Smallish camera bag

[morphomir]

Hi all -

I was wondering what camera bag you would recommend for an M7 and maybe two lenses. I ask because most of the bags I see either sold on here or on sites, tend to be rather large. I don't need anything that big since I don't have a ton of gear. I would like something that I can carry around comfortably while walking the street. Any suggestions? Maybe even Best Buy??

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. 🙂

 

[kully]

Domke f-5xb is just right. If you want to spend more then there is the Billingham L2/Alice.

 

[morphomir]

Wow, kully. I just checked it out on Amazon and it's a nice bag. Thanks for that awesome tip! I don't think I need to spend more on a Billingham ;-)

Thanks again!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

My wife got me one of these a few weeks ago, for my birthday:

Diamond Gadg-It Bag

These were made in the fifties and sixties, I believe, and are leather with rigid sides. Mine just has a corduroy lining and no dividers, but this one's actually nicer, with pockets for lenses. There's usually one or two on eBay. They're really rugged and attractive, and I think she paid $17 for mine.

 

[kully]

Wow, kully. I just checked it out on Amazon and it's a nice bag. Thanks for that awesome tip! I don't think I need to spend more on a Billingham ;-)

Thanks again!

No worries, I got mine on Monday for when the Billingham Hadley is too big.

 

[Bruin]

I carry my Zeiss Ikon ZM and two lenses in a Tamrac Expo Jr. (Model 600R). One lens is mounted on the camera and the other is lying sideways at the bottom of the single padded compartment. A folded microfiber cloth keeps the camera and extra lens from rubbing against each other. This arrangement works for lenses under 76mm long and 60mm in diameter. The top of the bag has a pocket for a filter and my spare batteries, and the front pocket can easily fit six rolls of film.

It's made in the USA, weighs only 7 oz, and costs $36. For a two-lens kit, this is about as small and light as it gets.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/53294-REG/Tamrac_60001_600_Expo_Jr_Bag.html

 

[lawrence]

The Domke FX5B is indeed an excellent small bag. The olive colour is, I think, nicer than black. The only downside is the noise the velcro makes when you open it -- I prefer the Billingham straps.

 

[sirius]

I love the new Lowepro Rezo bags. They come in a bewildering array of sizes and have a wonderful ergonomic design. The open from the back and use a quiet zipper as opposed to noisy velcro!

http://www.shopbot.ca/p-89818.html

 

[kuvvy]

Have to agree the Domke F5xb is a nice enough bag but I wish it wasn't so 'boxy' in shape. I like my bags to be a little flatter if you know what I mean. I did pickup one years ago from a local camping shop made by Wynnster and it's nicer to use than the Domke but the strap isn't as long. Heck, seems like there's no perfect bag.
One tip, for those in the Uk at least, is to check out TK Maxx. They usually have some decent bags and backpacks and even have decent makes suchas Crumpler amongst them.
I bought yet another bag a few weeks back, an Eastpak messenger type bag with a 30 year guarantee for just £5.

 

[markrich]

I bought a Crumpler ThreeSeven Daily M. Very versitile and small for general and camera use. It came with a removable padded camera bag to fit inside the main bag but that has enough padding for casual use anyway so I rarely use it.

I'm quite happy with mine.

 

[Ben Z]

The Domke FX5B is indeed an excellent small bag. The olive colour is, I think, nicer than black. The only downside is the noise the velcro makes when you open it -- I prefer the Billingham straps.

Since the bag has a zippered closure the flap always seemed superfluous to me, and I was always having to rip it free of the velcro every time I wanted in the bag. So I removed the velcro and installed a couple of metal snaps, which I snap only when I'm done shooting.

 

[kalokeri]

Once you have been in very heavy rain with your camera bag you will see the difference.

I´m quite happy with the Billingham - even in strong northern rain the camera and lenses are save. The bag is wet outside and dry inside. Wonder if a Domke Canvas bag will do the same.

Thomas

 

[morphomir]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful responses to my question. They are all very informative and now it appears I have a tough decision on my hands. It's not easy choosing a bag for the camera. 🙂 Maybe it's worth spending the extra $100-$150 for the protection from a Billingham? I mean, when we spend so much on the camera and lenses, should you risk them getting destroyed? Decisions!

Thanks again, all. I really appreciate your responses.

 

[sockeyed]

I have a Crumpler Four Million Dollar Home, a great little bag that fits 2 RF bodies with lenses, or one body with lens plus a couple of other lenses. It doesn't look much like a camera bag either, which is nice.

You can see it to the top left in this image:

There's an eBay seller - Photococan - who has great prices on them. If they don't have any listed, just send them a message.

I see you're in Lawrence. Great town! My grandma, uncle and aunt, and cousin live there!

 

[BillP]

Sockeyed, I think, with the utmost respect, you are deluding yourself if you think that doesn't look like a camera bag.

I'd ask yourself this question - what other sort of bag could it be? That screams "camera" to me, and I don't doubt, to many others.

To not look like a camera bag, a bag must surely fit one or more of the following criteria:

1. Not be shaped like one
2. Not be coloured like one
3. Not use the same materials as one

Yours "fails" on all three criteria to me. I'm sure it's a good bag, but non-photographic? No.

Regards,

Bill

 

[tripod]

Sometimes I use a cheap "World Famous" brand canvas bag or an army surplus type bag, with Domke inserts to organize and protect the camera gear.

 

[back alley]

domke 5xb or the even smaller but can carry the same amount of gear, domke 5xa.

i use mine in rain and snow - mostly snow and it's been fine so far.

 

[cosmonaut]

I need a bag that will carry two bodies and and two extra lenses. I caryy one with color film and one with B&W. Any suggestions on a two camera bag?

 

[John Elder]

I have had my Domke 5xb since 1991 and it is still kicking after very heavy use. It currently contains 2 leica m bodies with lenss attached and a leica 111F with lens attached. Also will additionally hold 10 rolls film, tisssue, brush, batteries, Sekonic meter and NYC subway map. Its a great bag. It hs kept my equipment dry for hours in heavy rain in Mexico at Coba Ruins. Can't see any reason to spend more money on a bag.

 

[charjohncarter]

This might be too small but I use it 5 days out of 7.