Favorite Bag?

[nation_of_pomation]

Hi guys, quick question: all the pro/am. bags I've seen in my short search for my first "real" bag to travel with (everything thus far has been improvised because I'm broke) has had partitions geared toward either P&S or SLRs and nothing really in the middle to fit a small-profile-but-regular-width camera like most rangefinders are. Does anyone have any favorites? Preferably a "you don't need another ever again" bag, I don't want to sink a lot of money into something that doesn't take pictures but at the same time I realize I can't keep getting by with what I've got. Many thanks in advance!

 

[Pablito]

IMO, the best value and best fit is going to come from looking for a good insert, or set of inserts and using a messenger bag or backpack you like. There is an amazing selection of inserts out there made by many different companies.

 

[Rob-F]

For one rangefinder camera with short lens mounted; two more lenses; a small light meter if needed; and a little film and extra battery: Domke F5XB.

For the same outfit with more room for more film, batteries, blower, brush, etc.: Domke F10.

For two bodies, one with larger lens, the other maybe with a small lens, or with a body cap, and three to four more lenses, plus plenty of room for all extra stuff: Domke F6.

For a messenger type bag to hold a couple bodies, lots of film, about four lenses, and all the rest of your stuff: Domke F-803.

For a bag that holds two bodies with big lenses, four more lenses, a week's worth of film, blower, brush, your lunch, Domke F-1x "little bit bigger" bag.

Go to YouTube, type in the bag designation, and watch the various reviews. Our own Mike Thomas has done some good ones!

 

[Keith]

For one rangefinder camera with short lens mounted; two more lenses; a small light meter if needed; and a little film and extra battery: Domke F5XB.

For the same outfit with more room for more film, batteries, blower, brush, etc.: Domke F10.

For two bodies, one with larger lens, the other maybe with a small lens, or with a body cap, and three to four more lenses, plus plenty of room for all extra stuff: Domke F6.

For a messenger type bag to hold a couple bodies, lots of film, about four lenses, and all the rest of your stuff: Domke F-803.

For a bag that holds two bodies with big lenses, four more lenses, a week's worth of film, blower, brush, your lunch, Domke F-1x "little bit bigger" bag.

Go to YouTube, type in the bag designation, and watch the various reviews. Our own Mike Thomas has done some good ones!

Hard to go past that amazing little bag ... mine currently has a pair of DPMs in it but has had all sorts of cameras in it including my D700 and two lenses and occasionally a Bronica RF645. 🙂 (It's bigger than it looks)

 

[majid]

Like Pablito says, get a Ona, Timbuk2, Billingham, Crumpler or Tenba insert and use it inside e messenger bag if you already own one.

 

[Dan]

IMO, the best value and best fit is going to come from looking for a good insert, or set of inserts and using a messenger bag or backpack you like. There is an amazing selection of inserts out there made by many different companies.

+1 on this great advice.

 

[noisycheese]

JMHO, but I would say if you want a backpack, get yourself one of these daypacks [ http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=231 ] and get a good, sturdy padded camera insert to put in it.

This is my setup for international travel. The peace of mind that the anti-theft features of the PacSafe bags instill alot of peace of mind for traveling.