I’d like to introduce to you the tacticool strobist bag. I was in the market for a bag for my new Gitzo 1541T tripod but wasn’t happy with anything I found. Most were too bulky and/or long, which defeated the purpose of having travel-sized gear. Speedlites are my strobe of choice for their portability and convenience so in that vein I also use Manfrotto 001B Nano light stands (19″ when collapsed), and double-fold umbrellas. Luckily, I found a bag that fits everything! You can find it at County Comm (I love this place).

Meet the Maratac Extreme SAT-COM bag.

Maratac Extreme makes great stuff so I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. It was designed to carry a military satellite communications antenna but it makes for a perfect lighting gear bag. It comfortably carries two double-fold Westcott umbreallas, two Manfrotto 001B light stands and a Gitzo 1541T, which still leaves room for some small stuff and a couple speedlites.
.
.
.

Inside is a long pocket along the base that I use to hold the umbrellas:

Next goes the light stands:

And finally, the tripod:

Once you’re up and shooting, the bag does double duty (once filled with ballast) as a perfect apparatus for stabilizing the tripod:

Along each side is a zippered pocket. One goes the full length, the other side is divided into two pockets:

The strap unbuckles, which can make getting things in and out a little easier depending on how tight/short you have the strap adjusted:

As you can see, there’s plenty of PALS webbing, ready for MOLLE-compatible pouches (like for strobes):

As if the badass-factor wasn’t high enough already, it was only $35! Eat that, all you dedicated “photography bags!”

Since we’re kind of on the topic, here’s the Gitzo posing for a glamour shot: