Smallest possible useable bag?

[nightfly]

In the eternal quest for the perfect bag, I'm looking for something to hold just an M-body with a small lens attached (35mm Summicron or CV 28/3.5) and a roll or two of film and at most one more small lens (the other one of the two that's not on the body). Basically the smallest thing I can find that avoids murse territory.

I would love it to be canvas so it gets beaten up looking and for it NOT to have the main compartment zippered, just a little flap of some sort, maybe that velcros for quick draw. I was thinking it should hold the camera vertically rather than horizontally as well.

Anyone found something like this? Maybe some sort of army surplus something or other? Nothing Billingham or any of that overpriced English gentleman looking stuff.

 

[Ash]

Look for a man-purse. Literally the leather pouch originally made to hold Leica Standards and other cameras with collapsible lenses. You can easily attach a strap from a shoulder bag, and it will sit quite hidden and hardly noticeable under a jacket. That's how I carry a Leica.

you can look on LeicaTime at a luigi case, I'll find the link in a moment

 

[Ash]

Here's mine -

Mine isn't Luigi, it's the original soft leather pouch/purse thing that came with the camera.

This is luigi's (I will eventually get one of these!)

http://leicatime.com/CustomBrownFixStrapSemiOp.jpg

http://leicatime.com/CustomBrownFixStrapSemiOpHor.jpg

http://leicatime.com/BeltBrownwM2opensdrWarn.jpg

 

[back alley]

domke f5xb

 

[Xmas]

Ash

The leather is a dead give away that you are carrying a IIIg with leicavit or black M2, I'd suggest you dont need to advertise this to a cut purse.

I'd go for a wrist strap like Kullys...

Noel

 

[Ash]

lol, cut-purse.

Honestly I think the camera bag brands are as much, if not more obvious, to those looking to rob you. Like I noted, you can't even see I have a camera on me when I carry mine. The side-bag and my general aesthetic help as much as a small bag does

 

[Bryan Lee]

Go down and look around a army surplus store. I found a few bags that way that work for me and cheep. If it has metal rings or something that can scratch I just cover it with green duct tape. It's also easy to change the strap by taking it to a shoe repair shop and having them sew one on for you.

I keep a ice chest in my truck and put any cameras and film in it while I drive then get it out again to use on scene. One of my old friends never had anything but a igloo playmate for a camera case but he was a car shooter (drove up and set up with tripods and much gear). I would avoid leather in a tropical environment but its a nice material outside of that.

 

[Jeremy Z]

I have an older Tamrac bag, it is the right size and shape of the hip packs that were popular in the 80s. It has belt loops and a shoulder strap. The main compartment is padded with Tamrac's typical padding. The outside pocket isn't padded. I put my wallet, keys, and table-top tripod in the outside pocket, and my cell phone, film and a compact rangefinder in the main part.

I carry it either without the strap in one hand, or over the shoulder like a camera case. It's probably a bit bigger than you're thinking about, but I'll try to remember to post a picture later.

You're probably looking for something even smaller, but I thought I'd mention this anyhow.

This particular model bag was a Tamrac salesroom anchor, so I got it for something like $8, and never saw them again.

It could easily be worn inside a jacket, and if it was on your front, it would kind of look like a beer belly.

 

[bob cole]

smallest possible useable bag

smallest possible useable bag

If you want a bag that doesn't scream camera, try Messenger Bag on Ebay and you'll find lots of them for less that $25 usd...

 

[winoto]

try the older tenba series (in black, orange, or tan) i think model numbers P-100, P-200. P-300 is a little too big for your needs, it houses one rangefinder and meter with an extra lens and film rolls.

 

[jesse1dog]

Here's mine -

Hi Ash

I think this is a great photo!
Love the purse too!
j

 

[Ash]

The photo was from the original ad on MW prior to purchase 😉

 

[40oz]

http://www.duluthpack.com/product_detail.aspx?product=Double Shell Bags

maybe not the "smallest possible," but no "man purse," either. Also, not immediately obvious as a carrier for valuable items. But it would not look out of place in an office.

I have a slightly different design (the "standard shell bag") by the same company, found in a junkyard over a decade ago that I have used to carry a wide variety of items through hell and back over the past ten years. It still looks well-worn, but none the worse for wear. It has become my favorite camera bag. Much, much sturdier than it looks, but very simple construction. The strap is adjustable, for carrying over one shoulder or across the body. I carry mine across the body, and it sits right where I put it due to the soft construction, and doesn't bounce against the body when walking. You could fit any kind of insert if you so wished, and the canvas sheds water like, well, canvas. Film and filters in the small pocket, camera or two and a lens in the main. Provides no protection against knocks, but seeing as it holds some of my most valuable possessions, I tend not to let it swing around willy-nilly.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

That sounds like the traditional leather market money bag.
iIused one to carry may Cl and my wallet.
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema