Bare Bones Bag

Gumby said:
My Domke F-2 from 1982 (about March, to be exact) has no padding on the canvas bag itself but came with a nylon/padded 4-hole insert and a foam-and-fiberboard bottom... the foam currently being gone due to going gooey/flakey after 25 years.
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Thanks...I missed that somehow :eek:
 
Waiting for one to come at home (with the Y-strap!)... Damn international post, it's sooo slow (I've made my purchase on december 13th... still waiting... ) Glad to read possitive feedback!
 
I like the fact that the Y strap can be adjusted, been using it for a week with no complaints.

The BBB survived our first major snow storm in NYC with no problems!
 
My bag just arrived a few minutes ago. First impressions:

* It's very well made, every bit as good or better than any other bag I own. All stitching is tidy, no loose threads or bad fitting anywhere I can see.

* I very much like the overall size. I've found my 803 knockoff to be much too large for a RF plus three lens kit; my F5XB is too small, too murselike and has an awkward layout. This one works well with a body and three lenses plus other stuff, and I'm just starting.

* The inner pockets *will* fit an M body with attached RapidWinder and a mounted 35 Cron ASPH with mounted hood. It's tight, but it doesn't strain anything either. Without the RW mounted it's be a very comfortable fit. (I prefer to stow my bodies vertically with the shutter button up - it allows for easier access with less chance to get greasy fingerprints on the VF.)

* The color scheme is actually very nice. Stephen was right - the grey panel does a lot to calm the evil black tactical camera bag vibe. I like the lighter grey interior fabric, it keeps the inside of the bag from being a black hole.

* The bottom padding is thin but sufficient - I haven't pulled it out to look at it, but it feels like a piece of high density closed cell padding like you'd see for putting under a sleeping bag. I may end up laying a piece of small bubble wrap down there in addition to the original padding; I've done this to most of my bags for years for additional protection. As mentioned above, the design is such that you can access the hidden area between the bottoms via the back pocket.

All in all, I'm very impressed. Thanks, Stephen!
 
I just received mine today, only ordered a few days ago. The statement on their site says 7-10 business days and I leave for Vietnam on the 16th so I was a bit worried and emailed Stephen asking if I would receive the bag before my trip. He said not to worry, that they had a few in stock and that the bag would ship the same day. Well, two days later, the bag is here and fits everthing I plan on taking, well, at least walking around. I haven't tried stuffing 30 rolls of film into it yet, but that's not even an expectation I have. I'll post a full report after I get back, not only on the bag but also the other gear I'm taking which is an M6 and two lenses.
 
Way said:
Anyone looking for a really great shoulder bag for a rangefinder setup, check out the Bare Bones Bag designed by phtographer Stephen Schaub. Link is here.

Mine came in the mail a couple of days ago and it is now my go to bag. I'm still keeping the Domke F_X5B and my wife wants the Lowepro Terraclime. Look for my other bags in the classifieds soon!

The BBB is a soft, none padded (except for a bit on the bottom) cordura shoulder bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. Looks like a small messenger bag. Very light and comfortable, and it has a carrying handle which, to me, makes a world of difference in portability and confort. Besides the large main compartment, there are SIX smaller pockets that are wide and deep enough to carry a RF with small lens, lenses (90 cron fits no problem), my folding cameras, filters, meter, whatever. This keeps your equipment separate and organized. The pockets are arranged so when it's full of items the bag will still "conform" to your body. The padded bottom gives the bag some structure and form and this really helps make it comfortable. The front flap is secured with velcro and is made from a reflective material that will show clearly at night when light is shown on it. A nice safety feature.

The only thing I don't like is that cordura is a dust/cat hair magnet! Anyway, if you want a soft bag for your camera that is is well designed, well made and wont' look like a camera bag, check out the Bare Bones Bag.
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My cameras are vintage, some have soft coated lenses and I would never dream of using either an unpadded bag or using microfiber cloths. Sorry, but no sale.
 
The bottom is padded; the four inner pockets could easily be padded when needed using beer can cooler sleeves.

I used unpadded bags for years with no problems, even when I was a working PJ carrying the bag whenever I was awake and dressed. Even naked a few times, for that matter.

This really is a well designed, well made bag.
 
I've used a pre-current M-Classics for about 8 years now and have had no issues with an non padded bag. It is single layered compared to the current bag that's available. I carry 2 RF cameras with an additional lens, film, hand held meter and a small flash (yes, there are times that it comes in handy).

This BBB looks like a good replacement as the M-Classic is getting a little worn. Hey, who has only one bag in their camera closet anyway? :rolleyes:
 
I have about half a dozen bags including a Billingham Hadley and the safrotto 803 clone and never us the inserts much prefering a softer bag. Still waiting for my BBB to arrive and if it's just what I need then the safrotto will be up for sale as it's too near the hadley in size.
 
Well, I've got mine a few days ago... I haven't used it but it seems to fill my expectatives (I hope this is the right way to express my feelings). I'm happy with my last purchase!! I've never used unpadded bags but after readings your messages I feel more confident, I've some padded inserts from old bags so, in the case I fear too much the unpadded way, I could use them.

Very nice bag

Bests from Spain
 
I've received my BBB today (it was delivered to our neighbour during my week vacation at the coast), and the first impression is very positive. This seems indeed to be the kind of bag I was looking for to carry my Bessa or Epson R-D1 with a few lenses. But as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so I'll be able to tell more after some practical use.
 
My Y strap arrived yesterday - interesting! I'll give it a try shortly.

The bag is proving to be fantastic. It carries lightly and is just the right size for what I had in mind - an M body and two to three lenses plus film and a few accessories.
 
BBB update

BBB update

Gary E said:
I've used a pre-current M-Classics for about 8 years now and have had no issues with an non padded bag. It is single layered compared to the current bag that's available. I carry 2 RF cameras with an additional lens, film, hand held meter and a small flash (yes, there are times that it comes in handy).

This BBB looks like a good replacement as the M-Classic is getting a little worn. Hey, who has only one bag in their camera closet anyway? :rolleyes:
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Well I had to go and treat myself to another bag. I got it super fast and now have it loaded and ready to go. What do I think?

The bag is a little smaller then my M-Classic bag. This means I could only fit 1 M body and 35/40 Cron with hood in the middle compartment, two additional lenses in the interior pockets along with a lens brush, about 6-8 rolls of film (w/o boxes), a Weston meter on the outside pocket with incident dome, a cell phone in the other outside pocket. The rear outside pocket can fit an assortment of items like a memo book to record place, settings, etc. The reflective flap is a nice move and esthetically pleasing as well as functional. The handle is something I wished I had on my M-Classic bag. The bottom padding is a good call too, though I never had a problem with my other bag; I don't drop my bag full of M equipment on the floor after a long day of shooting. Again, never had a problem in years of using a non-padded bag. I would put a 2nd M body in with a Domke wrap; only to prevent both M bodies from beating each other up (you know how the M4 doesn't like the M4-2 though they are family).

In use, the bag hugs the hip. This makes it easier to bob and weave out of crowds during parades and such. The lack of strap padding doesn't seem to bother me. When I take out the M, the bag really only has 2 M lenses. Even with the whole kit it didn't seem to be too heavy on my shoulders.

Any worries with the straps being Y stitched on both sides? I had my bow hunting buddy at work test this bag out by pulling as hard as he can on the strap and holding the bag. He gave it his best and said it was too durable to break. Enough field testing for me ;)
 
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One week update:

I've been carrying this bag all week with the previously mentioned loadout. It is working out exceptionally well! It's light, very well made and well designed.

Stephen, how about a slightly larger (longer) version with larger internal pockets? As I mentioned my M6/RW/35 Cron ASPH just fits in a pocket, but if they were slightly larger...

For a body without the RW they're great.
 
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