Help- Need a Small, Soft-Sided Shoulder Bag

[besk]

I would see if how small Courierware can make one. I have the BBB-e and am amazed at how small and light it is. I also have a Donke J-5xa. Not nearly as
convenient to use with the zippered top but it is smaller. It stays in the closet.

 

[wjlapier]

Take the bottom pad out of the A&A ACAM7100 and you got your bag. That's what I do and have a similar setup. If you don't want padding then take all of it out and the bag is hugging your body. I'm still looking for some sort of padding that isn't so thick like the A&A. When you take the bottom out and re-adjust the dividers the bag isn't rigid and boxy.

 

[Richard G]

I’ve had this Crumpler “Quarfie” for well over ten years and use it every day. Empty, it conforms to my waist and can be flattened. There are two velcro guarded inner pockets lining the front of the main chamber. A zippered front pocket runs across the front face. My daily camera sits in the main chamber, except when that is a Barnack with collapsible 50 which then slips into the zippered front pocket. The FISON hood sits in one of the little inner pockets. My iPad fits in this. A trip to Europe saw me using only this bag when out walking, Monochrom, 50, 28 and X100 for colour. The black corduroy seems indestructible. The only sign of age is the dirty white crumpler rubber logo which I wash occasionally and one inner pocket’s velcro is tearing off now (stitched on.)

https://www.crumpler.com/au/quarfie-s-sale/

May still be in stock here:

https://rushfaster.com.au/product/c...MI5Ljxocja2AIVESUrCh3XcwuCEAQYAiABEgI4i_D_BwE

 

[Big Ursus]

My Tenba Switch 10, which I picked up on impulse since it was on sale, has become the bag I use most - even more often than my small Domke. That's because the Tenba Switch allows me to carry my XT2 with a longish zoom (the equivalent of two primes) + my every day needs.

 

[Dave Jenkins]

Not sure how long I've had my[FONT=&quot] Domke F3X camera bag -- probably 20-25 years. It's always held whatever I've needed it to hold. Previously a Canon 6D with 70-200 f4L, 28-105 f3.5-4.5,[/FONT] 17-35 f2.8L, and one prime, usually the 100 f2. Now it holds my complete Fuji outfit of X-T20 and X-Pro 1 bodies with 16-50, 27 f2.8, 18-135, and 50-230 lenses, plus a flash and room for a few more items if I wished to add them.

 

[willie_901]

Thanks To All and An Update

Thanks To All and An Update

I appreciate all the responses to my question.

For a variety of reasons, I procrastinated on making a purchase.

Coincidentally, just last week I decided to it was time to buy something and then this thread came to life again.

My focus has changed. Now I only need a zipper-less, soft-sided bag large enough for my X-100T and a couple of batteries. This would be a daily-cary bag. I can't decide if I want to accomdate the FUJIFILM optional vented lens hood as it adds about an inch to the overall depth. I typically use the hood, so the interior dimensions need to be at least 5" H x 3 1/8" W x 3 1/4 D. At the same time a narrower bag that was otherwise perfect for my needs is definitely in the running. I could always carry the vented hood and attach it occasionally when needed. Also, the camera draws a bit less attention without the hood. I have the silver body and I'm still surprised that some people think it's a film camera and ignore me (compared to the X-Pro 2 with a compact prime and hood).

A weeks ago I bought a bag for my X-Pro 2 and a couple of the compact XF lenses. I picked up a Sirui MyStory Mini Camera Bag Version 1 (Dark Tan) because I found them on sale at B&H for $90 off list price. This is not a soft-sided bag. But it's only about 4" deep. It's a smaller version of the ONA canvas bag. I think version is discontinued my Sirui. Here's a link to a nearly identical bag on the Sirui web site.

Besides the price, the bag is the perfect size for the X-Pro 2 with the 35/2 and 23/2 lenses. Or I could use use the 27/2,8 pancake, the 18/2 along with the 50/2 prime. I decided I do not want a zippered main compartment, which eliminated several excellent candidates.

For those rare times when I need to haul more of my X-Pro 2 gear and a flash or two around I have a large soft-sided shoulder bag or a messenger bag.

 

[al1966]

I've had one of these since 2010:

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.

My wife bought me one on Amazon when they were on sell out, its some place round the home annoyingly as it is with the supplied wrap plus a second one the ideal for a couple of smaller cameras or one plus a lens. I also got the 3 other versions, wish I had got more of the compact ones they are ideal for batteries and other bits. I recall she paid around £10 for the 100, its a great bag and they did a version in green (have a thing about green).

 

[waileong]

Bags

Bags

Actually, I'd suggest you carry one lens in a pocket and just use a normal bag for the camera and other lens mounted. You can of course put the camera in a neoprene pouch in the bag, if you wish.

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?

 

[karateisland]

I've been using a Tom Bihn daylight backpack as my daily carry camera bag. A small rangefinder fits nicely in the front pocket (and doesn't touch the ground when you put the camera down), and there's plenty of space for a neoprene sleeved lens, or even a second camera in the main pocker.

I hear good things about the briefcase, too, which may suit you better: https://www.tombihn.com/products/daylight-briefcase?variant=16396821063

 

[willie_901]

Bought A Bag

Bought A Bag

Based on the everyone's kind replies I did one last round of research.

Several people mentioned CourierWare. I purchased their Micro courier bag.

This bag's primary purpose is to carry a X100T daily. I ordered the zipper option for the front outer pockets. I surprised myself and ordered the velcro flap. I did not order the plastic clip option because this bag has two clips. That seemed cumbersome.

What I Like

• This is a soft-sided bag. The interior is finished with a soft 420 denier Pack cloth liner. There is no zipper for the main compartment.
• This is the lightest camera bag I remember using. The thinness makes it easy to carry. It does not feel bulky at all. This bag will do well during the hot steamy days here in North Carolina.
• The X100T goes in and out quickly and smoothly. There's plenty of space. It turns out the X-Pro 2 and 35/2 XF lens/hood is also a practical fit. I've owned the larger XF primes and they would fit too if the camera rests on its back. So would many of the XF zooms (I guess).
• The interior pockets work well for my wallet and sun glasses. The internal carabiner clip tucks inside one of these pockets. I clip my keyless car fob and tuck it inside one of the inside pockets
• The two outer front pockets hold typical photo stuff – lens cloth, spare contact lenses, spare camera battery, a pen and small notebook. They use a double zipper so you can center them and zip open only open the side you need.
• The rear pocket will hold a Kindle or other thin electronic device.
• The price is reasonable.
• The materials and construction are high quality.
• The velcro is light weight. It will keep the flap shut yet the velcro has low resistance and is quieter than most.

What I would change if I could

• I wish the bag was less tall and less wide. I have another bag for the X-Pro 2. So, the extra height is not needed for my purpose. I could carry the X-Pro 2 with the 35/2 even if the bag was shorter.
• I would prefer to have a single, centered, plastic clip, the Billingham style latch, magnetic clip, etc.
• I woud prefer to have a removable shoulder strap and a small handle.
• There is no padding at all. I realize extra padding would defeat what I like about a soft-sided bag. But I would like to have a bit of soft, flexible padding for the bottom. I took an unused, small Calumet lens roll and folded it to fit the bottom of the bag. It stays in place but it's not bulky. CourierWare does not offer an optional camera/lens insert for this bag. I wouldn't buy one anyway because it would make the bag too rigid. One could carry a small second lens in a pouch or wrap. But I won't.

Thanks to everyone who shared their advice and thoughts.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

The Vanguard Havana 21 Shoulder Bag (comes in Blue and Brown) is well made, light weight and inexpensive. I have two of them.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1116314-REG/vanguard_havana_21_shoulder_bag.html