Discreet bag recommendation needed

lxmike

lxmike

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My Billingham 225 screams out steal me, I have a battered domke, (which I've loaned out), so I need a bag to carry arround that does not shout steal me. I shall be carrying the following: Contag G1, 45/2 Planar, Rollei 35S and a MInox Ml. I'm based in the UK,. I prefer the should bag style

regards Mike
 
I bought of these a few months ago and used it during trips in Vietnam: cheap, lightweight, waterproof, roomy and it looks good: Lowepro, exchange messenger bag. USD 29,95 with bhphoto.com
 
Thanks Peter, just bought a Lowepro Messennger, its what I've been looking for £23 GBP, a good deal I think, thanks for the recommendation
 
Well, if you really want to travel under the radar, I'd suggest getting a bag that's designated for a completely different purpose, e.g., one for diapers, or carrying other stuff for kids. Anything with little animals stenciled on it. Some are sectioned and decently padded, similar to a camera bag but without the price tag or 'steal me' look. No idea if that will offend your fashion sense. ;)

I have a friend who swears by doubled grocery bags but he doesn't carry much.

BTW, may I ask why you carry all those cameras at the same time? Seems redundant but I may be missing subtleties that are important to you.
 
Hi Scott, The rollei I always carry with me, the Minox is very quiet so I keep that loaded and ready incase I need extra stealth and my G1 is new to me and I entend to use it a lot over the next few months

best wishes Mike
 
About a month ago I needed a bag for carrying my OM-1 with a 28 or 50mm lens for a day trip. Didn't want to carry the big and bulky Tamrac I got for everything.

A cheap chinese no brand sling bag that I bought in a market was nice. Sure it's not a Domke or a Billingham but it does the function of camera bag well enough. It's big enough for the camera with a short tele, some film and a small digi P&S. It cost something like 8-10$.
It looks like those urban sling bags everyone carries; well, it is one of those.
 
Two words: military surplus. Many people really like the various gas mask bags. Just don't wear the mask if you don't want too much attention. Padding is easy to add yourself if needed.
 
I have a liver shaped LLBean bag that I picked up second hand $5. I bought inserts. It fits one camera two small lenses and loads of film.
 
Use a PHOTO bag. Nobody wants to steal cameras any more - but if you go in for discretion, a thief might mistake your camera bag for some messenger style bag containing a iphone, netbook or cash and credit cards...
 
Domke sells its inserts separately. I use a various shoulder bags, Eagle Creek, Black Paw, Timbuk 2, of all sizes. Many of Domke's inserts fit great into these bags and don't scream "steal me!".
 
Lss said:
Two words: military surplus. Many people really like the various gas mask bags. Just don't wear the mask if you don't want too much attention. Padding is easy to add yourself if needed.
Click to expand...

For the past year and a half, I have used something called a Medic bag, made by Dakine. It looks a bit like a stylish version of a standard green army bag, except it has a sewn in hard plastic shell which prevents your cameras and lenses from rattling around together like they would when they collect at the bottom of a soft bag. I bought mine from a outdoor equipment supplier but there are plenty of places on the internet that sell them. Its large enough to keep two bodies laying flat on the bottom so they don't bang together.
 
I've been looking for the perfect day bag for years and bought many and never yet been satisfied ... until today that is. :)

Saw an ad for this http://www.lowepro.com/passportsling and found it very hard to get hold of one but a local shop got one in for me today and it is a dream for an RF system + travel, carrying odds & ends. I don't usually care for Lowepro bags but they've done themselves proud with this one and it's a great price too @ £39.95.

Review here:- http://www.shutterphoto.net/article/lowepro-passport-sling-review/
 
I use an ex-military canvas bag with an inset, looks battered and worn but very tough. Cost around 20 dollars for everything. Can hold 2 bodies, 2 spare lenses, an a5 notebook, 12 rolls of film in Hama Film Safe-X's, a 500ml drinks bottle, some pens sharpies and business cards, and a standard size paperback.
 
make your own inserts, buy a cheap and discreet canvas bag from your military surplus supply shop or equivalent and then you're a real photographer.

And if you're not so hardcore then buy a black domke, use shoe polish to darken its label if visible and just keep quiet about it, :)
 
photo4ls said:
Try this by Lowepro
Terraclime 100
Click to expand...

I have one too, for the money it is very nicely made. If the Lowe-Logo bothers you: it could be removed with the tip of a sharp knife etc. in a matter of two minutes, leaving almost no trace.
The clasp system is not perfect (as in: PERFECT), but reliable und quiet!

The best thing might be: from the measurements, the insert for the Billingham Hadley Small should fit nicely. Haven't tried it yet, but will post when I have.

Greetings, Ljós
 
I started using a Osprey Talon 11 small hiking backpack. The thing weighs next to nothing, and looks nothing like a camera bag. It's big enough that I can use it as my only carry on when traveling by air, but small enough that I don't mind carrying it all day when on location. Waterproof/highly resistant, and has a nice outside pocket for film and couple of bottel holders.

I story my lens in a small REI camping "cooler." It's padded, and goes in the bottom of the Osprey with extra lenses.

In total, I carry three or four lenses, two rangefinders, a bunch of film, iPad, and other travel accessories. More than enough room.

Cheers,

Jeff
 
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