The Old, Tired, Dreaded "Help Me Pick A Bag" Thread

wjlapier

wjlapier

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OK, so I'm tired of trying bags and sending them back. I have it narrowed down to the Kakadu's and Domke's. Don't want leather, or a fancy looking bag and canvas is fine, but would like some padding--a little bit--and pockets for the little things. Here is what I plan on bringing with me on a typical day of walking around and shooting--MP with 35 summicron, M3 with DR cron, 90 summicron ver I ( the monster ), and the usual little things like a sharpie, film, VCII meter and a filter or two--oh, and a place to put my wallet and car keys. I'd like to have the bodies sitting on the lugs with the lenses facing away from my hip, but not too deep in the bag. Asking alot, but I thought I would be more specific about how the cameras would sit in the bag and what all I would normally carry with me. As it is with my Mountainsmith Reflex II medium size bag ( tiny little thing ) I can take everything but the 90 cron. BTW, In another thread I mentioned a Mountainsmith Reflex II large bag and it's too big and boxy--it's going back.

And if someone happens to have a similar kit and could share a photo of your bag with your gear in it that owuld be helpful. And be specific about which bag it is.

I apologize for yet another bag thread, but, like I said, I'd like to stop buying and returning bags, and bring along my 90 cron!

Thanx--Bill
 
Why not get whatever Bill Mattocks gets -- he's rather analytic and whatever he settles on will likely be OK.
 
Gumby said:
Why not get whatever Bill Mattocks gets -- he's rather analytic and whatever he settles on will likely be OK.
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Well, it will most likely be OK for me, but who knows if it will be OK for other people. Probably not, since I'm fairly weird. And I still haven't made up my mind yet, either. Dang.
 
I will be really interested to see how this thread progresses.

I am looking for a bag myself for 2 RF bodies with lens mounted and the usual misc.....

Am considering Domke F6 myself.............
 
I just ordered a Tenba Small Messenger bag, but that was more for travel when one would need to carry a laptop and camera equipment.
 
I have a similar issue.... I've gone through a lot of bag's but nothing ever suits me 100%.

I'm looking for 2 bag's, 1 to hold 2 M bodies with a couple of lenses, 21/28/35/50's and the usual other odd's and ends. This pack is primarily for walking round the streets here in the tropic's.

The other bag is for travel so it must fit a 15 inch laptop plus 1 camera and the usual odd's and ends.

One bag I had in the past that came close was the Crumpler 6 Million Dollar home but the long flap became a right royal pain in the ass and the rough outer material quickly tore up my clothes.
 
Look at the Think Tank photo line called "Urban Disguise." They are made to look like small, undistinguished canvas briefcases, and come in several different sizes. Most everybody who uses them thinks they're great. I've got the "40" size, and you could put in two Leica bodies, a couple of spare lenses, and some miscellany. Designed by working photojournalists.

Here:

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_UrbnDsgs.php
 
I have a Kakadu shoulder bag, an F2, F3X and a UD30. The Kakadu gets the most use. It's comfortable for up to 2 RF bodies, up to 4 lenses, film and other acccessories. Also since it has a low profile, it hangs very comfortably on my left hip or against my rear end.

Messenger bags are popular, but I personally don't like to have to reach deeply into a bag for camera gear, which relatively-tall satchel bags obviously require you to do. Also, I hate those large flaps, and because of their height and width, messenger bags just don't feel comfortable when I'm out on the street. It gets in the way. But that's just me.

Let me throw in another wrinkle. Another bag I use for RF shooting is the Mountansmith Day Lumbar pack. It's a versatile pack that you can carry like a typical shoulder bag or (with optional straps) like a backpack, or (if not loaded down) just like a regular lumbar pack. Just throw in a couple of Domke inserts, and you're good to go.

At the end of the day, it realy doesn't matter much which one you choose now, since you'll be looking at additional bags in a few months anyway.:bang:

BTW, this site shows various bags with gear in them -- mostly DSLR gear, but it might give you an idea.

http://www.cambags.com/


Good luck!
 
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This might be a bit of a cliche, but I use the Billingham Hadley Junior. I think the regular Hadley should suffice for your gear.

In my junior, the following fits in perfectly.
a) M6 + 50mm lens + Mamiya C33 with a 80mm Sekor
b) Fuji GW690 III

a/b +film +wallet + keys + a small book for reading + phone.

When I need to take out the fuji/mamiya + the M6, or for travel, I use the Nanue Pro (Seirra). This holds my MacBook 13" + two bodies + lens + film + passport wallet. It's tough and comfortable to carry around.

Like most of my camera gear, I bought both bags used (lightly, but the price was great). :)
 
Billingham presstop. It's not big enough to feel like it's protruding from my body, and small enough to feel like i'm not on a war but maybe a mission.

You've probably did your study and have heard the "go for billingham" thing a thousand times, but i just have to reiterate it again :p

It CAN fit me a 500c/m Hasselblad, Bessa r2a, 1 Hass lens, 2 RF lenses, and a lightmeter. Spare rolls of film are on the outer pocket. Wallet and handphone are always in my pocket so it's not an issue. Maybe the other unused pocket could be for an ipod.
But i have only one lens for each camera, so i don't actually max out the load of the bag.

I use it for work too, actually. I'm in the courier line sending "special documents" of shapes which take up half or a quart the space of my bag most of the time. Perfect for me, cause i only bring out one camera a day, depending on my mood.
 
After years of shoulder bags, I have switched to two-shoulder knapsacks. Too many sore back/neck moments from dragging 10 pounds of gear slung over one shoulder. You young whippersnappers take note: a knapsack may look nerdish, but it has been great for comfort.

Ben
 
I've got a couple of belt pouches. No they don't match One holds my Weston Master V light meter with the incident light meter attached, the other usually a pack of smokes, the shirt pocket has a small notepad and a business card case along with a ball point pen or two. A few rolls of spare film are in my jeans pocket. An extra camera or two hang from my shoulders, and one in my right hand with the neck strap wrapped around my wrist. All have lenses on them with hoods attached. No lenscaps, no "protective" filters, no cases to add bulk and make film changes a chore. Best of all, no fumbling when I want to shoot.

Worrying about protecting your stuff makes you lose your hair.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com
 
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Worrying about protecting your stuff makes you lose your hair.
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And all this time, I thought it was hereditary.:)

And thanks for the above link to the the Tenba Messenger bag. The video on the Tenba site almost convinced me I need another bag. And if I need to travel by plane with both my laptop and cameras, I could be sold on it.
 
John Camp said:
Look at the Think Tank photo line called "Urban Disguise." They are made to look like small, undistinguished canvas briefcases, and come in several different sizes. Most everybody who uses them thinks they're great. I've got the "40" size, and you could put in two Leica bodies, a couple of spare lenses, and some miscellany. Designed by working photojournalists.

Here:

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_UrbnDsgs.php
Click to expand...


Thanks John, the Urban Disguise 50 looks like it'll more than take care of my needs for a travel bag.

Still looking for a smaller bag for walking around with, the Domke's and Billingham's good. I'll have to check them out.
 
Al Kaplan said:
I've got a couple of belt pouches. No they don't match One holds my Weston Master V light meter with the incident light meter attached, the other usually a pack of smokes, the shirt pocket has a small notepad and a business card case along with a ball point pen or two. A few rolls of spare film are in my jeans pocket. An extra camera or two hang from my shoulders, and one in my right hand with the neck strap wrapped around my wrist. All have lenses on them with hoods attached. No lenscaps, no "protective" filters, no cases to add bulk and make film changes a chore. Best of all, no fumbling when I want to shoot.

Worrying about protecting your stuff makes you lose your hair.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com
Click to expand...

Like this ;)

AlKaplan.jpg
 
Just got the Domke F-5XB and it's got room for two M's with smaller lenses than 50 mounted ( 50mm dr cron and 35mm cron in my case ), and room for the 90/2 'cron, and just enough room for small misc stuff. I like the way is fits on my body when the strap is full extended.

I can definitely see myself using this bag for some time. Velcro's noisy and I'll have to fix that. The zipper might scratch up my pretty black painted Leicas, but I suppose that will be OK ;)
 
wjlapier said:
Just got the Domke F-5XB...
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Yes, that's the bag as far as I'm concerned. I have a kit that fits right into it and because it's not big I don't get tempted to take along a whole load of stuff that I'm never going to need. Here's what goes in mine:

  • M6TTL with 35 'cron
  • M6TTL with 50mm Color-Skopar
  • 28mm Color-Skopar
  • Sekonic L-308S meter
  • Reading glasses
  • Sunglass
  • A dinky Nikon film holder that I got about 20yrs ago (holds 6 films)
  • An orange filter
  • Credit card/cash

When I first got the bag I hated the velcro but now realise that it's great for two reasons: (1) no one can dip into the bag without you hearing the velcro (2) you don't have to think about fastening anything to close the bag (OK, you can use the zip too if you're paranoid).

A friend has the Domke Little Bit Smaller bag (that's a bit bigger than the one I have) but it has horrible snappy things to hold the flap shut. Personally I'll stick with the FX-5B.
 
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