Jungle Jim
Leica Fat Old Men's Club
Hi Stephen!
I would love to buy your BBB2 bag. PM sent.
Best Wishes!
I would love to buy your BBB2 bag. PM sent.
Best Wishes!
Bare Bones Bag
- Thread starter Way
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Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
Some comments on the prototype "BBBXL" bag:
It has all the inherent goodness of the original BBB in a larger package. It's by no means a large bag - it's slightly smaller than my Domke 803 clone - and it carries much lighter. The internal pockets are generous; my M6 with Rapidwinder and 35 Cron ASPH slip right in with plenty of space.
For me it's a little large for a RF bag - I usually carry one body and two or three lenses (one mounted at all times), so the original BBB is perfect. The BBBXL would be great for a two RF kit or (even better) for an SLR kit - I had two unmetered F2s and four lenses in the bag with plenty of film and accessory space. It would also work well for a general purpose camera-plus-other-stuff bag.
All in all, a very nice bag! Really bad pics follow (the Nikon is on the charger).
Pic 1 - the BBBXL next to the BBB.
Pic 2 - my BBB loaded with an M6 with Rapidwinder and 35 Cron Asph, 90 Elmar-C, five rolls of film and other stuff
Pic 3 - the BBBXL with the same load as Pic 2
It has all the inherent goodness of the original BBB in a larger package. It's by no means a large bag - it's slightly smaller than my Domke 803 clone - and it carries much lighter. The internal pockets are generous; my M6 with Rapidwinder and 35 Cron ASPH slip right in with plenty of space.
For me it's a little large for a RF bag - I usually carry one body and two or three lenses (one mounted at all times), so the original BBB is perfect. The BBBXL would be great for a two RF kit or (even better) for an SLR kit - I had two unmetered F2s and four lenses in the bag with plenty of film and accessory space. It would also work well for a general purpose camera-plus-other-stuff bag.
All in all, a very nice bag! Really bad pics follow (the Nikon is on the charger).
Pic 1 - the BBBXL next to the BBB.
Pic 2 - my BBB loaded with an M6 with Rapidwinder and 35 Cron Asph, 90 Elmar-C, five rolls of film and other stuff
Pic 3 - the BBBXL with the same load as Pic 2
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Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
Damaso
Photojournalist
So now the question is when will the XL go on sale and how much will it be?
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Hmmm. Would the BBB2 be large enough for a Canon 50D and an extra lens?
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
IMO yes. I didn't try my D300 gear in the bag, but there appears to be more than enough room.
Gumby
Veteran
I will conduct and publish a review of your BBB2 if you'll send me a complimentary sample.
Gumby
Veteran
OK. Thanks for your response. Good luck with your sales.
parameters
Established
sounds interesting alternative to my f803
just placed an order and can't wait to try it
just placed an order and can't wait to try it
Marsopa
Well-known
I've recived my BBB a litle after christmas... now I use it 90% of time. Very comfortable, light, correct size, nice... I was worried about the lack of padding but as I used it I feel more confident, there is no problem!
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
How much will the micro cost?
Marsopa
Well-known
BBBM sounds interesting!
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
I placed my order for the BBB2 this morning, apparently its gone through all ready(!) so hopefully in two weeks it should have made its way to the UK.
I use a Crumpler for my DSLR kit, it's okay but, like most bags, simply isn't accessible enough quickly. I tend to use it to store my daily gear in and transfer it to an old canvas messenger bag that I use for my RF gear. I managed to squeeze in a D3 body, 18-35, 24-70, 60mm macro and a 70-200 f2.8 plus speedlight and other bobbins, had to carry the other D3 over my shoulder though. My problem with it, and reason for going for the BBB2 is weatherproofing. Once it started raining my gear would get soaked - not good!
I'm looking forward to checking this out, hopefully it will answer my needs ( which is mainly for RF gear but if I can squeeze some select SLR gear in too then brilliant!) IF it all works out I could be tempted to go for the original BBB for when I'm using the RF gear and keep the BBB2 for SLR kit as Stephen suggests on his video clip - let's see though.
Wish I'd found the thread sooner though, could've got myself the Y-strap too.
Finally, good luck to Stephen with sales of these products - we need people to design and produce things from a practical viewpoint using years of actual experience.
I use a Crumpler for my DSLR kit, it's okay but, like most bags, simply isn't accessible enough quickly. I tend to use it to store my daily gear in and transfer it to an old canvas messenger bag that I use for my RF gear. I managed to squeeze in a D3 body, 18-35, 24-70, 60mm macro and a 70-200 f2.8 plus speedlight and other bobbins, had to carry the other D3 over my shoulder though. My problem with it, and reason for going for the BBB2 is weatherproofing. Once it started raining my gear would get soaked - not good!
I'm looking forward to checking this out, hopefully it will answer my needs ( which is mainly for RF gear but if I can squeeze some select SLR gear in too then brilliant!) IF it all works out I could be tempted to go for the original BBB for when I'm using the RF gear and keep the BBB2 for SLR kit as Stephen suggests on his video clip - let's see though.
Wish I'd found the thread sooner though, could've got myself the Y-strap too.
Finally, good luck to Stephen with sales of these products - we need people to design and produce things from a practical viewpoint using years of actual experience.
fbf
Well-known
just ordered a bbb2 and looking forward to give it a try.
Gary E
Well-known
Bbb2?
Bbb2?
What's this? Another bag? :bang:
Who here has only one bag with one cam and one lens? 🙄 I have and like the original BBB, but I would have liked this bag first for it's dual body fit.
Oh well, I do have a case of BAS at the moment...
Bbb2?
What's this? Another bag? :bang:
Who here has only one bag with one cam and one lens? 🙄 I have and like the original BBB, but I would have liked this bag first for it's dual body fit.
Oh well, I do have a case of BAS at the moment...
Gary E
Well-known
Too late. BAS hit already. Your site has BBB and BBB2, so I hope BBB2 the the large one you've been talking about. Let me review here, so it'll be BBBM for the mini, BBB for the regular and BBB2 for the large? I don't want to get the wrong bag as I requested you send it to Taiwan for my trip 😱
If this new bag can hold 2 bodies with attached lenses, then it definitely rounds my travel carry kit alright. I tell you what I think in a month when I get there... 😉
If this new bag can hold 2 bodies with attached lenses, then it definitely rounds my travel carry kit alright. I tell you what I think in a month when I get there... 😉
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OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
I'm pleased to hear this bag get a general thumbs up from you Floyd; I'm waiting for my BBB2 to arrive. I'm planning to use mine for my RF gear and maybe the odd work assignment if it is big enough to carry what I need.
When it does arrive I'll give my view on it here too
Jungle Jim
Leica Fat Old Men's Club
I purchased a BBB2 SLR bag a month ago from Stephen and have been using it almost continuously since receipt. I just wanted to share my impression of it.
I do not load my bag up with lots of gear, but just put in what I would need for an outing. There are 2 wide pockets inside of the bag on each side with an alley down the middle lengthwise. If you can't visualize it, just take a look at the pictures on Stephen's website.
Inside the alley sits my Nikon F6 with an RRS L Plate attached, no lens, placed lengthwise in the bag. There is another 3 plus inches to the top of the bag, so it's fairly tall, and an additional 3 inches of room from the camera to the edge of the bag. Easily fits the F6 with the MB-40 vertical grip attached if needed. Nice and roomy. In pocket #1 sits a Sekonic lightmeter. Pocket #2 has a Zeiss 35/2 lens with reversed hood. These pockets are on the side of the bag nearest your body. Pocket #3 has a Nikon 85/1.4 lens with reversed hood. Pocket #4 has the film in their plastic canisters. These pockets are on the side away from the body. There are also 2 fairly roomy pockets on the outside of the bag that are covered by the flap when it is lowered. One pocket has a polarizer and ND filters, the other pocket has my keys and cell phone. There is one more long pocket on the outside of the bag that sits against your body. Not really good for bulky gear, more designed for maps, a magazine or newspaper.
The unique thing about the BBB2 bag is the way it hugs your body, much like the way a clingy toddler moulds itself to Mom. The bag wraps around my hips so there is no bag bounce when walking or jogging to catch the bus. With the strap worn cross-chest like a messenger bag, it becomes very comfortable and can be worn all day.
The bag is fairly weather resistant. I
have been in the rain and been caught in three heavy thundershowers and everything inside the bag stayed nice and dry. Other owners here at RFF have noted how the bag keeps out snow and sleet.
One thing I wanted to try was to see how comfortable the bag was when it was loaded up with LOTS of gear. I don't own any zoom lenses but placed all my heavy primes (not the plastic modern ones, but the older heavy metal manual lenses) in each pocket along with the camera body, flash gear and lots of spare batteries. Sorry, not comfortable at all. The unpadded strap cuts into your neck and shoulder and after a short while was a real pain. As a day bag, the BBB2 is perfect for me. As a fly cross-country with all your needed gear and work out of bag, not so good.
One personal item I did not care for was the long strips of Velcro used to keep the flap in place. I am not a fan of Velcro, and this bag has 4 inches of it on each side of the flap. Every time you open the bag, a very loud "keerrriiipp" that can wake the dead. I made a quick trip to the fabric store to buy more Velcro to cover the strips. A little adjustment to cover the upper 3 inches and now the bag opens with a barely heard "snik". As I said, just a personal thing that most other people would not be bothered by.
As a side note, I have received many compliments on the way the bag looks, especially from the ladies. When I show them that it is not a messenger bag but a camera bag, then they become really interested and ask where to go to buy one.
Overall, I think the BBB2 is well designed and well worth my investment.
Best Wishes!
I do not load my bag up with lots of gear, but just put in what I would need for an outing. There are 2 wide pockets inside of the bag on each side with an alley down the middle lengthwise. If you can't visualize it, just take a look at the pictures on Stephen's website.
Inside the alley sits my Nikon F6 with an RRS L Plate attached, no lens, placed lengthwise in the bag. There is another 3 plus inches to the top of the bag, so it's fairly tall, and an additional 3 inches of room from the camera to the edge of the bag. Easily fits the F6 with the MB-40 vertical grip attached if needed. Nice and roomy. In pocket #1 sits a Sekonic lightmeter. Pocket #2 has a Zeiss 35/2 lens with reversed hood. These pockets are on the side of the bag nearest your body. Pocket #3 has a Nikon 85/1.4 lens with reversed hood. Pocket #4 has the film in their plastic canisters. These pockets are on the side away from the body. There are also 2 fairly roomy pockets on the outside of the bag that are covered by the flap when it is lowered. One pocket has a polarizer and ND filters, the other pocket has my keys and cell phone. There is one more long pocket on the outside of the bag that sits against your body. Not really good for bulky gear, more designed for maps, a magazine or newspaper.
The unique thing about the BBB2 bag is the way it hugs your body, much like the way a clingy toddler moulds itself to Mom. The bag wraps around my hips so there is no bag bounce when walking or jogging to catch the bus. With the strap worn cross-chest like a messenger bag, it becomes very comfortable and can be worn all day.
The bag is fairly weather resistant. I
have been in the rain and been caught in three heavy thundershowers and everything inside the bag stayed nice and dry. Other owners here at RFF have noted how the bag keeps out snow and sleet.
One thing I wanted to try was to see how comfortable the bag was when it was loaded up with LOTS of gear. I don't own any zoom lenses but placed all my heavy primes (not the plastic modern ones, but the older heavy metal manual lenses) in each pocket along with the camera body, flash gear and lots of spare batteries. Sorry, not comfortable at all. The unpadded strap cuts into your neck and shoulder and after a short while was a real pain. As a day bag, the BBB2 is perfect for me. As a fly cross-country with all your needed gear and work out of bag, not so good.
One personal item I did not care for was the long strips of Velcro used to keep the flap in place. I am not a fan of Velcro, and this bag has 4 inches of it on each side of the flap. Every time you open the bag, a very loud "keerrriiipp" that can wake the dead. I made a quick trip to the fabric store to buy more Velcro to cover the strips. A little adjustment to cover the upper 3 inches and now the bag opens with a barely heard "snik". As I said, just a personal thing that most other people would not be bothered by.
As a side note, I have received many compliments on the way the bag looks, especially from the ladies. When I show them that it is not a messenger bag but a camera bag, then they become really interested and ask where to go to buy one.
Overall, I think the BBB2 is well designed and well worth my investment.
Best Wishes!
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kuvvy
Well-known
Stephen, I also mentioned the lack of grip / padding on the shoulder strap when I got my BBB some weeks back. I'm trying to find a suitable grip to fit the strap, probably off another bag. Overall I find the bag to be very nice indeed. When worn across the chest it's very comfortable and usually the bag is lighter most of the time as the camera is in the hand. I would've liked the grip so that I had the option of wearing it on the shoulder when shooting in more formal situations, eg when wearing a suit. The across the chest look doesn't look right somehow. Also, given the current weather, I tend to be wearing a jacket, but i was wondering if some padding may be preferable in the summer when wearing just a tee-shirt to avoid it 'cutting in'. Sorry if I'm making this sound more like a fashion article but anyone who knows me knows I'm no follower of fashion.
I haven't even tried my RF outfit in it yet. I've had a small Olympus e420 plus a couple of lenses in it and also had just my Nikon D80 plus Sigma 30mm in it. Although you have designed for the RF shooter in the main, I've found it suitable when using these minimal DSLR outfits, if a little cramped. That said, I do like the bag and I am considering the larger version for the extra space.
I haven't even tried my RF outfit in it yet. I've had a small Olympus e420 plus a couple of lenses in it and also had just my Nikon D80 plus Sigma 30mm in it. Although you have designed for the RF shooter in the main, I've found it suitable when using these minimal DSLR outfits, if a little cramped. That said, I do like the bag and I am considering the larger version for the extra space.
sambr
Newbie
Bbbm
Bbbm
question about the size of the BBBM. will it fit a bessa-r with two small lenses, a few rolls of film, filters, and maybe a book?
it looks like a great bag for roaming around with everyday.
Bbbm
question about the size of the BBBM. will it fit a bessa-r with two small lenses, a few rolls of film, filters, and maybe a book?
it looks like a great bag for roaming around with everyday.