M kit bag

[RichardB]

I carry an M6 and M7 both with motor M's. One has a 35mm 1.4 attached and have 75mm and 90mm Summicron's in thier cases. A SF24, assorted batteries, film etc make up the rest. This all fits comfortably in the Leica 14852 bag. This bag was chosen because the equipment I needed fits and the bag is water resistant. The bag top cover is normally kept in place by 4 plastic locking inserts. For water resistance, the inner seal is zipped closed. The bag has velcro adjustable foam inserts and exterior padding that provvide exceptional protection for your equipment from external and internal bumps and knocks..
Now one is not going to carry this bag on your shoulder for along time but that was not my intension as I never have used a bag as a shoulder carry but carry the cameras and lenses on my person and leave the bag in the vehicle unless inclement weather. There are snaller bags a available but you did specify two bodies and lenses attached and that is not a small bag requirement.
The 14852 is made in the USA by one of the manufacturers although I haven't researched which. The bag is black with Lieca discretely in black also on the bag so unless you are withing a foot or two, there is no label that can be discerned but of course anyone would know some type of photo equipment is contained inside.
MY suggestion is to not purchase a bag if you can help it without trying your equipment. In my case I had to order the bag but was lucky that it met my needs. The photos on the Leica website also helped. You can view the case here http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/r_system/accessories/accessories_for_the_camera/cases_and_straps/533.html . The Case is listed on the M accessories but only the smaller bag is shown. The 14852 is only shown under the R accessories.-Dick

 

[ian_w]

TJV

I live in NZ too, though a UK ex-pat, and found that the prices aren't too bad here. Think I got the Billingham M bag for around NZ$299 which is cheaper than the UK without postage, and cheaper than buying in the US when you factor in postage here.

Have you checked with www.photo.co.nz in Chch? They'll ship to you free wherever you live in NZ, though the bag will likely be a special order. Might be worth dropping them an email with any queries and then comparing with Popflash, amazon, etc.

Ian

 

[trph_2000]

I have the Billingham M( got it free when I bought an MP) but I find the
mclassics "Leitz' bag to be much better. Superb constuction and materials
like the Billingham but much more convenient and can carry a lot of extra stuff
while having a lower profile. Much easier to carry over the shoulder than
the M.

 

[TJV]

TJV

I live in NZ too, though a UK ex-pat, and found that the prices aren't too bad here. Think I got the Billingham M bag for around NZ$299 which is cheaper than the UK without postage, and cheaper than buying in the US when you factor in postage here.

Have you checked with www.photo.co.nz in Chch? They'll ship to you free wherever you live in NZ, though the bag will likely be a special order. Might be worth dropping them an email with any queries and then comparing with Popflash, amazon, etc.

Ian

Yeah, they used to import Billingham a few years back but decided to stop. I saw the M bag there a while ago but didn't take a real close look at it. I remember it being too small for me, certainly not justifiably bigger than the current Crumpler bag I have for the price. It was indeed $299NZ.

Man, I never thought I'd be so picky about a bag! I'm even thinking about getting my local leather shop to make me a simple bag to spec. What a geek!

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[TJV]

Stumbled upon the range of Artisan and Artist bags on the net. Anyone have any experience with these?
Tim

 

[ian_w]

Hey Tim

I looked into these but discounted them as the only ones I liked the look of have zips on top. NZ's not the driest place on Earth and I didn't like the idea of the zip leaking. If you are interested in getting one see if you can source it direct from Japan. The prices are much lower there. For the kit you have you may want the Image Smith (as the US site has renamed it) or Sebastio's Reporter Satchel. The latter is larger than Oscar's One Day Bag if I recall correctly. The range is apparently very well built and there are a good few people here who like them.

Ian

 

[TJV]

I'm liking the look of "The Submarine" by Artisan and Artist. It is apparently waterproop but I think does have a zip on top. Wish I could actually hold one before buying. It's the price ya pay for living in paradise I guess.