advice needed: camera bag

[ramosa]

Hello All,

As you all know, we add camera equipment … and then tend to need/want a new bag. I had been using a Domke F-5XB as a walkaround bag, as well as a Lowe Pro bag for hiking. That approach was fine with the M8, 28mm, 50mm, and a few accessories. But now I have added a few new Leica products: 18mm, 18mm finder, tabletop tripod and head, and cable release. That makes it especially problematic with the Domke F-5XB. (The problem comes when needing to find a comfortable and secure sleeve for the tripod and head.)


I have read a bunch of previous posts and have three additional satchels in mind for this rig. In a perfect world, one of the below bags would carry the above items, as well as, perhaps, a 90mm or 135mm someday.

Domke J-803
Domke F-803
Artist & Artisan ACAM-9100 (“Oscar’s one day bag”)


Thanks for any input.

R

 

[Jason Sprenger]

For me, the advantages of RF is the smaller bag and the floating frame-lines. Thus, my largest bag for them is a F-5xb.

My F-5xb currently carries.

(Inside Left)
ZM 50/2 Planar (uses same hood as Nokton below)
Sunpak DS-20 flash unit

(Inside Center)
M8.2 with PhotoEquip grip and wearing a CV Nokton 35/1.4 w/hood

(Inside Right)
Leica Summicron 90/2, built-in hood
LensPen

(Outside front pocket)
Spare batteries x 2
Case containing up to 8 memory cards, currently 3

(Inside front pocket)
Spare rear lens cap
Manfrotto table-top tripod w/ head and extension
Cable release

I have a F-803 but find it too deep to be useful and isn't able to hold more of what I would carry. It actually works best for carting around zoom lenses for my SLR's.

I have the F-5xa too, but find it better suited when using my smaller Color Skopar lenses.

 

[FPjohn]

Er...any insulated lunch bag. $3.99 to$14.99 Can. at Rossi.

yours
FPJ

 

[ramosa]

Jason: Thank you. Your comment is very helpful because you have a similar set up--and have used the F-5xb and the F-803.

I will experiment with your arrangement for the F-5xb, putting the tripod in the inside pocket. I had pondered the outside pocket, but wasn't satisfied. If this works, I'll be happy--as I really like that darn Domke.

 

[sahe69]

Don't forget the Safrotto/Mekko alternatives.

 

[jjovin]

Did you consider Delsey bags (http://www.delseycamerabags.com)?
Corium or cortex are really nice.

 

[danvprod]

Porta Brace Bag

Porta Brace Bag

I just got a porta brace CSDV2, its made for a mini dv cam but fits my M8/ 50mm and 28mm lenses awesome. It was 85 from B&H. Pretty awesome actually...

I have a video and review on my site.
http://danielvalentephotography.com/2009/12/porta-brace-cs-dv-2-review/

 

[ramosa]

well, i tried to reconfigure my F-5xb per a suggestion, but it still feels cramped to me. so i'm now considering the A&A oscars and F-803, while also researching a few other recommended bags. any helpful input would be great, especially specific to the oscars or F-803. thanks!

 

[kzphoto]

Oooohhh that A&A Oscar bag looks nice! Holds 2 lenses and a body with lens! Might have to look into one.

 

[back alley]

a&a clone

 

[Roger Hicks]

Pretty much any reasonably small Billingham. Don't carry too much. It's bad for your back and you spend too much time piddling around with lenses and not enough time taking pictures. I know: between us, my wife and I currently have 15 - 18 - 21 (x3)- 24 - 28 - 35-50 (x 5 or so) -75 - 90 (x2) -135.

We do not carry them all at once...

Mind you, her favourite is the smallest Slingshot.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ramosa]

kz: your reaction to that bag is similar to my own.

roger: you made me chuckle there, but you are right. you have quite a lens collection. i will never get there--maybe one more.

all: thank you. i'm now stuck between the domke f-803 and A&A oscars, but i could be in worse places, no?

 

[35mmdelux]

Billingham Hadley Pro is the bag -

 

[Graham Line]

The J803 would probably work with the addition of a second insert. I use both and it's very easy to overstuff an F5x.

 

[ramosa]

waxwear?

waxwear?

thanks for the input. what i like about the domke F and J 803 is that the front pockets have closure, while the A&A pockets do not. with my F-5xb, the lack of closure on the front pocket makes it pretty unusable for me. (perhaps, i'm overly cautious.) so that has me leaning toward the domke's ... i think the F-803 should be big enough for me. i'm pondering black or the waxed brown. has anyone used/seen the waxwear F-803?

 

[woodleica]

thanks for the input. what i like about the domke F and J 803 is that the front pockets have closure, while the A&A pockets do not. with my F-5xb, the lack of closure on the front pocket makes it pretty unusable for me. (perhaps, i'm overly cautious.) so that has me leaning toward the domke's ... i think the F-803 should be big enough for me. i'm pondering black or the waxed brown. has anyone used/seen the waxwear F-803?

2nd vote for Billingham Hadley pro. It is an excellent bag and small and lightweight, especially in Fibrenyte.

 

[Rob-F]

I'm still waiting for a stretch F-5XB. It would be longer by one compartment. The belt loop on the backside would be replaced by a slim pocket for a notebook (paper, not computer). What to call it? Maybe borrow from Boeing terminology and call it an F5-500.

 

[ZeissFan]

As I've gotten older, I've moved to backpacks. It distributes the weight more evenly and is much easier on your hips joints than a shoulder bag.

 

[ramosa]

thanks for the input. after pondering and reading a lot here and there, i have ordered a domke f-803. that should give me a good rotation of bags (with the F-5Xb and another) when my purposes and load vary.

 

[35mmdelux]

What to call it? Maybe borrow from Boeing terminology and call it an F5-500.

LOL.
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