was, How to carry my camera with this lens attached and possibly one other lens and a speedlight.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Sounds like something my husband would say. I'm trying to figure out how I can sneak one more lens into the house. He's already suspicious every time the brown truck drives down our street.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I purchased a decent photo-vest that allows for convenient carry of a couple lenses and various items. Use it summer and winter. Not a bag,but adds a little.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I don't carry the SB-900, that's why I stated that it is in a separate case of it's own. I use it at home for portraits. I love the SB-400. It was constantly on the D5000. Since I gave that set-up to my hubby, I got the SB-300 to carry with the D7100. Maybe we should swap speedlights! lol

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Ok, here's the thing. I wanted feedback on carrying the camera & lens only, either in a small bag or on a spider holster (unprotected) versus a little bit bigger bag that would hold one more lens and a small speedlight plus a few small accessories...and I wanted to know the best bag for everything for longer trips.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I probably won't go hiking with my gear, but I would be interested in what medium shoulder bag you use and what small shoulder pouch you use. I've looked at so many, I'm confusing myself.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Good points. How big is that very expensive bag that you love and what brand?

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Consider a single lens pouch / tube of a size suitable for your 2 most frequently changed lenses that can be mounted on the waistband of your existing bag.