GaryLH
Veteran
One of my messenger bags that I converted to camera bag has a magnetic clasp. The clasp looks like a buckle. Works pretty well.
Gary
Gary
semi-ambivalent
Little to say
I can't believe what a good idea this is!
Canvas because it's quiet, easy on your pants leg (no ballistic cloth! No cordura!), wears well and looks good when it looks like crap. (My Domkes don't make too much noise because the velcro hook fabric is clogged with years of lint + who knows what else.)
When opening the flap of a Domke f2 I've whacked some nice glass with the spring hooks. That stinks, see Keith's magnet idea, above. Maybe with detachable hooks for more serious, secure closure.
Rodchenko
Olympian
Magnetic fastening is a good thing. I'm also on with the idea of having enough varied sizes of internal pockets.
My biggest.problems with camera bags are:
a. They look like camera bags, so tend to attract too much interest from people who don't want me to be shooting, or who (erroneously) view my cameras as a source of easy cash.
b. They don't have room for the normal stuff you need to carry - wallet, Oyster card, inhaler, keys, butties, water, SAK, FAK, waterproof, extra layer etc.
I tend to use a bag that takes two small cameras inside a 20l rucksack. It does mean things aren't necessarily immediately to hand, but they're not far away.
My biggest.problems with camera bags are:
a. They look like camera bags, so tend to attract too much interest from people who don't want me to be shooting, or who (erroneously) view my cameras as a source of easy cash.
b. They don't have room for the normal stuff you need to carry - wallet, Oyster card, inhaler, keys, butties, water, SAK, FAK, waterproof, extra layer etc.
I tend to use a bag that takes two small cameras inside a 20l rucksack. It does mean things aren't necessarily immediately to hand, but they're not far away.
Contarama
Well-known
A model that can hold a dozen rolls of film like the bullets in James Arness's gun belt and some on the bandoleer too for film...and another model that has a pocket for memory cards and another pocket for the phone and so forth...
The film model bag and the digital model bag...
gilpen123
Gil
An F5xb with side pockets, rear pocket (fits ipad mini) and about an inch or so deeper will be perfect for me. Billingham style instead of Velcro will be a nice touch.
t.s.k.
Hooked on philm
Wouldn't magnets potentially conflict with flash cards? Phones? Credit cards?
Thardy
Veteran
I really don't like those big ugly boxy bags for walking around.
Contarama
Well-known
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I'd like an stretch F5XB with room for four pockets and small zipper pockets for small accessories.
GaryLH
Veteran
T.S.K
5 days 4 nights, dp1 and 2 Merrill cameras, plus 8 batteries, 6 sd cards not including the two in the camera during a trip to LA last month for a wedding in that messenger bag I mention that had the magnetic clasp.. I had no problem..
Gary
5 days 4 nights, dp1 and 2 Merrill cameras, plus 8 batteries, 6 sd cards not including the two in the camera during a trip to LA last month for a wedding in that messenger bag I mention that had the magnetic clasp.. I had no problem..
Gary
Pablito
coco frío
I would like to see a really good and flexible system of inserts that could be used on any decent messenger bag or backpack.
GaryLH
Veteran
For converting messenger bags - I have been using Timbuktu Snoop camera inserts. They are zippered so that u can remove as a unit to store or put in a different bag. I tend to flip the zippered flap out of the way and tuck it behind when I have it in the messenger bag.
http://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Camer...371612065&sr=8-1&keywords=snoop+camera+insert
Comes in three sizes..
- medium is large enough for dslr and a couple of lenses.
- small holds my xp1 and xe1 plus my
-- 14, 18, 35, 60 and 18-55 zoom
-- a couple of lens adapters
- xtra small
-- my dp1 and dp2m
-- kindle paper white
-- my wife's p&s
Gary
Ps. Here is link that does search for all the camera bag inserts carried by amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p...insert&ie=UTF8&qid=1371612464&rnid=4802279011
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Contarama
Well-known
I agree.
I'd be okay with inserts that were velcro'd in. Adjustable spaces. Quick access.
I'd be okay with inserts that were velcro'd in. Adjustable spaces. Quick access.
GaryLH
Veteran
Here is the extra small insert in my Timbuktu messenger bag. They don't make this one any longer. It has a top zipper where largest storage area is available. My other Timbuktu bags are more traditional style. The snoop will fit them all.
What I like about the insert method is I can easily repurpose the messenger bag and I can move the insert to a different messenger bag, gear and all.
The extra small actually leaves enough room inside the messenger bag for a large water bottle. This particular messenger bag can handle up to a small snoop bag insert..
When not using as camera bag, I can fit a 13 inch laptop easily in there, a 15 inch a tighter fit.
Gary
What I like about the insert method is I can easily repurpose the messenger bag and I can move the insert to a different messenger bag, gear and all.
The extra small actually leaves enough room inside the messenger bag for a large water bottle. This particular messenger bag can handle up to a small snoop bag insert..
When not using as camera bag, I can fit a 13 inch laptop easily in there, a 15 inch a tighter fit.
Gary
Attachments
rluka
Established
What I don't like is the strap. It compress the top of the bag, making it more difficult to open the flap, and to keep it open while changing lenses.
There's design like the Leica's canvas back that attaches to the back, but that makes the bag tilt like a Bessa, the other way around.
Other thing is the flap. It opens in the front, so you have to hold it open while looking for stuffs inside.
There's design like the Leica's canvas back that attaches to the back, but that makes the bag tilt like a Bessa, the other way around.
Other thing is the flap. It opens in the front, so you have to hold it open while looking for stuffs inside.
thirtyfivefifty
Noctilust survivor
This! That's why I love my ThinkTank ShapeShifter, and Belt System. Keep it narrow. Keep it close to the body. No Velcro (but companies have silencer systems though?). Minimal padding.
GaryLH
Veteran
Actually this particular messenger bag is zipper top. The messenger flap area has nothing there except pens, lens cleaning fluid and other thin stuff. The top center area where the top zipper is located is where the expandable volume is (16x9x6).
The flap of the insert is unzipped while in the messenger bag and folded back out of the way.
Gary
semi-ambivalent
Little to say
This has already come up so it should be addressed. Camera bags look like camera bags, no matter what else they look like. Throw your M9 in your high school gym bag, add a shoulder strap and walk around. Camera bag. Especially if you are holding a camera. So if you're inclined to say 'a bag that doesn't look like a camera bag', sorry, ain't gonna happen. Trust me on this one. More important to protect the glass from impacts (within reason) and have it be strong in case you find yourself in a tug-of-war with some guy on a Vespa.
GaryLH
Veteran
Probably true. But why advertise it to the world all the time. I don't always have it out when I am out and about.
I hope u won that one
Gary
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
Yeah, my Timbuk2 bag fits my 14" laptop fairly well, but I don't have a camera insert in mine,just a laptop messenger bag...