Balto
Established
Use a billingham hadly pro, cost about $250 or so on amazon when I purchased it 3 years ago, if billingham's track record stays as good as it has been this should be my bag for a number of decades to come.
pharyngula
Established
My current favorite is a Filson camera field bag. It took me a while to find one heavily discounted on eBay but glad I waited.
Noll
Well-known
Does 0 count if I've never bought a camera bag? Have one hand me down lowepro, another two - lowepro and a tenba - that came with film camera kits. They do the job and I'm too cheap and lazy to upgrade!
Fuchs
Well-known
I tend to prefer canvas bags, never ever used a leather one. I have used diaper bags also, but mostly Domkes (F803, F2, F5XB) and ThinkTank stuff (bags and harnesses), but also a Tenba backpack and a Pelican 1600'something case.
I pay for functionality, that's what I need in a camera bag, and the more it does not give in the eye, the better.
I pay for functionality, that's what I need in a camera bag, and the more it does not give in the eye, the better.
wjlapier
Well-known
FINALLY! Settled on two Filsons. The "Camera Field Bag" with Domke inserts and the "Harvey Backpack" which I use for other things not photograph, but was my backup supply bag this past weekend. The field bag is about as perfect a bag I could ever need for me. I carried a Fujifilm GA645, Lumix GH2 Kit, and extra supplies for both, and the Polaroid 420 Landcamera around my neck.
Bought both new on ebay for way less than retail.
Bought both new on ebay for way less than retail.
uhoh7
Veteran
raven and ryker by unoh7, on Flickr
When you consider materials, design, and workmanship, and resale: nothing is cheaper than Wotancraft.
Raven 2 Bodies by unoh7, on Flickr
These are made in very limited quantities so resale is very easy. Little one is 275, big one 375.
wjlapier
Well-known
I posted my reply before I read your's. I too wanted the field bag but didn't want to pay $320. I also got mine on eBay.
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
Doctor style bag
Doctor style bag
I'm very interested in the two smaller Vanguard Havana series bags. the smaller is $40 new and the larger $70. My concern is that they are made of microfibre material, how sturdy can that be?
Doctor style bag
I'm very interested in the two smaller Vanguard Havana series bags. the smaller is $40 new and the larger $70. My concern is that they are made of microfibre material, how sturdy can that be?
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Long time ago I settled on the Brady Aeriel Trout. I replace it every 3-4 years. I have used the same type of bag for 30+ years. It can hold a couple of cameras, some film and the various things you need. No padding as that occupies valuable space, instead I use what the japans call a "happy towel" as a wrap around the more precious parts.
rbsinto
Well-known
My first serious camera bag was and still is my Tenba 995 which I purchased new about 25 or 30 years ago for about $300.00, and use for my film SLR kit.
My second is a Lowepro backpack (Magnum Trekker????) that I got from a photobud for $50.00 and use very infrequently.
And my third is a very close relative of my Tenba 995 which I bought used in a camera store for $10.00, and refurbished with new clips for another $20.00.
I use it to carry my rangefinder kit.
My second is a Lowepro backpack (Magnum Trekker????) that I got from a photobud for $50.00 and use very infrequently.
And my third is a very close relative of my Tenba 995 which I bought used in a camera store for $10.00, and refurbished with new clips for another $20.00.
I use it to carry my rangefinder kit.
mdwsta4
Matty Westside
You use the field bag with an additional insert? Just curious as to why, simply for more padding? I used the field bag briefly and returned it as I felt it collapsed on itself too much which might be resolved by adding another insert.
Curious as to how cheap you were able to get it on eBay.
Curious as to how cheap you were able to get it on eBay.
jroring
Member
Nikon x Porter Tool Bag - $100
Nikon's collaboration with Porter bags are all really nice quality.
Nikon's collaboration with Porter bags are all really nice quality.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Trouble is, I keep reading "average $$ spent in a bar" instead of "on a bag"...
Because Frances used to cover bags for Shutterbug, we have quite a lot of high-end bags. To a very large extent, you get what you pay for -- but even then, there's a lot of personal preference. Very roughly, unless you buy second hand (in which case there are amazing bargains to be had), or adapt e.g. diaper bags, nothing much under $100 is likely to deliver decent ergonomics and durability. That's Frances's assessment, not mine.
Cheers,
R.
Because Frances used to cover bags for Shutterbug, we have quite a lot of high-end bags. To a very large extent, you get what you pay for -- but even then, there's a lot of personal preference. Very roughly, unless you buy second hand (in which case there are amazing bargains to be had), or adapt e.g. diaper bags, nothing much under $100 is likely to deliver decent ergonomics and durability. That's Frances's assessment, not mine.
Cheers,
R.
codester80
A Touch of Light
I've only bought one bag, a Domke F2 back in college for something around $150. It continues to serve me well as a storage bag for my back up bodies, seldom used lenses, etc.
I was gifted a Newswear fanny pack a couple years ago and is the only "bag" I use. I can carry a couple lenses, light meter, film, and odds and ends around my waist keeping weight off my shoulders. After lugging around the F2 on assignments for a decade, my left shoulder is destroyed. I wish Newswear was around when I first got into photography.
I was gifted a Newswear fanny pack a couple years ago and is the only "bag" I use. I can carry a couple lenses, light meter, film, and odds and ends around my waist keeping weight off my shoulders. After lugging around the F2 on assignments for a decade, my left shoulder is destroyed. I wish Newswear was around when I first got into photography.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
My bag shouldn't cost more than any camera or lens I'll put in it.
Chris
Chris
Fotohuis
Well-known
Yes, I like my Crumpler backpack too. Value for money.
About Lowepro: They got worse. In the past I had one for my Eur. 12.000 Leica M(7) gear.
It is now in an Aldi photo bag from ...... €10,-
Do not worry .....
Vics
Veteran
My average is knocked down by the $11 I spent on my (used) LowePro EX 140.
Ronald M
Veteran
small bags for light travel, M9 +3 lenses, larger ones for trekking in safe zones.
I spend what is required. Lowepro Magnums are great shoulder bags. If I fill the biggest one, I use a pro luggage carrier.
Billingham Hadley is great for Leica. Magnums for Nikon which have grown way to large.
Not being a fan of zooms, although I do use them, bags can get heavy.
Leica lenses are small, but they still can be heavy. 50 1.4 ASPH is pretty heavy as is 90 4.0 elmar macro in chrome. 75 APO is large and heavy.
I spend what is required. Lowepro Magnums are great shoulder bags. If I fill the biggest one, I use a pro luggage carrier.
Billingham Hadley is great for Leica. Magnums for Nikon which have grown way to large.
Not being a fan of zooms, although I do use them, bags can get heavy.
Leica lenses are small, but they still can be heavy. 50 1.4 ASPH is pretty heavy as is 90 4.0 elmar macro in chrome. 75 APO is large and heavy.
newsgrunt
Well-known
Domke and Think Tank. These have proven to be worthy of protecting and carrying my gear. Bags are one place I don't look for cheap deals.
wjlapier
Well-known
The inserts do help keep a shape, but also adds padding. I didn't care much for the Filson dividers.
Price for each was around $200. The retail for over $300.