Cheap Camera Bags

[Don Parsons]

Hi guys,

I found these two bags the other day while looking for a bag similar to a domke, but much cheaper.

Does anyone have either of these two and if you do, how are they working out?

don

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...ory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=sdp201

or

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...ory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=sdp201

 

[flipflop]

They look like nice bags. I know LLbean makes high quality stuff.

 

[ray_g]

They do look good. From the photos, it looks like there is a zipper under the flap. I prefer not to have to deal with zippers, but YMMV.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Buckle fasteners are slow to use; bags have no padding and no dividers.
Retrofitting to fix these problems would drive up the total cost,
but if you can live with either bag as is, they are bargains...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[dostacos]

Hi guys,

I found these two bags the other day while looking for a bag similar to a domke, but much cheaper.

Does anyone have either of these two and if you do, how are they working out?

don

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...ory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=sdp201

or

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...ory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=sdp201

OK, I am holding you PERSONALLY responsible for my new GAS attack! 😀

there may not be a lot of good camera gear padding BUT I bet the nice DOMKE inserts will fit....hmmmmm.

thanks for the links, they just went on my Christmas list! 😉

 

[kaiyen]

Well, the cheapest way to retrofit such a bag would be closed-cell sleeping bag pads. They're like $8 each from target or walmart. One pad would be enough for at least 2 kits.

allan

Buckle fasteners are slow to use; bags have no padding and no dividers.
Retrofitting to fix these problems would drive up the total cost,
but if you can live with either bag as is, they are bargains...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[pshinkaw]

I use a shotgun shell bag from Duluth Pack (double shot bag) with added in padding. I acquired the padding from The Container Store and fixed it in place with double sided carpet tape from Home Depot. Since it has a large main compartment, Any camera I own from a Speed Graphic to a Minolta 16 can be dropped in. The LLBean bags can be fixed up the same way for less than $10.

-Paul

 

[tkluck]

Baby formula salesmen are now giving away black diaper bags. Nice pockets, some padding, and waterproof, albeit on the inside. And they don't scream "steal me!"
You might have to give birth to get one for free, but there are some nice diaper bags that don't have Winnie the Pooh on them. They are cheap reletive to camera bags, and they are all waterproof.
Find someone whose youngest of three just got potty trained and they'll give you the bag. A bit of foam and a spritz of Fabreez and you're good to go.

 

[Rowell]

For a few bucks more, you can get something closer to the real thing -a waterproof tan canvas bag: Made by Mekko / Safrotto and selling on ebay. Do a seach for 'Domke like' and you will find them. I recently bought the F2 back and I love it.

-Steven

 

[35mmdelux]

cheaper than a Domke? didn't know they made them cheaper. Hope your Leica doesn't fall out the bottom.

 

[rover]

LL Bean bags are nice stuff.

I just took delivery of this one in black.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...ategory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=bc

 

[yossarian]

Wow--in British Khaki they look like Billinghams

 

[SixtiesM2]

Yes, by all means, get a diaper bag.

Here's one that no one will steal because there might be cameras in it:

http://www.eluxury.com/browse/produ...0461142&searchString=louis+vuitton+diaper+bag


😀

- Mike

 

[SixtiesM2]

Some of the links in this article are dead, but the recommendations are excellent. (Some one else posted this link in this forum recently, IIRC)

http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0204/nutsandbolts.htm

Gas mask bags are cheap, and about the right size for a camera, a lens or two, and some film.

I got a Safroto "like Domke" off the 'bay, and like it alot.

I also have an old "musette bag" (like a gas mask bag) that I use with a single slot Domke insert, when I need something even lower key.

My previous posting aside, diaper bags look like they might fill bill, as well. The big retailers probably have a selection, and the luggage section of one of the close-out places (Marshal's, etc.) is a decent place to look, as well.

- Mike

 

[David Goldfarb]

You can often find Perrin leather bags in nice condition on eBay for cheap. Many of these were the top-end bags of their day (though some of the later vinyl ones are a little cheesy), and in my opinion they are more beautiful than Fogg or Billingham at about a tenth the price. To manufacture something of similar quality today would cost hundreds of dollars. They don't have the handy movable dividers of modern bags, as they sold lots of little leather lens pouches for use with them, but it's usually not too difficult to organize them. Some of them had a kind of padded flocked band that you could weave through all your lenses and components to keep them separate.

 

[back alley]

LL Bean bags are nice stuff.

I just took delivery of this one in black.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...ategory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=bc

i thought you were going for an mclassic bag?

joe

 

[rover]

i thought you were going for an mclassic bag?

joe

I have to wait for a cheap one to be listed on ebay. I check the seller's listings every day or so.