Camera Bag vs. Diaper Bag

[foto_fool]

Which is which?

OK really - I am being a little facetious here. It is the one on the LEFT that is the Naneu Pro Sierra.

I am looking - like several here - for the "perfect" walk-around camera bag for two bodies, several lenses and accessories. A while back Melanie C posted about her Naneu Pro Lima. I picked up the somewhat larger Sierra model about the same time. Inexpensive! Took advantage of the manufacturer's Summer sale and paid about $55 for it.

When it arrived my first impressions were busy and heavy. Lots of straps, clips and pockets, and surprisingly weighty for something that's just basically a yard of ballistic nylon. I took the seam ripper and scissors to it to remove things I don't need: handles and a redundant (and very bulky) second shoulder strap.

It was still heavy, and somewhat brick-shaped as well. After a month of carrying it around I decided it was just too bulky to be "my perfect walking-aroud bag". I also don't care at all for accessing my gear through the longitudinal zipper - stuff catches on the zipper coming and going.

Finally I pulled the padded inserts and dropped them into my trusty Timbuk2, et voila:

Not QUITE perfect, but close. To me more functional than the Artisan & Artist Oskar and about half the price.

As for the Sierra - it is well-padded and cavernous without the insert. As a project bag (instead of walking-around) it does a good job carrying the Mamiya TLR and the Fuji GW690III.

- John

 

[vrgard]

That combination of the insert and Timbuktu bag looks like it works well, John. Care to share exactly which Timbuktu bag it is?

-Randy

 

[mac_wt]

Did you use an M8 for these pictures or are the bags really purple? 😉

 

[back alley]

the domke f5xb is my perfect walking around bag for more than one camera but less than the whole kit.
the long zipper has never scratched anything that i've noticed.

i don't think i will ever 'get' the whole diaper bag thing.

the timbuk2 setup looks good to go.

 

[Riccis]

You may also want to check out fellow wedding photographer Jessica Claire's shootsac (http://www.shootsac.com/)

While she recommends to use for one body and a couple of lenses, you may be able to fit a few more items due to the smaller size of the rangefinders.

Riccis

 

[cmogi10]

those are...

Interesting...


very Fem

 

[foto_fool]

Randy - I have had the Timbuk2 for at least 5 years and memory fades, but if I recall correctly it is a medium Laptop Messenger.

Mac_wt - R-D1 with 35/2 Hexanon, no IR filter. Yeah the first shot is purple (hey! my R-D1 is JUST LIKE an M8! Who knew!) but the second shot taken a day later with the same rig is not. White balance difference due to the different lignting?

Riccis - what cmogi10 said 😀. Ywenz started a thread on the shootsac back in August. Not for me, not for the money, and not for the poor construction.

- John

 

[ampguy]

Hi Randy, I picked up one of these for the kids a couple of weeks back:

http://www.rei.com/REI-Outlet/product/758988

There was also an addl. 20% off going on at the time. They would need padding and inserts to work for cameras as John showed.

You can also get a custom made mess. bag at their store in Hayes Valley in SF. They have a few lines - the REI ones are completely imported, they have some that are made in the US, with imported materials, and the store up in SF is like a custom shop for bags.

I think they're much more stylish than a domke, but not quite as rugged with regards to the hardware, zipper sizes, loops and all, but the domkes may be overbuilt for casual carrying.

 

[vrgard]

Thanks, John and Ted/ampguy, for the Timbuk2 info.

-Randy