there is no perfect bag,

[Pindy]

In London for 3 weeks and ended up buying the Black Hadley Pro. To corroborate the OP's title, I had heard you could slide a MacBook Pro into it, alas, not with the camera insert. AARGH. Still, fabulous bag, probably among the best of its kind. The stupid thing is, what I really wanted was a small bag to just carry the camera and maybe my Leica mini tripod. However, I think every time I see a bag the size of the Hadley Digital, I can't get past the initial "Man-Purse" perception. Yet that's the size I really want. At least the Hadley Pro could contain M6, umbrella, tripod and, at one point, my windbreaker rolled up tightly.

 

[emraphoto]

http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=domke&itemnum=700-30A

has carried (at times and no particular order):

eos 1dmkIIn and 5d (with primes), speedlight, field recorder, cards, granola bars, bottle of water, 3 batteries for 1dmkIIn

leica m4-2 with 50mm f1.2, m6 with 35mm f2, lots of film, field recorder, nikon sync cord and a 383

nikonos, leica with lens, pint of scotch, field recorder, pens and whatnot, cards and film

2 x leicas with lenses, hd camcorder, field recorder (bunch of stuff)

 

[Disaster_Area]

I've found my perfect bag... it's not QUITE big enough to fit everything I'd like to bring with me but that's part of what makes it perfect. I have a tendancy to bring way more than I need and kill my back in the process, this bag makes me think hard about what I'll actually need. It still fits two bodies, my netbook and half a dozen lenses when filled to capacity.

 

[c.poulton]

I have to agree here. I have four different camera bags and each one is far from perfect - I am still searching.....

 

[Calzone]

I own both a Domke J-1 and aDomke J-2. Nice bags, but too big to carry every day. I use them to warehouse gear and they are nut-crushers.

The Domke 803 book sachel is what I want to improve upon. I really don't want to carry a lot of stuff; I don't need all those pockets; and I want to minimize bulk for both comfort and mobility. A minimalist bag for either a single camera, film and an extra lens; or two cameras with film; no extras.

Cal

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Well, my aching back has imposed its own limits. I now start with the bag (either a Domke J-803 or a small Tenba backpack) and my limit is the gear that will fit. Even the Domke is possible to overload. My larger bags stay in the car/house/hotel.

 

[elmer3.5]

Small

Small

Hi, i find very usefull my lomography bag it´s sold in an odd combo, this small one with a larger one.
I use only this one, i can stick in it two bodies, three lenses and 5-6 rolls of film.
It´s very small, easy to use, made of thick cloth, has a broad smooth strap and noone notices it.

Take a look!

 

[rbsinto]

Perfect bag.
There ain't no such thing. But as close as I've come to finding it are my two Tenba 995 bags. One I bought about twenty-five years ago for about as much as the GNP of a small, emerging nation, and the other I found used last year for $10.00.
Rugged and roomy they are just about everything I ever needed in shoulder bags.
And sadly, as far as I can determine, they are no longer being made.

 

[Brian Puccio]

Bag?I thought Leica's were built like tanks?

I've got an r-strap that my M6 hangs from and a small lens pouch clipped on to it that holds a few rolls of Provia and a second lens. What else do I need to carry? The camera has a meter built in.

 

[kully]

Bag?I thought Leica's were built like tanks?

I've got an r-strap that my M6 hangs from and a small lens pouch clipped on to it that holds a few rolls of Provia. What else do I need to carry? The camera has a meter built in.

Tampons. And. Nick-naks.

 

[thomasw_]

I own both a Domke J-1 and aDomke J-2. Nice bags, but too big to carry every day. I use them to warehouse gear and they are nut-crushers.

The Domke 803 book sachel is what I want to improve upon. I really don't want to carry a lot of stuff; I don't need all those pockets; and I want to minimize bulk for both comfort and mobility. A minimalist bag for either a single camera, film and an extra lens; or two cameras with film; no extras.

Cal

For a day bag, I have found the BBB -- Bare Bones Bag -- to meet your criteria. I use an A&A bag for carrying more gear while travelling, but as a day bag I haven't found a more suitable minimalist bag.

 

[ampguy]

I have 4 bags that do everything: small lens on single body -

1. Case Logic or similar big P&S or Camcorder bag, acts more like a padded wrap over the small kit.

2. If too big for above, like 75/1.4 lens is on, or need more lenses, film, or 2nd body, then the 5fxb.

3. If the above is too small, or I'm carrying just a few other things, then the J803.

4. If I'm carrying an overnight set of clothes, notebook, etc., then then either 1 or 2 fit nicely into my backpack.

I haven't put my Costco padded insulated lunch pack into use yet, but theoretically, it is already better than most of the bags discussed here.

There's one discontinued bag I'm tracking, after I get it, I'll post it. It might be in-between #1 and #2 above.

 

[Matus]

Do not tell me that the bag I have just order is not going to be perfect :bang:

 

[Spleenrippa]

I've found my perfect bag... it's not QUITE big enough to fit everything I'd like to bring with me but that's part of what makes it perfect. I have a tendancy to bring way more than I need and kill my back in the process, this bag makes me think hard about what I'll actually need. It still fits two bodies, my netbook and half a dozen lenses when filled to capacity.

Ooh, that's the Grafea bag, isn't it? A lovely piece of kit, I must say!

 

[Damaso]

You're right. for daily shooting I use a Bare Bones Bag 2, when traveling on a plane I use a Crumpler five million dollar bag. Different needs, different bags....

 

[anu L ogy]

I will play devils advocate here. At any given time, all I carry is 1 body, and two lenses, about 5 rolls of tri-x. and a light meter. For me, there is no reason to carry 2 bodies and 5 lenses around. If you are in the same boat as I am: http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=domke&itemnum=701-02B . I have been happy with this bag since the day I bought it, and I wouldnt think of going to a different one.

 

[MarkoM8]

Anyone have experience with Monochrom leather photobags?

http://www.monochrom.com/cc/monoc/s...2=Material&ARTSF2=+&_x_ARTSF3=Colour&ARTSF3=+

 

[Al Patterson]

Well, I have an airline travel laptop/camera bag, and one for small RFs, plus a few for SLR use. None are perfect, so I guess I'll keep looking.

 

[B.J.Scharp]

It is my modest opinion that a camera should be in your hands, not in a bag.

 

[Pablito]

Yes, there is a perfect bag. Just add Domke inserts. These bags have been around the world with me more times than I care to count.

http://www.demartinibags.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=28