ONA Leather Brixton vs Think Tank Retro 7

marcr1230

marcr1230

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Anyone use the ONA http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...013lbr_Leather_Brixton_Camera_Loptop_Bag.html ? is it heavy ?

The Retro 7 looked huge when I saw it in the store

I'm looking for a little bit larger bag, currently have the Bare Bones Bag

My kit is usually 1 body + extra lens and accessories

I'd like a magic bag, large and padded on the inside, small and light weight on the outside.

I've actually done a lot of travelling in the last year, and most of the time, I put a body and 3-4 lenses in padded lens wraps in a knapsack ( an Osprey 22 ) it works but is not convenient.

lately carrying M43 body and kit, or film. Also have big heavy DSLR and mega-heavy lenses - but that is more for events and when I have my car w/me

For walking around town and back and forth 2 work - I take the Bare Bones.

I'm thinking of carrying a second body more regularly, (either 2nd Media or different lens)

Any opinions welcome

thanks
 
Hi, Marcr!

Coincidentally, I' ve been looking at the Brixton....and at the price (YOW!!). I already have a retrospective, and I think it's the one you describe.

I think either will serve your needs, as far as size and what it will carry. The alternative question, of course, is use and usability. Would the more rugged Think Tank fulfill your needs for rugged use? ...or would the more stylish and expensive leather Brixton bag suit your needs as an affluent professional walking around town with a Leica and a Laptop type of experience.

Also...just for fun, go to ETSY.com, and check out the "LeftoverStudio" product line...direct from India, at an attractive price..so you could buy BOTH bags for the price of the leather Brixton..

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeftoverStudio

:)
 
I've got the brixton leather cognac bag and it's truly beautiful. It's a bit bulky and stiff at first but softens up after use. for me it is a great size for a few smaller cameras/lenses and film. Right now I have an M6 w/35mm lens, extra 50mm lens, ricoh GRIv and Ricoh GR, plus a handful of film and batteries. It's a heavy bag due to the leather, but not unbearably so, and the leather construction is very very nice. It's expensive, yes, but will last a long long time. Also, I'd recommend buying extra Velcro inserts, because the bag is much more customizable with extras and are relatively cheap.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your brixton if you pick one up. It's also a nice dressy bag for occasions that require it (weddings,etc)
 
the think tank retro series is great but heavy…lots of padding.
a while back i tried to get ona to send me a bag to review but they had better things to do i guess…they were polite but a brush off is a brush off…too bad as i love their bowery bag…i have both a canvas and a leather bowery.
the ona bag is beautiful though...
 
just received a benro smart 10 (to be used with my rolleicord).
bigger sizes (smart 20, 30) are also available. it's nylon, however - lightweight, tough, quick access through top zipper.

quite happy so far.
 
retro 7 is very spacious, I can carry 2 M bodies with 35/50 attached, and one more RX1 with EVF, however, it's heavy

Besides that I can throw in ipad, film roll and random stuffs into the other pockets.

Go retro5 if you just want to carry m43, or billingham hadley small
 
I handled the Brixton when I went to buy a Bowery but thought it too heavy. I think the Bowery is weighty for the small size. The Retro 5 is more versatile with more space and more pockets. I can fit my Xpro with 35 fitted, two or three extra lenses, batteries, cards, keys etc. That said I'm selling my Retro 5 as I use either the Bowery for a smaller outfit or a bigger Hadley.
 
the billinghams are beautiful bags…but i could not get used to the closure system…i always needed 2 hands but usually only had one available.
 
I have the ONA in this finish. It looks wonderful, but I wouldn't buy it again.

First, it's heavy. About 1,5 kg for a photo bag before you put anything in it, is just too much. I thought that with a wide shoulder pad it wouldn't feel so, but it does.

Second, this summer the shoulder strap was ripped off from the bag itself, apparently due to bad sewing. I took the bag to a leather craftman in Italy who repaired it excellently for the cost of a cappuccino. But when I told him how much I had paid for the ONA bag, he said it wasn't worth a quarter of that price, qualitywise. But my main complaint is the weight..
 
I have a leather Brixton.
It's heavy but I like it. My fanciest bag.
Easily convertible for different kits and occasions.
Mine has a Rollieflex, xpro and 2 lenses, and MBA 11", film, cords, charger...etc.
Still tons of space for other gadgets or a clean shirt and socks. It's a nice man pet!
Not for a lightweight day on the street.
 
I have a ona Brixton in smoke, I don't think this bag is heavy at all. I have a M9 and R-d1, three lenses and a few odds and ends. I'm sure if you add a DSLR or Medium format with a laptop it'll get heavy, but not with a rangefinder kit.. Really nice bag, if you have the cash I'd grab it over the think tank, much nicer.
 
Okay...I broke down and bought the dark leather Brixton today...after finding a shop that would actually give me a "nice guy" discount.

Now, I'm SURE to get the babes!!

:rolleyes:
 
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