there is no perfect bag,

[shadowfox]

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!

You may want to get two Domke inserts. Those canvas are not thin, but it won't protect your camera from sharp/hard edges.

 

[keepright]

i cannot find a pic of the hadley open or with gear in it.

it looks lovely on the outside.

A few photos, the first with its contents spilled - I had packed for a day-trip to an exotic foreign city, 'Chicago' - and a couple of others from a short write-up of it. The camera in these photos is the Panasonic GH1.

Insert removed from the bag:

And the Hadley Pro in use:

I find it carries about as much as the Domke F6, but carries it very differently. My 'Sand' F6 now lives in the closet, but I could see bringing it out when faster access or a less-dressy burlap-sack look would be appropriate. Both are very nice bags.

The biggest problem that I have with my BHP is that I'd like something smaller, but the smaller Billinghams do tend to look like purses, as others have pointed out. And now that I have the Hadley Pro, it's hard to look at the typical camera-store brands. It's a dilemma.

 

[Chris C]

I'm generally a 1 lens/1 body and a bunch of film kind of guy, so I just have the camera over my shoulder on a strap, and carry the film and other bits and pieces in a Manhatten Portage expanding messenger bag (http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/Shoulder-Bags/Europa-Expandable/112).
If it buckets down or I just want to tuck it away I just throw the camera inside. I find padded bags just get annoying after about 10 steps.

 

[goo0h]

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.

I concur. The BBB is terrific for a day bag. However, a bit crowded for two cameras. One camera (with lens), two lenses, and a flash works great for me.

Now trying to figure out what to do for travel to Latin America (Peru).

 

[Calzone]

For that I, like Brian Puccio, have an R-strap.



Rain, snow, cold: It is my experience that if I can take it, my camera usually can too. And if it can't, what the point of going out in that weather? 😉

As for two cameras, for that I have this (although I don't (yet) have two M's)

I do often carry a backpack or a small waist-pack for other assorted items, and I often slip in one or two extra lenses (and loads of film) in that. For longer hikes, I have this strapped to my backpack (site in dutch, sorry). Will hold an SLR with a small to medium-sized lens, and can easily hold my M3 with lens and two additional lenses (and probably more). Directly within reach, and no more strain than a normal backpack.

All kidding aside, I heartily recommend the Chestpack for people who often hike with a backpack and a camera. Sure beats having to take the pack off each time you want to take a picture.

I live in NYC, and I tend to leave the house always with at least one camera. Sounds like you live in a more rural area and YMMV.

When weather is good, and I'm taking only one camera I just take the camera and some film.

When that Yankee pitcher's plane crashed into a highrise along the East River not long ago, my building where I work was evacuated. I had the perfect opportunity to take a shot that I could easily sell to A.P., but I had no camera.

Also all kinds of weird stuff seems to happen to me. NYC is a great place to shoot, but a perfect bag hasn't been made yet.

I'm pretty rigid about carrying at least one camera, now.

Cal

 

[Andy Kibber]

I am convinced that altering and modifying what's out there to one's particular needs is the only way to go. Great example above.

I agree. Find something that basically works and make a couple of modifications if necessary. The bag aficionados aren't hurting anyone and are, of course, free to do as they wish but I don't understand them at all.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks

Thanks

That bag, and the smaller one look really nice!

Ted, I never use the metal clips on my F2, it's too cumbersome for frequent open and close when taking my camera out.

The velcro on the flap is enough for keeping things in and sticky-fingers out.

Another thing I like about the F2 is that after being used a while, it assumes that beat-up look that makes me look like just another guy on the street.

I dislike bags that call attention to itself, those are for the ladies 😀

 

[goo0h]

My perfect camera bag isn't a camera bag. It's actually more of a tactical/military bag. Very comfortable on the shoulder. It's light on padding, but I just tossed in a two-slot Domke insert and boom - perfection.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FATBOY-S-TYPE-VERSIPACK-4p49.htm

Now THIS is a camera bag! http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/MONGO-VERSIPACK-4p1332.htm You could probably fit a stinger in there.

 

[coelacanth]

Now THIS is a camera bag! http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/MONGO-VERSIPACK-4p1332.htm You could probably fit a stinger in there.

I'm a big fan of their stuff. Extremely well made, super durable, very strong fasteners and quite light. And probably because they have large law enforcement / military customers, they've got lefty (right shouldered) models for most of non-symmetrical bags. That's a huge plus for me.

 

[ashfaque]

Just a novice inquiry. How much will it cost you if you supply the leather/cloth? Also any such place in UK?

Ash

ps: I like that Billingham Hadley (black one). Is it possible to carry a 14'' laptop in it as well?

 

[swoop]

My Domke F-6 is just about there. I just wish it a bit deeper and wider and the stupid strap buckles weren't so close to the edge and had room for a small laptop.

 

[coelacanth]

Another favorite is Timbuk2. This and whatever padded insert makes great non-camera-bag looking camera bag. And you can make one custom made to your liking (material, shoulder pref, interior lining, etc).

XS can carry 4 XS cameras plus a lot more.

Just made another custom bag with TPU material. It's perfect size for Temba messenger bag insert. I can carry Hassy, Mamiya 7 and Leica M with ease.

Front: Small, Middle: Extra Small, Back: Medium with laptop insert + enough room for Temba insert.

 

[paulfish4570]

I like that little Oasis bag shown above ...

 

[Spleenrippa]

I like that little Oasis bag shown above ...

Yes, that is a nice looking bag. Anyone have more info on it? My Google-fu doesn't appear to be working.

 

[B.J.Scharp]

I live in NYC, and I tend to leave the house always with at least one camera. Sounds like you live in a more rural area and YMMV.

When weather is good, and I'm taking only one camera I just take the camera and some film.

When that Yankee pitcher's plane crashed into a highrise along the East River not long ago, my building where I work was evacuated. I had the perfect opportunity to take a shot that I could easily sell to A.P., but I had no camera.

Also all kinds of weird stuff seems to happen to me. NYC is a great place to shoot, but a perfect bag hasn't been made yet.

I'm pretty rigid about carrying at least one camera, now.

Cal

Like you, I always have my M3 with me. When I go to work, it's in a side-pocket of the backpack I use to carry my normal day-to-day stuff, otherwise, it's either on a belt-clip (if I don't expect to use it) or on my R-strap.

The great thing about M's is that they're small enough to carry everywhere.

I live in the city too, btw.

 

[Krosya]

Oasis Bags.

Oasis Bags.

Yes, that is a nice looking bag. Anyone have more info on it? My Google-fu doesn't appear to be working.

Both of mine came from Ebay. One (larger one) came with a Camera set I got - so basically free. Still in a great condition. Smaller one - also ebay - was new, with tags and all. From what I gather, these are no longer made, but come up here and there from time to time. I think some small camera stores/chains sold these at some point. They are very well made with good padding (more so on a larger bag). I'd recommend them - if you can find them.I dont know of any other models of Oasis, but I'd imagine they made more than just these two:

 

[Keith]

I've never have been able to understand this bag fetish that many seem stricken with!

I have three ... a four year old Lowpro that will hold almost any camera and three lenses I own with a bit of fiddling, a Domke F5XB which is a great walk around bag if you don't like camera straps ... and some ugly old thing that was given to me that came from a chain store which will actually hold my Crown and a bunch of film holders and light meter etc.

The whole lot probaly owes me less than $150.00 and I couldn't imagine wanting or needing any more!

I gather Joe and quite a few others have cupboards full of the things and there seems to be this constant debate over which one is better to use on any given occasion! ???

😀 😀 😀

 

[Sparrow]

I never have been able to understand this bag fetish that many seem stricken with!

I have three ... a four year old Lowpro that will hold almost any camera and three lenses I own with a bit of fiddling, a Domke F5XB which is a great walk around bag if you don't like camera straps ... and some ugly old thing that was given to me that came from a chain store which will actually hold my Crown and a bunch of film holders and light meter etc.

The whole lot probaly owes me less than $150.00 and I couldn't imagine wanting or needing any more!

I gather Joe and quite a few others have cupboards full of the things and there seems to be this constant debate over which one is better to use on any given occasion! ???

😀 😀 😀

Three still seems excessive, I only have the one ...

 

[keepright]

I've never have been able to understand this bag fetish that many seem stricken with!
…
I gather Joe and quite a few others have cupboards full of the things and there seems to be this constant debate over which one is better to use on any given occasion! ???

My fiancee loves that I have more bags than she does. She never has to worry about bringing a new one home, and hers are invariably cheaper than mine, too.

My Billingham Hadley Pro is my main bag - if it doesn't fit there, I don't carry it. Usually.

I also have a Domke F1x, which is my bag for my SLR+Strobes kit.

My Domke F6 was mostly retired by the BHP, but I still use it when the Hadley's too dressy or I need its different configuration.

I really should just sell my Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home. I never did like that bag, and no longer own the lenses I bought it for.

I have a Tamrac Velocity series, one of the early sling-bags, which lives as an insert in a backpack that I use every now and then.

I gave away my Lowepro Micro Trekker - I hated it, wrong size for me - and sold the Think Tank Glass Taxi that I replaced it with as well. I've shed a lot of equipment in the past year, and smaller cameras don't need bigger bags.

And maybe I'll eventually find a use for the two top-load zoom 'holster' cases that I bought when I knew nothing. Maybe.

I've never outfitted either of my Timbuk2 bags with inserts, but I'll almost always add a camera - usually wrapped in a small towel - when I'm using them for carrying the rest of my life. My Seal Line shoulder bag, despite having no inserts either, is my wet-weather camera carrier. Again, a bunch of hand towels takes care of the padding duties. They're something like $2 at walwart, so I have lots.

So I'm going to say that I'm not guilty - I know exactly which bag to use for every possible specific occasion. 😀😀😀

 

[shadowfox]

I've never have been able to understand this bag fetish that many seem stricken with!

I don't either, Keith.
The same way I don't get the need of multiple M-camera and lenses 🙂

But it's fun to see what others use in terms of bag.