Old Bag Out / Need a new bag

roscoetuff said:
Let me ask a stupid question: Since I've only used the zip ups and clip ups, do the satchel closures on the F-6 and F-803 provide enough security that you're gear's not gonna spill out?
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I have both an F6 and I had an F803 for many years. The closure hooks and loops on both seemed to secure the contents very nicely.

My issue with these Domke bags is that the hooks can flap around and strike gear when the tops are partially open. And the fact that my older ones of each, bought way back in the early 1990s, seem to be made of much higher quality cloth with much higher quality stitching than the current issue products. It kinda makes sense since they haven't changed the prices by anywhere near as much as money has become worth less. I moved to Billingham and Artisan & Artist bags as a result of the lower quality.

The Billingham L2 is an excellent bag as well, btw, and if the strap and peg closure becomes worn out, Billingham will fit a new one. My L2 dates from 2004, has gone all over the world with me, and you can hardly tell from looking at it. It's what I carry the SL with unless I'm carrying a couple of lenses.

G
 
Zippers are a recent innovation and IMO just a sales gimmick.
Zippers are superfluous on a properly designed shoulder bag.
Zippers will slow you down and will scratch your gear.
Zippers are made of fear.

Chris
 
Got to admit I do buy too many bags. That said, the one I regard as my best is the Billingham. Hard wearing, waterproof and comfortable.
I have a Hadley Original, in canvas, which admittedly hasn't been in daily use so has had a fairly easy life compared to what some of you guys may have put it through. It still looks very good and clean and the insert is intact. All this despite it being 30 years old!

Just bought the Hadley Pro, this time in Fibrenyte, mainly for the handle. Gonna use it for my carry on bag when I'm off to Canada.

Didn't stop buying the Tenba DNA 8 though this week.

Paul
 
ChrisPlatt said:
Zippers are a recent innovation and IMO just a sales gimmick.
Zippers are superfluous on a properly designed shoulder bag.
Zippers will slow you down and will scratch your gear.
Zippers are made of fear.

Chris
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I agree. Zippers are also the first thing to wear out on a bag that has them.

But metal buckles and other hardware can damage your gear. Ever had a metal buckle or clip whack your camera or lens when rushing to access something in the bag? It can happen...I know. Plastic is good. Leather straps are good (as long as they don't have free swinging metal buckles), Velcro is good (as long as you can silence it).
 
Have you looked into the Ona Bowery? It's very modular and sounds like it'll suit your needs perfectly.

Here's one example of what I carry in it. You could easily replace the section where I put a 2nd body with two lenses. I added a second divider to break the inner part of the bag into 3 sections. Extra film goes in the center, filters go on the outer front pockets. You could easily fit a light meter in with the extra film.

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mdwsta4 said:
Have you looked into the Ona Bowery? It's very modular and sounds like it'll suit your needs perfectly.

Here's one example of what I carry in it. You could easily replace the section where I put a 2nd body with two lenses. I added a second divider to break the inner part of the bag into 3 sections. Extra film goes in the center, filters go on the outer front pockets. You could easily fit a light meter in with the extra film.

DSCF0558-vi.jpg
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Well . . . I believe the Bowery is a bit smaller than the Domke 5XB. I'm afraid it would be a tight squeeze! BTW, the Bowery only comes with one divider.
 
Yeah... drooled over the ONA Bowery. The Billingham Hadley Pro might be the equivalent? and hold a tad more? I thought the ONA Bowery was mostly leather... and that started to not appeal after a while, but yours(?) looks pretty sweet. I think I need a tad more room for my meter, though. THanks! These are great suggestions... and yes, I fear the zipper, the snap, and all that metal hardware, too. Will look at the L2 again... Bowery as well.
 
I use the Think Tank Retro 5 and 7 bags, one camera and 2-3 lenses with the 5, two cameras and few lenses, including a long lens for an SLR camera with the 7. If you don't like squeezing in gear and then struggling to get it out when you need it, go with a roomier bag. Room for a spot meter, film, filters, blower....and there is a rain cover for intense weather.
I can fit easily fit my MacBook (about 12 in length) in the Think tank 7 back pocket when traveling.

Perceived as a camera bag? Most are, unless you never take out your camera. Then its either a camera bag, a lunch box, or a messenger/brief case. Go with a messenger-style bag if you think it will minimize the "camera bag" look. I'm not sure it does for those most interested in the contents.
 
Also check out Billingham Hadley Digital for one body, three lenses and accessories. If you would like the option of two bodies, Hadley Small.


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The One Bowery is nice but watch out for the shoulder strap clips, they open w/out warning.
 
Bags opening without warning...ergo ONA's are likely NOT in my future (thanks for the warning). A&A bags may work beautifully, but I'm not gettin' the vibe. Vibes from ThinkTank Retro series, Domke's and (surprisingly to me) Billingham Hadley stuff seem to be more up my alley. B-Hadley Small - maybe not 2 bodies in my case, but 1 body with a Pentax spotmeter, a lens or two, film and my contrast filters. Add some lens cleaner + wipes. While not much and not heavy, yet some space is required. And a soft bag with soft padding might be better than the firmly padded in many ways (like my ThinkTank holsters).
 
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I think you are on the right track. Think Tank, Domke, I don't have the Billingham Hadley, so can't really comment; but it is a well proven bag!
 
Matty, I love that photo. I have come close to getting a Bowery after seeing your photo of it!
 
roscoetuff said:
Bags opening without warning...ergo ONA's are likely NOT in my future (thanks for the warning). A&A bags may work beautifully, but I'm not gettin' the vibe. Vibes from ThinkTank Retro series, Domke's and (surprisingly to me) Billingham Hadley stuff seem to be more up my alley. B-Hadley Small - maybe not 2 bodies in my case, but 1 body with a Pentax spotmeter, a lens or two, film and my contrast filters. Add some lens cleaner + wipes. While not much and not heavy, yet some space is required. And a soft bag with soft padding might be better than the firmly padded in many ways (like my ThinkTank holsters).
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Bags are so personal. :)

I have often been attracted by the Ona Bowery by photos on line, but when I handle one I find the front pockets too small and the strap connections to the body do not seem substantial to me. I've not been able to bring myself to purchase one.

The A&A Oskar's One Day Bag was my replacement for a Billingham Hadley Pro that seemed too large for its carrying capacity. The A&A held more and is trimmer. At first it seemed a little boxy and overly stylish, but after a week's break-in carrying my kit around NYC it had molded itself to my body and was super comfortable to use. It's my go-to choice for a kit with the pieces you want to carry in it (I use the Sekonic L358 rather than the spotmeter, but they're about the same size).

Good luck!

G
 
Godfrey: Absolutely it "Bags are so personal". There's the male purse avoidance thing, and there's practical, and there's the "I don't wanna be a sherpa" vs. "I AM the sherpa" (NOT the Walrus).

I've got a Lowepro square and some others that seem capable of handling the sherpa thing. It's managing the "carry" in-between the sherpa mode and the 1- lens does it all mode and it's here that the choices are literally endless. And there's "What I think I'd like..." vs. "What I've tried and doesn't work...". The lucky ones are those who've adapted to what they have. Me? I'm not there yet.

No doubt some folks can pack the same bag as others, but do it in a way that's amazing for what it gets inside and how it manages easy access. Me? Nah. I don't think so.
 
Dogman said:
Just get a Billingham. Whatever size floats your boat. Although expensive, with sane treatment and regular but normal use, it will last for decades and still look nice enough to carry to a royal wedding (if you're so inclined).

I keep going back to my old Hadley Pro despite buying into the Bag Of The Month Club mentality and collecting numerous others over the years.
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I bought a Hadley Pro last week that B&H has on sale for $199; grey canvas and black leather trim - I guess the color wasn't moving, hence the $130 discount. It looks great, and my 30-year old Hadley needs to go in the shop to have some holes repaired.
 
I purchased large Domke once and it is worth of hundred bucks max it was on sale for. I traveled to Moscow in 2016 with it.
My everyday, everywhere (this is how I use my M4-2 or other RF camera) bag for years I lost my count on is Tamrac 3446.
With somewhat similar to OP kit overall, I'm so confident and in trust with this bag, I'll buy it immediately once I see it at 29 CAD I paid for it at off-price Canadian department store. :)
 
Along with my Hadley Original I mentioned above I also have the Ona Bowery. The feel of the canvas is really nice, the strap is wide and comfortable. It's a good looking casual bag but also looks smart when needed.

Now my Tenba DNA 8 has arrived it's suiting my gear better so these two bags will be sold to make room.

Buying bags, discussing bags and bag threads are very popular.

Paul
 
I recently purchased the "Vanguard Havana 21" for when I want to walk-about with one camera and an extra lens. I'm quite pleased with it. Price is good too!

vanguard_havana_21_shoulder_bag_1116314.jpg
 
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