MiniBags???

[Bill Pierce]

I noticed a recent thread about small camera bags to carry a single camera body and 2 lenses. I put a camera and lens over my shoulder and another lens in my pocket. This is pretty much what a lot of my acquaintances do. I don't think I know anyone who has a very small camera bag.

I'm just not very good at taking a camera out of a bag when I see something good. In fact, I think when a camera isn't on my shoulder I don't look for pictures as much. With a camera, I walk a little slower, look a lot and take quite a few pictures.

I'll admit, there are places where a camera isn't appropriate. And, if I'm not wearing a jacket that I can slip it under, I leave the camera at home.

Any thoughts?

[back alley]

i like a small bag to act as storage, for when i stop walking around. i mostly use wrist straps so if i don't have a small bag then the camera is always in my hand.
a neck strap would solve this one problem but then it creates others, for me. i'm not much of a fan for a long strap.

joe

[BillP]

It is not always appropriate to have a camera on display, particularly in a business milieu. Discreet cases serve a useful purpose for that reason if no other. Equally, lenses and tailored business suits do not go well together. A gentleman would never ruin the line of his suit with so much as a bulging wallet let alone a 50mm Summicron.

Regards,

Bill

[kshapero]

I use a small bag for discreteness. then whip out my ZI with a Leicagoodie Sling:


Then sometimes I attach my leicagoddie Hook and Strap, like this:




This makes me the ultimate man on the go and pretty damn sheik at the same time.
When done back into my A&A bag.


I am such a whore for cool add ons.

[BillP]

Originally Posted by Pitxu

This guy (RFFer Stephen Schaub)does a very practical small bag, not for cameras, but for extra lenses, film etc.
He also makes "the Y strap" which resembles Akiva's "leicagoddie Hook and Strap". Ideal for use under a light coat or jacket.

(I ordered a Y strap, waiting for it to arrive.)

Dammit Pitxu! Don't DO that! baglust has struck! I blame you for this!

Regards,

Bill

[back alley]

it IS an interesting looking bag...

[David Goldfarb]

Not a small bag user either. If I want to be compact, the camera is out on a strap, but if it's the 4x5" Technika, then I might have a small bag for a couple of extra lenses when I don't otherwise have suitable pockets. I've got a couple of belt packs to hold three Grafmatics each (though I'm not usually walking around with six Grafmatics hanging off my belt, particularly if I want to keep my pants up).

[BillP]

Originally Posted by Pitxu

Sorry Bill

I must admit, this was my "first post in a "bag" thread."

It's all, downhill from here.

It's too late for me! Save yoursellllllfffff...

Regards,

Bill

[back alley]

Originally Posted by Pitxu

Sorry Bill

I must admit, this was my "first post in a "bag" thread."

It's all, downhill from here.

aw c'mon, i love a good bag thread!!

[aizan]

my man purse is a billingham airline. aside from the usual wallet, keys, and cellphone, i put film and an extra lens in it when i go out taking pictures. the camera hangs off my shoulder on an upstrap so it doesn't slip off.

it can also carry two 4x5 film holders if i'm using my view camera.

[aoresteen]

I use a small mini Tamrac padded bag for my Nikon SP 2005 and Contax IIa. I can squeeze in the 25mm SC, 35mm f/1.8 Nikkor, 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar, and the 85mm f/2 Nikkor.

The bag is more for protection than anything else as I'm in Iraq and shoving the SP into a rucksack without some padding is asking for trouble when traveling around in a helicopter. A number of times I had to put the cameras in my rucksack and have it palletized for a C130 flight. So far all’s well.

I return on the 15th of June after a year in Iraq. Looking forward to using my Hasselblad gear again!

[kshapero]

Originally Posted by aoresteen

I use a small mini Tamrac padded bag for my Nikon SP 2005 and Contax IIa. I can squeeze in the 25mm SC, 35mm f/1.8 Nikkor, 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar, and the 85mm f/2 Nikkor.

The bag is more for protection than anything else as I'm in Iraq and shoving the SP into a rucksack without some padding is asking for trouble when traveling around in a helicopter. A number of times I had to put the cameras in my rucksack and have it palletized for a C130 flight. So far all’s well.

I return on the 15th of June after a year in Iraq. Looking forward to using my Hasselblad gear again!

Come back safely, bro.

[kennethcooke]

I quite like the neoprene bag which Leica produce for under £40GBP so much so that when the guy at The Classic Camera directed me to it on their website I bought one. Having spent many years working in the outdoor trade I have never come across such a simple solution the the perennial problem of having a camera over the shoulder and the inclement weather one experiences on the hill and being neoprene it also affords a little protection against rock graze.

[rogerchristian]

For quick and dirty protection, you might look at some of the Zing Designs neoprene bags, too.

http://www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=zing

[bean_counter]

My usual vacation walk-around is a camera on my neck/shoulder, L308 meter in my shirt pocket, and a lens + spare roll in each front pants pocket. Sometimes, I will replace one spare lens with a Barnack (I'm a big guy).

That said, I would REALLY like to have a small bag to carry it all; to be able to put it away safe from being knocked around, to get it out of sight when appropriate (restarants, shopping, etc.).

[kennethcooke]

Originally Posted by rogerchristian

For quick and dirty protection, you might look at some of the Zing Designs neoprene bags, too.

http://www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=zing

Thank you for the link Roger they look very good. I will mention the site to a couple of friends I know in the ski/climb outdoor industry and maybe try to get a sample. I am waiting to see the Leica version which I have ordered. I will let you know what it is like

[Nando]

I like my m-classics bag very much. I usually have the camera out and hanging around my neck. I use the m-classic bag just for lenses, some personal belongs and I usually some papers that I have to mark. I use it more like a purse really. It's very small in the way I normally use it - perhap 4 inches thick - and also very light. However, I can also fit a second body in there if I have to - even something like a Rolleiflex or a Hasselblad will easily fit in it.

[biggambi]

I have to say that my favorite bag is a Lowepro Stealth Reporter 100 AW. It is not so big as to be cumbersome, and yet when I wish to carry more than two lenses it can easily do it. I shoot a lot when I am hiking, canoeing, and climbing, etc. So, it gives me the protection I need, and it also allows for quick easy access via a top zipper. Also, it has a number of ways to carry it: hand strap, shoulder strap, and lashing points. It also has a self contained rain cover. If I need more lenses, they have great padded lens cases that I lash to the outside of the bag. I also like it for these reasons when traveling to other cities. I can not say enough good things about my experience with this bag.

As for walking around, I agree with you. A camera on a shoulder strap and a lens in my pocket. It just works well for me and keeps me focused on looking for opportunities.

[besk]

From the experience of weeks (actually months) of traveling in Eastern Europe on several occasions, I have come to love my Domke J803. I have installed various padded pouches for bodies, lenses etc which are attached to inside side of the carrying compartment which is next to my body.

From practice, I can unsnap the clasp, reach inside to put my hand through the hand strap of the camera, grab the camera and have it out without even thinking about it.

The bag doesn't shout camera bag and the pouches on one side allow me to put other items in it - such as sandwiches, a jacket, etc.

When traveling by car I often carry along my 35mm camera in a small Tamrac bag which fits snugly inside a beverage cooler.

Bag threads are fun and informative!

[Livesteamer]

I go really small. For years now I have used a small soft leather Benser zippered bag with a loop for your hand to go thru. It carries one M camera with a lens on it. Usually an M6 with 50mm Summilux ASPH. Theres enough room in it to put an extra roll of film but that's it. It's small, discreet and simple. I liked it so much I had one made like it and then found one on e bay. Not for everyone but works well for me. Joe

[Bob Michaels]

I'm a pants pockets only guy. Usually camera in hand, no strap. And a pocket full of film. Very occasionally a different lens in another pants pocket. But when I have two lenses, there is always the temptation to switch lenses and miss a shot.

I guess I just need to keep the equipment real simple so I can focus 100% on making photographs.

[__hh]

I no longer use camera neck/wrist straps. Two M6's, each with Zhou's case. 35mm on one, 50mm on the other. Both in a Domke F5xb with spare room for a 90mm and 28mm back to back and 4 rolls of film.

Good protection, but small, light, and discreet.

I hope that this config will be *the one* and no more stuffing around with various bags/dividers/gear configuration.

[Al Kaplan]

I'm still using the original 1970's vintage Leica bag, the one that the "Classic" is copied from. It's getting a bit ratty looking but it still has at least thirty more years life in it. Sometimes I'll pad lenses and bodies with pieces of bubble wrap but I usually don't bother. When Leitz first introduced that bag it was kind of a promotional item at a very reasonable $17.50.

[LADP]

I use a black Fogg B-Laika for one M body and maybe a lens or two. I also have an A&A torpedo bag, which is a little bigger and features waterproof material. I can carry two M bodies and 3 - 4 lenses as well as a couple of rolls of film, filters, etc.

The B-Laika is my favorite small bag that I've tried. I do like the looks of that Evans Walker model by A&A, but I don't have one.