noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
These bags are not specifically made for camera gear, but they are damn fine bags and are made in the USA: www.saddlebackleather.com
This company makes some nice rucksacks and computer satchels that can be used for camera gear - also USA made: www.filson.com
This company makes some nice rucksacks and computer satchels that can be used for camera gear - also USA made: www.filson.com
Frontman
Well-known
If you think it is possible to produce a quality camera bag in America, and be able to make enough money to pay your taxes (tax is the largest expense for American and Japanese companies, BTW, not executive pay) overhead, payroll, etc. and make enough money to support your family afterward, then you should do it. Done properly, it is certainly possible.
Here in Japan F64 is a popular bag which is made in the USA. These are simple nylon bags, not at all expensive, but they are very popular, particularly with Chinese tourists, who, ironically enough, refuse to purchase Chinese goods.
For myself, I buy only goods which are made in Japan, America, or Europe. Not a single piece of my clothing nor pair of my shoes is made in China, or other place in Asia. I bought my Fuji X-Pro because it was made in Japan, just as my LX5 was.
I am a part-time teacher myself, working at an international university here in Tokyo. But teacher's pay is not so great, so I work at home as a financial consultant, which pays significantly better. I also export various Japanese goods, and this also provides me with income. Some might say that what I do to make extra money is simply business, and not art, but I would disagree, it has taken a lot of creative thinking and discipline for me to get these things started, and to keep them going. But, I am now relatively independent, and I can't bitch about my pay, I can make as much as I want if I put in the thought and effort. Anyone can.
Here in Japan F64 is a popular bag which is made in the USA. These are simple nylon bags, not at all expensive, but they are very popular, particularly with Chinese tourists, who, ironically enough, refuse to purchase Chinese goods.
For myself, I buy only goods which are made in Japan, America, or Europe. Not a single piece of my clothing nor pair of my shoes is made in China, or other place in Asia. I bought my Fuji X-Pro because it was made in Japan, just as my LX5 was.
I am a part-time teacher myself, working at an international university here in Tokyo. But teacher's pay is not so great, so I work at home as a financial consultant, which pays significantly better. I also export various Japanese goods, and this also provides me with income. Some might say that what I do to make extra money is simply business, and not art, but I would disagree, it has taken a lot of creative thinking and discipline for me to get these things started, and to keep them going. But, I am now relatively independent, and I can't bitch about my pay, I can make as much as I want if I put in the thought and effort. Anyone can.
Noll
Well-known
Frost River makes gorgeous heirloom-quality packs and bags out of leather and waxed canvas. All made in Duluth, MN, for much less of a premium price than say, Filson (which is great stuff too)
No experience with using their products as a camera bag, but I hear they can incorporate foam inserts.
https://www.frostriver.com/
No experience with using their products as a camera bag, but I hear they can incorporate foam inserts.
https://www.frostriver.com/
Thardy
Veteran
nikonosguy
Well-known
ampguy
Veteran
I've found domke bags to be well made, and durable, though I generally prefer lighter overseas made bags for simply carrying 1 camera with 1 lens.
Lots of stuff, is still made here, a good series on pbs is this one:
http://www.pbs.org/america-revealed/episode/4/
Lots of stuff, is still made here, a good series on pbs is this one:
http://www.pbs.org/america-revealed/episode/4/
willie_901
Veteran
Wouldn't ETSY be a source for bags made by hand in the USA?
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Rickshaw Bagworks makes their bags in house in San Francisco, to the best of my knowledge.
http://www.rickshawbags.com
At present they don't make anything specifically camera oriented far as I know, but I'd say that if you want to offer a line of bags for sale, it might be worth contacting them with a proposal and having them make something that you can distribute exclusively.
Of course, they buy their cloth from somewhere. Where do you draw the line?
As Joe said above, let's keep this simple. This is a camera equipment forum, not a political discussion site.
G
http://www.rickshawbags.com
At present they don't make anything specifically camera oriented far as I know, but I'd say that if you want to offer a line of bags for sale, it might be worth contacting them with a proposal and having them make something that you can distribute exclusively.
Of course, they buy their cloth from somewhere. Where do you draw the line?
As Joe said above, let's keep this simple. This is a camera equipment forum, not a political discussion site.
G
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I'm glad I've discovered several bag/goods makers thanks to this thread.
Can we PLEASE stay on topic and bring political discussions and fights elsewhere? This thread is on accessory/bag board after all.
Can we PLEASE stay on topic and bring political discussions and fights elsewhere? This thread is on accessory/bag board after all.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
To contribute this thread, here is another one.
http://archivebag.com/
It's a one-man shop here in SF and the guy makes all his bags himself, made-to-order. I had him make me a custom bag that takes my Brompton bag bracket. He can make bags with bottom panel padding, and I'm sure you can customize it to your liking and combine the bag with existing camera inserts like Timbuk2 and Temba's. I sat down with him at a cafe and nailed down the details of the specs.
http://archivebag.com/
It's a one-man shop here in SF and the guy makes all his bags himself, made-to-order. I had him make me a custom bag that takes my Brompton bag bracket. He can make bags with bottom panel padding, and I'm sure you can customize it to your liking and combine the bag with existing camera inserts like Timbuk2 and Temba's. I sat down with him at a cafe and nailed down the details of the specs.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I'd be very interested to see the bag he made for you and know the details of this project. I've been looking for a nice small bag for my Brompton ...
Private message me here or send email to godfreydigiorgi @ me . com ... I'd love to know more.
G
stewmander
Established
Porteen bags sure do look nice, and the RF sized one is just what I have been looking for. Customized and a great price. Do you happen to have any photos of your Porteen bag? I think I will purchase one but need ideas as there are so many options to choose from!
back alley
IMAGES
i sold my porteen bag...
stewmander
Established
Drat! Thanks for the quick reply though =] perhaps someone else will have a photo of their porteen bag.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Here are some pics of the bag with my bike. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.
_DSF5319 by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr
_DSF5310 by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr
_DSF5307 by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr
_DSF5304 by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr
_DSF5302 by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr
It's great when you wanna do some Ride-n-shoot around town. I'd put a couple of cameras in the rear pockets so I can reach them quick. It takes the Brompton's bracket.
E__WOK
Well-known
Country of manufacture does not always equate to similar quality. You can have well made offshore bags and crappy onshore bags.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
If you look under this very category (Bags, Tripods etc), and look for the thread 'Wotancraft vs Ona', you'll see a fairly extensive discussion on Porteen bags. As well, if you Google 'Porteen Gear', her website should show up.
Very well made bags, and made in Michigan. The one issue that I've had with mine is that I think there's too much padding in the front panel, and the dividers are sewn in. I did mention the padding issue to Robyn, and I think at the time she was considering using a thinner padding, but you may want to check with her directly if you were to go ahead and order one.
YYV_146
Well-known
Well, the best leather craftsman I know lives in Beijing. I go to him for audio equipment cases, but he charges far too much for me to afford a handmade camera bag.
The Case Logic bags I have are all made in Vietnam or Malaysia, great quality and all less than $100. I can certainly understand the national pride issue, but MIA won't necessarily mean better quality or better for the American economy.
The Case Logic bags I have are all made in Vietnam or Malaysia, great quality and all less than $100. I can certainly understand the national pride issue, but MIA won't necessarily mean better quality or better for the American economy.
Bill58
Native Texan
For what it's worth, my 5 yr. old Tenba RF bag has come apart at the seam where the large nylon pocket on the backside is sewed onto the main body of the bag. I've never overstuffed the pocket, so it appears they didn't allow enough material for the stitch. My guess it was made by some proverbial "little children in Asia". Not political--just opposed to child exploitation.
