If I designed a bag...

esearing

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I have been thinking about what would constitute a perfect RF bag for me.
I would like to carry two RF/Mirrorless bodies, 3-4 lenses, 3-4 rolls of film, a small meter, 3-4 filters, a small notebook and other small miscellaneous stuff.


Back packs are not convenient. Messenger style bags require too much digging and camera case style bags are too bulky.

So here is my design.
A Split messenger style bag with a top section that holds the two FR bodies with lenses attached, separated by an s/z shaped padding. Only needs to be 4-5 inches deep but have a firm padded bottom. Flap that covers and secures top section no matter position of bag.

Lenses would be located in a second portion of the bag below the camera body area, accessed via zippered compartments that face outward. Perhaps 3-4 of these compartments with n shaped zippers so lenses don't fall out. two side pockets for the misc. and a slightly padded zippered flat bottom compartment that would hold the filter pack or something like an ipad mini.

While wearing the pack it would be easy to lift the flap and take out the camera bodies. When setting the pack on its back you could easily change the lenses without the top opening up.

I may try to draw it and add an image. but if anyone knows of such a bag please let me know.
 
There is one version of the Domke F5 atlas and a couple of old crumpler bags were similar. However they only have one large zipped segment at the bottom. I think the Domke looks like it could be a winner with the right camera lens combinations, I think it is something like 5x but I could be wrong.
 
If I were designing the perfect bag it would hold gear three times it's volume without bulging, and weigh no more fully-loaded than empty 😀
 
What I am visualizing what the OP is describing is something I would love to find, though I had not worked it out as well as he has. The two bags others have mentioned are ones I have looked at, the domke anyway, and I dont think they get at what he was looking for. Instead of multiple lens sized compartments in the lower part of the bag, these just have a single unorganized lower compartment. Even if the domke is a nice bag, for what it is.
I think the OP had a great idea, but I've never seen anything like that.
More suggestions, please.
 
A Domke F6 holds all that perfectly. One M body with lens attached plus a second body either with no lens or else a very small one like a 40mm Summicron. If the lens is that small the body with lens will go in one of the insert compartments. Then you have room for three more lenses. The front compartment will hold plenty of film (and a meter if needed).
 
I would like something like the Think Tank Retro 5 but I want a pouch outside where I can stash a water bottle.

Now if we can have timelord technology... (bigger on the inside)...
 
Take a look at this, I have the XP1 with the 18-55 mounted, below that in a small bag, three more lenses and the front compartment could hold a bunch of film. Won't hold two bodies I don't think. I have another similar one for the Leica and 4 lenses.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N46KXNG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

Of course it's a matter of taste but the hardware on that bag does not look trustworthy and the design and materials seem kinda tacky. Then again, I strongly dislike leather except for belts and shoes...
 
I would like something like the Think Tank Retro 5 but I want a pouch outside where I can stash a water bottle.

Now if we can have timelord technology... (bigger on the inside)...

Yes or at least the outside pockets could be made big enough to hold photo-related items. I like my Retro 5 and use it a lot, but something has to be done about those tiny pockets. I can find no use for them. They should be large enough to at least reach into them, and have a flap over them. Even on my Retro 7, the end pockets are too small to be useful.

Think Tank, are you paying attention?
 
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