MelanieC
Well-known
First impressions:
Size is excellent for two camera bodies and some accessories. Not suitable for toting the kitchen sink. Perfect size for me, as I am small. I can easily fit a Rolleiflex 2.8F, Leica M3 with 50mm Summicron mounted, Elmarit 90, Rollie hood, filters, Rolleinar, various accoutrements (lens cloths, other filters, film, light meter, wallet). All this is snug but not in a jumbled way. I could probably throw a couple of things on top in the bag as there's a little more space but then they'd be in the way.
In lieu of the Rollei and accessories I could fit a DSLR with mounted lens and an extra lens, and a hood, and maybe another small thing.
There are eight or nine pockets. All are quite flat. Bulky things don't fit well in them. Things like film and meters fit fine.
The inserts are soft and deform easily. I might like them a tad better if they held their shape better but they work fine anyway as far as I can tell. They come out easily and go into other bags and can be closed with drawstrings. They come with three dividers that velcro in and out.
I hate the strap that comes with the bag. If I were taller it might be fine, but it has an integral pad and only shortens enough to hang down by my butt rather than higher, like a messenger bag. I have swapped it out for a strap from a Timbuk2 bag. The pad is kind of stiff and contoured, which I don't like because pads like that never lie flat on my shoulder. I wear shoulder bags across my body.
I have carried this bag for a total of one morning so my opinions may change. It looks nice and lies closer to the body than other camera bags, since it is briefcase style and the padding is not stiff. I took the logo off the front of the bag with a seam ripper as it was rubber and fugly. Here are some photos.
Size is excellent for two camera bodies and some accessories. Not suitable for toting the kitchen sink. Perfect size for me, as I am small. I can easily fit a Rolleiflex 2.8F, Leica M3 with 50mm Summicron mounted, Elmarit 90, Rollie hood, filters, Rolleinar, various accoutrements (lens cloths, other filters, film, light meter, wallet). All this is snug but not in a jumbled way. I could probably throw a couple of things on top in the bag as there's a little more space but then they'd be in the way.
In lieu of the Rollei and accessories I could fit a DSLR with mounted lens and an extra lens, and a hood, and maybe another small thing.
There are eight or nine pockets. All are quite flat. Bulky things don't fit well in them. Things like film and meters fit fine.
The inserts are soft and deform easily. I might like them a tad better if they held their shape better but they work fine anyway as far as I can tell. They come out easily and go into other bags and can be closed with drawstrings. They come with three dividers that velcro in and out.
I hate the strap that comes with the bag. If I were taller it might be fine, but it has an integral pad and only shortens enough to hang down by my butt rather than higher, like a messenger bag. I have swapped it out for a strap from a Timbuk2 bag. The pad is kind of stiff and contoured, which I don't like because pads like that never lie flat on my shoulder. I wear shoulder bags across my body.
I have carried this bag for a total of one morning so my opinions may change. It looks nice and lies closer to the body than other camera bags, since it is briefcase style and the padding is not stiff. I took the logo off the front of the bag with a seam ripper as it was rubber and fugly. Here are some photos.
oftheherd
Veteran
The continued trials and travails of MelanieC and the elusive perfect bag. 
Actually, that looks rather nice. Hope the change of straps makes it more comfortable for you. The inserts do look a little hoakie, but seems they are doing the job. Is it difficult the get things in and out of them?
I think all of us have been thorugh struggles for a bag that gives us what we want to carry and still be useful and comfortable. Thanks for continuing the reviews. I have a couple around the house that I should get rid of since I don't like them and don't use them.
Actually, that looks rather nice. Hope the change of straps makes it more comfortable for you. The inserts do look a little hoakie, but seems they are doing the job. Is it difficult the get things in and out of them?
I think all of us have been thorugh struggles for a bag that gives us what we want to carry and still be useful and comfortable. Thanks for continuing the reviews. I have a couple around the house that I should get rid of since I don't like them and don't use them.
dexdog
Veteran
Melanie C, I carried the same bag for 2 weeks on vacation in May, loaded with a Bessa L w/ 15mm, a Contax II with 35mm, 50mm and 85mm lenses, and my Canon digicam. Nice bag, and comfortable in the long haul, considering the weight I was carrying. I am glad that I went with the Lima, instead of the larger Sierra bag.
Very well made bag, and pretty cheap at less that $60.
Very well made bag, and pretty cheap at less that $60.
MelanieC
Well-known
Mine was only $39.95, plus shipping. The way I looked at it, I was buying two inserts and getting the bag for free.
All they need to do is change the logo and they'll have a pretty handsome bag. Ah well, I guess it could be worse, like the Kata logo. Seriously, have you ever seen an uglier logo than the Kata logo? Anyway, I digress.
All they need to do is change the logo and they'll have a pretty handsome bag. Ah well, I guess it could be worse, like the Kata logo. Seriously, have you ever seen an uglier logo than the Kata logo? Anyway, I digress.
goo0h
Well-known
You're funny. Glad that aside from the strap, it wasn't a lemon. Hope it works out.MelanieC said:
jbf
||||||
Good review. Pretty much the same points i had with it. The strap is too long. Even for me, and I'm 6'2".
I ended up doubling the strap over in a Z sort of sandwich and using two of those heavy duty paper clips (used mainly in offices for stacks of paper that are 1-2.5" (the black clips with the silver handles that can be removed) and clamped it down and then removed the silver 'handles'.
Looks very discreet and shortens the strap just right for me. So that the bag fits fairly snug against the middle of my back.
I ended up doubling the strap over in a Z sort of sandwich and using two of those heavy duty paper clips (used mainly in offices for stacks of paper that are 1-2.5" (the black clips with the silver handles that can be removed) and clamped it down and then removed the silver 'handles'.
Looks very discreet and shortens the strap just right for me. So that the bag fits fairly snug against the middle of my back.
BillBingham2
Registered User
MC,
Does where the stap attach to the bag (another strap most times) go all the way around under the bag?
B2 (;->
Does where the stap attach to the bag (another strap most times) go all the way around under the bag?
B2 (;->
MelanieC
Well-known
Not sure. I don't have it with me at the lab so I'll have to get back to you. I think it does; but given the size of the bag, unless you filled it with anvils, it would be difficult to load it down enough for the straps to start separating. Overall the bag appears to be very well made, especially for the price.
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
Oo Bag Gas...
But my domke works great!
What am I thinking....
This looks cool though, and the price is right.
But my domke works great!
What am I thinking....
This looks cool though, and the price is right.
jan normandale
Film is the other way
Hmm. I should scare everyone and post my bag and camera packing technique.. a Filson bag and cameras in ziploc bags... ;D
dexdog
Veteran
MelanieC said:
I dug out my receipt, and it was $39.99 as well. Ordered it straight from their website. I was very pleased with the quick delivery, too.
MelanieC
Well-known
B2,
The strap attachment does not go all the way around the bottom of the bag. It is sewn to a loop of webbing that is reinforced by another patch of webbing sewn to the side of the bag perpendicular to the first loop of webbing. I am sure that makes no sense whatsoever, but to me it looks pretty sturdy -- not like the sorry construction of the straps on that Shootsac thing.
Jan,
My standard DSLR packing technique is to just throw it on top of the stuff in whatever bag I'm carrying, without even a ziploc bag. It's a giant plastic and metal monster -- if it can't survive that kind of treatment (and it has), then what's it good for is how I feel about it.
The strap attachment does not go all the way around the bottom of the bag. It is sewn to a loop of webbing that is reinforced by another patch of webbing sewn to the side of the bag perpendicular to the first loop of webbing. I am sure that makes no sense whatsoever, but to me it looks pretty sturdy -- not like the sorry construction of the straps on that Shootsac thing.
Jan,
My standard DSLR packing technique is to just throw it on top of the stuff in whatever bag I'm carrying, without even a ziploc bag. It's a giant plastic and metal monster -- if it can't survive that kind of treatment (and it has), then what's it good for is how I feel about it.
flashfirenze
Member
Hi,
I have the same bag, for about 6 months now. I agree about the strap. But the bag, for $40 is so well made!
Nice looking, doesn't look at all like a camera bag, and holds quite a bit!
I have the same bag, for about 6 months now. I agree about the strap. But the bag, for $40 is so well made!
Nice looking, doesn't look at all like a camera bag, and holds quite a bit!
jan normandale
Film is the other way
MelanieC said:
if you operate like that we should shoot together someday ;D
I'll give you a ziplock it's surprising how well they protect cameras .
jbf
||||||
haha. I dont give the time of day to my Nikon DSLR either. Its a workhorse... i shouldnt have to baby it. I expect it to have nicks, scratches and scuffs. Besides... it really has no resale value after a year basically.
nightlight
Well-known
Melanie,
Is that a compass on the bag? Does it come with it? Not sure if there are others like me but some strange reason I always like to go out shooting with a compass.
Clarel
Is that a compass on the bag? Does it come with it? Not sure if there are others like me but some strange reason I always like to go out shooting with a compass.
Clarel
goo0h
Well-known
I have the Tango, and yes that is a real compass, and yes it comes with it. In fact it's fixed to the case. From time to time I have to admit it can be handy.nightlight said:
MelanieC
Well-known
I think the compass is kind of silly, but I do agree having one can be useful -- I have one attached to my regular messenger bag (the one I carry as a purse) and I never read a street map without using one either.
The one on the bag doesn't come off the bag so to use it you have to pick the whole bag up and hold it horizontally. I know it works, because it points at the same corner of the dashboard of my car that all my other compasses point at. I wonder what's in there? I actually threw away one of my compasses when I first got my car, thinking the compass was broken because it never pointed north anymore; I realized what was going on when the new compass did exactly the same thing. Oops.
Carried the bag today and liked it but ended up not seeing anything worth taking photos of, which is what I suppose happens when one finally gets a camera bag and goes out loaded for bear.
The one on the bag doesn't come off the bag so to use it you have to pick the whole bag up and hold it horizontally. I know it works, because it points at the same corner of the dashboard of my car that all my other compasses point at. I wonder what's in there? I actually threw away one of my compasses when I first got my car, thinking the compass was broken because it never pointed north anymore; I realized what was going on when the new compass did exactly the same thing. Oops.
Carried the bag today and liked it but ended up not seeing anything worth taking photos of, which is what I suppose happens when one finally gets a camera bag and goes out loaded for bear.
Last edited:
amateriat
We're all light!
Mel: I've known that feeling. It'll pass quickly, honest.MelanieC said:
About the bag strap: is it permanently sewn-on, meaning one would have to cut it to shorten or replace?
Other than that, the bag seems pretty good, especially for the price.
- Barrett
ZeMane
Established
This thread caused me a(nother) GAS attack! Have found the bag in two european (Netherland) sites at a very good price (32€ s/i and 16€+shipping), so I think I'm going to try one.
Mel: probably an stupid question, but not sure which color is the bag shown on your pictures. Is it the olive one? grey, black?...
JoSe
Mel: probably an stupid question, but not sure which color is the bag shown on your pictures. Is it the olive one? grey, black?...
JoSe