Bag for Mamiya 6 + 50, 75, 150

[Matus]

I am looking for a bag that would hold Mamiya 6 with all 3 lenses (50, 75, 150), some acc., film. It should also have space to store personal documents, a map (city map), 0.5l bottle (could be in add-on pouch). I should be with me for day trips in cities (for hiking I would take a backpack). I do care about the weight and would prefer to fit with 1 kg or there about.

Style-wise I do not really like "thick" bags - I am more looking for something a'la messenger bag (or satchel). I seem to like the canvas bags, but nylon/cordura is also fine. Leanther is nice, but mostly too heavy.

I have already searched around and found following bags interesting:

- Billingham f1.4 - really a nice bag, but I am bit concerned about keeping dirt out of it as it has only the top flap over the gear (i.e. no zipper and such). Also the front pocket has not flap.

- Tenba Messenger Small Photo bag - interesting bag - maybe a bit too much structured. Removable photo insert is interesting

- National Geographic NG-2475 - a bit on the heavy side (1.3kg) but looks nice.

- Naneu Lima-N - interesting bag with a good size.

- Some Domke "J" models - need to look closer at those.

Anybody has an experience with any of these bags? Suggestions for similar ones?

What you use with your compact MF equipment?

 

[Calzone]

The Domke F-803 is a "sachel" that is styled as a bookbag. I also own both a Domke J-1 amd J-2, and these bags when full of gear weigh too much.

I use the padded inserts from a J-Series side pocket to further pad my Mamiya 6 with 50/4.0 uncollapsed in my 803. A second Domke padded insert for a side pocket allows carrying a Rolleiflex 3.5F in the same bag. There is an inside and and outside "magazine" pocket that could serve you well for maps. Recently shot a wedding at Cape Cod with this two camera kit. Two pockets under the top flap held about 30 rolls of 120 and 220. My kit weighed about 11 pounds and this is about my limit for an all day carry when walking around all day. Slim is good for urban and here in NYC on the subway. Also kinda blends in as just another bookbag.

This bag fits close to your body. The thicker Domke J-Series bags tend to counterlever and this ends up killing your shoulders. My J-1 (biggest bag) weighs about 70 pounds fully louded, and is too much for an every day carry,

Good luck.

Cal

 

[gerkshinobi]

I'd suggest a Domke F2 or F6. If you go with the F6 I think it will work with the 2 square insert instead of the 4 square insert, which is what I'm using for my 7II. I have a Domke J803 and it's too thin to fit the Mamiya, but works well for thinner cameras. The F803 is a bit bigger and I've seen it in person but haven't actually tried to fit my 7II in it, but i think it will be a tight squeeze.

The F2 will fit it all no problem for sure though

 

[Tegla]

I use Targus DAVM16 Video Camera Case. It is perfect fit for my Mamiya 6 wit all three lenses, and still has a place for 10 rolls of film, lightmeter and few filters. Here are photos of my bag with camera and lenses.

 

[Matus]

Thank you for your suggestions. But as I looked more I realized that rather than getting a dedicated padded bag I would rather get some "normal" (though a bit strong) canvas bag and store the camera and lenses in small pouches. For the pouches I have something like this in mind:
- camera pouch - shoulf fit mamiya with either 50 or 75 lenses
- lens pouch (2 of them) for the lenses.

My idea is to attach the lens pouches from inside the camera bag (so that they do not fly around).

So - now I am looking for suggestions for a non-padded but strong and stable bag (imagine a non padded Billingham Hadley Pro or similar) - bit of messenger style. After some googling it seems that fishing bags may get close to what I am looking for.

I am also looking at the Bare Bones Bag BBB2, some models from Courierware but also the custom courier styled bags from Timbuk2 - any experience with some of those (I did read the long BBB thread here) ?

These are quite pricey, but very lightweight. I have just realized that the decreased weight would allow me to carry a bottle of water "free of charge" as I plan to use this bag also during my vacation in Spain.

thanks

 

[gerkshinobi]

you should try the postal strap add-on by domke, it works wonders for shoulder relief. no more strap digging into your shoulder from excessive weight

The Domke F-803 is a "sachel" that is styled as a bookbag. I also own both a Domke J-1 amd J-2, and these bags when full of gear weigh too much.

I use the padded inserts from a J-Series side pocket to further pad my Mamiya 6 with 50/4.0 uncollapsed in my 803. A second Domke padded insert for a side pocket allows carrying a Rolleiflex 3.5F in the same bag. There is an inside and and outside "magazine" pocket that could serve you well for maps. Recently shot a wedding at Cape Cod with this two camera kit. Two pockets under the top flap held about 30 rolls of 120 and 220. My kit weighed about 11 pounds and this is about my limit for an all day carry when walking around all day. Slim is good for urban and here in NYC on the subway. Also kinda blends in as just another bookbag.

This bag fits close to your body. The thicker Domke J-Series bags tend to counterlever and this ends up killing your shoulders. My J-1 (biggest bag) weighs about 70 pounds fully louded, and is too much for an every day carry,

Good luck.

Cal

 

[SteveM]

I recently bought a Hadley Pro, but it was for my Leica kit. However, in the shop I had narrowed the choice down to it and the Billingham f1.4 that you mention. It's a nice bag and would have fit my MF gear nicely. I know what you mean about the flap, but access would be easy.

I've been using a Red Oxx "Gator" bag for my Bronica RF645, three lenses, plus flash filters and other small stuff for a few years now. It may be more boxy than you are looking for, but it's not a camera bag and works very well for a kit around the size of what you have in mind. A 4 compartment Domke insert holds the lenses etc. and the camera even with 100mm lens attached fits nicely next to it.

Having used a plain canvas bag with lenses in pouches before getting the Hadley, I would never go back to that system. Lens changes are much slower and more precarious.

Steve

 

[sar-photo]

I have been using a Hadley Pro for the past few years with the exact same kit! I find that it is the best bag that I have ever used. I have the main compartment divided into three sections. The 150 goes in one end, the 50 or 75 goes horizontally in the middle with a padded flap over it and then the body with the 75 or 50 goes on top of that. This leaves the other end section for food and/or water. Film can go in one of the front pockets and maps etc can go in the rear zippered pocket or slip behind the padded insert.
As for protection from the elements; I have used the bag in heavy rain, high winds, on the beach, in deserts and dusty cities - not once have I had any problems with undesirables getting into the bag. I can post pictures if you want.

Cheers
Simon

 

[Matus]

Yes, the Billingham Hadley Pro is a nice bag. However for me to do the job I would have to remove the padding to get decent size (I am anyhow looking for a bag without padding) and to fit the stuff I want (apart from photo acc). I have already contacted Billingham asking about the weight of this bag without the padded insert - the reply was 730 g what is quite reasonable. Yes - it is a nice bag. Keep persuading me - pictures would be great! Could you maybe post some how the gears look inside without the padding insert - just to get an idea 🙂

I had a look at the Red Oxx Gator bag and have to admit that it looks very practical for travel. With the weight of 1 kg it is just on the edge of what I plan to get (the BBB2 bag is 0.5 kg less ...). It also seems to have a great shoulder pad. I like the color too. Still - the top zipper looks like a good way top get rain inside ...

I have come across ManhattanPortage bags - the Europa (expandable) and the Cornell bags look great too. Any experience?

A note on the non padded bags:
The padding has its reasons, but very often it is overdone. Rarely one finds a slightly padded general usage bag (actually the Gator could be an exception here). I have one smaller Crumpler which is super safe, but If I would get on in the size I need it would be too large and heavy. I also do realize that padded bags which keep the form are in general faster to use. However I will not be changing lenses too often and I want to keep the bag as light as possible. Also the full foldability of non padded bags like BBB makes them easier to store in check-in luggage. I will use a backpack for carry-on (Only one carry-on allowed around here)

 

[Matus]

After lot of consideration I decided to get a Messenger Bag from Courierware (Super Deluxe, size Small). I have also requested some custom modifications, so I am curious how it will work for me. Not a cheap option (especially given the shipping and taxes), so I keep my fingers crossed.

It should arrive in about 2 weeks so I will report about it as soon as I have it home.

 

[Matus]

OK guys and galls, by new bag from Courierware arrived today - I will check it in details over the weekend - expect a detailed review here on RFF soon. The first impression - very well made from solid materials. Customization I have requested was all done and looks great.

Stay tuned ...

 

[Matus]

so, the promised review is HERE

 

[akitadog]

the best Bag

the best Bag

Hi,

I use a Domke F3X Bag. I have both the Nylon and the Canvas versions.
I prefer the canvas version for tactile feel, although the Nylon/Balistic is the one that I have used for many years travelling. Holds a Mamiya 6 with 50, 75, 150mm lenses, filters and a Vivitar 285 flash, cables etc. I lug this all around the place and it is still looking really good. I also have and use F803 satchel for my Leica and lenses, but this is too small for the Mamiya. Had many other bags in the past but these two are the ones I like and actually use.
You can't go wrong with the Domke bags.

Akitadog

 

[akitadog]

Domke F3X

Domke F3X

Deleted as duplicate reply

 

[qruyk12]

backpack

backpack

I use the NG medium sized backpack.