Discrete bag for Travel and Street? Domke F6, F803?

[oldphart]

I seem to have collected a good few camera bags over the years and still do not have the right one on some occasions.
I use Leica Digital rangefinder cameras which are quite small so for a single body and 3 or 4 lenses do not need anything too big.
One thing that I have found rather useful and adaptable is the foam containers for keeping drinks cans and bottles cool.
I can fit several of these in any "man bag" and find they offer good protection and flexibility for what I need to carry on any specific day.
Not expensive but does the job.

 

[leicapixie]

No camera bag is discreet. If you really want the bag not to be noticed, or at least not to be seen as a camera bag, get padded bag inserts ( many companies make them) and put them in a messenger bag or backpack.

Decades ago i quit using "camera cases", due to major threat of attack and theft.
i use backpacks with foam inserts, or pouches with some protection.
One can also pick up groceries and place inside!
No! I place my Leica on top. I carry very little gear at any time.
M3 body, 50mm or 35mm. No flash, seldom spare roll of film.
Spare socks, sweater and notebook, pen.
Present backpacks were street finds..

 

[Guy Pinhas]

I use an older version of Crumpler Wonder Weenie and an insert from Crumpler as well called Haven. Check the picture. Insert with M4 in it, scarf (black and white thing) extra 50 in the black pouch on top of scarf.

The WW is a soft bag and you can kinda stuff it with an extras. Munchies or what have you when you go on a walk.

The pockets inside are great for roll film and other stuff and the front zipper I use for my light meter.

You can find both for cheap/used/second hand on craigslist or similar sites.

I only carry my M4 with it and an extra lens but you could easily carry two M bodies with two lenses and some room to spare, no problem.

It just looks like a messenger bag once it's all packed. Real simple. Haven't done heavy rains with it though so on that end, I wouldn't know.

 

[Nokton48]

Most of you Guys don't carry around heavy stuff but sometimes I do. The Domke Postal Shoulder Pads are on all of my F2 bags, and on my F803 Work Bag.

Well worth getting. Plaubel Makiflexes are heavy to haul around in a discrete F2. See my avatar

 

[stillshunter]

J803 is in my opinion the best bag ever made.

I've used one forever and agree. I had a luggage shop replace the metal buckle with a plastic pinch clip from an old Tenba bag. I have a much nicer insert from Ebay and use an Upstrap bag strap. Not much Domke left on it, but it's just about perfect now.

John

I have the J803 and really want to love it. Hoping you guys can help on that count.

My problem is that as large as it it - esp. compared to the F-803 - it just doesn't seem to hold what I need / it should. I seem to always lose usable room as I configure the internals. For example, the 3-comparment insert from Domke is too small and really wastes both width and depth to my mind.

So what's your secret?

FYI - I'm looking to smuggle two M6s (Leica M6 w/- 35 & 50mm, and Mamiya 6 w/- 50, 75 and 150mm) as well as assorted accessories and small personal effects in the J-803. This should be easily doable surely.