Bare Bones Bag

Hi Stephen,

Congratulations on the new bag. You seem to have achieved the balance between having some protection and having a bag which molds to the body. The straps attaching to the top seam is a very nice touch.

However, might I suggest that you also keep the original BBB in the line-up. It is the perfect bag for a small M outfit. I carry an M6 with a 35 Summicron and a 90 Tele-Elmarit in my BBB. The camera and 35 fit in one pocket, the 90 in another, filters and a lens cloth in a third and my small binoculars or a point'n'shoot in the fourth. This leaves the main compartment for film, my specs and whatever else I need for the day. I don't think I'd be able to organize the BBBR so efficiently. Of course I may just have to buy one to find out 😀 .

cheers,
clay
 
Stephen,

Using my wides more. Will the BBBR fit 2 M bodies, each with a lens, external VF and motor M attached? Lenses would be a 21 Summilux and an 18 Super Elmar. If there is additional space, I would like to take a 3rd M body with lens and Motor M attached, lens would likely be a Noctilux or 35 Summilux.
 
I just received my BBB-R. It is and is not quite what I expected. It is smaller than my previous BBBs and seems designed for a far more specific purpose. Whereas the other BBBs were great "general" bags for the photographer (they could carry a wide variety of types of camera gear plus daily stuff) the BBB-R really seems to be only intended to carry a compact camera or two and that's about it. The emphasis is on security, but at the cost of flexibility.

My Ricoh GXR fits snugly, but not the with the EVF attached, which I generally keep on all the time. My previous BBB was fine with the EVF attached. The bag is smaller and holds less stuff. Along with my camera gear I carry a blower, cleaning pen and small cloth, spare batteries and memory, pens, Field Notes notebooks, 3x5 cards, and iPhone and maybe some other stuff. The Field Note notebooks (same as Moleskine) don't fit inside the zippered pockets and there are no other pockets.

The padding in the BB-R is nice, but the philosophy of the original BBB was to do away with most of it because it was unnecessary (and I agree).

While I still think the BBB is the best everyday camera bag out there, the BBB-R is too specific for my needs. I would love to see the previous BBB with the new strap design for how it attaches to the bag. And pockets. Can't seem to have enough pockets. The previous design was not perfect (once the inside pockets were full of stuff the main storage area could be tricky to access given the flexible nature of the bag), but it is close.

Surely the blueprints for the previous bags are still available and I don't see why they can't be reproduced, even if through Courierware with credit to Stephen.

I also just purchased a small Rickshaw Zero bag, and while beautiful and beautifully constructed it is not really a great camera bag.
 
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jammcat said:
As an ethnic Roma, I take offense to this guy referring to a back pocket in a camera bag as a security threat due to Gypsies. Come on.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it is indeed unfortunate to use one ethnic group as a negative example for some particular behavior, because it is like saying that everyone from the given group behaves the same way (which is of course always wrong, even in positive examples)

I would say the video should be modified. I have talked a few times to Stephen and he indeed is a nice guy, I would just guess he wanted to stress a point and used a less than optimal expression.

Now back to the bag - I own a very similar one from Courierware (looks like the BBB2, but it is one number larger with few modifications). I actually use the outer large pocket for a map, pack of napkins and sometimes small tube of sun creme (this particular item I wanted to keep out of the inner parts of the back). The front pockets are fully occupied by a wallet, documents, A6 notebook and pencil. These are flat so not really designed to keep film (I can put two 4x5" holders into each, but it is a tight fit). But one should keep in mind that whatever paper/map you out into this pocket, after several hours of hanging around your hip it will be a bit "chewed" as the pocket is soft. And in a heavy rain it indeed would be an entrance for water.

What however I would like to know is how well does the velcro dividers hold in place. As these are rather thin and the bag is soft I am wondering whether the gear inside does not have the tendency to "un-attach" them? That is my experience with the Lowepro Exchange Messenger.
 
andrewteee said:
I just received my BBB-R. It is and is not quite what I expected. It is smaller than my previous BBBs and seems designed for a far more specific purpose.
Click to expand...

Mine arrived yesterday, and I think it is going to be far too small for two M bodies with lenses plus film. But as a bag for a single body it may work well.

I'll not be able to give it a try till the weekend.
 
Matus said:
What however I would like to know is how well does the velcro dividers hold in place. As these are rather thin and the bag is soft I am wondering whether the gear inside does not have the tendency to "un-attach" them?
Click to expand...

I would classify the dividers as "substantial" and tightly coupled to the sides, and therefore unlikely to be moved around. Given the size of the bag I don't think you could put camera gear in there that has enough heft to move the dividers around. It's a pretty tight fit. And BTW this bag is not as "soft" as the other BBBs due to the additional padding.

If I could return the bag I would simply because for what I need it is not the right solution. Like others who have commented, my camera bag is not just for a camera or two. I carry lots of other stuff on my photowalks.

I still think the perfect BBB is out there somewhere. Stephen keeps tweaking it and someday he'll get there. And there does not have to be only one BBB available at a time just as there is not only one Courierware bag available. Make 2-3 Figital Revolution branded bags available through Courierware to fit differing needs (while still remaining core to the BBB principles.

But it seems apparent that he is getting feedback from photographers concerned about security in their camera bags. It's just hard to imagine that this is the primary market for the BBB.
 
Matus said:
What however I would like to know is how well does the velcro dividers hold in place. As these are rather thin and the bag is soft I am wondering whether the gear inside does not have the tendency to "un-attach" them? That is my experience with the Lowepro Exchange Messenger.
Click to expand...

Matus, with regards to the Exchange Messenger, I too found that the dividers became unattched from the sides of the bag. However, a member here mentioned an insert, actually for in relation to another bag and I have been using it in my Exch Mess. It's light and well made and I find I use it in a number of different bags. In the Exhchange it does make it slightly more boxy, but then again, it's a box🙂 It does however fit well while leaving space around the insert to fit other stuff.
It's the Puleme 7518, see it here,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/puleme-75...167?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3efd1e0827

Paul
 
For those interested, I wanted to add a few more comments after additional usage of the new BBB-R. The bag is quite nice to use - it is compact, unassuming, well padded, the new strap design is improved, and for a simple kit without additional stuff it works really well. It is easier to get cameras in and out than the previous BBBs. This past weekend I took along two Ricoh GXR cameras with "units" (lenses) attached, EVF, spare battery, blower, lens pen, and in an unzipped front pocket two pens, Field Notes notebook and 3x5 cards. But that is all that would fit.

Other than a general lack of pockets and the ability to carry more stuff for longer outings my only other quibble is that the zippers, when unzipped (to fit the taller Field Notes notebook), made quite a bit of noise as I walked along. If security is a primary purpose of the BBB-R this noise might attract attention, but I suppose if security is a big concern where you are you'll just keep them zipped.

After having used the bag I'd consider the BBB-R a positive step with interesting enhancements (new strap design, minimal padding), but the line still needs further iteration. What comes to mind are two BBBs: one that is the Zen-like current BBB-R (I'd take mine without zippers) and a second that is the BBB-R with more pockets (at least a back pocket - it might be hard to add pockets inside with the new padding) and without zippers.

Great bag if it can work for your needs.
 
Well I got out for a bit with mine today, after a short trip downtown and home again with it on Sunday. It is small. My moleskine doesn't fit in the front pocket unless it stays unzipped, and two bodies with small lenses is tops if it there is more film along. Even my water bottle would be a tight fit inside. But, it is comfortable, the velcro is quieter than my A&A bag, and did I say it is comfortable? One problem with my example is the strap- it was sewn on with a twist built in (or is this a feature??).

I can see this as a great bag for winter when I want to travel with only a single body and perhaps an extra lens. Won't need to worry about snow or coming in from the extreme cold.

Andrew- some gaff tape on the zippers should quell the clatter. I'd second your mention that the line needs some further attention- I'd say the old BBB with the same interior treatment as the BBB-R might be the best bag for me. The size of the older bag fits my usual kit better, and I prefer the end attached straps to the newer style. I also prefer a rear pocket- especially in summer when I wear as little as possible.
 
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With a back pocket, I'm almost certain to spring for one. Since my original post, I've decided I cannot do without such a pocket. I don't really care if it's zippered. I have a zippered one on my Think Tank retrospective, but actually prefer the non-zippered ones on the Stealth (or Domke/Safrotto), where I often stick a cap or notebook/paperback.
 
I would be more inclined to buy one if it had a back pocket as well (not to pile on). The back pocket to me is important to carry either a map or notepad/pen. You could say to use the front zippered pocket, but the open back pocket is just quicker and more intuitive. Just my 2 cents. Otherwise sounds like a great bag.
 
Stephen,

I already have one of the large bags, but in looking at your website and sites found by google, the links at your website (e.g., the tab at the top of the FR home page labelled "BBB") are password protected. Not likely to produce many sales 🙂
 
kuvvy said:
You and me too Joe. Just ordered mine. If its as good as my original BBB has been then my two month old Hadley Small will be up for sale.
Click to expand...

damn!
i'm saving up for a lens that i likely don't need...i could try to sell one of the think tanks but i've had little luck with selling bags lately...

maybe i'll wait for your review paul and then decide...

:bang:
 
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