Thinking of Taking On a Year With My M3 - Bag for Everyday?

[EthanFrank]

Right now, the only thing stopping me from carrying my Leica with me (that is, once my lens arrives) is the fact that I have no comfortable way to carry it. I own a Crumpler 6MDH for my digital gear, and a few dinky, uncomfortable camera bags for my film gear. I'm looking to take on Mike Johnson's idea for a Leica Year - for me, that means an M3 and a 50mm every day, for 365 days. I don't need a camera bag with me every day - what I need is a small, everyday bag with a way to carry my camera along with daily items - with some protection for the camera. Something slim, light, that doesn't scream camera bag (we've all heard that before.) Any ideas?

Thanks 🙂

 

[gilpen123]

I've been using Domke F803 for 2 years now. Can fit 1 or 2 RF and lens, an Ipad an dmany other knick knacks.

 

[EthanFrank]

^ Lovely bag but I should have noted I'm almost out of money from buying the camera, lens and replacement leather - Billingham and Domke are slightly beyond my reach at the moment 🙁

 

[shyoon]

Any messenger bag that has space for a laptop and a few notebooks will have more than enough space for the M3.

 

[maddoc]

Over the years I have worn out a couple of messenger and similar small bags and all served me well also for carrying my RF camera(s). To protect the camera inside the bag, I wrap them into a square-shaped large pouch that can be closed with velcro-tape. Only once my Rolleiflex got broken (focus jammed) when somebody bumped into me hiting the bag in the crowded Tokyo subways. 😡

 

[keytarjunkie]

^ Lovely bag but I should have noted I'm almost out of money from buying the camera, lens and replacement leather - Billingham and Domke are slightly beyond my reach at the moment 🙁

I would recommend the Domke F-5xb, it's a fabulous bag, but I picked it up for $50ish on amazon.com a year or two ago and it looks like it's up to $80 right now. Maybe you should consider this:

http://www.amazon.com/9201-Urban-Ex..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0NSB9GHBMFR3KJES0JVJ

There was a thread on it a few weeks ago, maybe someone can find it. Seems to be a cheap, rugged bag that should fit a rangefinder with a lens and a bunch of other stuff. The company has a bunch of other bags, and maybe you'll find one that suits your kit better.

 

[KenR]

Courierware bags look like an everyday messenger bag, but have lots of compartments for gear.

 

[axiom]

real leica needs no bag.
toss the kit into whatever bag you carry, let it bang with your other stuff in bag, that's the way it's supposed to be
(that's what I do with my mp3 kit)

 

[scorpius73]

Army Surplus Bag

Army Surplus Bag

I got this bag from an Army Surplus store in dowtown Philadelphia for $15. I bought a Domke insert for the inside for $20 or so from Adorama. It works for me. It allows me to carry a camera with film and an assortment of other things (Economist magazine) etc. Just another option for you.

 

[RayPA]

I don't understand the aversion to camera bags that look like camera bags. Folks go out of their way and pay a lot of $$ for bags that don't look like camera bags and end up with bags that look like purses (or expensive luggage) and are under-padded with little to no workable pockets or options. Then they start threads about there being no perfect camera bag. The best bag for a camera is a camera bag. I use Tamrac or Lowepro. Decently priced, well-padded, and made with photographers in mind.





/

 

[EthanFrank]

I don't understand the aversion to camera bags that look like camera bags. Folks go out of their way and pay a lot of $$ for bags that don't look like camera bags and end up with bags that look like purses (or expensive luggage) and are under-padded with little to no workable pockets or options. Then they start threads about there being no perfect camera bag. The best bag for a camera is a camera bag. I use Tamrac or Lowepro. Decently priced, well-padded, and made with photographers in mind.

I don't have an aversion to camera bag-y camera bags - as I said, I use a Crumpler for my digital kit. But, I'm looking for a camera bag for everyday - a full on camera bag like a Lowepro will have far too much space for camera gear and not enough space for everyday stuff.

real leica needs no bag.
toss the kit into whatever bag you carry, let it bang with your other stuff in bag, that's the way it's supposed to be
(that's what I do with my mp3 kit)

Fair enough - that's the thing, though. I'm not a 'bag' guy. What kind of bag are you using that you throw your M into?

 

[ChrisN]

Save your money for film - just dump the digital gear into the cupboard and use the Crumpler you already have.

 

[EthanFrank]

Save your money for film - just dump the digital gear into the cupboard and use the Crumpler you already have.

It's not that I have it reserved for digital gear, it's just far too bulky for every day.

 

[PatrickCheung]

I carry my iif in a messenger bag I bought from the mall. With a collapsible lens, it'll fit in one of the side pockets, too bad I don't have a collapsible. I usually just toss it in there along with my books and go. I havent had much trouble with that. Surprisingly my rangefinder is still in allignment.

I second the Army Surplus idea... there's a surplus in richmond hill that carries a bunch of bags and ammo cases (i know a few people who store their equipment in ammo cases when travelling locally). Just put in a few inserts from your other digital bags

AND if you don't find anything... I have a few bags I don't use that I'm willing to let go for a low price... My dad just dug up an old video camera bag that's replaced all my new ones!

 

[EthanFrank]

I have some extra Crumpler inserts...I suppose I'll be buying a canvas bag and some velcro! 🙂

Oh, and Patrick, PM sent, bud.

 

[hteasley]

Messenger bag with insert, or a neoprene wrap for the camera. I use a Chrome messenger.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Get a large Ziploc for dust prevention, a padded lenswrap (Domke, Calumet, etc. make them, basically a padded Velcro square that can wrap around a camera or lens.) Even a worn but clean t-shirt will work the same.... Drop into a basic daypack or man purse or courier bag... anything.

But the camera should be out most of the time....

 

[EthanFrank]

But the camera should be out most of the time....

I'll make sure it is, my friend. Cheers. 🙂

 

[rizraz]

If it is just for one camera, I'll just sling it over my shoulder and an extra roll of film in my pocket (Option 1).

If I need a bag to make it discreet, I'll just use my cheap sling bag (something similar to the army surplus bag above but smaller) with some padding from my other camera bag, this one is just enough for the camera and maybe 2 rolls of film (Option 2).

If I need to bring more items, I'll use my courierware bag (Option 3).

 

[back alley]

lowepro messenger, dirt cheap, use dollar store microfiber cloths to wrap camera in...