To make the ultimate low-key bag

[sf]

I want to create a bag that looks like a plain canvas bag - not necessarily a camera bag. About the right size for the Bronica RF645 body and two lenses and film.

Parameters as that it should have weatherproofing capabilities (when closed tight, it should be rainproof), have strong closures (buckles are ideal), have a removeable strap that is heavy, paddled lightly, and is equally unimpressive in appearance.

Trouble is, there are many bags like this on the market, but none of them are adequately padded inside or made adequately rainproof.

My plan is to buy a good quantity of heavy waterproof duck or canvas, some various liners, and a series of layers that I will rivet together to create a sort of quilted interior. I'll buy a decent canvas bag online, and model my cuts in the fabric off of its pieces.

trick will be choosing the proper stitching and the proper materials to avoid any kind of unpleasant wear. This bag has to look like a non-camera bag. that is the #1 goal.

ANyone have any suggestions?

 

[egpj]

Sounds like you are describing a Billingham. Make one.😎

Yoouuu can do it!

 

[sf]

Sounds like you are describing a Billingham. Make one.😎

Yoouuu can do it!

billingham LOOKS expensive - and it is too bulkty. I want something that is 100% softshell. Something that will roll up, fold down like any formless canvas satchel.

 

[teo]

Karen Nakamura on Photoetnography suggests a diaper bag 😀

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

A working guy's canvas lunch satchel is a Billingham-like bag that can be lined with closed cell foam like from an camping/outdoors store sleeping mat.

 

[Toby]

Hardy fishing bags look like billingham bags but don't have the lining - I wouldn't describe them as cheap but they'd last as long as the camera

 

[Bill58]

A Billingham literally screams "EXPENSIVE" to me--not exactly low-key.

 

[taffer]

Yes, literally, keep your eyes open and visit some fleamarkets. Either that or keep eyes open also for out of season rebates on stores and shopping malls (don't be afraid to visit women's one btw). Have on your mind the aprox. size you need and the space taken by the padding you want to fit there. A 'students' bag (but NOT a laptop one) is probably what you are looking for. Jeans-like canvas is tough, resistant and easy to wash but soft at the same time.

I'm using one of those 'crossed over the chest' grey Reebok small backpack since some years ago. It's a bit too flat and that's the reason I went with rangefinders with small lenses in first place 😱 but TLRs fit ok as well. That said, I no longer do street shooting, but the bag is staying with me anyway.

Oscar

 

[kully]

A Billingham bag only looks expensive when it is new and once scuffed up a bit only to other people who know how expensive it is.

Really - it's true. Mine (Hadley Pro) gets described as a school bag by everyone.

It also meets your rain needs.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Eddie Bauer diaper bag 🙂

Hang a diaper out the side pocket, and you're good to go

 

[Trius]

Sunday afternoon I was in Target buying socks and Superia 800 (I know, weird combination), and I saw some canvas bags of various configurations in the menswear section. Not expensive at all ($30-40 IIRC) and looked well made. I didn't have time for a full examination; I'm afraid to go back and look. 🙄

 

[kmack]

Find a local army surplus store and pick up any cheap bag you like.
Then add a Domke insert. sew some velcro into the bag to hold the insert in place and you are good to go.

 

[Richard Black]

I found a soft, lunch bag that has a space for one of those frozen cooler thingys that works wonders, is soft inside and big enough for what you want and looks like I am carrying my lunch. Cost something around $6.99.

 

[Ash]

WARNING: Long post!

WARNING: Long post!

Go to H&M!! I dont know if it even exists where you are, but H&M (or your local trendy-ish clothes shop) is a good bet.

I got this bag and use it all the time. Really awful photo's, but you can see just how 'flimsy' it appears, but it's surprisingly strong. I carried a helluva lot in the bag yesterday and it was my back that gave up before the bag did. I usually place my cameras in their own cases inside the bag, plus a bottle of water, lunch, etc.

You have:
2 side pockets, suitable for camera lenses or note books or film. I can fit a can of Lynx in there, if that helps you with measurements.
2 front pockets, suitable for lightmeter, film, rangefinder (all FED/ZORKI/LEICA with collapsible lens sit comfortably in a front pocket. The Leica's even fit when placed in their own soft case as added protection)
Inner zip pocket, good for keys, wallet, or narcotics.

With a bag like this it looks like you're not carrying anything special, I've not had any trouble over the past year whilst wearing this bag, and I could have a lot of camera stuff in it. It's been fine carrying my Rolleicord, which made itself comfortable in one corner of the bag.


I've never had a problem even in the rain. It doesn't soak through the bag, but you may want added protection. All the wear on the bag you see is from a year's worth of daily use;; rubbing up against brick walls, sliding it across the concrete, falling on it (dont ask 🙄 ). So not too bad. If you aren't as active as me, it'll look a lot nicer a lot longer. Also, the red is from an exploded paint pen, it came in dull black to begin with 🙂

If you get a bag like that, build yourself a waterproof and foam-padded inner. Literally buy the sheets of foam, sew (with a machine) the lining to it, make the dividers, so it slips into the bag. This way if it doesn't look good, or becomes a "camera bag" you can pull it out and start over again


Course, H&M's line changes all the time so I'm not sure this same bag is available any more. They had all sorts of designs last time I went in. Usually the bags cost £12

 

[40oz]

Duluth Pack bags are quite durable, but not very expensive. The shell bags would make a great camera bag with an insert or two. They are either canvas or leather, and are made for a hard life. Mine is at least 20 years old, and looks it, but it only shows a patina of wear - everything is still tough and solid. Doesn't look valuable at all, IMHO.

 

[ywenz]

I question the point of it all. You can carry your RF in a brown paper lunch bag but as soon as you pull out the camera and start focusing and ratcheting in front of people's faces, all the low-keyness of the whole operation is gone..

 

[dazedgonebye]

I've got a bag in a closet somewhere that might suit. It's an old Navy demolitions bag. The flap is inflatable. It was intended for use by underwater demolitions teams to carry explosives.
OD green and strong canvas.
One drawback in this day and age...someone might think you're headed to blow something up.

Anyway...the point is that the trip to a surplus store might be in order.

 

[Trius]

The point of the inconspicuous bag is to lessen risk, not eliminate. Some badass guy is maybe less likely to try and snatch what he sees as a POS than a Billingham, Fogg, etc.

 

[drewbarb]

Like some others here, I got some padded inserts that I put into an old army surplus canvas bag that looks like crap. I sewed a stronger strap around the base of the bag for added support, and some velco inside to hold the padding. Another thing I have considered is to get a Billingham Small Hadley insert (available for around $60) and stick it into another bag, one bought or made for the purpose. Welcome to the wonderful world of camera bag obsessives.

 

[back alley]

...go to your local university book store and find a canvas book bag.
they are built strong to handle heavy books, they look ordinary too.
then take the bag and go your local photo store and see if any of the inserts from bags they have fit into your book bag, if you find one then order the insert.
joe