Camera bag suggestions?

markrich

markrich

Enthusiatic amatuer
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Aug 17, 2004
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Hi all!

I am looking for a new camera bag and thought I would throw this one out for people to give me some ideas.

Essentially I am looking for an bag which I can thrown across my shoulder similar to a satchel bag. I want to be able to throw my Contax G2 into the bag along with any magazines, books etc. I may be carrying with me therefore it has to be wide enough for this but also protect the camera at the same time.

Now I am not expecting super-dooper protection clearly from a bag of this type but the best solution and protection possible would be good.

The other most important thing to me is that it must NOT look like a camera bag. As I carry my camera with me most days I don't want it obvious that I am doing so. Currently I sit my camera in a dedicated camera bag which sits in my general use rucksack but that means digging into two bags for my Contax when I want it.

Okay, I may be vague in my description for what I want but if anyone has any ideas please shout them over!!!

Thanks!

Marky
 
Search the fora for 'safrotto'. I had pretty much exactly the same requirements, and it makes me happy :D
 
I'm a recently converted Crumpler bag fan. Big range, and many hardly look like camera bags at all, while still providing good protection.
 
I do like the canvas look. I don't seem to be able to find anyone selling these Safrotto bags here in the EU though. Do you know of anyone local?

Marky
 
The Domke 803 is really great for this. The only issue is that a magazine has to be placed vertically and it sticks out a bit (it isn't quite wide enough to fit them on their long side).

The bag is canvas, very versatile, modular, doesn't look like a camera bag, deceptively capacious and well thought out.
 
Holy carp! That Safrotto is an exact copy of the Domke 803! Is that even legal?
 
Actually the Safrotto clone is better built than the F-803. Canvas is thicker, strap is more comfortable and the stitching seems stronger. The Safrotto comes standard with a 3 compartment insert whereas the F-803 comes with a single compartment insert only, you'd have to spend extra $$ on top of the price of the bag for an optional insert. The Safrotto is less than half the price of the Domke.

I've got one for sale, black and in excellent condition. Safrotto tags sewn on pocket flaps have been removed. $45 plus US shipping.
 
Robert White has the Domke 803, but his price of 84 pounds seems really high to me. Adorama has it for 79 DOLLARS (43 pounds) and they are reliable. I would just buy it from them or get the Safrotto (though supporting a counterfeiter doesn't really strike me as on the up and up).
 
It's not a counterfeit. It's a licensed copy made in Taiwan. They make clones of most of the major Domke models (F2, F-802 etc...)
 
Well, if it is licensed, then by all means buy it! As long as no one is getting cheated, then get the best, cheapest thing you can!
 
StuartR said:
Robert White has the Domke 803, but his price of 84 pounds seems really high to me. Adorama has it for 79 DOLLARS (43 pounds) and they are reliable. I would just buy it from them or get the Safrotto (though supporting a counterfeiter doesn't really strike me as on the up and up).
Click to expand...
Domke bags are luidcrously expensive in the UK. I got my F-5XB in Copenhagen after not finding it anywhere in the UK at that time, and it was equally silly-expensive.

I'll scond what's already been said: the Safrotto I have seems to be of higher quality than my Domke (although I'm not comparing similar 'models'), while costing less than half an 803. And the world is full of very similar designs.

Plus, it'd only be counterfeit if it said 'Domke' on them :D
 
Marky, may I recommend a Billingham Hadley. I don't think it looks like a camera bag, but it may look a bit expensive for the street. What I've suggested to a friend is to buy the Hadley's padded insert (which is available for about US$40) and to stick it in his favorite messenger or satchel bag.

I've never really liked the Domkes because the material they use, is somewhat coarse, and I don't like the feeling of that. The material used in the Billingham bags have a texture that's quite close to twill, and I find that far more comfortable.
 
I agree with Justin about the Hadley. I bought mine ages ago, used and now have started to use it as my day bag.
Today it held my camera with lens, B&W Photo mag, a paperback, some paperwork, 2 newspapers, pack of photos and CD, film, batteries and still had room for more. The material is much softer than most bags and very comfy.
I have to admit mine has been looked after too well, as it still looks like new and the insert has only been used 4/5 times as I tend to use wraps within the bag to protect my gear.
I went out to a street festival at the weekend and it got a soaking (typical British weather) for the first time.
I, like many here, have more than one bag and I recently bought a Domke f-5xb from another RFF member, which is fine for the small outfit.
Billingham are an excellent company and have been very helpful to me in the past and their products are superb.

Paul
 
SirAlien said:
Hi all!

I am looking for a new camera bag and thought I would throw this one out for people to give me some ideas.

Essentially I am looking for an bag which I can thrown across my shoulder similar to a satchel bag. I want to be able to throw my Contax G2 into the bag along with any magazines, books etc. I may be carrying with me therefore it has to be wide enough for this but also protect the camera at the same time.

Now I am not expecting super-dooper protection clearly from a bag of this type but the best solution and protection possible would be good.

The other most important thing to me is that it must NOT look like a camera bag. As I carry my camera with me most days I don't want it obvious that I am doing so. Currently I sit my camera in a dedicated camera bag which sits in my general use rucksack but that means digging into two bags for my Contax when I want it.

Okay, I may be vague in my description for what I want but if anyone has any ideas please shout them over!!!

Thanks!

Marky
Click to expand...


DOMKE 802 with a 3 slot padded insert....
 
!!!???

!!!???

Terence T said:
It's not a counterfeit. It's a licensed copy made in Taiwan. They make clones of most of the major Domke models (F2, F-802 etc...)
Click to expand...

Licensed copy? That sound pretty far-fetched to me. As for copying the design - that, I believe, they can do. But they can't infringe on copyrights, such as logos. Maybe a lawyer can fill us in - it is outside of my realm of expertise.

Anyway, I own a couple of Domke bags and the construction is excellent. Why not just spring for the real deal?

Robert
 
RObert Budding said:
One downside of the Domke bags - they are not waterproof.

Robert
Click to expand...

Should one consider the "cadillac" of camera bags then?? The Billingham? :)

I've never even seen one but I've heard some folks rave about them.

I personally adore this LowePro LX160 (now discontinued) - perfect size for 2 RF bodies, my light meter and 3 lenses - still allowing me to carry my pen, pencil, moleskin and wallet without too much concern or bulk.

Cheers
Dave
 
I have a Billingham bag (don't know which model, I bought it used) and it holds 2 Leicas, 3 lenses, filters, more than enough film for a couple of days, and has a back pocket which fits a magazine nicely.

The bag that I used before that was a green waterproof diaper bag that I still use when I go into shady areas. It has like 10 pockets in the main compartment, and a separate zippered compartment that has a changing pad (which is great for kneeling on) that easily holds a bunch of magazines, and the whole thing cost like 30 bucks. I still use it for my MF cameras.
 
i have a billingham s3 that i bought used. it's a great bag, small but fits a fair amount of stuff.
i use it for one body with lens attached and another lens + meter & film.

i think it's been discontinued.

i also use the m classic bag and it is great.
2 cameras + lenses, film, meter etc. lots of room but not that big really.

joe
 
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