New bag required - please help

[OM man]

I'm looking for a new bag and need some help in identifying all available options.

I note the great reviews the Domke bags get in the forums but I just don’t see what the fuss is about. I agree that many of the bags look good, they are produced to a high quality with tough materials but I could never buy a bag that fails to protect my equipment against all the elements. In my opinion the Domke and other similar bags fail to do this as they do not have a zippered main compartment – therefore I can not see how they can fully protect expensive camera gear against dust, sand, heavy downpours…

I’m off to India for 6 weeks at the end of this month where I will be faced by all types of weather conditions, but when I return back to London I want this bag to be the only bag that I use for everyday street shooting. I therefore need a bag that does not look like an obvious camera bag, will last for years, and more importantly a bag that I can trust in all conditions. I need a bag that can accommodate, during my travels, my OM3 with 35mm/f2 and hood, my OM4Ti with 50mm/f1.4 and hood, a 100mm/f2.8 in original hard case, my Weston, a couple of filters and plenty of film. However, when back home I need a bag that is still good to use every day, only half full with the OM3 with 35mm/f2 and hood, the 50mm/f1.4, my Weston, a couple of filters and a few rolls of film

I currently have a khaki canvas Billingham 225, which is a great bag but I find it’s too boxy and it lacks stealth. The Billingham 107 or 207 in black are currently at the top of my list. I love the look of the Tenba Black Label photo satchel but as it does not have a zippered main compartment it is off my (very short) list. The only other bag I have considered is the Lowepro Classified 160 but I’m not convinced by the way the main compartment is protected - it only has a zip and no flap.

I would be very grateful for the thoughts of RFF members on suitable alternative bags and opinions on whether I am completed off the mark with the assessment of Domke/non zippered bags.

Thanks.

 

[Jerrold]

Have you looked at the Billingham Packington? I have one I used to use for an SLR kit, it has a zip, is narrower and even has a security waist strap. Also space for books, snacks etc. I use a Hadley for rangefinders, they all dirty up nicely. imo

 

[newspaperguy]

Nothing lasts forever.
Find something that fits your gear... and is comfortable for you to carry - all day if needed. If you need extra sealing, consider using ziplock plastic bags inside your main bag; easy to see throuigh, water and dust proof, and no slower than a *** zippered bag. If security is an issue, you might consider a bag with cut-proof straps (steel cables inside.)

 

[OM man]

Jerrold, thanks for the suggestion. I do like the Packington but they don't make an all black bag.

Thanks Newspaperguy. I'm looking for a bag that is good enough to protect my gear. I'm not interested in using zip lock bags and security is only an issue to the extent that i don't want to draw any unnecessary attention by carrying an obvious camera bag.

 

[Matt(1pt4)]

Anything from lowepro with an AW (all weather) in the name. Domkes and Billinghams are fine (I own a Hadley and a couple of Domkes), but they are fairly heavy for the limited amount of protection they give.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

With such a personal item - you need to look at and try as many as possible! as what suites me and Martin Parr, may not suit you, being in London you are ideally placed to do so!....go and try a dozen and tell us what YOU decided!
Dave.🙂

 

[flessas]

I would second Matt, for your India trip buy the Lowepro AW, whatever size fits you. Perfect weather protection with integrated rain cover. I have a AW 160 for my SRL bulky equipment.
For everyday use I propose a Billingham Hardley original or small. They have very good inserts for protection. I just bought the small one. It fits a camera with a lens attached, an additional lens and bits and pieces.
On the other hand the Hardleys are more stealthy then the Lowepro.

 

[Trius]

I think the two requirements -- India under potentially very adverse conditions, and London everyday walkaround -- are too diverse for a single bag. A Domke F6 is, IMO, good for London/everyday, I can't comment on the bag for India. There are Domke models that come in ballistic nylon which is supposed to offer more protection from downpours, but I haven't used them. As for protection, I'm not a big believer in padding. Once the gear is inside the case, protection provided by the canvas is enough; it's why Jim Domke invented the original -- padding was only adding weight. IMO there is far more danger of bumps and bangs while the camera is out of the bag as you're shooting, walking about, etc.

I recently got a Tamrac utility pouch that I really like. It's ballistic nylon, but is extremely well designed. Based on the design, I would look at Tamrac bags, even though I'm not fond of nylon nor black bags, which seems to be the dominant colour for several manufacturers.

 

[back alley]

http://www.cambags.com/

 

[sevres_babylone]

I'm addicted to Domke, so can't be too helpful. Except that I wouldn't take a black camera bag to India, because of the sun and heat. I travelled with the sand-coloured F-6 when I there for four weeks. I took the F-6 because I was travelling with my Mamiya, in addition to my OM. I do prefer other colours, (and have them), which is why I agree with the opinion above that you may be asking for too much in wanting a bag that will serve you (and that you will enjoy) equally well at home.
I am not recommending the F-6 because I think it is bigger than you need, and also lacks the weather protection you want. I was there after the monsoon season.

 

[Phantomas]

About the colors - Billingham makes pretty much all (or most) bags in Black/Black now.
I just got a Large Hadley, very nice bag and MUCH bigger than what I assumed it to be from the reviews here. It will become my everyday bag now. Fits laptop, cameras, lenses and lots of extra stuff. Big enough, protected enough.

 

[venchka]

Protection: Pelican box

Everyday use: Domke J-3 or larger J series. The J-3 may be my next bag. I need to find one first to make sure that it will accommodate a pair of M5s, 3 lenses & the big Pentax with 3 lenses.

I don't know what the current version is like, but I have an older Lowepro Nova 5 that I like very much. I have used it to haul a lot of stuff including a Pentax 6x7, Graphic Speed Graphic, lenses, filters, meters, film, etc. It has a zippered top, lots of padding, very clever dividers, etc. My only nit pick is outside pockets. If it had pockets on the ends it might be perfect. At this moment, the bag has the following stuff in it: Pentax 6x7 with 45mm, 105mm & 150mm lenses with hoods, Hasselblad 501CM with 80mm lens, 67mm & 84mm filters, Minolta Autometer with spot attachment, Gossen Luna Pro sbc, 2 pro packs of 120 film and several loose rolls of film, notebook, cable releases, misc. trivia and it's not totally full. If I put my mind to it, I could probably squeeze a Leica body and either 35mm or 50mm lens in there. Maybe both lenses.

Good luck. Have a great trip.