National Geographic bags

I still don't have a bag!

A couple of weeks ago I ordered a F-5XC from a HK eBay seller, this week I got a refund as it's out of stock. :(

I'm now considering an army surplus type bag with some inserts as I can't find the F-5XC for a similar price anywhere.
 
I have two of them that I use for travel from time to time, and despite the stitched-on logo they are very well designed bags -- like someone actually put some thought into them. They hold more than you'd think, and I would definitely recommend them for their quality and functionality -- however you might want to sew a piece of fabric on top of that logo!
 
I was looking at this one this morning: Thinktank. I think they just launched this line. Looks quite nice, a cross between a Domke and NG. They got them in different sizes.
 
I actually like the NG bags but then again, I still like the old NG rag too.

My bag is considerably different than any of these, however, as I use a Maxpedition Jumbo EDC shoulder bag I've got the black nylon & love it.

Plenty of room for my Leica IIIf, several lenses, a meter, bunch of film, a quart bottle of water, & lots of misc. stuff that I carry around every day anyway. I even replaced my wallet with it.

Plus there's a nice zipper pocket in the rear that holds a 4" Smith & Wesson Model 64 & two speed loaders just fine... :eek:

;)

William
 
Double Negative - it doesn't look like it from the photos, but do you think there's space to fit in a 13" Macbook into that Thinktank (new large one)? Part of the reason I'm still holding back on a Domke is no space for a laptop.
 
Hmmm, that R30 is almost exactly the bag I've been looking for, "almost" because if it had a dedicated laptop pocket that would be THE one. But you're right about that pocket. Will need to check it out in real life and if I can shove a laptop in there (next to DSLR and a couple of lenses) - I've found my bag!
My RF gear is usually housed in a Billingham, which is perfect, but for rare occasions when I travel and bring SLR gear and a laptop I'd like to replace my Crumpler with something sexier. (Those Urban Disguise look too office-laptop-bag-ie to me).
 
The retrospective bags look nice but a bit out of my price range at the moment (and not yeat available it seems?)

The maxpedition bag looks interesting.
 
I have the small NG bag and I love it. Just last week I was able to comfortably carry my M4 w/ a CV 21/4, 35 Asp 'cron, 50 pre-Asph 'lux, and a 90 Elmarit plus four or five rolls of film, a small Gossen meter, a notebook and pen, and a couple other small items.

I like that it's very small, it has a water-resistant lining, and it doesn't look like a camera bag. It's also very well-built.
 
I like the look and feel of canvas bags like Domke and TTP Retrospectives... the only thing I can't get over is how heavy they are. The smallest Retrospective is 3 lbs, nearly twice the weight of my small Courierware.
 
Phantomas said:
Double Negative - it doesn't look like it from the photos, but do you think there's space to fit in a 13" Macbook into that Thinktank (new large one)? Part of the reason I'm still holding back on a Domke is no space for a laptop.
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My 13" macbook fits inside my NatGeo medium bag just fine, but any bigger and it would be a no go.

I honestly don't understand why people like to bash these bags so much, they are great packs, and really solid. I manage to carry my D200 w/ grip a flash, four lenses, a macbook, a note pad and a coat in mine with no trouble.

One of the reasons that I really like this bag is that there is no plastic on it at all. All of the snaps and buckles are made from brass. The pack itself I believe is made of hemp. Its water resistant, and it comes with a rain fly for when it gets really wet out.

The only downside is that there isn't a waist strap.
 
Excellent bag. Much less hassle to carry than harder-sided LowePro etc. Despite some comments doesn't look like a first choice for snatchers (actually looks a bit low rent to me). Light weight. Lots of pockets. Did I really read that people think an NG bag is dorky? More dorky than a rangefinder? Logo is small and unobtrusive compared with all other bags I have except Billingham. I think the anti-hype must be more about NG itself rather than the bags.
 
j j said:
Excellent bag. Much less hassle to carry than harder-sided LowePro etc. Despite some comments doesn't look like a first choice for snatchers (actually looks a bit low rent to me). Light weight. Lots of pockets. Did I really read that people think an NG bag is dorky? More dorky than a rangefinder? Logo is small and unobtrusive compared with all other bags I have except Billingham. I think the anti-hype must be more about NG itself rather than the bags.
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I think you are right. Maybe its because people feel that its like carrying a lunch box with a scene from your favorite cartoon on it or something. I really don't think that this bag is a popular choice for steeling as it doesn't look like a camera bag. I don't think any other bag would afford you much better odds once the would be thief spotted your camera, so the point is moot. I use a small padlock on my camera compartment when I'm in crowded areas.
 
I've realised that it's far more important that I get something practical and comfortable than something that looks how I want it to.

I've got a NG 2345 "Midi" bag on it's way :)

This looks like an ideal bag as it meets all these criteria:
- No velcro - snap buttons instead
- Nice padded insert (with 3 sections, so will hopefully do for GF1, extra lens and either the Hexar or Electro 35)
- Zippable rain cover thing inside
- Canvas/hemp so doesn't look like a typical nylon camera bag
- Enough pockets for filters/memory cards

I'll post some pics when it arrives.
 
A little update - The NG2345 Midi bag arrived and it was ok but I found getting the GF1 with EVF in & out a bit awkward - Also, with GF1 + 1 lens + another fixed-lens RF it was pretty much full. I also wasn't totally sold on the look, it's shallow but I thought as it was quite 'short' it looked a bit too handbag/purse-like.

I sent it back for a refund and found a lightly used NG2475 Medium model instead. This one is almost too big! I'm going to Glastonbury Festival this week and don't have time to get anything else so I'll see how it goes... I'm sure I'll get used to it but the little GF1 disappears inside it.

By the way, for UK readers there's a bag in Next at the moment that looks kind of Billingham-esque. I was tempted to get one but for £25 + another £25 or so for a insert it would have cost as much as the NG bag.
 
Creagerj said:
My 13" macbook fits inside my NatGeo medium bag just fine, but any bigger and it would be a no go.

I honestly don't understand why people like to bash these bags so much, they are great packs, and really solid. I manage to carry my D200 w/ grip a flash, four lenses, a macbook, a note pad and a coat in mine with no trouble.

One of the reasons that I really like this bag is that there is no plastic on it at all. All of the snaps and buckles are made from brass. The pack itself I believe is made of hemp. Its water resistant, and it comes with a rain fly for when it gets really wet out.

The only downside is that there isn't a waist strap.
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Yeah, my 14" Toshiba is slightly too large to fit in the Medium I have. All the more reason to get an iPad...
 
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