the quest for the perfect bag

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mdg137

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Like most of us, over the last 20 years, I've gone through a closet full of bags.

I've been on another search to find a high quality bag, to hold a Leica M with lens attached, 2 other lenses, and some misc.

I sat down and actually wrote out the list of aspects/features of the elusive "perfect" bag, and it was a revelation. My list:

1 very small
2 light
3 very high quality
4 body hugging, not boxy
5 good protection
6 easy access to lenses, without having to dig or shift items around
7 will hold an M body with lens mounted, plus 2 other lenses and misc.

I got about that far into the list when the mutually exclusive nature of some of the items stood out- very small doesn't hold what I need-- very high quality tends to be at least a bit heavier-- better protection and easiest access will not be as body hugging as a bag with no insert-- so, in essence, this bag cannot exist.

It may be that realism may finally dictate at least a temporary end to searching for the perfect bag!

Although, realism in this case also dictated the order of an Oberwerth Freiburg....
 
I have to be honest, the Filson Harvey Messenger may be worth a look for you. It might be a little bigger than you want but it pretty much checks all the other boxes of your requirements. My only complaint with the bag (ok I have two) is that the strap is just ever so slightly not long enough to wear comfortably across my chest (I'm also 6'3" so anyone shorter than me would have no problem). I still wear it across my chest but I wish it sat a little lower.

The other "boo-hoo" about the bag is the insert, it's removable, but the divider is in a fixed position, it's either in, or it's out. I would have liked a little more flexibility. That being said, the size of the insert is great and because it doesn't fill the width of the bag, it allows the bag to hug my body perfectly (first camera bag I've owned to have done this).

Edit: As an additional note: This bag is tough. Seriously tough. Filson's slogan of "Unfailing Goods" is no joke, I put this bag through pretty awful conditions over the last few months and it hardly looks worse for the wear (Including Snow, Heavy rain, Mud, Aggressive sand, and Some really mean bushes). It kept my equipment safe and dry through all of this.
 
I've used the Billingham "Hadley Small" for a few years now… for the purposes you describe. Its been my favorite over the years (I've used Domke and Crumpler before).
 
mdg137 said:
I've been on another search to find a high quality bag, to hold a Leica M with lens attached, 2 other lenses, and some misc.
Click to expand...

I've found the small Leica Aneas limited edition system bag meets those requirements. It has room for a M240 with a 50mm Apo-Summicron ASPH, a 90mm Apo-Summicron ASPH and a 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH, plus a spare battery. It also has a very intelligent sliding partition system that's much more pleasant than the nasty velcro-tipped partitions most other bags use. The only drawback is the sliding tab an buckle closure is more fiddly to close than I would like (but very fast to open, which is the most important).

The Wotancraft Ryker is also a good choice if you need a little bit more space, including space for a 7" tablet like an iPad Mini.
 
The Tenba DNA 8 is a good choice ... I use one of those mostly for my Leica X but sometimes with the M-P. It's a bit tight for more than camera fitted with one lens and another lens on the side.

The Billingham L2 "Alice" is also in this class, but a little roomier and up-market on materials.

For the slightly larger kit, these are my favorites:

Artisan & Artist Oskar's One Day Bag
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...artist_aaacam7100blk_oskar_s_one_day_bag.html

Black Label Bag Oskar's One Day Bag Mark II
http://photovillage.com/product.php?productid=2887&cat=0&page=1

They're both very good quality. The A&A is a bit smaller, the Black Label Bag is a little roomier and has some additional nice details. They're unobtrusive and conform to the body nicely. I've traveled mostly with the Black Label Bag and been delighted with its quality and trim size that holds a lot of gear.

G
 
Finding the perfect bag is a bit like Fermat's last theorm.
Anyway, I picked up such a bag a couple of weeks ago.
When I get a chance, I will post some photos proving it is worthy of the title :D
 
majid said:
The Wotancraft Ryker is also a good choice if you need a little bit more space, including space for a 7" tablet like an iPad Mini.
Click to expand...

I have 2 of the Rykers now, brown and black, and the Raven. Yep, the Ryker holds what I need, but it's a bit large to be ideal. The Raven is just slightly too small.

I've done Billingham, but they also don't quite hit that "perfect" zone.
 
Over the years i have used all manner of bags.
I owned original Benser bags with inserts,
A Nikon-F bag that had a plate with bayonet mounts built in.
I tried all the makes..
Now I cart my equipment in a simple, inexpensive backpack.
I can add needed groceries, if there is need.
I once shot photos with a Magnum photographer who also "quests" bags.
That occasion, his NIKON came out of a worn backpack!
Security and safety, use non-nondescript.
Padding is extra scarves, pair of socks.
I use very bright colored bags.
The one before in luminous pink.
My photo buddies hate them.
It works for me!
 
Domke F803. A bit smaller than the Filson Harvey Messenger, not so high class as the Oberwerth Freiburg. You definitely need the full size insert (which you have to buy separately).
 
Agree with what Abram mentioned above. My latest bag is the Harvey - Magnum - Filson.
I don't use their insert and currently use Domke's. I've gone through numerous bag (after my 12 years with a Domke F6) and finding myself needing something that's bigger. I ended up with FHM and happy with it.
 
The Billingham "Combination Bag for M System" which is part 14854 or 14855 (colors) is really hard to beat. Designed for a body with lens and two extra lenses, it is a near perfect fit for most of us. The kicker for me was the better flap design (compared to similar Hadley, etc.) whereby you pull down on the leather fobs to latch. Under the flap is a good-sized zipperable (critical IMHO) pocket for keys, phone, etc. My desert island bag!
 
OP perfectly described my domke f5xc. Fits an M with lens, 2 lenses, room for more. Im actually carrying a second body with no lens attached. Still room for a moleskine with pen and some other articles.
 
jcb4718 said:
Domke F803. A bit smaller than the Filson Harvey Messenger, not so high class as the Oberwerth Freiburg. You definitely need the full size insert (which you have to buy separately).
Click to expand...

+1 for this suggestion. Works great for my M6 and miscellania, roughly the same size/weight as what you describe.

It works. Time-tested.
 
the most attractive feature of the dna bags is the magnet clasps...so very easy to use, especially with one hand.
i admit though, i find myself going back to the domke bags again...thet were the first 'real' camera bags that i used.
the 803 is a great mid-sized bag and i just ordered a 5xb!
 
Body hugging, good protection and easy access are 3 properties that do not combine easily. Bags that hug your hip will be soft messenger bags that will 'collapse' when not full and not make access to your gear easy, not they will protect too well. But may be lightweight.

If you want good protection (=paddaing of some sort) and easy access (=bag that hold its shape even empty), then such a bag will not hug your body and will probably weight more.

Just a thought.
 
Matus said:
Body hugging, good protection and easy access are 3 properties that do not combine easily. Bags that hug your hip will be soft messenger bags that will 'collapse' when not full and not make access to your gear easy, not they will protect too well. But may be lightweight.

If you want good protection (=paddaing of some sort) and easy access (=bag that hold its shape even empty), then such a bag will not hug your body and will probably weight more.

Just a thought.
Click to expand...

My point exactly in the original post. I think we often have mutually exclusive ideals for a bag, and hence are constantly searching for something that cannot exist.
 
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