Bag for one body and 2 lenses

the Domke F5xb is really nice- when you have fewer items in your bag, it collapses a little smaller. really unobtrusive.
 
I have the Domke F-5xa and F-5xb.

5xa: 1 body + 1 or 2 lenses + 4 rolls of film + light meter
5xb: 2 bodies + 2 lenses + 8 (or more) rolls of film + light meter

Unlike the F-5xb, the F-5xa does not have a hard bottom, so it conforms better to one's body.
 
I'm using a brown REI Buzz ..genuine bicycle messenger bag, doesn't look like a camera bag. I imagine that with it I look like a macho bike messenger and not like somebody's photo-hobbiest uncle 🙂

http://www.rei.com/product/728587

Huge capacity (eg holds two rangefinders and lenses or a dslr with several lenses, plus a sweater, plus book/papers or even laptop) but it's VERY low profile on my back, never gets in the way... and it swings around in front without a moment's delay when I need something (eg to change lenses).
 
Looks like this bag can at least still be had directly from LowePro. I might want to look into it.

Biomed: What sort of inserts are you using in yours? (I'm assuming that's an insert cradling your R4.)

Edit: Just checked back farther up the thread: guess I won't be checking this bag out after all, assuming LowePro isn't making it.


- Barrett
 
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amateriat said:
Biomed: What sort of inserts are you using in yours? (I'm assuming that's an insert cradling your R4.)

Edit: Just checked back farther up the thread: guess I won't be checking this bag out after all, assuming LowePro isn't making it.


- Barrett
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There aren't any inserts, just the dividers provided with the bag. It is too bad the bag isn't being made anymore. I may contact Lowepro to see if they are planning to make it again. IMHO, it is one of the best bags for carrying RF gear. I can pack my R4 and 21, 28 and 35mm lenses and plenty of film all in a compact and easy to carry bag. I have experimented with several straps and found that one of the wide Domke camera straps works the best for me.

Mike
 
I am using a black Billingham Stowaway Pola and it fits my M8+35 cron and 2 other lenses (3 if I take only small ones, 2 if I take a large 90mm) a spare battery, a wallet and lens cleaning supplies.
It is tightly packed in there but it fits and, definitely doesn't look like a camera bag to most people (nobody ever guessed yet).
 
Another vote for Domke F-5xa/b's. They are my favorites for 35mm RF's and my favorite bags to carry because of their size. The F-5xa is for smaller lenses though. A two lens rig involving the CV 35/1.2 and the CV 50/1.5 would be cramped, but I can manage the CV 35/2.5, CV 50/2.5 and CV 90/3.5 with a bit room for extras.
 
You might want to check out Stephen Schaub's "Bare Bones Bag" he's recently announced.
www.barebonesbag.com

I can vouch for the quality of his Y strap's - they are very well made and can be had in custom lengths so perhaps his bags can? Certainly worth a look.

The Hadley Digital is quite small it will certainly hold an M body with the smaller 35/2 or 28/2.8ASPH lens attached with hood and another lens but not much room for film unless you add the Avea 3 or 5 pockets which makes it very expensive. Domke 803 satchels are also worth a look.
 
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There's a small, green Billingham I've used for exactly this purpose for a decade or so, but I can't remember its name. About 5-6 x 2-3 x 9-11 inches. Perfect.

Cheers

R.
 
I have several bags but the one I keep coming back to and use almost daily is the Domke F-X5B. I like the size, perfect for one M camera and two lenses or two bodies with lenses attached. If I'm doing medium format I can carry my Mamiya 6 with two lenses, or a couple of old folders, or my Rollei and some other stuff. Even my Hassy with the 80mm lens and hood fits nicely. What I don't like (and this has been mentioned before) is that the zippered top makes it a little clumsy to remove or put back the camera. I have used a couple of pins to pin the zippered top apart and that helped a bit. I think the stiffness of the canvas is what causes this. Perhaps a different material would work better (Arts and Artisan bags have a similar design in leather). Another design I don't like is the large amount of velcro used to close the bag securely. Almost as bad as a Crumpler bag! I just covered most of it up with some strips of velcro and left a much smaller area exposed so the flap will stay down. It's now also much quieter to open!

When looking for a bag I also want two straps - one for the shoulder and one for hand carrying. I think several designs are missing that hand strap and to me that makes a world of difference in the bag's function.

The Lowepro Terraclime (but no handle 🙁 ) and Bare Bones Bag mentioned in earlier posts also look like nice bags.

Good luck on your bag search!
 
Thanks for all the advice. After 7 months from asking the question I have finally bought an F-5XB. I'll post some pics when it arrives.

I was still slumming around on my Lowepro bag that was falling apart, but with a second body coming soon I needed something (slightly) bigger.

2 bodies with lenses attached and some film should be perfect for me.
 
I use an Artisan and Artist small canval bag called "Oskar's Day Bag" to hold a Rollei 35RF with 40 mm lens, plus a 1.5, 50mm Nocton and the 2.5, 85.plus lots of film, incident meter, notebook etc. It looks like a small messenger bag. artisan and artist.com or through photovillage.com. Not cheap, but very well made and very strong. Mine goes with me everywhere.
Morry Katz, Lethbridge Alberta
 
a&a acam-7100 and a&a acam-7200

a&a acam-7100 and a&a acam-7200

i'm back to reading about camera bags--again. i wander about the city with my m8 with a lens attached, another lens, and some accessories. i have been using the 5xb for a couple years and am generally happy with it. (if it looked less murse-like, i think it'd be near perfect ... as i don't find the velcro to be a problem, as some do). i have been reading a lot about the a&a acam-7100 and a&a acam-7200. i'm wondering which seems better, especially for the items i normally carry.
 
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