Help- Need a Small, Soft-Sided Shoulder Bag

nightfly said:
F3Xb is pretty big. I use one for a Mamiya 7 with an extra lens and it's borderline too big for that. Think a small rangefinder would swim in one.

Wish there was something along the lines of an F5xb with no zipper, no belt loop, an extra full length pocket and something like a magnetic closure instead of velcro.

Good heads up on the Best Buy deal. Like the look of this, a little hesitant about the leather shoulder strap.
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Yeah but for an X100T and an XT1 and two primes it might be a bit big but you'd rather have more room than not enough. I carry my M3 and some other misc accessories in there and it's fine.
 
brennanphotoguy said:
Yeah but for an X100T and an XT1 and two primes it might be a bit big but you'd rather have more room than not enough. I carry my M3 and some other misc accessories in there and it's fine.
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I just sent my XP2 to Fuji but here is an example using a Konica Auto S1.6 (roughly same size as XP2 with prime on it) and a Tenax II in place of the X100T along with the Fuji 35mm f1.4 and 14mm f2.8. Batteries are in the front pouch.

Without the X100T/Tenax II this could easily hold 1 body with a prime mounted and 4 more primes.

Shawn
 

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I've a Peak Design Messenger bag that didn't "click" for/with me. Gray. Used once. Lives on a shelf. You can claim it for $100... or best offer.
 
Artisan & Artist Penn's Pad & Pencil Camera Satchel

Artisan & Artist Penn's Pad & Pencil Camera Satchel

I like my Artisan & Artist Penn's Pad & Pencil Camera Satchel a LOT. Just the right size to carry the kit you mention here. I'd been looking for a bag that didn't have the big flap over the top that always just seems to get in the way. Instead I wanted a bag with a zippered closure of the top.

One caveat.. the Penn's bag comes with a strap that's way over built. It has a large, stiff shoulder pad incorporated into the strap and can't be removed. So I replaced the strap with one that's lighter weight and smoother.

Artisan & Artist was having a sale on this bag recently; maybe still on?

willie_901 said:
I prefer not to use rigid shoulder bags. By rigid I mean those that have a permanent, fixed-box structure. I guess an example of a fit-to-your body or soft-sided might be the Bare Bones Bag. The BBB is too large.

I plan to carry a X100T or a X-T1 with a two primes. I don't need room for a tablet... just a couple of spare batteries, thin SDHC card case and a cleaning cloth. That's it.

Right now I'm using a small 8 year old Mountain Smith bag (discontinued of course). It is starting to look a bit ratty.

The new ONA Bond Street seems to be the right size. In fact it seems narrow enough to make my objection to a rigid bag moot. Unfortunately leather is inappropriate for my current climate and I dislike the material they chose for the canvas version.


Any suggestions of how to burn more some money up on a new, soft-sided bag?
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Jamie Pillers said:
I like my Artisan & Artist Penn's Pad & Pencil Camera Satchel a LOT. Just the right size to carry the kit you mention here. I'd been looking for a bag that didn't have the big flap over the top that always just seems to get in the way. Instead I wanted a bag with a zippered closure of the top.

One caveat.. the Penn's bag comes with a strap that's way over built. It has a large, stiff shoulder pad incorporated into the strap and can't be removed. So I replaced the strap with one that's lighter weight and smoother.

Artisan & Artist was having a sale on this bag recently; maybe still on?
Click to expand...

That's the equivalent to the GCAM 1100 that I have, the GCAM model being finished in a thin, soft, tough leather on three sides. A beautiful, light bag for a modest kit. I bought mine second-hand but unused for a very good price.

G
 
My favorite go-to bag is my Domke F-5XB. To me, the ONA Bowery is the leather equivalent... and I admire the leather. The A&A Penn's Pad specs out about the same size. Worth a look in person. Went into a leather goods store in Taos, NM and the smell was amazing! Not sure it was the leather goods... or the price tags, but it was intoxicating.

With many of these, the biggest problem for a guy can be not feeling like it's a woman's purse (see "reviews" on B&H's site). I've stuck to canvas of some sort up to now, but am beginning to get sufficiently used to carrying something, that a nice soft leather bag wouldn't be as hard to do as it once was. Think if maybe I tell myself it's just a saddle bag like the Pony Express carried, I might be able to swing it. Meantime, Domke works.

FWIW, I'd have agreed with you on the top flap on these bags until hiking the other day with my new-to-me rangefinder. Sat down at a table to change a filter, lens, and re-load film and the flap was a great soft surface to lay on the metal table and protect the camera while doing it. So I've come 'round on the top flap, too. Tend to like the combo of flap and zipper for security.... as it "stay secure in the bag and not flop out".
 
My favourite bag of this type is the now-discontinued Crumpler Dry Red Boarding Bag. It came in a variety of colours, but the black is the nicest and most discreet version. It's made of a waterresistant nylon, and I've carried a Leica M with a couple of lenses, plus a compact camera, on numerous occasions. The zips are good quality and coated with plastic so the teeth don't scratch your gear.

To create a padded bottom, I use a long Billingham Hadley divider. This give the bag a little extra structure without making it boxy (which I dislike) and protects gear when you place it on a hard surface.
 
Domke f5xb

Domke_700_52A_F_5XB_RuggedWear_Medium_Shoulder_697263.jpg
 
Just bought a J-5XB...easier to retain its shape, extra padded ends, full length front pocket and rear pocket. What's not to like?
 
I second Courierware. The one I have is quite small but you can still put quite a bit in it. "Hand made" to order and not heinously priced...

Quite plain looking but I like that.
 
I agree with many of the suggestions here, including the Domke 5xb, Filson small field, Courierware, and A&A bags.

Recently I picked up a Tenba Cooper 8. Expensive, but excellent.. Much like a Domke 5xb, a little larger, but has pockets and zippers that are actually useful.
 
willie_901 said:
I prefer not to use rigid shoulder bags. By rigid I mean those that have a permanent, fixed-box structure. I guess an example of a fit-to-your body or soft-sided might be the Bare Bones Bag. The BBB is too large.

I plan to carry a X100T or a X-T1 with a two primes. I don't need room for a tablet... just a couple of spare batteries, thin SDHC card case and a cleaning cloth. That's it.
...
Any suggestions of how to burn more some money up on a new, soft-sided bag?
Click to expand...

I've had one of these since 2010:

81olh-DT1pL._SL1500_.jpg

Lowepro Terraclime 100 camera bag
https://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Terraclime-100-Recycled-Grass/dp/B001E5PSFW?th=1
Product Dimensions 5.1 x 10.8 x 7.1 inches
Item Weight 14.4 ounces
Shipping Weight 1.06 pounds

It's a small messenger bag, about $75, that comes with a padded wrap. I've used it constantly for eight years and it barely looks worn. One big space, an inside rear zippered pocket, two front pockets under the overflap and a pair of pen pockets there too. No velcro ... slide and latch closures.

I've stuck all manner of gear, compartment padding, etc in and out of it over the years. It's small enough to carry all the time and big enough to do serious carry when needed. It's light, and lightly padded. Your gear inside, with a couple of wraps, conforms to your body when you wear it.

The Terraclime 100 is discontinued but new old stock continues to be available.. A very comfortable, simple, easy to live with bag. I often drop the M-D and two lenses into it, and if I need it, I can stuff the iPad Pro 9.7 in there too, with plenty of space for batteries, cards, file transfer dongle, etc.
 
Domke has several small models. The popular F-5XB was mentioned.
If that seems too large the F-5XA is smaller as are the F-8 and F-9.

Chris
 
I've also been looking for a small, discreet shoulder bag for one camera and lens as well as the usual daily carry items. The F-5XA is the right size but I don't like zips. I just ordered one of these. Turns out to be the same size as a small Crumpler insert that I already have. I'll post pictures when it arrives.

cheers,
clay
 
Godfrey said:
I've had one of these since 2010:

81olh-DT1pL._SL1500_.jpg

Lowepro Terraclime 100 camera bag
https://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Terraclime-100-Recycled-Grass/dp/B001E5PSFW?th=1
Product Dimensions 5.1 x 10.8 x 7.1 inches
Item Weight 14.4 ounces
Shipping Weight 1.06 pounds

It's a small messenger bag, about $75, that comes with a padded wrap. I've used it constantly for eight years and it barely looks worn. One big space, an inside rear zippered pocket, two front pockets under the overflap and a pair of pen pockets there too. No velcro ... slide and latch closures.



I've stuck all manner of gear, compartment padding, etc in and out of it over the years. It's small enough to carry all the time and big enough to do serious carry when needed. It's light, and lightly padded. Your gear inside, with a couple of wraps, conforms to your body when you wear it.

The Terraclime 100 is discontinued but new old stock continues to be available.. A very comfortable, simple, easy to live with bag. I often drop the M-D and two lenses into it, and if I need it, I can stuff the iPad Pro 9.7 in there too, with plenty of space for batteries, cards, file transfer dongle, etc.
Click to expand...

...and it's made from recycled material. ive had the smaller 50 model for years as well.
 
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