jip Posted March 30, 2012 Share #1 Posted March 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I recently bought my first Leica camera, and found it great that the quality/size ration is so terrific, I usually carried a camera bag with my Canon DSLR but now I just tuck it in my messenger bag, I was wondering how do you guys carry your camera with you? This was and is one of the reasons for me to buy a Leica digital rangefinder, so I wouldn't have to carry the big camera bag with me and still have a great (if not better ) camera. Picture here taken (with my iPhone) of my bag with whats inside of it. Usually there are some sketch books in there too, or at least some paper... If you are wondering what bag it is, it's a leather bag called Pamplona (grey version) by Fred De La Bretoniere 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175970-how-do-you-cary-around-your-rangefinder/?do=findComment&comment=1968107'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Hi jip, Take a look here How do you cary around your rangefinder?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jip Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted March 30, 2012 I recently bought my first Leica camera, and found it great that the quality/size ration is so terrific, I usually carried a camera bag with my Canon DSLR but now I just tuck it in my messenger bag, I was wondering how do you guys carry your camera with you? This was and is one of the reasons for me to buy a Leica digital rangefinder, so I wouldn't have to carry the big camera bag with me and still have a great (if not better ) camera. Picture here taken (with my iPhone) of my bag with whats inside of it. Usually there are some sketch books in there too, or at least some paper... If you are wondering what bag it is, it's a leather bag called Pamplona (grey version) by Fred De La Bretoniere 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175970-how-do-you-cary-around-your-rangefinder/?do=findComment&comment=1968110'>More sharing options...
holgerf Posted March 30, 2012 Share #3 Posted March 30, 2012 Since I bought it I always used the Y-Strap from Michael Schaub which fits very well for any small camera. To understand the principle just read this review: Engineering Adventure: Y Strap: First Impressions On the photo you may see the way I carried my M8 on many miles with my bike. Best Holger 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175970-how-do-you-cary-around-your-rangefinder/?do=findComment&comment=1968129'>More sharing options...
jip Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted March 30, 2012 Hmm thanks for your reply, I've heard of the Y strap thing... I believe a friend of mine has it on his 5DMkII. I might ask him if I can test it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted March 30, 2012 Share #5 Posted March 30, 2012 It depends. If its just the camera and maybe one extra lens then I just sling my AA strap over my shoulder and walk out. Spare lens in a jacket pocket. For more gear than that (2 bodies, 3-4 lenses and an iPad), I'll take the Hadley Pro. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertJRB Posted March 30, 2012 Share #6 Posted March 30, 2012 Depends on the situation. When traveling big (4 lenses, tripod) to an event I am going to take pictures at I take a billingham 225. For short trips, or for day walk around the city mainly for pictures I take the billingham for leica bag (fits 1 camera and 3 lenses + some space stuff) When traveling without photography being the main thing (work, study ect) I use my shoulderbag with fits my laptop, sketching paper roll and put the camera in it, and put one lens extra. Was thinking of buying a bigger billingham with fits the sketch roll and laptop, but than you get a real big bag. When I feel like using only one lens, I just use the standard strap and hang it over my shoulder. I think I use this option 50% of the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcnarf Posted March 30, 2012 Share #7 Posted March 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) When it comes to bags for the M9, it seems just about everyone is seeking to choose on the basis of high fashion. and not practicality. To my mind,the most practical bag for the m9 plus any M lens is the small but extendable Think Tank Holster 10, easily attachable to a Think Tank speed belt or chest harness. A short M lens on the M9 leaves room at the bottom of the holster for miscellaneous small items. If one uses a speed belt, an ultra-compact Think Tank Slim Changer bag can be attached on each side of the speed belt for carrying additional M lenses and other small items. And the weight is never really felt, even without the supplementary Think Tank harness or shoulder strap. Some would say that such a set-up advertises that I'm carrying camera equipment, but the high-fashion bags certainly advertise that you are probably carrying valuable, highly desirable items. Furthermore, when 99+ % of potential venturesome thieves see someone using an M9 they think, "Ugh, not worth the trouble for such antiquated trash!" A similar, but somewhat less optimal and multi-faceted solution for carrying the M9 and associated gear is the compact Kata DC-435 bag or the slightly larger DC-437. Both of them will slide on to a speed belt and also come with a shoulder strap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted March 30, 2012 Share #8 Posted March 30, 2012 Me too – depends on the situation, and what I want to carry. First, my M9 or M4P has a Domke Gripper strap, the snap-less version. Simple and comfortable. One body, one lens: A Luigi Crescenzi halfcase in fine weather, otherwise a ditto full case. One body, extra lenses: A Billingham Small Hadley for a day trip. When travelling, I prefer the old Billingham 325 because its zippers make it safer. It has also some extra room for life-supporting extras and maybe a pair of binoculars. When I was backpacking up above the Polar Circle, the camera rode in a small case carried on my chest, strap crosswise, under the backpack harness so it did not swing. Extra camera gear travelled in the top of the backpack. LB – the Old Man From the Kodachrome Age Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcnarf Posted March 30, 2012 Share #9 Posted March 30, 2012 Lars, who wrote the comments that are just above, evidently wrote them just before my comments appeared. Re the diversity of situation to which he refers back, I recommend Think Tank for carry-on airline transportation: the very light, reasonably compact, and compressible Shape Shifter backpack with its array of inside isolating pockets for delicate sophisticated things such as lenses and ancillary electronic devices. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Verrips Posted March 30, 2012 Share #10 Posted March 30, 2012 I use a Billingham Hadley digital for camera and lens attached and 1 other lens, Billingham Hadley small for camera and lens attached and 2 other lenses and the Billingham Hadley large for camera and lens attached and 3 other lenses, charger, ipad, filters etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted March 30, 2012 Share #11 Posted March 30, 2012 I store my stuff in a 5 Million dollar bag. But I rarely actually carry the bag around while shooting. I like to carry just the camera and maybe another lens. If taking the tripod and all I have a regular non-photo backpack. I have lens cases to protect the stuff inside. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jip Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted March 30, 2012 Thank you guys for all the replies I was wondering how everyone took their rangefinder with them. @KCNARF I get what you say by not using 'fashionable' bags and stuff, and indeed most people think you are just 'toying' around with an antique camera so they don't even bother. But using fashionable stuff is in my nature and fits me best, since I like that. You might say I spend TOO much money on bags and stuff that I think looks cool. But thats more a personality thing I guess. So I guess some people do buy fashionable bags because they just like to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jankap Posted March 30, 2012 Share #13 Posted March 30, 2012 I carry mine in the same way. In case of a transport in a backpack I cover it with a t-shirt. There are special covers to wrap it in (een dekentje zogezegd), see Enyoyyourcamera. My camera survived an unforeseen flight to the Karel Doorman (lying in the Mediterranean Sea) uncovered in a seabag in 1961. I had taken the shorter way from Oegstgeest to Rotterdam. Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramosa Posted March 30, 2012 Share #14 Posted March 30, 2012 Domke f-5xb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted March 30, 2012 Share #15 Posted March 30, 2012 When it comes to bags for the M9, it seems just about everyone is seeking to choose on the basis of high fashion. and not practicality. To my mind,the most practical bag for the m9 plus any M lens is the small but extendable Think Tank Holster 10, easily attachable to a Think Tank speed belt or chest harness. A short M lens on the M9 leaves room at the bottom of the holster for miscellaneous small items. If one uses a speed belt, an ultra-compact Think Tank Slim Changer bag can be attached on each side of the speed belt for carrying additional M lenses and other small items. And the weight is never really felt, even without the supplementary Think Tank harness or shoulder strap. Some would say that such a set-up advertises that I'm carrying camera equipment, but the high-fashion bags certainly advertise that you are probably carrying valuable, highly desirable items. Furthermore, when 99+ % of potential venturesome thieves see someone using an M9 they think, "Ugh, not worth the trouble for such antiquated trash!" A similar, but somewhat less optimal and multi-faceted solution for carrying the M9 and associated gear is the compact Kata DC-435 bag or the slightly larger DC-437. Both of them will slide on to a speed belt and also come with a shoulder strap. I'll respectfully disagree, if I may. I, like many long time photographers, have too many bags. I'm looking a a pile of about a dozen that are to be disposed off as I type. My Billingham bags (I have 3) are fasionable in the way that the M9 itself, is fasionable. Sure they're good looking and beautifully made, but they're also the best at the purpose they were designed for. Quality costs money. But buying the best, once, is often cheaper in the long run. If you want to carry more than just a camera and don't like backpacks, then the Hadley is a truely practical choice. They're very hard wearing, wonderful to use, nearly waterproof, even in the most torrential rain, and most importantly, the right shape for a rangefinder system. The canvas shapes beautifully to the body and the shoulder strap is wide and comfortable with just a bit of give to make life easier on tired shoulders. They consume an amazing amount of gear and are don't stick out too far from the body. They're also far more discreet than the many Kata, LowePro, Domke and ThinkTank Bags I've collected over the years. Regardless of where I'm going I know my bag will protect my precious, regardless of the weather or the event. Beltpacks are wonderful if you're working or trekking, but not so much in a restuarant. I can't even sit comfortably in mine. They're also the wrong choice if, like me, you usually leave the house with a few other things like a iPad, keys, phone wallet, spare battery, headphones etc. I'm going to a barbeque today. I'm certainly not turning up in my beltpack and 4-5 pouches hanging off it (yes, I do have one). Backpacs are perfect for long distance travel and climbing to the shot, but not for spontaneous moments when out and about in town. And most of them aren't M lens friendly. Too much gear moving around when you're carrying them. Sure some bags are expensive and "pretty". I looked long and hard for a cheaper alternative that worked. I tried for several months to get by with the many bags I already own. But in my case the Billingham is the only bag that does what I want, the way I want it, with the quality I like. And I just happen to look more fashionable when I wear it..... Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted March 30, 2012 Share #16 Posted March 30, 2012 Like Holger above, I use a Y-strap. In fact I made mine myself from 3/4 inch nylon webbing and some velcro. My M camera usually has a 50mm on it, and I usually have a 35mm and 90mm joined with a two-way bayonet holder in a pocket. That is the entire kit, unless I bring my spot meter in another big pocket. The Y-strap idea works very well. The camera comes up to eye level almost as if it were not tethered at all. As I am walking around, I usually keep my hand somewhere near the camera so there is no chance of it waving around. I have a wonderful Benser case from back before the revolution. It needs to spend time with an expert who can redo much of the stitching and supply a replacement strap - but the Benser case is too big to carry around on a casual stroll. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jneilt Posted March 31, 2012 Share #17 Posted March 31, 2012 I have a canon EOS strap, just for kicks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcnarf Posted March 31, 2012 Share #18 Posted March 31, 2012 From fran©kly speaking Kcnarf to Gordon, the flashy one: A modular set-up composed of the Think Tank Holster 10, Slim Changer bag, and one of 3 models of Think Tank speed belt is very good-looking even if not in the sense of high fashionability. Such a set-up is highly exemplary of the concept that form should follow function.None of these bags are rainproof, but they are highly rain-resistant and each includes a waterproof cover. Think Tanks products are certainly very well made, durable, and quite optimally designed for their purpose: agile ambulatory photography. Yet they are quite modestly priced. The modular aspect means I can go out with just my M9 in the holster, attached flush to my body by either the shoulder strap, a speed belt, a chest harness, or an ultra-supportive combination of any two of those three. If I want to carry some lenses (even three or four) and some additional tiny items, I insert them in the Slim Changer bag (ultra compact) and attach that bag to the belt. I can even attach a second Slim Changer or some other compact Think Tank bag or pouch, all held flush to my body and supported by my hips so that there's little if any sense of encumbrance or weight. Or I might decide to just insert my M9, 1 or 2 lenses, and a few other small items in one belt-supported or shoulder-strap-supported Speed Changer bag, which is only slightly larger than a Slim Changer. No, my particular modular Think Tank set-up has no room for an I-pad. But I have an ultra-compact I-Pad shoulder bag that I can drape across my back, losing scarce if any comfort or agility. Well designed modularity means utmost flexibility and comfort, as well as high organization and functional separation of one's items. Gordon, you mention tired shoulders. Even when completely loaded up with my complete modular set-up filled to the utmost, I have absolutely no strain upon my shoulders and scarcely lose any operational agility. Nor does an attached speed belt loaded up with a holster, bag, holster and bag, or two bags cause me any discomfort when sitting. I'm really not too worried about what I look like when carrying my gear, and no one has appeared upset or overly amused at the sight of me when so attired. So it's obvious I'm carrying a camera! So What! Once the normal person, potential thief or not, sees my m9, he simply views it as a near worthless piece of obsolete technology and pays me scant attention. And yes, you Y-Strap advocates and such, a good camera strap is wonderful; but when not searching for shots, one's attention can wander far away from an exposed camera.That's when I want my camera to be inside a highly protective holster or bag such as the Think Tank Holster 10 or the Think Tank Slim Changer (or Speed Changer). For travel to, on, and from any sort of long-distance mass transport, The Think Tank Shape Shifter bag is nearly ideal. The belly of this M-friendly animal is composed entirely of well- padded, well-sized pockets to secure your gear, keeping it from shifting and knocking around. To my mind, The Shape Shifter bag is better than any trolley case or bag for long-distance transporting of one's travel panoply of M gear. The concept is appropriately sized and protective M-gear backpack for airline carry-on, larger trolley case or bag for airline check-in. The modular gear bags can be stuffed with clothing and inserted in the check-in trolley case. Once again I say flexibility is the name of the game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted March 31, 2012 Share #19 Posted March 31, 2012 Before retirement I always carried it in my briefcase to and from work. On backpacking trips it was in my backpack or hip pack. On tourist trips it was either on a bandoleer type strap (if I was doing a lot of climbing) or on a strap I made to carry it in one hand. When I'm just out and about, I usually either stick it in a jacket pocket or in one hand. In my car it sits in a tool bag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcnarf Posted March 31, 2012 Share #20 Posted March 31, 2012 Still another sort of flexibility! But again with a stress on practicality over high fashion.The best form is the form that follows function. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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