Bare Bones Bag

I recently received my BBB bag and must say that this bag is well thought out. Build quality is second to none. Having worked in the outdoor outfitting industry for several years, I can honestly say that this bag is "bombproof." As far as padding, the bottom padding is smart yet doesn’t add bulk. Keep in mind that this is not a flimsy bag. Loaded, this bag does not sag or slouch. Also, the internal pockets sit above the bottom and do not bang around when loaded as far as I can tell. Camera and accessories are easy to access. I think a larger version of this bag would be great. Currently I am unable to fit my Bessa R2A with mounted CV nokton 1.5/50 into the inside pockets (granted that this is a big lens). You might also consider adding pen slots so one can access pens quicker.

Keep up the great work Stephen.
 
markE, I don't own the M-classics bag so I can't say. As Ken says, they are sewn to the inner liner. They are not in contact with the bottom of the bag -- maybe a 1/2 inch off. The pockets are roomy but not sloppy large. You put something in, it settles to the bottom and stays put.
 
Seamus04 said:
markE, I don't own the M-classics bag so I can't say. As Ken says, they are sewn to the inner liner. They are not in contact with the bottom of the bag -- maybe a 1/2 inch off. The pockets are roomy but not sloppy large.You put something in, it settles to the bottom and stays put.
Click to expand...

Sorry guys, but I'm still confused. It sounds like the pockets are actually suspended then, in a sense "hanging" by the stitches on the two sides, is this correct? And exactly what two sides? But the pockets still have a bottom of their own, right? And the 1/2 inch is providing an extra space of protection in case of being dropped?

Thanks for your patience!
 
marke - perhaps this photo from Stephen's site will help:

inside5pockets1.jpg
 
The straps are on the ends like a regular bag, just not sewn all the way down. The M-Classic bag has it sewn on the back side that rides on your hip; like a mailbag style. Like the M-Classic bag, the BBB hugs your hip as well, it bends a little to hold it at your side since it's soft from the lack of padding. It doesn't move much unless you're running away from a person that didn't want their picture taken 😛
 
Hey Stephen,

Do you sell this bag at any retailers? I am heading up to Burlington this weekend and wondered if any local shops carried it so I could check it out in person.

Fellow Vermonter,
Steve
 
Incredibly SLIM bag

Incredibly SLIM bag

My BBB just arrived here in Tokyo earlier today and next to a Billingham small Hadley it's almost invisible, it's that slim! And that's with a fully loaded RD-1s and two other lenses on the side. Really impressive, stealthy design.
Just wanted to add my 02 Yen to the discussion.
Cheers,
Francis
 
Will it hold...

Will it hold...

For those of you who have the bag - would it comfortably fit an M body with the CV 35mm f/1.2 mounted? Or will the size of this kit make the bag awkward to carry? Also, due to the lack of padding, do you feel all the bits and pieces of the cameras/gear poking into you as you walk?

Thanks
 
I think it would fit that kit fine. I routinely carry two m bodies with lenses in it. Last weekend I was running down some stairs in the subway in Budapest and slipped, landing on my bottom and BBB. Well the cameras came through without any problems that I can see (touch wood).
 
md2008 said:
For those of you who have the bag - would it comfortably fit an M body with the CV 35mm f/1.2 mounted? Or will the size of this kit make the bag awkward to carry? Also, due to the lack of padding, do you feel all the bits and pieces of the cameras/gear poking into you as you walk?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how large a CV 35/1.2 is, but my BBB will comfortably hold an M6 with RapidWinder and mounted 35/2 ASPH and hood in any of the four internal pockets without interfering with the other three. You would probably hold a Nikon D3 and a 24-70 in the main compartment, though! (The internal pockets can be collapsed.)

I don't feel anything through the bag.
 
reading this thread it honestly never ocured to me that a photographer would actually WALK AROUND, working, with a padded bag. Goes to show you what I know, haha. Ive always looked at padded bags for transport in the trunk of a car where you dont need to have your stuff in a pelican, but couldnt *think* of using one as a daily carry. We all have our own work flow but Im sometimes suprised by the things people will ninny over on this message board. Its fabulous that people make bags with padding, so you dont have to have a hard case all the time, and its fabulous that people make bags without padding for when you actually have to work with it. Regular messenger bags have worked for me for well over a decade internationally, and while I do treat my gear as what it is, gear, a hammer, Ive not had problems of the type that reading this thread would suggest are unavoidable if you dont pad your gear. Cameras are made of brass, glass, steel and plastic, not baby skin and china, they can take a beating... My main fear is the rangefinder mirror decementing in an old M and frankly for the impact required for this to happen some padding is more than likely not going to make any difference. Ask me how I arrive at this opinion...

nice work on your flickr Figital.
 
does someone actually have a pic of the bag with stuff inside? camera + 2/3 lenses?
it's so much easier to "See" than to read about it. i'm worried about stuff banging into each other inside the bag cuz of the unpadded pockets.
 
WoolenMammoth said:
reading this thread it honestly never ocured to me that a photographer would actually WALK AROUND, working, with a padded bag. Goes to show you what I know, haha. Ive always looked at padded bags for transport in the trunk of a car where you dont need to have your stuff in a pelican, but couldnt *think* of using one as a daily carry. We all have our own work flow but Im sometimes suprised by the things people will ninny over on this message board. Its fabulous that people make bags with padding, so you dont have to have a hard case all the time, and its fabulous that people make bags without padding for when you actually have to work with it. Regular messenger bags have worked for me for well over a decade internationally, and while I do treat my gear as what it is, gear, a hammer, Ive not had problems of the type that reading this thread would suggest are unavoidable if you dont pad your gear. Cameras are made of brass, glass, steel and plastic, not baby skin and china, they can take a beating... My main fear is the rangefinder mirror decementing in an old M and frankly for the impact required for this to happen some padding is more than likely not going to make any difference. Ask me how I arrive at this opinion...

nice work on your flickr Figital.
Click to expand...


I could not agree more. my backpack it padded, because i use it to transport gear. my out and about bag is not padded at all.
 
Hello Stephen!

I would be interested in buying a BBB2 bag if you eventually come out with one! I currently use a Billingham Hadley Small for my Leica M3, 2 lenses and a meter and a larger bag would be perfect for the Nikon F6 with some small primes. Please let us know when it comes out.

Best wishes!
 
I'm now taking a close look at this bag...I use, and love, my Domke F-803 for my 2-body Hexar kit, but would like a smaller bag for my assorted "other stuff" (largely photo-related, but not strictly...think Konica Auto S3, an Olympus Pen EE, a small Clairfontaine wire-bound notebook, film, etc.). The BBB seems distinctly smaller-enough than my Domke to be worth the investment. Also thinking about the Y-Strap vs. the Leicagoodies STRAP (I want the Y-Strap in black, however). The adjustability of the Y-Strap, of course, gives a nod in its favor, although I'll likely couple it with a Leicagoodies HOOK. This is all quite interesting. 🙂


- Barrett
 
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Oh I'm fine, sore pride and bottom but that's it! Next time I won't try running down an escalator!
 
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