Manolo Laguillo Posted January 20, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 20, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, recently somebody here in the forum informed about the Bare Bones Bag. There is a fairly new version of it, called "BBB-e" (e = evolution): The Bare Bones Bag EVOLUTION, BBB-E | Indian Hill Imageworks Does anybody of you have this new model? What's your opinion? I like how the strap attaches to the bag (very few bags have this design... why?), because with it the bag is closer to the body. The top handle is also a nice feature, I guess. Thank you! Manolo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Hi Manolo Laguillo, Take a look here Your opinions on the Bare Bones Bag - e. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bocaburger Posted January 20, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 20, 2012 I have one of those canvas Leica bags from the 70s where the strap is attached that way, and there is a bag called the M-Classics which is a reproduction. The main advantage of that strap arrangement is it doesn't bind against the flap when opening/closing. Still, and this is purely subjective opinion, $165 is a lot of scratch for what appears to be a very uncomplicated construction of canvas material. The M-Classics @ $198 always seemed a bit steep also, which is why I never bought one despite my terrible case of bag addiction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted January 20, 2012 Share #3 Posted January 20, 2012 Manolo: The Bare Bones is made for Stephen Schaub/Indian Hill Imageworks by a company called Courierware. The owner of Courierware was a professional messenger who started his own messenger bag manufacturing business in Cambridge MA. He now hand builds all his bags in Vermont. His name is Eric. Give him a call if you have any questions: 1-800-678-2247, 1-617-876-2300 or 1-802-728-4172. Or ask for Diana. They are very informative and helpful and can discuss your concerns (you can also get custom colors and special options.) I have one of their messenger bags. It's simple looking but extremely well made. I highly recommend their products. Here's their website: Featured And this is about Diana and Eric and their company: Our Story If you want a BB Evolution bag, you should order it through Stephen Schaub/Indian Hill Imageworks. But Eric at Courierware is the actual maker of the bag, and you can speak to him directly about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Thompson Posted January 20, 2012 Share #4 Posted January 20, 2012 Mine arrived today. It's the best bag I have tried for the M system. Number two is the ThinkTank Retrospective 5. I have also had Artisan & Artist, Billingham and Crumpler bags. Finally I can put bag GAS to rest for awhile. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted January 21, 2012 I will be very grateful if you explane your enthusiasm a little bit more, Mr. Thompson. I'm nearly decided to buy the bbb-e, but before I need to clarify some doubts. The main one: I would like to know how the M body fits in the bbb-e with an external viewfinder attached. That's the problem with most bags, they were designed without taking into account that the 24mm or wider on the M9 need an external VF, and that the best is to keep it mounted. It's silly having to unmount the VF when the camera goes into the bag. Billingham's Hadleys doesn't have this problem, but that's natural, they are larger. I tried the ThinkTank Retrospective 5, and I wasn't 100% satisfied. The bbb-e is really small, and weights barely 450 gr. I have read everything about this bag, but touching and using it can´t be replaced by a description. Cheers, Manolo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Thompson Posted January 21, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 21, 2012 I don't have a viewfinder but I believe it would work if you moved the vertical dividers closer to the outside of the bag. There should still be enough room for lenses. Key features for me are slim profile, easy access, vertical dividers with velcro on the bottom too, and the horizontal dividers that allow stacking two lenses on each side. There is a long thread on the bag at the Rangefinder Forums. You may find and answer to your viewfinder question there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted January 21, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you, Mr. Thompson! Velcro on the bottom of the vertical dividers as well is clever. And yes, I've read that thread in the Rangefinder Forum. The M9's height with a VF is aprox. 4 - 4.25". And the depth (camera back to the lens front) is 3.75". According to the specs the body + ext RF must fit easily. Asking the people that make it is the obvious thing to do. But asking for the knowledgeable opinion of the users in this forum is also a must. Cheers, Manolo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
laboone Posted January 21, 2012 Share #8 Posted January 21, 2012 I just got mine today and I've been trying it. It took an M9 with a lens and a Zeiss viewfinder mounted, along with four additional lenses (two stacked on each side). The material it is lined with lets the camera and lenses easily slide in and out. Unlike most bags, the strap is long enough to wear across my chest. I especially like the fact that fully loaded it is still thin and looks less like a camera bag than than any other bag I've used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted January 21, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 21, 2012 I have one of those canvas Leica bags from the 70s where the strap is attached that way, and there is a bag called the M-Classics which is a reproduction. The main advantage of that strap arrangement is it doesn't bind against the flap when opening/closing. Still, and this is purely subjective opinion, $165 is a lot of scratch for what appears to be a very uncomplicated construction of canvas material. The M-Classics @ $198 always seemed a bit steep also, which is why I never bought one despite my terrible case of bag addiction. The maker of the M-Classics bag has taken a bit of a hiatus. They have not made any bags for almost a year. He may look in starting production in March... But I wouldn't hold my breath... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted January 21, 2012 Share #10 Posted January 21, 2012 I just got mine today and I've been trying it. It took an M9 with a lens and a Zeiss viewfinder mounted, along with four additional lenses (two stacked on each side). Do you think it could handle a Frankenfinder? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted January 21, 2012 quote: Do you think it could handle a Frankenfinder? that's a good question, swamiji ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyalf Posted January 21, 2012 Share #12 Posted January 21, 2012 IMO: Not useful. Because it has Velcro locking and doesn't guaranty to be waterproof. Style isn't everything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted January 21, 2012 Thank you, flyalf! Hmmm, in this case it would be rather the absence of style, don't you think so? The bbb-e bag is the absolute understatement. And they say it is rainproof. Do you own one, flyalf? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dachs Posted January 21, 2012 Share #14 Posted January 21, 2012 the only bag that is waterproof (it floats) in the true sense is Ortlieb - they make a grey cam bag about the same size and weight as the one discussed - and also expensive, and bomb proof. On my holidays (last year in Skye lashing squalls and 60mph gusts - blew an old lady over in front of me) I need kit that works!. I have no worries motorcycling with this, when rain is hitting you at 70 mph or more. BUT; the Ortlieb has a roll over top (you don't have to use the diver quality closer every time unless you intend dropping it into a stream). You just flip roll the material over and close the quick catches). This, though, makes it deep to delve into; safe but not as quick as the flip front of the BBE. Also, total waterproof means that damp kit going in will never dry out. In the evenings, the whole compartment liner comes out easy for airing though, and really simple to re-arrange. Holds and M, v/f on it, plus four lenses stacked as pairs, a Gossen light meter and by chucking film under the removable liner say twenty canisters at least of 35mm. Dividers included, similar layout to BBE's classic set. As mentioned it is a kind of German Army Field grey, and has one small logo of the maker's name. Very not like a camera bag to look at, more of a girl's handbag except the colour looks a bit more macho if that worries you. When stacked full of Leica brass & film etc, it is about as much weight of kit as I can live with on a day's hike in terms of weight. A Gitzo monopod acts as a walking pole in hills. It is not as convenient in use as say a Lowepro or Tamrac purpose made shoulder bag, it does weigh less than them, it is much less obvious, and in my weather it is essential peace of mind. I would happily get a BBE if ever I got a dry holiday! Looks more convenient than mine, and maybe less stiff against the body. We need both maybe? Hope that helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #15 Posted January 21, 2012 hi, dachs, I see Ortlieb has changed the design: now it's a zipper instead of the rolling top. Do you mean the Ortlieb Aqua-Cam? If that's the case, I think Ortlieb has changed the design: now it's a zipper instead of the rolling top. There is also this german bag, with a rollover top, the Koenig Koenig Photobags | Schultertasche liteBag 2 ... But we are drifting away: my purpose was not discussing the weatherproofness of the bbb-e... anyway, it's entertaining Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted January 21, 2012 Share #16 Posted January 21, 2012 Have you even tried to contact Eric and ask him these questions instead of depending on hearsay? I posted his contact info and his website as a favor to you. At least email him. He is the actual maker of the Bare Bones camera bags. You can even have your own personal options made by him: Courier Bags The CourierWare messenger bag I have owned for almost a decade has been in torrential downpours and everything stayed dry. Messengers have to work through all kinds of horrendous weather. The CourierWare website answers a lot of these questions and explains the build, design, and warranty. In addition Eric is a very personable fellow and will answer any of your questions and discuss any of your concerns. fwiw, from a Courierware user: "Today, only a minute after stepping off the streetcar, the rain soaked me to the skin, and I still had three blocks to walk home. The rain soaked my shirt. It soaked my pants. My trusty, waterproofed ANSI spec steel-toed boots didn't protect my feet at all. Fortunately, I completely forgot about a present in my bag - my girlfriend's copies of our vacation photos - otherwise, I would've been panicked. A New Orleans downpour soaks through everything - but not your bag. The interior of my bag was dry - not a drip, not a leak! I was amazed. I wrung two cups of water from my shirt, but the photos, my journal, and CD player were untouched." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyalf Posted January 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 21, 2012 Thank you, flyalf! Hmmm, in this case it would be rather the absence of style, don't you think so? The bbb-e bag is the absolute understatement. And they say it is rainproof. Do you own one, flyalf? Ok, Im actually thinks it stylish. And no, I don't own it so I cant say if its waterproof or not. Hopefully someone else might inform me? Rainproof should be ok, if the this means that the fabric used is waterproof. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted January 21, 2012 Share #18 Posted January 21, 2012 Wow, that is one ugly bag... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted January 22, 2012 Wow, that is one ugly bag... which one? ... CalArts 99, please, give me a break... You don't need to be rude:) As I explained in one of my posts: "Asking the people that make it is the obvious thing to do. But asking for the knowledgeable opinion of the users in this forum is also a must." How do you know that I am not going to ask Eric? I actually emailed Stephen Schaub to ask him how long the waiting time is. And I really appreciate your explanation. I was not concerned about the weatherproofness of the bbb-e. I wanted to know how it behaves in the hands of working photographers, that's it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted January 22, 2012 Share #20 Posted January 22, 2012 CalArts 99, please, give me a break... You don't need to be rude:) As I explained in one of my posts: "Asking the people that make it is the obvious thing to do. But asking for the knowledgeable opinion of the users in this forum is also a must." How do you know that I am not going to ask Eric? I actually emailed Stephen Schaub to ask him how long the waiting time is. And I really appreciate your explanation. I was not concerned about the weatherproofness of the bbb-e. I wanted to know how it behaves in the hands of working photographers, that's it. Sorry, I wasn't at all trying to be rude whatsoever. That was a misunderstanding. I had only hoped you would speak with Eric about any concerns (sizes, inserts, material, etc..) He's really a great person and very generous with his time. And when the post about it not being waterproof/weather proof came up, I thought it best to go to the source instead of hearing what people who do not own any of his products have to say (and although I realize you're not concerned with weatherproofing, there's no reason for others to make suggestions that the bag isn't what it's supposed to be.) So why not ask the source directly? As you know, Schaub doesn't make the bags. CourierWare does (like Leica re-branding Panasonic, etc..) That's all. Just trying to be helpful. Sorry, again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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