back alley
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ok, i'm on a quest for the perfect camera bag...naaah!
but i am, once again, looking for a bag.
as some might remember i just picked up a used domke, the 4af model and i quite like it. it holds every piece of canon rf gear i own. and in truth i should just use this for a daily bag but then i would have to buy a different insert. and also i would have to leave some gear at home and i would need someplace to put it.
i think i need a slight smaller bag ( domke ?) to hold just one body with lens attached and one extra lens, plus some film, meter etc.
my preference when buying bags is my local camera store so i can fit what i want into it for a hands on try-out but alas they have nothing that grabs my attention so i may have to head off to cyberspace for this purchase.
my point?
what are you folks using for a daily walkabout bag, big enough for camera and 2 lenses?
pics welcome...
joe
but i am, once again, looking for a bag.
as some might remember i just picked up a used domke, the 4af model and i quite like it. it holds every piece of canon rf gear i own. and in truth i should just use this for a daily bag but then i would have to buy a different insert. and also i would have to leave some gear at home and i would need someplace to put it.
i think i need a slight smaller bag ( domke ?) to hold just one body with lens attached and one extra lens, plus some film, meter etc.
my preference when buying bags is my local camera store so i can fit what i want into it for a hands on try-out but alas they have nothing that grabs my attention so i may have to head off to cyberspace for this purchase.
my point?
what are you folks using for a daily walkabout bag, big enough for camera and 2 lenses?
pics welcome...
joe
me too.
the bag i just picked up is going to make a great brief case and sometimes camera bag, but it is not right.
i am thinking of the domke f-6. i actually have seen it and it seems smaller than they lead you to believe.
http://www.tiffen.com/domkecat08.htm
the bag i just picked up is going to make a great brief case and sometimes camera bag, but it is not right.
i am thinking of the domke f-6. i actually have seen it and it seems smaller than they lead you to believe.
http://www.tiffen.com/domkecat08.htm
back alley
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that f5xb looks like what i'm talking about. smaller, 1 cam, 2 lenses.
that f6 looks like you wanna haul all your gear with you.
my af4 does that for me but it's too heavy for a fun day.
joe
that f6 looks like you wanna haul all your gear with you.
my af4 does that for me but it's too heavy for a fun day.
joe
FrankS
Registered User
Finding the perfect camera bag is almost as impossible a quest as finding the perfect camera! I am constantly on the lookout for a bag to carry some camera gear in. I tend to look for non-camera gear bags because they are cheaper. I've made my own cardboard compartments/dividers for floppy bags. I'm currently using a coarse canvas "World Famous" bag. I have to keep my camera in a smaller case inside it because there are no dividers and I would never carry a camera so that it could be scratched by other metallic objects. (like lenses or keys)
S
StuartR
Guest
The Domke 803 is fantastic, and it does not look like a camera bag. It comfortable fits a camera and two or more lenses. It is not big, but it fits a lot. Today I had an M3, Hexar RF and Rollei 35 in there with 2 50mm lenses and a 21mm lens and viewfinder. Add to this film, cell-phone, ipod and headphones as well as some reading material in the rear pouch...it fits a lot. All told, it still looks smaller than most shoulder satchels. If you get it, I suggest shelling out the extra 15 bucks for the postal worker strap attachment. I went all over Japan with it and it really keeps the bag comfortable and steady.
peter_n
Veteran
Domke F-5XB.
P
pshinkaw
Guest
I suspect the serach for the "perfect camera bag" may be like the quest for the Holy Grail. The journey may be more important than the destination. That's because there may not in actuality be a destination.
I recently took an Adorama Commander bag on an airline journey. It is a deep computer style briefcase that fits absolutely perfectly under the seat of a an MD-80. I took two cameras to Boston and returned with 6.
I just purchased and am awaiting delivery on a Duluth Pack Double Shell Bag.
I stumbled across it here:
http://www.duluthpack.com/
I'll report on how suitable it is.
-Paul
I recently took an Adorama Commander bag on an airline journey. It is a deep computer style briefcase that fits absolutely perfectly under the seat of a an MD-80. I took two cameras to Boston and returned with 6.
I just purchased and am awaiting delivery on a Duluth Pack Double Shell Bag.
I stumbled across it here:
http://www.duluthpack.com/
I'll report on how suitable it is.
-Paul
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nwcanonman
Guest
Of the small camera "containers" I've picked up, the small free green one that came with my Sigma ATX lens works best.
Just big enough for an RF and 2-3 lens, fliters and film. About the size of a woman's medium purse, like 12" L x 4" D x 6" Tall.
But the perfect single bag - nope - no such beast.
Must buy MORE - LOL.
Just big enough for an RF and 2-3 lens, fliters and film. About the size of a woman's medium purse, like 12" L x 4" D x 6" Tall.
But the perfect single bag - nope - no such beast.
Must buy MORE - LOL.
P
Peter
Guest
I use a Billingham L2 and it is perfect for my R2, two lenses and films. The only caveat is the cost!
JohnM
Well-known
I use a Domke F-X3 Super Compact. I'm not sure it's the perfect bag, but it is pretty good. Today, I had a digital SLR with a 28-300 zoom on one side, an R2 with the Nokton 50 on the other.
Two very compact CV lenses were in one of the two pockets inside and a CV 90 was in the other. There are three pockets outside that are covered by flaps - the front pocket held 4 rolls of film, one side pocket held a Canon 420 flash and the other a Canon s50 P&S.
It's not a huge bag, but it easily carried the above. It's very comfortable with a wide shoulder strap, plus hand strap. It carries nicely; when it's just film, meter and the R2 with the lenses, it tends to ride close to the body.
Perfect? No, but it's a nice bag for a couple of bodies and such.
Two very compact CV lenses were in one of the two pockets inside and a CV 90 was in the other. There are three pockets outside that are covered by flaps - the front pocket held 4 rolls of film, one side pocket held a Canon 420 flash and the other a Canon s50 P&S.
It's not a huge bag, but it easily carried the above. It's very comfortable with a wide shoulder strap, plus hand strap. It carries nicely; when it's just film, meter and the R2 with the lenses, it tends to ride close to the body.
Perfect? No, but it's a nice bag for a couple of bodies and such.
L
lars
Guest
I just use a padded courier-style shoulder bag:
I keep either my Bessa R + lenses or my Minolta A1 in a padded camp stove bag inside the courier bag. Beside it, I have a small "purse-like" bag that holds my wallet, Leatherman, PDA, etc. In the outside is my film-stuff like film, microfibre cloth, air brush, and film or CF cards and a spare battery pack.
It's cheap and doesn't look like a camera bag. Also, the zippers are rubber lined for water sealing and the flap has a large zipper so I can access the main compartment w/o undoing the flap.
The shoulder strap is very wide with a non-slip rubber pad, too.
Larry
I keep either my Bessa R + lenses or my Minolta A1 in a padded camp stove bag inside the courier bag. Beside it, I have a small "purse-like" bag that holds my wallet, Leatherman, PDA, etc. In the outside is my film-stuff like film, microfibre cloth, air brush, and film or CF cards and a spare battery pack.
It's cheap and doesn't look like a camera bag. Also, the zippers are rubber lined for water sealing and the flap has a large zipper so I can access the main compartment w/o undoing the flap.
The shoulder strap is very wide with a non-slip rubber pad, too.
Larry
GallenWolf
Member
Domke F-5XB. 1 rangefinder, lotsa film, meter.
Alvin
Alvin
ddunn
John
I use the LL Bean Healthy Back Bag. Carries a Bessa R2, 2 lenses, Olympus Stylus Epic, film, lotsa other stuff with no problem.
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...egory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=dp50
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...egory=4520&cat4=2913&shop_method=pp&feat=dp50
bmattock
Veteran
Since you say you're looking for small, I really have to recommend my Lowepro LX 140! This thing is small and tight. I can just fit my Bessa R with Canon 50mm 1.4 in it, along with a 35mm and a 90mm. I can then either wedge in a 135, or put in a lens hood and a teeny tiny flash. Well padded, and the way the shoulder strap is attached, it grips the body.
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulder_Bags/classic/LX_140.aspx
I have been noticing that ever buddy has their own 'pet' brand or model for camera bags, so who knows. But I do like this for much of my work with a rangefinder. It would be totally inappropriate for an SLR, it just too small for that. For a rangefinder, it is perfect for my uses.
When I want to carry more, I use my M-Classics bag, which I've mentioned here before.
http://w1.320.telia.com/~u32008343/bag.htm
I've a bunch of others - like ever buddy else here - but these two are my favorites.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulder_Bags/classic/LX_140.aspx
I have been noticing that ever buddy has their own 'pet' brand or model for camera bags, so who knows. But I do like this for much of my work with a rangefinder. It would be totally inappropriate for an SLR, it just too small for that. For a rangefinder, it is perfect for my uses.
When I want to carry more, I use my M-Classics bag, which I've mentioned here before.
http://w1.320.telia.com/~u32008343/bag.htm
I've a bunch of others - like ever buddy else here - but these two are my favorites.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
peter_n
Veteran
I use the F-3X that John has and I think it may be a bit too big for Joe's requirements.
I carry a body with lens attached, 4 other lenses, table-top tripod + ballhead, light meter, filters and film in that bag and it has room for a bit more. It's deceptively small but maybe a bit too big for what Joe is currently looking for. Also the temptation with the F-3X is to take everything because it will all fit into the bag - you need a smaller bag that forces you to travel light.
I suggested the F-5XB above and the spec. for that bag (from the Domke catalog) is attached below. I use a Columbia Bonehead fishing shirt instead of a small bag and it works just fine. Lots of pockets for lenses, filters, film. If you have just one body and a couple of lenses you don't need a bag with a Bonehead.
I carry a body with lens attached, 4 other lenses, table-top tripod + ballhead, light meter, filters and film in that bag and it has room for a bit more. It's deceptively small but maybe a bit too big for what Joe is currently looking for. Also the temptation with the F-3X is to take everything because it will all fit into the bag - you need a smaller bag that forces you to travel light.
I suggested the F-5XB above and the spec. for that bag (from the Domke catalog) is attached below. I use a Columbia Bonehead fishing shirt instead of a small bag and it works just fine. Lots of pockets for lenses, filters, film. If you have just one body and a couple of lenses you don't need a bag with a Bonehead.
peter_n
Veteran
back alley
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too many options, that's the problem....
bill, i was looking at that bag today thinking it might just do the job and at a very nice (low) price also. but then one of the sales guys that i know reminded me that he had a nice billingham for sale, (his own, slightly used) for 75 bucks cdn. he didn't know the model but said it was one of the smaller bags.
i'm going to take a look at it on tuesday over the lunch hour.
i like those bags but not the prices.
otherwise i may just order a different insert for the domke. i like the size of the 4af but it has the 4 section insert making it awkward to fit a body w/ lens and maybe 2 other lenses.
...too many options.
joe
bill, i was looking at that bag today thinking it might just do the job and at a very nice (low) price also. but then one of the sales guys that i know reminded me that he had a nice billingham for sale, (his own, slightly used) for 75 bucks cdn. he didn't know the model but said it was one of the smaller bags.
i'm going to take a look at it on tuesday over the lunch hour.
i like those bags but not the prices.
otherwise i may just order a different insert for the domke. i like the size of the 4af but it has the 4 section insert making it awkward to fit a body w/ lens and maybe 2 other lenses.
...too many options.
joe
jyl
Just learning to focus
I love my Domke F2 - roomy, rugged, wears in nicely, protective enough, fairly priced.
So I'm leaning toward another Domke for my smaller bag. Probably an F6 or F4. I plan to remove the insert and make my own from closed-cell foam (e.g. old fashioned backpacking sleeping pad).
So I'm leaning toward another Domke for my smaller bag. Probably an F6 or F4. I plan to remove the insert and make my own from closed-cell foam (e.g. old fashioned backpacking sleeping pad).
P
pshinkaw
Guest
When you make one of these pads, do you put the bumps facing outward (away from the equipment) or inwards?
-Paul
-Paul
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nwcanonman
Guest
Paul,
The "closed cell" foam I've seen is flat on both sides. It usually comes in 1/2 or 5/8"s thickness for backpacking, but can be had for commercial use in 2" - 3" thickness'. You can cut it with a razor knife in any usefull shape you'd like ~ ; - )
The "closed cell" foam I've seen is flat on both sides. It usually comes in 1/2 or 5/8"s thickness for backpacking, but can be had for commercial use in 2" - 3" thickness'. You can cut it with a razor knife in any usefull shape you'd like ~ ; - )