Messenger Bags as M-Bags
- Thread starter nightfly
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nightfly
Well-known
Melanie,
Thanks, that's what I was thinking of.
Probably too pursish for me but if I just jumped up to a little bit bigger bag that's what i'm looking for. I just found out that Timbuk2 has a fancy new store in San Francisco also, so I'll probably check that out along with Chrome while I'm up there.
Can you sort of prop that A and A case open and take the camera in and out if you are wandering around shooting or is sort of awkward and tight fitting to do this?
Thanks, that's what I was thinking of.
Probably too pursish for me but if I just jumped up to a little bit bigger bag that's what i'm looking for. I just found out that Timbuk2 has a fancy new store in San Francisco also, so I'll probably check that out along with Chrome while I'm up there.
Can you sort of prop that A and A case open and take the camera in and out if you are wandering around shooting or is sort of awkward and tight fitting to do this?
MelanieC
Well-known
Yes, you can leave the top of the A&A pouch unzipped and pop the camera in and out of it easily, as long as you remember not to throw things on top of it in the bag like pens or keys that might damage the camera or lens. If I'm wandering around shooting, though, I usually just have the camera on a strap crosswise across my body and keep a hand on it for safety.
Timbuk2 has a size "small" messenger bag that is marginally larger than the Metro but looks less like a purse. I have a large Timnbuk2 messenger bag and use that when I am carrying more stuff. I recently went to my brother's wedding and brought the M3, 50mm, a borrowed 90mm, a Rolleiflex TLR, and a Nikon D70s with two lenses and had some room to spare in the large. It is not padded, but each camera was in a separate padded pouch of its own. Obviously not the greatest setup for quick shooting but no matter how I carried them I doubt I could juggle three cameras all that quickly anyway.
There's a North Face outlet in Berkeley (that you probably already know about) and they often have messenger bags on sale there. I'm not crazy about the North Face messenger bags though -- they tend to be made of this weird shiny waterproof rubbery material that is really heavy and the last thing I need is more weight in my bag.
Timbuk2 has a size "small" messenger bag that is marginally larger than the Metro but looks less like a purse. I have a large Timnbuk2 messenger bag and use that when I am carrying more stuff. I recently went to my brother's wedding and brought the M3, 50mm, a borrowed 90mm, a Rolleiflex TLR, and a Nikon D70s with two lenses and had some room to spare in the large. It is not padded, but each camera was in a separate padded pouch of its own. Obviously not the greatest setup for quick shooting but no matter how I carried them I doubt I could juggle three cameras all that quickly anyway.
There's a North Face outlet in Berkeley (that you probably already know about) and they often have messenger bags on sale there. I'm not crazy about the North Face messenger bags though -- they tend to be made of this weird shiny waterproof rubbery material that is really heavy and the last thing I need is more weight in my bag.
nightfly
Well-known
Yeah I was looking at those North Face bags and they looked heavy. Light is key. My M4-P is heavy enough on it's own!
Thanks again.
Rob
Thanks again.
Rob
ljclark
Newbie
My normal bag for RF is the Domke F-803 (a couple of M bodies and 4 or 5 lenses, strobe, and film - all in Domke inserts). I also have the slightly larger F-802, but it seems less handy to work out of. Neither really looks like a camera bag, and with messenger bags becoming more common, they kinda fade into the background. You can get colors too. The green looks like some kind of military surplus (as in -- not too expensive) which is a good idea.
I've tried to make sense of the Crumpler bags, but their web site is just too damn cutesy. When you just want information the site makes you work too hard, and sometimes it just isn't there. They might have the perfect bag for me, but I can't tell.
I like Timbuk2 bags generally (really well built), but I'm not convinced as to their utility for my stlye of shooting. I special-ordered their "classic" messenger bag, which allows you to select the colors of the panels, the interior color, and some other extras you don't see in the store. Even with a sheet of rigid plastic to stabilize the bottom and using Domke inserts, it didn't work well for me. Also, the flap didn't cover as well as my Domke, and I was concerned about using it in the rail. But it is great for classes.
I've tried to make sense of the Crumpler bags, but their web site is just too damn cutesy. When you just want information the site makes you work too hard, and sometimes it just isn't there. They might have the perfect bag for me, but I can't tell.
I like Timbuk2 bags generally (really well built), but I'm not convinced as to their utility for my stlye of shooting. I special-ordered their "classic" messenger bag, which allows you to select the colors of the panels, the interior color, and some other extras you don't see in the store. Even with a sheet of rigid plastic to stabilize the bottom and using Domke inserts, it didn't work well for me. Also, the flap didn't cover as well as my Domke, and I was concerned about using it in the rail. But it is great for classes.
amateriat
We're all light!
Melanie's setup seems closest to what you probably want; since Timbuk2 generally offers most items in a choice of colors, you should be able to dial the color combo "up" or "down" as suits you.
- Barrett
- Barrett
simonankor
Registered Addict
I use a Crumpler, it works just fine for me. The best bet with Crumpler is to buy a bag, and then find an insert from a camera bag separately and just stick it in there. I have a Crumpler Complete Seed with a LowePro Stealth Reporter 500 insert - the insert is a touch smaller than the bag so it still fits comfortably on my back.
That said, I only use that setup if I'm carry three cameras. If I'm only taking a rangefinder, I just wrap it up in a towel 😉
That said, I only use that setup if I'm carry three cameras. If I'm only taking a rangefinder, I just wrap it up in a towel 😉
S
Simon Larbalestier
Guest
My North Faces aren't heavy? they are made of the same waterproof material as the bike courier messenger bags at least the Base Camp models are.
there's a pic here Black is better than the red.
http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/outlet/index.cfm/Backpacks/Category/fa/products.showDetail/sku/APK7/The_North_Face_Base_Camp_Messenger.htm
there's a pic here Black is better than the red.
http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/outlet/index.cfm/Backpacks/Category/fa/products.showDetail/sku/APK7/The_North_Face_Base_Camp_Messenger.htm
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furcafe
Veteran
I routinely use 2 Chrome Mini Metros (not @ the same time!) as my main camera bags. Based on your list of requirements, I wouldn't say that they're too big for your needs, assuming you use inserts like I do. Depending on the equipment I'm using, I use Billingham Hadley or Tenba compartmented inserts to hold the photo stuff (typically 2 bodies w/lenses attached or 1 body w/a couple extra lenses) & there's just enough room left over for magazines, small laptop (12" Powerbook), etc. I prefer the Chromes to Timbuktu, Crumpler, etc. because of their seatbelt buckle feature.
nightfly said:
John Camp
Well-known
I've seen a Domke messenger-style bag that looks really good -- even has the canvas strap going under the bag. Hadn't seen it before. I've got 7 M lenses, an R-D1 and some accessories, notebook, etc., in a small over-the-shoulder Lowe-Pro pack, and I'm content, for now. There's still room for a 17-inch Mac if I needed to carry it.
JC
JC
K
kjoebek
Guest
RObert Budding
D'oh!
I just bought my firsr Billingham bag (packington for an SLR). Very nicely made, but I wish the top opened up more to improve access. I may buy a Timbuk2 bag also and try the Billingham insert in it.
My quest for the perfect bag continues . . .
My quest for the perfect bag continues . . .
S
Simon Larbalestier
Guest
Searching for the perfect bag is a bit like searching for the Holy Grail..........
wrenhunter
RF newbie
The other option is bag-within-bag. I have a Domke F-5xb which can hold Bessa R, L, and an extra lens or two. I use that when I'm just shooting. It's small and not cumbersome.
If I need to carry books, jacket, etc., I put the Domke inside my messenger bag with room to spare. This bag does happen to have a good pocket layout. Not sure if it could handle inserts, but I do keep a Rollei 35 in one pocket for everyday use.
If I need to carry books, jacket, etc., I put the Domke inside my messenger bag with room to spare. This bag does happen to have a good pocket layout. Not sure if it could handle inserts, but I do keep a Rollei 35 in one pocket for everyday use.
RObert Budding
D'oh!
Simon Larby said:
That's why you need to enjoy the searching more than the finding.
JeffGreene
(@)^(@)
I also am searching for the perfect bag, and have been doing so for years, but in all honesty, and despite a closet full, have yet to find it. But I remain hopeful. I looked at the Billinghams. They're great bags, but I needed a bag that would accommodate my extra large laptop, and my RD1 and not cost more than a decent Voightlander lens. I've a regular bag for evenings and weekends, but my love affair with my RD1 has progressed to the point that I want it with me daily!
I looked at the messenger bags (Chrome, Timbuk2, Crumpler, BaileyWorks and many others) and finally settled on a Domke 804 with inserts. It hasn't arrived yet, but hopefully I've finally found it! Oh well, and so it goes!
Respectfully,
I looked at the messenger bags (Chrome, Timbuk2, Crumpler, BaileyWorks and many others) and finally settled on a Domke 804 with inserts. It hasn't arrived yet, but hopefully I've finally found it! Oh well, and so it goes!
Respectfully,
back alley
IMAGES
domke 5xb fits inside a back pack, i carry this most of the time during the week or just the cl in a small op tech bag inside the back pack.
the mclassic is ideal for shooting. it can hold several cameras and lots of lenses or just one camera and a lens or 2. it snugs in against the body nicely.
i have settled on these 2 bags/styles.
joe
the mclassic is ideal for shooting. it can hold several cameras and lots of lenses or just one camera and a lens or 2. it snugs in against the body nicely.
i have settled on these 2 bags/styles.
joe
xrogers
Newbie
I like my Timbuk2 bag...
I like my Timbuk2 bag...
I've used a Timbuk2 small messenger bag with a Domke 3-compartment insert (and a layer of closed cell foam in the bottom) for almost two years. It can hold two M cameras with lens mounted, plus two more lenses (plus film, filters, and other miscellaneous junk). I've also used the same bag (without insert) on occasion to hold a Canon SLR with 24, 50 and 135 lenses.
It wouldn't hold the Sunday Times, but I do clamp my jacket in the little loop you can make by shortening the strap. I've used the bag in rain without any noticable leakage despite the small holes left between the strap and flap. The waterproof material seems to work as advertised.
I haven't found the perfect bag, but this one is pretty good, and relatively cheap. If something happened to it, I'd buy another.
I like my Timbuk2 bag...
I've used a Timbuk2 small messenger bag with a Domke 3-compartment insert (and a layer of closed cell foam in the bottom) for almost two years. It can hold two M cameras with lens mounted, plus two more lenses (plus film, filters, and other miscellaneous junk). I've also used the same bag (without insert) on occasion to hold a Canon SLR with 24, 50 and 135 lenses.
It wouldn't hold the Sunday Times, but I do clamp my jacket in the little loop you can make by shortening the strap. I've used the bag in rain without any noticable leakage despite the small holes left between the strap and flap. The waterproof material seems to work as advertised.
I haven't found the perfect bag, but this one is pretty good, and relatively cheap. If something happened to it, I'd buy another.
S
Simon Larbalestier
Guest
Perhaps we should start a mobile bag library members can try out each others bags when the lender isn't using it/them. Sure save a lot of money. 😀
I saw a FOGG B-Major on Ebay, having seen it listed on the Leica Customer Forum the day before. That model goes for over $450 new -now that's what i call an expensive bag I looked at it ,went to theFOGG website saw it was available in black then remembered i had the Billingham Hadley Pro with the side pockets and found myself back on the quest. Which tells me i should go switch on my dishwarmer and get back to printing 😀
I saw a FOGG B-Major on Ebay, having seen it listed on the Leica Customer Forum the day before. That model goes for over $450 new -now that's what i call an expensive bag I looked at it ,went to theFOGG website saw it was available in black then remembered i had the Billingham Hadley Pro with the side pockets and found myself back on the quest. Which tells me i should go switch on my dishwarmer and get back to printing 😀
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
The Crumpler website lets you custom design your own bag. So you can get one as quiet or as loud as you like and very likely unique.
