If your camera bag doesn't look like a camera bag, what does it look like?

[Sonnar Brian]

The Nikon FB-14 looked like a purse, or over the shoulder carry-all. I never had one.

Most of my Nikon Field Cases look like camera bags. They say "Nikon".

The Leather Nikon F "Clamshell Case" is the closest that comes to looking like "not a camera bag". It has a Giant "F" embossed in the leather. The others, FB-3, FB-4, FB-5, FB-9, FB-11, FB-16, look like camera bags. But the name sounds like some sort of military aircraft.

I end up with a Nikon camera bag that has the Nikon emblem on it. I use it to carry the M8 and 4 or so Leica lenses. It's convenient, fast access.

I keep the M8 in a Nikon CS-9.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

Given the available options, I couldn't cast a vote since none of the options applied accept for the case I have for my Canon PowerShot S90 which could be construed as a man purse. My 35 mm gear goes caseless, while my 4 x 5 gear bag looks more like a backpack:

 

[bensyverson]

Man purse OR European shoulder bag? We are really splitting hairs here, are we not?

I carry an extremely nondescript messenger bag:

 

[sevo]

Well, I've considered http://www.goldenbeartoys.com/product/Shaun-the-Sheep-Shoulder-Bag,338,117.aspx - but so far, reason has won out.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

Man purse OR European shoulder bag? We are really splitting hairs here, are we not?

I carry an extremely nondescript messenger bag:

I think here in the states, particularly which coast you happen to reside on, or in your case, the Midwest, the term has a tendency to take on a certain colloquialism.

In the 2009 comedy: "The Hangover," set in Las Vegas, there is a scene where the friends are waiting for the elevator and one of the characters is accused of wearing a "Man Purse," while the guy that has it, refers to it as a "Man Satchel."

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuygRWVwuUI

 

[jwnash1]

The way I see it is if I have my camera concealed in a bag artfully contrived to not look like a camera bag, by the time I get the camera out, I have missed my shot. If I have a camera strap hanging from my neck or wrist, which is most of the time, any bag I carry/wear will be seen as a camera bag, so why worry.
John

 

[bensyverson]

I think here in the states, particularly which coast you happen to reside on, or in your case, the Midwest, the term has a tendency to take on a certain colloquialism.

I'm just sayin'—whether you call it a man purse, a messenger bag, or a "European shoulder bag," it's all the same thing! 🙂

And of course, the bag is where you keep your alternate camera. Your main camera is hopefully already in your hands.

 

[shashinka-ichiban]

7 Domke bags, but only for my SLRs. Then I have this one ALICE pack, and an old LL Bean shoulder day pack for rangefinder, and smaller cameras. I like that one cause it looks like something a college kid would carry a book in between class and a Starbucks. (Neither college books or coffee, can I afford)

 

[nksdks]

Any real Europeans want to elaborate?

I was watching "The American" a while back, and was surprised that Clooney selected a Samsonite briefcase for his project. Product placement??

Not sure if you mean it, but of course it is. There are no accidental brand appearances in films nowadays.

I use a Think Tank UD bag, which I now realize is rather uncool 😀
It does not shout "cameras in here.. steal me", but I think it does shout "laptop in here.. steal me".
Not good for dodgy places, but a fine bag nonetheless.

 

[JeffGreene]

My bag since 2003 and going strong 😀

 

[Glenn2]

I hate camera bags, and over the years I've owned quite a few. My favorite was a war surplus gas mask bag that looked like something a hippie would use to carry dirty shorts. During the seventies I traveled extensively in Asia, usually staying in no star low end places. Thought it best to not carry anything too flashy drawing attention to the Leicas.

Here's a W.T. Duck cartoon that the gang might get a chuckle from....http://www.whattheduck.net/strip/553

Glenn @;-)

 

[migtex]

I ve too many camera bags.. an essentialy a camera bag is where I have a camera...
Like the Think Thanks or even the Nikon SB-9 or the big and heavy leather bags for the Hassy's.. I could never find the perfect bag for all the situations.... hence the research on more and more bags keeps going on...
sometimes even a simple Camel (african copy) bag with Billingham inserts will do...

 

[gekopaca]

When I'm shooting dtreet-photo I try to not have any bag - only the camera under my jacket, 1 or two sup. batteries and sometimes another lens in my pocket.
A lot of places where I'm shooting are dangerous for a man with a big photo bag…

When I use a bag, this is my favorite :

I use an insert in : (sorry for the size of the advertising!)

 

[robklurfield]

"Why is that fat guy with the long white beard carrying a purse?" That would be me with a Crumpler. It must elicit even more laughs as I grind my pedals climbing hills on my bike. "Mommy, look at that funny fat man in tights on a bike with a purse." The bag works, so I don't care. Laughing is good for the soul.

 

[Matus]

My camera bag indeed looks like a messenger bag - because it is one 🙂

I got the bag from Courierware.com . The only padding (removable and replaceable) it has is a thin one at the bottom. I do tend to keep the lenses (for Mamiya 6) in a small neoprene pouches and the camera itself with one lens mounted goes inside a stretchable neoprene pouch too. Takes less space than a dedicated padded insert what I prefer.

I really like that the bag looks "cheap" even though it is very well done.

The bag:


Interior (though I do not carry the Mamiya in the pocket, but in the middle)


More photos HERE

Detailed review of mine HERE

If I were to get a bag to carry a serious (read: heavy & expensive) DSLR stuff I need to access fast I would probably go with ThinkTank. But as I am just an amateur shooting old film cameras I do not have to :angel:

 

[sacundim]

I have one of the Crumplers with the silencer flaps. The silencers was literally the second thing I adjusted in that bag when I got it, after the strap. Damn that velcro is annoying.

Lately I've been using a Case Logic SLRC-205 SLR sling, which is pretty good except for the fact that it slings over the wrong damn side of my back. Since I put my camera strap over my left shoulder and under my right arm, the bag and camera strap interfere with each other all the time.

 

[lxmike]

a messenger style bag by lowepro

 

[ErnestoJL]

I have two:
An original Zeiss Ikon (Omnica) made for the postwar Contax series.
A regular brown and worn plastic tool box where usually a Contax II and a kiev 4 reside with some russian and Zeiss lenses as well as other accesories. I call this one the plumber box, which BTW makes it almost invisible as a camera bag.
For daily use I have a cheap fabric shoulder bag where at least one 35RF can go.
Cheers
Ernesto

 

[zerobuttons]

Any real Europeans want to elaborate?

I was watching "The American" a while back, and was surprised that Clooney selected a Samsonite briefcase for his project. Product placement??

Here is a contender for the title:
http://www.swaineadeney.co.uk/products/pate_dc/index.html
Before you ask: SAB do not have sales.......ever.....

Just for those who do not get my point: I find the term "European shoulder bag" silly.

 

[zerobuttons]

Recently I´ve been considering this for situations where a backpack would be nice:
http://www.fjallraven.com/outdoor-equipment/Backpacks-and-Bags/Kanken-Mini
I would probably put lining from a small Lowepro or Billingham in it, or try to find some third-party cushioning.