Show me your camera bags!

[StephenPatterson]

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I've started to use the Zkin Yeti backpack, as my Ona Camps Bay hasn't proven to be as robust as I would have hoped after less than two years of use. So far very happy with the Zkin, and while the basic concept of camera gear below / extra stuff above is the same it offers some decided advantages over the Ona.

 

The Zkin is very rugged, and has great quality zippers and buckles/snaps. The canvas is rugged and somewhat water repellant but there is a built in rain cover that stows in the base and pulls out and over quickly. There is also a tripod holder that stores in the base via a velcro compartment so it's out of the way when not needed. The dividers are thick and stiffer than the Ona (not easily crushed). Behind the very comfortable straps there is a vertical zipper that will hold a 13" MBPR, and being able to access this without opening the pack makes airport security lines fast and easy.

 

I've started using backpacks more and more, as I just never know what sort of climatic conditions I might encounter. OK, the real reason...I don't have to carry my wife's shopping bags nearly as often

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[Jeff S]

...my Ona Camps Bay hasn't proven to be as robust as I would have hoped after less than two years of use.

 

What in particular hasn't withstood use?

 

Jeff

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[StephenPatterson]

What in particular hasn't withstood use?

 

Jeff

 

The stitching where the straps and leather handle join the body of the bag has come apart. I will be the first to admit that the bag has been through a lot, and carried some heavy loads. It is now being repaired by a shop I found here in China.

 

My only other complaint about the Ona, and it's a minor gripe, is that the dividers are not rigid enough and easily bend and collapse, so that items tend to sink down to the bottom of the pack and crush against each other. Before the straps failure I started using my Think Tank dividers instead, which are not quite the correct height but better than the Ona ones.

[Garrett Lynch]

I've started to use the Zkin Yeti backpack, as my Ona Camps Bay hasn't proven to be as robust as I would have hoped after less than two years of use. So far very happy with the Zkin, and while the basic concept of camera gear below / extra stuff above is the same it offers some decided advantages over the Ona.

 

The Zkin is very rugged, and has great quality zippers and buckles/snaps. The canvas is rugged and somewhat water repellant but there is a built in rain cover that stows in the base and pulls out and over quickly. There is also a tripod holder that stores in the base via a velcro compartment so it's out of the way when not needed. The dividers are thick and stiffer than the Ona (not easily crushed). Behind the very comfortable straps there is a vertical zipper that will hold a 13" MBPR, and being able to access this without opening the pack makes airport security lines fast and easy.

 

I've started using backpacks more and more, as I just never know what sort of climatic conditions I might encounter. OK, the real reason...I don't have to carry my wife's shopping bags nearly as often

 

Stephen,

 

Funny you posted this as I was just on their website last night looking at their bags and before that, never had heard of them. Do you also have a Wotoncraft bag as well? (maybe my memory is getting fuzzy....) If so, how would you compare it in terms of quality and ruggedness? They have a nice aesthetic to them and look well-made, though, their no-returns policy put the brakes on them last night until now.

 

Cheers!

Edited August 13, 2013 by Garrett Lynch

[StephenPatterson]

Stephen,

 

Funny you posted this as I was just on their website last night looking at their bags and before that, never had heard of them. Do you also have a Wotoncraft bag as well? (maybe my memory is getting fuzzy....) If so, how would you compare it in terms of quality and ruggedness? They have a nice aesthetic to them and look well-made, though, their no-returns policy put the brakes on them last night until now.

 

Cheers!

 

Hi Garrett,

 

Yes, I use the Wotancraft shoulder bags (Avenger, Scout) and IMHO they are the best ones on the market. The construction is very, very strong with lots of heavy waxed canvas and leather. Also their waterproof inner liners are the best I have ever seen. Not quite the same as a Pelican case, but pretty impressive for a shoulder bag. I have bought mine from Victor at Annie Barton in Hong Kong, and he's a great guy to do business with. The shoulder pads are rugged, comfortable and have very strong metal buckles.

 

I keep telling Victor that Wotancraft needs to make a backpack, and he always smiles and tells me that he will pass along my words to the factory.

[Garrett Lynch]

Very neat info and thanks Stephen!

 

You've reinforced my thoughts on Wotoncraft. I always appreciate your advice .

 

Just found a vendor who has the now discontinued navy grey and dark brown scout and will ship to the US. Be exciting to receive it.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Garrett Lynch

[StephenPatterson]

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I think you will be very happy with the Scout. It is a great bag for carrying a couple of lenses (along with the M when you're not shooting). Please post an image after it arrives.

 

VBR,

[Garrett Lynch]

Stephen,

 

Received my new Wotancraft Scout in discontinued Navy Grey and Dark Brown today and absolutely love this bag! Very impressed on the quality and it looks and feels like it can go through just about anything while maintaining elegance.

 

The only cons I see is that it is very heavy. Not an issue really for me but there was a "whoa!" in comparison to my Billingham Hadley (which will now happily go up for sale ). Most of the weight comes from the insert which is really well done. It's nice that I can go anywhere and not have to put some bag over my bag such as the Billingham in very poor weather. I know if i seal the water-proof (not water-resistant!) zipper, nothing's going in there.

 

Truly a great bag and I recommend it to anyone looking for this style. I'll hold myself back from doing a 5-page review and proper photos.

 

A few quick photos I took earlier (was in quite a rush) below.

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[jeffnesh]

The Wotancraft Scout looks great! What fits? Two M bodies and 2/3 lenses? An iPad?

 

Very nice!

[azzo]

...

 

.. while maintaining elegance.

 

...

 

 

Elegance!? ...

[Garrett Lynch]

Elegance!? ...

 

Well, Fogg I guess would be a better choice for elegance, but with the Scout, the tad "Hipster" finishings and leather help gives it a little bit of a boost

[Garrett Lynch]

The Wotancraft Scout looks great! What fits? Two M bodies and 2/3 lenses? An iPad?

 

Very nice!

 

Thanks Jeff!

 

It's very easy to carry a good collection of gear if you remove the Wotancraft insert and insert your own. I decided I'll use the Wotancraft insert for traveling where climate may play a role and my walkabout insert for now is from my Billingham Hadley which fits with plenty of room to spare.

 

With the Billingham insert, I've got space for an iPad, many accessories (Batteries, memory card holders, filter holders, etc.) to an M body with 50 Lux attached and space for two additional lenses.

 

With the Wotancraft insert, it's not much bigger from what you can hold in the insert but there is a very nice amount of padding and protective material. If you fold back the top and tuck it behind the insert, an iPad can still slide in but a little snug (my case for the iPad is wool so a bit thick).

 

Overall, very pleased and this will do nicely for my daily M bag

Edited August 30, 2013 by Garrett Lynch

[IWC Doppel]

I've just ordered one if these, my Evans Walker is getting a bit shabby and there are o casinos where I need to take a little more but don't want to haul my Filson With Hadley pro insert around which is my holiday bag capable of carrying 6 it more lenses n iPad etc

 

Well that's my excuse ;-)

[Peebles]

These guys just did a review on the Scout...

[dennersten]

I have been using the old Fogg bags for at least 20 years. They are well made, look nice and come in various sizes depending on how much gear you are packing.

 

Can we see a picture please?

[Andi_77]

I recently bought an Ona Brixton in "Smoke" color, and it's really a well-built bag. My Domke F803 was a little bit too small, but the Brixton is perfect for my kit (M9 + 3 or 4 lenses, accessories, and a Macbook Air when needed).

[Jeff S]

I recently bought an Ona Brixton in "Smoke" color, and it's really a well-built bag.

 

I haven't needed a new bag in many years, but after deciding to buy a Mac Air for travel, I checked out some bigger options to accommodate it. It came down to the Ona Brixton and the Hadley Pro, but I opted for the latter.

 

Both could do the job, but I preferred the better weather protection on the Hadley (with synthetic fabric), especially the protected back pocket (that is open on the Ona), as well as the Billingham closure mechanism; the Ona brass clasps banged around when left open, and seemed less secure and less flexible than the Hadley system. The front pockets were also more roomy and accessible. The Ona smoke was nice looking, but I like the simple all-black Hadley.

 

Without the laptop, my 15+ year old weathered all-black Fogg b-Laika suits fine. I suspect the Hadley will still be functional in 15 years, assuming I am.

 

Jeff

[KanzaKruzer]

Saddleback Leather Small Gadget Bag (8" X 7" X 4") with Crumpler Haven Small insert. Unfortunately the small gadget bag has been discontinued. Saddleback still sells the medium and large gadget bag. I use a medium gadget bag with a medium Crumpler Haven insert with my DSLR and 24-120/4.

 

The small gadget bag can only hold the Leica M with attached lens, one extra lens, extra battery, extra SD cards, cleaning cloth, etc., but I like traveling light.

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[alan c. davis]

David, nice bag, nice camera, nice lens.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[sc_rufctr]

Saddleback Leather Small Gadget Bag (8" X 7" X 4") with Crumpler Haven Small insert. Unfortunately the small gadget bag has been discontinued. Saddleback still sells the medium and large gadget bag. I use a medium gadget bag with a medium Crumpler Haven insert with my DSLR and 24-120/4.

 

The small gadget bag can only hold the Leica M with attached lens, one extra lens, extra battery, extra SD cards, cleaning cloth, etc., but I like traveling light.

 

Very handsome. Enjoy... I do like Saddleback gear but getting it to Australia is expensive.