Messenger Bags as M-Bags

[nightfly]

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for messenger bags as M-Bags. Heading to San Francisco tomorrow and was going to drop by the Chrome store and maybe pick up one of their bags. I have a Domke F-3X but I find that when I have just the camera and a lens in it, it's too big a bag, but it really doesn't fit enough other (non-camera) stuff to be a general purpose bag. It was great when I had a Mamiya 6 but with the Leica it's just too much or too little. So I'm thinking about going back to my former solution of a Domeke insert with a mouse pad cut to pad the bottom, just popped in a messenger bag.

I don't care for the Billingham/Fogg kinda bags as they are a little too english gentleman for me and the smaller Domke (forget the model number) gets into murse territory and also has a zipper which seems sorta dumb to me on a camera bag.

Someone had posted a picture in an earlier thread of some sort of cool little case inside a Timbuk 2 bag that look interesting.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I ordrered the mini messenger from Chrome i expect within a week or so
i can let you know then. I also plan to use it with Domke inserts

 

[trittium]

Crumpler makes nice stylish photo bags, you might want to check them out.

 

[Joerg]

timbuk2 with an insert works well for me.

Ciao

Joerg

 

[MP/CLE]

You might look at the Artist & artisan Oskar's daybag... a nice flap-over small messenger bag made for the m/zi and a couple lenses. I do like the look of the LOMO sidekick and its versatility, but I don't know what a lomo camera is and whether or not an M and lenses would be properly accomodated.

 

[Goodyear]

I have the Chrome Metropolis and love it. I bike lots and lots and it's simply the best for volume with stability (and durability of course).

Right now I'm also contemplating on maybe getting the black Lomo Sidekick. I like the layout although the brag-photoalbum would stay home. I don't do lomo, just liked the bag.

That Chrome bag is huge! The Lomo one looks very interesting, though.

I'm still trying to figuring out how big a Timbuk2 medium messenger is, since there's nowhere I can handle one before I put the cash down...

 

[physiognomy]

Not sure if price factors too much into your choice in any way, but I just ordered one of these Domke copies as a cheap alternative... People have talked favourably of them here & elsewhere before...

Mekko Canvas Messenger Bag

No affiliation with the seller etc... I haven't even recieved the bag, so this isn't a personal recommendation. Just thought you might be interested.

Cheers!

Peter

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Serach eBay for 'Camera Bag' and see many many bags for $10 or so.

 

[nightfly]

Chrome does have smaller bags which I'm going to look at. That Artist and Artisan's one looks interesting but way too expensive for what it is. The Lomo one might work though I don't know how much I'd like having the "rules of lomography" emblazzened on the side (though you don't notice it much on the black one). Also a little iffy on how it would carry. Lomo does some intersting stuff (I used to have one that was fun) but they often put style over quality and useability so I'd be a little hesitant to order one without seeing it.

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

 

[jtzordon]

I have the TimBuk2 medium messenger bag. It's pretty decently sized; how much other stuff would you like to fit in it? How much camera gear? It's not padded at all, so an insert might be required, depending on your intent. I don't have inserts but have padded the bottom with a book or two on occasion; just enough to prevent impact when I set it down.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I line the bottom of my (unpadded) bag with boxes of film.

 

[nightfly]

My stuff requirements are:

m-body with lens attached.
Another small lens
Newspaper (up to Sunday New York Times size)
Book
Film
Maybe a jacket bunched up

Not a whole lot. The Domke is just a little short for things like newspapers and books yet a little too wide. Need something slimmer and taller really. Easy access is a must since I don't use a strap or anything. The Domke rules for this as there is no velcro even, just a flap.

Not too concerned about padding. The camera is tough (isn't that part of why why buy these things?) and you can always add whatever you need.

 

[f/stopblues]

I'll second that Crumpler suggestion. Their bags are very impressive, especially in the way they're built. Heavy duty zippers, thick canvas, etc. They have both messenger and camera bags. Oh, and their website is fun, too! 😀

*click me, I'm a link* Crumpler USA

 

[jtzordon]

That'd probably be about right, off the top of my head.

 

[jtzordon]

My only issue with the Crumpler bags that I've seen is that they are SO padded that they hold deceptively little.

 

[SDK]

My boyfriend gave me the Chrome Mini Metro in yellow and black for Christmas. It's a great bag, but is pretty big for camera stuff. I do occasionally stick an M lens and film in some of the front pockets, but there is no compartment suitable for an M sized camera with lens attached; they are either way too big or a bit too small. I use the Chrome to carry boxes of photo paper (up to 11x14"), liter bottles of di H2O, etc. Often we carry our swim trunks, goggles and two towels to the gym in this bag, and this is their small Messenger bag! Nightfly, you may want to look into the Chrome Laptop bags, as they may have more suitably sized pockets. I have not seen these in life but they look possibly good for you from Chrome's Website.

I usually carry my M7 out-of-bag, and use a little EMS Small Field Bag (Eastern Mountain Sports) for 2-3 lenses, film and accessories, but you could not fit a newspaper in it.

 

[trittium]

My only issue with the Crumpler bags that I've seen is that they are SO padded that they hold deceptively little.

I have a little one that holds a ton. Just do some research on the model, look at good photos of the inside.

Crumpler Homestayer photos

 

[trittium]

one more photo

 

[amateriat]

My stuff requirements are:

m-body with lens attached.
Another small lens
Newspaper (up to Sunday New York Times size)
Book
Film
Maybe a jacket bunched up.

I think we're a bit at cross purposes here: a bag large enough to carry, say, the Sunday Times and a light jacket would have to be fairly large; something like this with a lightly padded compartment for your M kit would be hard to find ready-made, IMO; you might need to start with basic ingredients (standard-issue messenger bag + padded inserts/panels + decent sewing skills or hooking up with someone who has said skills). From what I've seen of Crumpler bags, the cool factor is killed by the padding-to-capacity ratio...you're better off buying a Timbuk2 bag and making a DIY setup. The Mekko looks like an okay knockoff of Domke's 803 (which I have and love), but neither the original or the Mekko will likely give you what you want in terms of the extra stuff you want to drag around. For me, if I'm taking the Hexar kit with me, photography is likely the principal aim of my time outside, with nothing more on my person than wallet, keys and cell phone. Otherwise, it's my laptop backpack with my PowerBook (natch), book and/or newspaper, techie tools of the trade, and either my Konica S3, Konica Lexio 70 or Ricoh GR1 (or all three if I'm in an odd mood).

What you're looking for isn't impossible to find, but you'll certainly have to look a bit, then "customize" a little later. Best of luck!


- Barrett

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I ordered the Mini Metro to carry a 15" Powerbook as well as a M camera
i'd promised myself NOT to buy another but there you go.........
The North Face Base Camp Messenger bags are very good too they come in two sizes - the smaller 12" one is very discreet. Works well with Domke or Billingham inserts.