Looking for a camera/messenger bag

T

TobiasL

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For a couple years now I have been looking for the perfect camera bag for my needs but I think I'm getting closer :) Anyway, what I'm looking for is a shoulder bag that will fit 1-2 school books and 1-2 cameras like my Zeiss Ikon ZM with 2-3 lenses.

Here are 4 bags I found that looks good to me. Opinions? Other suggestions? Price should be less than 100 USD/EUR.


Walk on Water Laptop Boarding Bag
Not too discreet but has its charm.

http://www.walkonwaterstore.com/laptop-boarding-bag-13h-offwhite-by-walk-on-water-p.html

Balkan Tango Budapest Bag
Seen it and tried it out, made from bicycle inner tubes and is waterproof. Strap isn't that comfortable but still a nice bag.

http://www.balkan-tango.com/index.php?site=products&selectedCat=43

QLX Messenger Bag
Green/Brown canvas bag from china, unsure of quality but this one looks most interesting so far.

http://www.aliexpress.com/product-f...en-canvas-bag-men-laptop-bag-wholesalers.html

Virginland Messenger Bag
Another green canvas bag from China. Not sure how I feel about this one.

http://www.aliexpress.com/product-f...der-messenger-bag-2361-green-wholesalers.html
 
Very expensive and overrated. Tobias is looking for bag under $100 and looking at his links he's looking for something that doesn't look like a camera bag. I have one of those old French army bags and they don't come tougher or better made. I use a Billingham Hadley insert and one of those Op-tech bouncy bag straps with it. There are belt loops on the back which are handy when cycling.
BTW I see you have Nokton 50mm f1.5. Whats it like? Looking for fast 50mm and can't afford a Summilux.
RS
 
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Get a Timbuktu messenger bag that meets your price and size needs. Then get a camera bag insert (plenty of them on ebay).
 
kxl said:
Get a Timbuktu messenger bag that meets your price and size needs. Then get a camera bag insert (plenty of them on ebay).
Click to expand...

Timbuk2 makes fairly inexpensive yet well made camera inserts now, and camera bags as well, including a very interesting backpack, the Snoop. I got the XS insert, it's got enough room for 2 M bodies and 3-4 lenses, or a DSLR with 3 lenses. If anything, I wish they made one smaller. The S and M sizes are just too large.
 
I recommend the Crumpler Haven Medium for your situation, very well padded with lots of compartments. I just chuck it in my duffle bag or sports bag when depending on where I go. Easily available too, can check it out easily in a crumpler store.

Other times I use my Billingham Hadley when I need weather protection or going on a dedicated photo outing.
 
kxl and hteasley have it right. Timbuk2 or Chrome. I use Timbuktu but Chrome are slightly better. Scratch B'ham + Domke IMO. I've got both of those and I use the Timbuk2
 
Tobias, my terms may be wrong, but I consider bags that hang low, near your waist, sling bags, whereas messenger bags sit higher up on your back. If you're out for a long day, having the bag higher up will be more comfortable. Furthermore, the straps on Timbuk2 and Chrome bags can be quickly adjusted to switch between sling and messenger mode.

True, Timbuk2/Chrome bags will be more expensive, but you can try buying a used one, which should be under $100 USD easily.
 
Last summer I was looking for an inconspicuous bag to take with me to Europe for a couple weeks. After trying a couple different Timbuktu sizes with inserts, a Domke, and a few Crumplers, by the end I had returned them all. I decided I like the Think Tank Retrospective 5. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but it's been worth every penny. It's the perfect size for 2 rangefinders and 3 or 4 lenses, plus film and other miscellaneous items. I absolutely love it--as much as one can love a camera bag, that is!
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, will look into them and hopefully find something that I can use both as camera bag and a general bag for books and such.

I should have mentioned the bags I have used previously. Used a few Crumpler bags but they felt very bulky and not comfortable to wear so got rid of those. Now I use two Think Tank Retrospective bags for my DSLR setup and they are great for pure camera bags but feels way too big for a smaller camera setup and there's no space for books in Think Tank Photo bags.
 
The Crumpler Haven insert inside whatever bag works for you. Much more flexible than a dedicated camera bag. I have a medium inside a Jack ***** bag for everyday use. And I can throw the insert (which can close on top or remain open for shooting) inside another bag if I need more space.
 
kxl said:
Get a Timbuktu messenger bag that meets your price and size needs. Then get a camera bag insert (plenty of them on ebay).
Click to expand...

Great idea. I love my Domke f-2, but it's hard to beat the combination of really any backpack or messenger bag and an insert.

I grabbed the tenba insert off Amazon and the flexibility it provides is great. It even fits my Fuji GW690 III perfectly.
 
I think the first one is better.
Overall, it's as useful as it is good looking. It has plenty of space for what I need it for, and it's an attractive accessory. The white stitching accents it very well and helps make it unique. I think it's a great value at this price. And I love that leather smell.
 
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