finding a swell bag for my M

Hi.

To the OP, coming to think of it, I don't think any of us has asked - what is it you are looking for?

When you say you haven't found a "good" bag, how do you define "good"? Are you looking for style? Protection? Any restrictions on size? etc.
 
I have two bodies and 3 lenses.

Domke F-10 JD Medium Shoulder Bag works better for me than F-5XB ( I own both). F-10 holds two bodies (one with external viewfinder) with lens attached. The front zippered pocket can hold the 3rd lens with other stuff (films, light metter, lens caps etc). The velcro on the front flap is covered with another velcro to reduce the noise. I only use the metal snap hook to close the front flap.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/560315-REG/Domke_700_00D_F_10_JD_Medium_Shoulder.html
 
OK... so I have the same doubt here.

For my budget will have to be a Domke FXB or a Domke FXC.

I will carry a M6 with a Summicron 35 and soon a Minolta CLE with a 40 Rokkor. I need to have space for films, cell phone, wallet, etc.

I guess that the FXB is too small for all my gear... am I right?

Your help will be great because I will have to buy it on the net... because I cant find any Domke bag here in Argentina.

Best.
 
if you are talking about
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/257990-REG/Domke_700_52D_F_5XB_Shoulder_Belt_Bag_Olive_.html
then it will hold all of your stuff "takeda72" but you may or may not need to take the lens off one of the bodies. depending on how much film you intend to carry with you.
but for the price, you might want to consider
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/482311-REG/Tenba_638_552_Xpress_Shoulder_Bag_Large.html
or for a little more
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...nvertible_Waistpack_Black.html#specifications
while i personally like many of the domke bags, the f5xb is one that i am not crazy about. it's hard to shoot out of. it works well as a general bag, but does not allow speedy access like many of their other bags.
 
i am not familiar with that one. but based on the size (over 10 inches tall) i am not sure why it was made, perhaps for slr zoom lenses.

in any case, the issue that i have with the fx series bags are the flap and zipper closing method. it's annoying (to me) in the field.

for what it's worth, this bag (now discontinued) is one of my favorite bags.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lowepro-Film-Or...-Sliplock_W0QQitemZ310099345805QQcmdZViewItem
it holds 2 m bodies and 3 or 4 lenses (depending on the lenses) but not mounted on the camera. i know it can also hold 1 m body with a lens mounted on it and 4 more lenses too. or you can mix it up with film. it's super small but well made and has a rain cover too.
if you just have to have a domke then this might be better for you
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/16018-REG/Domke_700_60S_F_6_Little_Bit_Smaller.html
it works better in the field (my opinion, for my shooting style).
that said, most of the time i use non camera bags and just put inserts into them.
 
Tom A said:
I don't like padding, though my cameras probably would like it! I tend to use towels or occasionally lens bags to keep things from banging into each other. The Billingham's are nice (and expensive) but they were copied from the Brady bags.
Click to expand...


Hi Tom. I have noticed that you mentioned this "brady bag" a few times (more than a few...) here. Can you elaborate alittle bit? Do you have pictures of the big with cameras stuffed? I would appreciate your input.

Thanks,

Chris
 
I just got the Case Logic PSL-56 and really like it. The size is just right for my basic SLR+P&S carry kit (K10D/18-250mm/50mm/flash/DMC-LX3 plus batteries, lens cleaning access, TUMS, and a few other nicknacks). The padding is just right for my taste, not too much but feels secure. The bag is also well suited for my basic RF kit (body/15/28/50/90/batteries, etc). It has Velcro tripod straps at the bottom. The build appears strong and the bag does not attract attention as far as I can tell. Btw, the web image of the bag shows purplish zippers, at least on my monitor, but they look gray "in person".
 
I just bit the bullet and bought a Billingham Hadley Pro after months of umming and ahhing.

What can I say? It's absolutely beautiful. It fits two of my Ms along with my XPanII, two lenses, a flash as well as filters and film. And it fits in my wheely-trolley for airline handluggage.

Couldn't be happier!
 
Thanks all for your help.

I bought a Domke FXC on Amazon... I will have to wait 2 weeks to know if I did the right thing.

Best.
 
Well, I picked up a leather hard case made in Germany off ebay a while back, and it's okay. But based on the opinions here, I went ahead and bought the F-5XB from Amazon. I went for the olive/khaki colored one and it looks about right. I can keep my new M4 in this one, and the M2 in the older leather bag. The F-5XB looks roomy enough for my Leica (lens mounted) and then 2 more. Probably room for film, too.
 
Last edited:
My recomendation is kinda out of the box and New York centric, so YMMV.

Domke F-803 and J-803 both look like small book bags that kinda blend in and don't broadcast you have a camera or might be a tourist. Both are also too small to be associated as being laptop computer bags, although a 12 inch Mac would fit. The dimentions are just a little bigger and thicker than a package of photo copy paper.

Both sachels are padded and feature a removable insert that originally was sized to fit a single long telephoto lense for an slr, but allows a M Leica with a short lense to stand vertically inside even with a M-Grip: the camera body kinda stands tall like a skyscrapper. There is also an aditional insert available that allows a M-Leica with 75/1.4 mounted to stand tall.

Although these sachels were originally designed for one slr, various lenses and accessories, a two rangefinder kit can fit easily leaving lots of room for additional lenses. (Something to consider if you continue to read this forum and allow for probable future GAS)

On the subway and walking the streets, it has been my experiance that the flatest bags tend to be the most comfortable on the shoulder and easy to protect in large crowds. Having the extra space is also an asset in daily travels on trains, buses and subways.

The differances are that the F-803 has 5 pockets instead of 7: is slightly smaller; and is made of canvas.

The J-803 (my future Christmas present) has two additional pockets: one that runs along the complete back for a magizine or newspaper; and another that is sandwitched along the front under the flap. The J-803 is a bit flashier and more dressy because it is made of Ballistic nylon and like the name implies will wear like iron.

The only velcrow is only on the two pockets that lay under the big flap. I will also mention that it is also continues to be made in the U.S.A.

Like my M-Leica, I'll probably have this Sachel the rest of my life. Sorry for the long post, but I figure Leica owners are like me: thoughtful.

Cal
 
while i also prefer to buy american made products, i did pick up a bag that is nearly identical to the Domke F-803 in New York's Chinatown for $15 a few years ago. It is not made as well as the Domke and did not come with the insert and it has a plastic clip instead of metal but i put an insert inside of it and it worked well until I decided that I did not like that type of bag (i found it to be too small and too big for most situations).
 
Urban alchemist said:

"I just bit the bullet and bought a Billingham Hadley Pro after months of umming and ahhing.

What can I say? It's absolutely beautiful. It fits two of my Ms along with my XPanII, two lenses, a flash as well as filters and film. And it fits in my wheely-trolley for airline handluggage.

Couldn't be happier!..."

To which I add ditto! BTW, it carries nicer if you add a shoulder pad such as the USPS model which I think I bought from either B&H or Adorama. It is tapered for the shoulder slope.
 
Last edited:
Hi!

I don't contribute too much, but I must say that I'm quite proud of my camera bag.

I took this NorthFace courier bag: http://www.ellis-brigham.com/images/204065901.jpg

and then bought the padded insert for a Billingham Hadley Pro, which fitted perfectly into the laptop sleeve of the bag... as if taylor made :)

Turns out to be a really hard wearing and practical camera bag that is totally inconspicuous, for a little over £70. Perhaps for the younger crew?
 
JamSee said:
Hi!

I don't contribute too much, but I must say that I'm quite proud of my camera bag.

I took this NorthFace courier bag: http://www.ellis-brigham.com/images/204065901.jpg

and then bought the padded insert for a Billingham Hadley Pro, which fitted perfectly into the laptop sleeve of the bag... as if taylor made :)

Turns out to be a really hard wearing and practical camera bag that is totally inconspicuous, for a little over £70. Perhaps for the younger crew?
Click to expand...

pure genius !
 
I use my Timbuk2 bike messenger bag. I've had it for years and years which has toned down the velcro RIP. Waterproof, no padding but it can be added by stealing from my other bags. Plenty of other nice features.

Best part is that in Seattle these bags are all over the place so it doesn't say camera while I wear it.
 
maddoc said:
I prefer the A&A insert with two adjustable velcro pads. Can be used with every bag of the appropriate size and holds easily an M with big lens and a Rolleiflex TLR.
Click to expand...

How does one buy that insert? What is the outside dimensions? I like my bag, but no inserts for it. I have padded pouches, but would prefer something like the A&A insert in that link.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom