Old Bag Out / Need a new bag

[Chubberino]

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

Another downside to Ona are the latches as they swing around and are quite loud. Had some concerns about incidental impact on my gear too.

 

[mdwsta4]

Funny, I like the latches over bags (like larger Ona ones or Billingham bags) where the strap is stitched directly to the bag. It becomes tangled and annoying. Never have that problem with the Bowery's strap system. Although, I can't say I've ever noticed it being loud either...

Another downside to Ona are the latches as they swing around and are quite loud. Had some concerns about incidental impact on my gear too.

 

[sepiareverb]

...

Artisan & Artist Oskar's One Day Bag (Black)
- overflap, two front pockets under flap
​

...


G

+1 from me. My favorite bag ever. I use it with the Leicas and with the Rolleis. Even the SWC will work in it. I've had this bag for going on 7 years I believe and it is going strong.

 

[mdwsta4]

I have a 5Xb as well (holds all my filters now) and perhaps it's the zippers and how the Domke opens, but the Bowery has more usable space (to me). The zippers scratch your gear and the opening simply isn't as large. Yes, I think it's stupid that the Bowery only comes with one divider, but like I mentioned in my post, I added another. Think all of us with multiple bags have extra dividers laying around.

the bowery and the 5xb are the exact same size...i put them next to each other when i still had the bowery.

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.

I bought a Hadley Pro to hold more stuff and it is HUGE compared to the Bowery.

Yeah... drooled over the ONA Bowery. The Billingham Hadley Pro might be the equivalent?

What do you mean shoulder clips? What connects the shoulder strap to the bag? I don't know how these could possibly open by accident. Perhaps you received a defective bag? I've travelled all over the world with mine and have never had this happen.

The One Bowery is nice but watch out for the shoulder strap clips, they open w/out warning.

That's awesome, thank you!

Matty, I love that photo. I have come close to getting a Bowery after seeing your photo of it!

 

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Godfrey View Post
...
Artisan & Artist Oskar's One Day Bag (Black)
- overflap, two front pockets under flap
...

+1 from me. My favorite bag ever. I use it with the Leicas and with the Rolleis. Even the SWC will work in it. I've had this bag for going on 7 years I believe and it is going strong.

I actually have two versions of this bag. The first is Artisan & Artist, the second is the Black Label Bag Oskar's One Day Bag Mark II. The BLB version is slightly larger, has a one-piece camera insert with moveable dividers (rather than a bottom piece, surround, and dividers), has an external zip pocket with slots for cards and such, and has weatherized zippers on the overflap and external pocket.

They're two of my most used bags ... and yes, the SWC fits in it, so does the 500CM with 80mm lens. 🙂

G

 

[sepiareverb]

I actually have two versions of this bag. The first is Artisan & Artist, the second is the Black Label Bag Oskar's One Day Bag Mark II. The BLB version is slightly larger, has a one-piece camera insert with moveable dividers (rather than a bottom piece, surround, and dividers), has an external zip pocket with slots for cards and such, and has weatherized zippers on the overflap and external pocket.

They're two of my most used bags ... and yes, the SWC fits in it, so does the 500CM with 80mm lens. 🙂

G

I've been watching for a second at a good price, as I'm afraid that when this one finally wears out I won't be able to find another.

Only zipper on mine is on the flap pocket, which is a brilliant bit of design. Putting anything in the flap (I keep an 8 SD card case in mine) puts some weight in the flap which keeps it shut, while giving storage without adding any real bulk.

Only possible gripe is that the padding is perhaps overdone, but the extra protection has never been a problem. I've carried mine in torrential rain and kept everything inside dry too.

 

[besk]

I have had a Domke J-803 for over 15 years. It is black Nylon and tough. Looks almost
new even now. I love the clasp of the front flap and can open it silently and quickly with one hand but it would be difficult for someone not wearing it on their shoulder to do it quickly. For that reason I feel confident riding packed busses in eastern Europe with my gear.

The bag has had several different inserts including custom pouches Velcroed to the inside for small lenses. I even have an insert to carry a Rolleiflex.

The only drawback in my opinion is the weight of the bag itself. The smallest Ape Case is very lightweight ($36.00) but takes more time to open and looks like a camera bag. Right now it has a miniature Crown Graphic in it with an extra lens, and meter, etc. to give an idea of its capacity.

 

[roscoetuff]

So at the end of the day, I went out to my nearby shop ("Ace Photo" in Ashburn, VA - the guy actually owns 2 stores these days) where 1/2 of his 12,000 Sq Ft store is camera bags, took my stuff with me, and tried out the leading candidates. He doesn't carry A&A so that wasn't there, but just about everything else. Came home with a used Billington Hadley Pro for $170. This'll work for carrying a 3-lens kit, M4-2, meter, filters, film, lens cleaner, blah blah blah... or my Sony A7RII and 2 lenses comfortably. Many of the other bags - you guys were right - were absolute caverns. This is a nice balance and I guess the soft leather closures on it really sold me. Store owner has 3 of them himself and loves them. I have the light tan/sand color with brown leather.

Interestingly, he's a Leica fan and a film fan, but of course wouldn't have made a success of things if he didn't do mostly digital. Said the crazy little Leica snap cameras that he thought he might sell 4 of... sold 70. Nice guy. Prices as good as B&H on most stuff. Nice to support a local outlet where it doesn't cost you extra to do so.

So thanks to all of you who offered advice! Never thought I'd have ended up with one of these... but then I can say that for most of my gear. Who knew?

 

[Dogman]

You done good, my man!

I keep going back to the Hadley Pro. Mine is about 15 years old (I think). It's worn in but not worn out. They get better with time and use.

 

[majid]

Wotancraft Ryker or Etan. The Leica ANEAS Small, but it's sold out and was very expensive to begin with.

Dothebag for Monochrom Mono 04:
https://monochrom.com/fotografieren/taschen/fototaschen/dothebag-mono-04

I have an ONA Berlin I, I can't recommend it: surprisingly small capacity for the bulk due to poor design.