A perfect small bag. For $18.

K

katgut@earthlink.net

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Like many others, I've been looking for that perfect small bag for an M2 and one more lens. I've looked in all the photo shops at the top brands, but one thing put me off: the price. Most of the small bags were at least $50. And most were kind of boxy or had the silly messenger look. I happened to stop in at a local Walmart and found exactly what I was looking for. The camcorder bags work perfectly, and have room for a body and 2/3 lenses, film, a meter, and filters. They had two types, Targus, and LeZura. I chose the LeZura to distinguish it from the Targus I keep the camcorder in so I won't grab the wrong one.

Impossible to beat for a rangefinder at $17.97. Now I look at the big brands as being vastly overpriced.
 
I prefer to spend extra for the Domke 803 small satchel. Made of thick canvass I can trust my Leica to it without fear of ripping and falling apart. Your Walmart camcorder bag looks like a camcorder bag, a likely target for a thief. You might be better off going to a thrift shop and getting a beater bag for $5.
 
Sorry if i sound rude, but i wouldn't be caught dead with anything from Walmart!
Then again, i'm fairly young and image conscious, plus most days i can't just carry a rangefinder to school.. I get inserts and pad a part of a weekend bag.
Though if i had cash to blow, a Billingham or even Fogg would be pretty pimpin. The rangefinder hobby is such a costly semi-fashion statement.

There's a Japanese brand specializing in simplistic yet fulfilling designs called Muji. The bags are fairly decent, except for the lack of padding. Designs are low-key, durable and range from large duffels to small messenger packs, the way you guys seem to like your bags. Prices are all right, from the 40-60USD range. If you are willing to pad your bag nicely, these are really something to consider. Just drop by the Muji websites!
 
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Messenger bags are silly, yet you chose a TARGUS camcorder bag? I also don't like the messenger bag look, but Targus and/or camcorder-related are two steps back, my friend.....
 
My favourite camera bag is a cooler bag given to me by one of my suppliers at work as a Christmas gift. It's a little large for just one camera, but great for a weekend camera kit bag - nicely padded, easy to get to pockets for extra film etc. etc. Cooler bags make good cheap camera bags, IMHO.

Cheers,
Steve
 
There are lots of nice military surplus bags for around $20, perfect for a RF kit.
Don't let any thread tell you that you must spend $100 for an unpadded bag...

Chris
 
ChrisPlatt said:
There are lots of nice military surplus bags for around $20, perfect for a RF kit.
Don't let any thread tell you that you must spend $100 for an unpadded bag...

Chris
Click to expand...

I picked up a small olive drab canvas satchel from an army surplus store, and also got two OD canvas belt pouches that i stuck inside the bag. I padded the bottoms of the belt pouches with the slip-on styrofoam holders that coffee shops put over their cups. The larger of the two belt pouches holds my leica with my 35mm lens attatched perfectly, the other holds my 90, my WLF, and plenty of film. the small outer pockets on the belt pouches hold filters, the outer pockets on the satchel hold more film, or an ipod and headphones, batteries, etc. In the main pouch, I still have room for my small netbook. The bag and two belt pouches together cost 16 bucks, and look completely anonymous. It is all about the size of the small domke satchel, maybe a little bit smaller, and is pretty much just as well made, with the bonus of not having the domke logo right there under the flap.
 
Last weekend after travelling in some low-down neighborhoods in New Orleans, it was never so crystal clear how important its is for street photographers to be inconspicous and not appear as if they had any thing of high value. Any punk can spot a newly minted bag and it may be something that he and his punk gang wants.

I've been lucky so far in the third world, but my personal presentation is going to get modified whenever I'm in less well-heeled hoods.
 
Interesting. I was just looking at a satchel from muji which looks as though it has potential. Its sized about the same as an Artisan & Artists medium bag, and it looks as though you could fit one of those A&A red padding in there (which A&A sells separately). The material used by muji seems to be light nylon, which is ok for 2-3 years lifecycle, not as durable as A&A or Domke canvas. Good for going incognito as you'll be the only one carrying a camera in it. The only issue is that with the strength of the yen, its possible to run up close to $100.

As far as I know Muji has stores in Paris, London and NYC.


kazeonrff said:
Sorry if i sound rude, but i wouldn't be caught dead with anything from Walmart!
Then again, i'm fairly young and image conscious, plus most days i can't just carry a rangefinder to school.. I get inserts and pad a part of a weekend bag.
Though if i had cash to blow, a Billingham or even Fogg would be pretty pimpin. The rangefinder hobby is such a costly semi-fashion statement.

There's a Japanese brand specializing in simplistic yet fulfilling designs called Muji. The bags are fairly decent, except for the lack of padding. Designs are low-key, durable and range from large duffels to small messenger packs, the way you guys seem to like your bags. Prices are all right, from the 40-60USD range. If you are willing to pad your bag nicely, these are really something to consider. Just drop by the Muji websites!
Click to expand...
 
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