Perfect bag for two Leica M's, lenses attached, one extra lens and laptop

[skovbo13]

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G'day everyone,

 

I just recently purchased an M9, and now own two M bodies plus two Leica lenses.

 

I am going on an extended photo related trip in a few weeks and am looking for a bag that would hold both M's, each with a lens attached, one extra lens, a few rolls of film, my 13" macbook and passport, charger, notebook etc. for traveling.

 

While at my destination, I would like to have the option to carry the bag with both cameras inside, without the laptop, which makes my Billingham Packington too big for the purpose.

 

And yes, the more discrete the bag is, the better.

 

A friend of mine uses this one, but is rather dissatisfied with the overall quality.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

S.

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[Washington]

Man this subject is cosmic. I can NEVER find a bag that really works for me.

Good luck.

[Clandrel]

i'm very happy with this:

 

Ari Marcopoulos Camera Bag for SLR Camera : Products By Incase

[Revdockj]

Billingham Large Hadley Pro bag. Just came back from an extended trip with almost exactly what you describe.

 

Ken

[berlinorbust]

Ha. Someone beat me to it. The Ari bag.

[IkarusJohn]

I have a Billingham Combination, which I use for rough travel, and I take my M9, with a lens on, plus two and all the clobber that goes with it.

 

Otherwise, I use a >>dothebag<< mono_09, which is big enough for two M bodies with lenses attached, plus two spare lenses, my iPad and bits and pieces. The Mono_08 would be big enough for a 13" MacBook, I'd guess. The dimensions are on the page, and there's more information in the catalogue (it's a PDF). They are supplied by Monochrom in Berlin - expensive, but beautifully made. Sorry its all in German.

 

Here's an extract from the catalogue. I love my Mono 9, but it would be a little small, I suspect, for the MacBook.

Mono 8.pdf

[tmldds]

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I used a large messenger bag from Tenba for my trip last month to Europe and was quite happy with it.

 

Tri:)

[menos I M6]

Bag threads are fun ;-)

 

For your purpose, I cannot advise on a A&A Oscar's Daybag (ACAM7100) more.

Artisan & Artist* Bags

It looks like the original, the one, you linked tries to copy.

 

I use mine as my daily office bag:

 

15" MBP early 2008 (these are actually more compact than the 2011 15", but still more bulky than your 13")

M8.2 + Noctilux

MP + 35 Lux ASPH

external hdd + cable

wallet

passport

spare batteries

film

keys

 

+ enough space for another lens or two

 

The quality of material and workmanship is outstanding.

I have been through a lot of bags from 10 EUR to 300 EUR.

This is the best in regards of nice materials, clever thoughts and best overall quality.

 

I didn't try the bag, you linked to.

I am looking now for a slightly larger bag, to travel more comfortably and potentially adding a new 15"MBP, A&A are my first choice, looking for bags after this experience - they do not seem to make the exact size, I would want though ;-)

[spylaw4]

IMO there is no "perfect bag".

[250swb]

Have a look at the Domke J-803 (not F-803).

 

Steve

[shootinglulu]

I love the look of the 'dothebag' bags, i agree that you would probably need the mono8, i am after the mono10.

Monochrom® - Taschen Taschen und Gurte Zubehör

[andybarton]

Those are good looking bags, but they look expensive, which will mean that they probably contain something expensive too.

[plasticman]

I have a Billingham Combination, which I use for rough travel, and I take my M9, with a lens on, plus two and all the clobber that goes with it.

 

Otherwise, I use a >>dothebag<< mono_09, which is big enough for two M bodies with lenses attached, plus two spare lenses, my iPad and bits and pieces. The Mono_08 would be big enough for a 13" MacBook, I'd guess. The dimensions are on the page, and there's more information in the catalogue (it's a PDF). They are supplied by Monochrom in Berlin - expensive, but beautifully made. Sorry its all in German.

 

Here's an extract from the catalogue. I love my Mono 9, but it would be a little small, I suspect, for the MacBook.

 

I've beening humming-and-hahing about the dothebags for a while now - mostly because dimensions are very hard to envision when there's no opportunity to actually hold the bags in ones hands and sling the various sizes over your shoulder. I think I may even resort to making paper mock-ups to get a better idea of which one is right for me - I need a bag that is big enough for two M cameras with lenses attached OR a Hasselblad 500 series camera with lens and magazine, and not much else other than an iPhone and maybe a (paper) notebook.

 

Otherwise, in my experience the Artist & Artisan bags are massively overrated. I bought one and ended-up using it as a diaper bag for my newborn. It soaked through at the mere smell of rain, was uncomfortable and stiff to wear over the shoulder, all the pockets were effectively exposed to pickpockets (and the elements) and the clips were eccentrically placed. The extra handle fell off one day while I was carrying the diapers and spare baby clothes - they didn't break when they hit the pavement, so I guess it's lucky I didn't have the BP M6 and Noctilux in there at the time...

[Overgaard]

+1

Billingham Large Hadley Pro bag

[menos I M6]

I've beening humming-and-hahing about the dothebags for a while now - mostly because dimensions are very hard to envision when there's no opportunity to actually hold the bags in ones hands and sling the various sizes over your shoulder. I think I may even resort to making paper mock-ups to get a better idea of which one is right for me - I need a bag that is big enough for two M cameras with lenses attached OR a Hasselblad 500 series camera with lens and magazine, and not much else other than an iPhone and maybe a (paper) notebook.

 

Otherwise, in my experience the Artist & Artisan bags are massively overrated. I bought one and ended-up using it as a diaper bag for my newborn. It soaked through at the mere smell of rain, was uncomfortable and stiff to wear over the shoulder, all the pockets were effectively exposed to pickpockets (and the elements) and the clips were eccentrically placed. The extra handle fell off one day while I was carrying the diapers and spare baby clothes - they didn't break when they hit the pavement, so I guess it's lucky I didn't have the BP M6 and Noctilux in there at the time...

 

Don't pick an argument, but I think, your post needed a counterposition, to even out the imbalance

 

I use my acam7100 in the rain - laptop, camera stuff inside, never a leak or a problem otherwise.

When using the carry handle (which indeed is not very trustful looking with the very sleek connectors with a total load of 15" computer + two bodies + heavy glass), I always have both the carry handle + the shoulder strap in my hand.

Should the handle fail, I am likely to catch the falling weight with the shoulder strap.

 

The shoulder strap indeed is sewed around the bag.

 

For real bad weather (constant rain), I pack a good rain coat and take the Nikon D3 instead, or, if I must take a bag, I use a The Northface base camp messenger bag (fully rubberized) - these have stood strong for hours of mountain biking in rain and mud already and are great, rugged camera bags, when adding an insert as well.

 

I have to agree though, that the A&A insert is not too nice. It's velcro strips are cut and sewn poorly (10USD insert cut and sewn quality).

 

I have to disagree about the bag being stiff. I love the thick textile material, which ages nicely and makes the bag very comfortable after a while of use.

I use mine now for a few months on a daily (over loaded) basis. It's great (but high priced, for what it is).

[viramati]

another vote for the Billingham Hadley Pro.

[plasticman]

Don't pick an argument, but I think, your post needed a counterposition, to even out the imbalance

 

No problem at all. That's the exact same bag I was talking about (I think - looking at the picture on the website). We've had different experiences with it, is all.

I wanted to like it, as I love this sort of Japanese stuff, but in the end I ripped apart the inserts and sewed them back together (very badly) inside a German-made leather JOST bag. Works great.

 

Strange about the rain - I find that the inside of the A&A stays damp for hours after a shower - all the clothes and rice-cakes and diapers and assorted rubbish needs to come out and air as soon as we get home, with the bag turned inside out. Maybe they improved the materials?

[!Nomad64]

+1 for the Billingham Hadley Pro.

Otherwise as a cheaper alternative there's Tenba's small Messenger bag which can hold exactly what you need Tenba - Messenger: Large Photo/Laptop Bag is pretty solid and looks anonymous enough.

 

Cheers,

Bruno

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[vintola]

Also vote for dothebag. I have been using it for some months now and can't be more satisfied.

- vintola -

[neli]

I've been using the dothebag Medium for about two and a half years, travelling extensively. I usually pack the MBPro 13" (now a MBAir 11"), an M9, 35 lux pre, 50 lux/noct, 135 APO/90 Elmarit, plus charger, batteries, passport, wallet, charger for the mac, cards, etc, etc. Works fine. plenty of space and very inconspicuous.