Camera bag

[CathJ]

So here's a really dumb question

I just got an Adventura 170 for my Nikon D3100, but I don't know the best way to pack it in there. I know it's top loading, so it's supposed to go lens down - but then even if I fold down the flaps on the dividers and support the camera body on those, the lens doesn't reach the bottom of the bag. So what I've done is moved the dividers and put the camera in between the edge of the bag and one divider with the lens reaching the bottom.

I guess it doesn't really matter how it fits, so long as it's safe and secure, but I'd prefer to know how it's meant to work.

 

[bwana]

A gap between the lens and the bottom of the bag might not be a bad thing if you should drop the bag - kind of like a crumple zone. As long as there is enough space for your longest lens then I wouldn't be too worried.

 

[koffiejunkie]

You can always stuff a pair of socks in the bottom to support the camera. Along the lines of bwana's comment, also maybe consider getting a lens hood for your lens - it gives extra protection in case it gets dropped. Better than a UV filter, IMHO.

I have a LowePro TLZ 2 which is also a toploader - big enough to fit a 70-200mm attached, if I'm guestimating correctly. I use it with the 24-105L attached to my 50D, and either the 50mm f/1.8 or Sigma 10-20mm stuffed in the bottom with something soft on top - tight fit but it allows me to move about with a fair degree of compactness. In this configuration the hood is absolutely essential, because it's easy for the lens cap to come off and end up chafing the lens. That may just be because I'm using a slightly worse fitting 3rd party cap that gives me a pinch-style release for easy removal with the hood on.