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Fogg Camera Bags

tonyNZ

By tonyNZ
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tonyNZ

tonyNZ

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I've noticed that there are a few camera bag aficionados on this forum, so I wondered of those who have Fogg satchel bags which one would you recommend - the b-laika or the b-sharp? Would either of them hold an iPad? I have an M leica and will want room for an additional lens (when I can save up enough!!) plus light meter and perhaps video cam, though not essential. Is there another Fogg that I should consider?

 

Thanks

 

 

TOny

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250swb

250swb

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Hey Steve, can you recommend a bag?

 

Yes, a Domke J-803.

 

I had an F-803 a long time ago and it led me to not liking Domke bags much, quality and size issues mainly, it always seemed on the very edge of being a good bag, but not quite. But the J-803 in made from the 'ballistic' material and is a fraction bigger than the F-803 and made as a laptop sized bag. Now I don't carry a laptop, but the extra inch of space turns it into a bag that is the same size in front elevation as a Billingham Hadley Pro, but thinner in profile, and I can get camera, fold up anorak, lenses etc in it without it balloning into a thick bag like the Hadley, so better for crowds etc.

 

I think the J-803 does need a bit of extra padding, I use a Hadley Small insert, but other than that it has tons of storage space and doesn't feel as cheap (which it isn't!)as the F-803.

 

Steve

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bill

bill

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Fogg bags are good in their place... They go well with tweeds, co-respondents shoes and a big sign over your head saying "I AM CARRYING AN EXPENSIVE CAMERA AND I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW IT".

 

Safrotto are better made and better value than Domke, and if you want something for the weekend, go with Billingham and get yourself a Hadley Pro. Alternatively, you can buy any old bag from Gap or the like and stick a Safrotto, Domke or Billingham insert in it and relax.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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glenerrolrd

glenerrolrd

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Yes, a Domke J-803.

 

I had an F-803 a long time ago and it led me to not liking Domke bags much, quality and size issues mainly, it always seemed on the very edge of being a good bag, but not quite. But the J-803 in made from the 'ballistic' material and is a fraction bigger than the F-803 and made as a laptop sized bag. Now I don't carry a laptop, but the extra inch of space turns it into a bag that is the same size in front elevation as a Billingham Hadley Pro, but thinner in profile, and I can get camera, fold up anorak, lenses etc in it without it balloning into a thick bag like the Hadley, so better for crowds etc.

 

I think the J-803 does need a bit of extra padding, I use a Hadley Small insert, but other than that it has tons of storage space and doesn't feel as cheap (which it isn't!)as the F-803.

 

Steve

 

This mirrors my experience with both Billingham and Domke. The J-803 will hold 2 M bodies and up to 6 lenses . It comforms to you body much better than the Billinghams because the insert is flexible. When I use it for travel ..I had something to the bottom and top for padding and pack each item in a pouch . Once I arrive I pull out all the packing stuff and use the back with 2 bodies and 3-4 lenses .

 

Use the J803 with the insert for the F2 and get the short version . This makes getting the small m lenses out easier and provides more padding than the standard insert.

 

Only limitation is that the MacPro 15 is a little too big . The Billingham Hadley large will handle the MacBook and the same kit with better protection for the Leica gear. The Artisan and Artist bags are quite nice and somewhat discrete but similar to the Billingham in padding and size.

 

I look hard at the dimensions .....widder than 4 inches is uncomfortable for me to work out ,height for M s doesn t need to be much even if you stack lenses and width really depends on the iPad or MacBook .

 

I do like Jono s set up with his Fogg if you can find a post on it.

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bocaburger

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I owned a small Fogg bag for a brief time. Got it used, so I don't recall the name (and it was before they changed their names around). It was a little stiffer and boxier than my Billingham, but I couldn't for the life of me see where it was made any better or of better materials than the Billingham for being priced twice as much. It was one of the first to go when I decided to pare down the ridiculous number of bags I had accumulated.

 

I use a Billingham sometimes when I'm dressed for a formal party, otherwise I like either a Domke J-803 or better, J5XB.

 

Note: I don't own an iPad (nor expect to) so fitting one isn't an issue.

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texasrancher

texasrancher

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My personal favorite & everyday bag is the b-laika by Fogg. Like many on this forum, the personality of the Leica user tends toward obsessiveness about quality & functionality, price be damned. Guilty as self-charged. My currently bulging b-laika securely transports an M9, WATE with Frankenfinder, 28mm 'Cron asph, 35mm 'Cron IV, 50mm 'Lux asph, 75mm 'Lux, 135mm Tele-Elmar, SF 24-D Flash, Universal Polarizer & 2 spare batteries for M9 in far less space than my Canon 1DsII with the 24-105mm zoom + flash requires. Not necessarily less weight, but far less bulky. No room for anything else (my wife is happy), much less an iPad. I personally do not find either the Fogg or Billingham bags to be any more conspicuous to the average observer than the various Lowepro bags for DSLRs. Mine is in use daily and looks just as I would have it, used but with the patina of lots more wear left.

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Guest fuzzy logic

Guest fuzzy logic

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For show: Fogg Forte (but I really hate those short fumbly two-handed leather tabs on Fogg and Billingham).

 

For go: medium Tenba Black Label Photo Satchel, with a tiny extra velcro patch to keep the flap closed when the main straps are undone.

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bocaburger

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I personally do not find either the Fogg or Billingham bags to be any more conspicuous to the average observer than the various Lowepro bags for DSLRs.

 

I agree, in fact a lot of the other bags (Lowepro et al) look more conspicuous. Lots of padding, daisy-chain webbing, cinch straps, Delrin buckles, etc. shout "Cameras Inside" even louder than a Billingham. One reason I use my Billinghams for attending parties and other "dressy" (my wife's word) events is that they look more in keeping with the attire and less like I arrived straight from the campground. But the main reasons that I don't use a Billingham on travels is 1) I had a bad experience at airport security once because the agent made me stand at the inspection table while she took my bag back to the conveyor for another pass thru the xray, and had managed only to halfway-attach one of the press-studs (the other she gave up on). From then on I decided a bag with a zipper and velcro (like the Domke F5/J5XB) was the only one I'd use for airline travel. 2) A long time ago I became sold on the Optech SOS bag straps, which have an elastic pad that acts like a shock absorber; and Billinghams have no way to change the strap short of destroying the original one. (I did inquire once about having a luggage repair shop cut the strap off, fold the ends over a brass D ring and sew it, but I decided not to butcher the bag).

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bill

bill

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Here you go:

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Gap, £15, two large front pouch pockets, one large interior pocket, two additional interior pockets. No velcro or buckles, folds down to nothing, takes a Hadley pro insert or a shemagh, adjustable strap, attracts less attention than a fart in a thunderstorm.

 

Ideal.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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250swb

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...shout "Cameras Inside" even louder than a Billingham. One reason I use my Billinghams for attending parties and other "dressy" (my wife's word) events is that they look more in keeping with the attire....

 

You are posh! Where I live everybody assumes I've been fishing and my Hadley Pro has a dead trout inside, looking as it does just like a traditional fly fishing bag, and not at all like a camera bag. :)

 

Steve

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bocaburger

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You are posh! Where I live everybody assumes I've been fishing and my Hadley Pro has a dead trout inside, looking as it does just like a traditional fly fishing bag, and not at all like a camera bag. :)

 

Steve

 

LOL! I should've been more specific. My 2 Billinghams (an Alice aka A2, and a Packington) are both black with leather at the bottom corners. I can see how saying khaki canvas goes well with black-tie attire would be pretty bizarre :D

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250swb

250swb

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LOL! I should've been more specific. My 2 Billinghams (an Alice aka A2, and a Packington) are both black with leather at the bottom corners. I can see how saying khaki canvas goes well with black-tie attire would be pretty bizarre :D

 

Doh!, but for alI know your idea of getting dressed up could have been a safari suit! No a khaki Hadley would clash with a DJ wouldn't it, especially if it smelt a bit fishy :)

 

Steve

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