Guest redge Posted March 15, 2014 Share #1  Posted March 15, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) It came onto the market a couple of days ago: Ona Bags: Berlin  It's already sold out, with more available sometime in April.  Does anyone have one? Thoughts?  It's heavy (3.1 lbs/1.4 kg) and I'm not keen on the colour (very '70s, and only being sold in one colour), but it looks reasonably well thought out.  Video featuring Mark Mann: The Berlin Bag  Review by Steve Huff: The New ONA Berlin Leica M System Bag Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted March 15, 2014 Share #2 Â Posted March 15, 2014 No, I don't have one, but I have the Brixton: a couple of comments that are relevant to the Berlin as well. - Ona bags are heavy, as you note. I appreciate the excellent protection, but weight is always in the back of my mind when deciding whether to take it out. - I don't like the buckles and straps, which rattle and are fiddly to close one-handed, and I wonder about the spring clasp durability. But they look great and, as I say, provide good protection. I might have gone for the Berlin if it had been available at the time, as it looks shallow: less wasted space above the cameras at the bottom. But I have used the Brixton as a combined camera and overnight bag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest redge Posted March 15, 2014 Share #3 Â Posted March 15, 2014 Thanks LocalHero, Â According to the Ona site, the Berlin is 1lb/450g lighter than the Brixton, but that's still heavy in comparison with bags made of synthetic materials. The Billinham Hadley Pro is 2.4 lbs/1.07 kg. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted March 15, 2014 Share #4  Posted March 15, 2014 I'm really not keen on all the buckles and belts on these sorts of bags - they tend to look like the sort of thing my (female) partner buys as handbags. For a similar sort of bag with a more restrained look I bought a Monochrom for my medium format gear - they make sizes to fit all sorts of cameras - and I really like the minimal styling, the incredibly sturdy but soft materials, and the very smart ergonomics:  »dothebag« mono_08 - Alle Produkte - Monochrom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintola Posted March 15, 2014 Share #5 Â Posted March 15, 2014 I have also dothebag for my Leica S , but must say that the Ona Berlin is very beautiful. I'll consider buying it, but it is too small for the S. - vintola - Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest redge Posted March 15, 2014 Share #6 Â Posted March 15, 2014 The dothebag brand doesn't appear to be available in North America, but there's a recent video on YouTube showing their (expensive) range: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted March 15, 2014 Share #7  Posted March 15, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) It is a lovely looking bag. Although, since it is celebrating 100 years of Leica, why they didn't call it the Wetzlar   Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 15, 2014 Share #8 Â Posted March 15, 2014 The shoulder pads are rubbish (I use an Ona Brixton as my work briefcase). In order to avoid back problems, cut off the standard one and put on a Billingham one. Â Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintola Posted March 15, 2014 Share #9  Posted March 15, 2014 The shoulder pads are rubbish (I use an Ona Brixton as my work briefcase). In order to avoid back problems, cut off the standard one and put on a Billingham one. Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk  Same thing with the dothebag. The shoulder pad is too slippery and small. I use also Billingham's pad in my dothebag. - vintola - Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted March 15, 2014 Share #10 Â Posted March 15, 2014 Same thing with the dothebag. The shoulder pad is too slippery and small. I use also Billingham's pad in my dothebag. - vintola - Â Funny - I felt it was the only part of the bag that was over-dimensioned and almost clumsy. Bag discussions are dangerous territory - no two people will ever agree... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 15, 2014 Share #11 Â Posted March 15, 2014 My Mum has a handbag just like that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted March 15, 2014 Share #12 Â Posted March 15, 2014 Steve Huff, caught as ever between trying to sell things with clickthrough and give a seemingly balanced review, describes it as a murse; a manpurse - some may like it - not for everyone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc_rufctr Posted March 16, 2014 Share #13 Â Posted March 16, 2014 I really don't like full leather bags. They look feminine IMO. Canvas with some leather trim like an Artisan&Artist is the way to go. Â But please. This is my opinion only. If you're OK with it then go for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted March 16, 2014 Share #14 Â Posted March 16, 2014 It looks nice and is likely to age gracefully and attractively but it's too heavy for my taste and shouts "Hey look! I've got some really expensive stuff inside me and even I'm worth knocking off!" I think I'll stick to my trusty worn, black, canvas A&A but it is a lovely looking bag. Â Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted March 16, 2014 Share #15 Â Posted March 16, 2014 I see it's lost the grab handle of the Brixton, which I find useful, for manoeuvring in and out of cars etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted March 17, 2014 Share #16 Â Posted March 17, 2014 Ona bags are made in the Dominican Republic where the wages are much lower. Somewhat ironic when they name the bags "Berlin" and "Brixton" etc.. Â Yet they have a high price tag and are considered 'luxury' goods. No doubt that they would cost more if made with local labor (with benefits and pensions, etc..) fwiw, Billingham is still made in the UK. Â If these sorts of issues matter to you, then you might want to think about what you're buying. They matter to me and I will go out of my way to find a company that supports the local economy. I like these bags which are made by the local community's workforce: Incognito Camera Bags (plus I'm personally not too keen on the leather and buckle look; I just want something functional and that's not so noticeable.) Â I know there are several sides to the issue and not everyone is concerned about these things. But I am. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted March 17, 2014 Share #17 Â Posted March 17, 2014 ... I like these bags which are made by the local community's workforce: Incognito Camera Bags (plus I'm personally not too keen on the leather and buckle look; I just want something functional and that's not so noticeable.)... Â I bought a bag called "Bare Bones Evolution" a year or so ago, and these look very, very similar in design and details; just found out it is indeed manufactured by the same Vt company. Â If they retain the quality and functionality of my BBE bag, I can happily recommend them to those who seek a light, functional, and discreet bag. Unless the weather turns extremely nasty, this is my favourite bag since the day I got it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted March 17, 2014 Share #18  Posted March 17, 2014 I bought a bag called "Bare Bones Evolution" a year or so ago, and these look very, very similar in design and details; just found out it is indeed manufactured by the same Vt company. If they retain the quality and functionality of my BBE bag, I can happily recommend them to those who seek a light, functional, and discreet bag. Unless the weather turns extremely nasty, this is my favourite bag since the day I got it.  Yes, Eric Turan does indeed make the bags for BBE. The Courierware bags are very similar but if one wants to make any changes, Eric is always open to that. I have several of them and have asked for some changes which he was happy to accommodate.  btw, I think they are pretty much weatherproof. I've had mine in severe downpours. The interior is separate from the exterior (which is apparent when one turns the bag inside out.) And the ridge at the top is intentionally designed to funnel water off the bag and out over the front and down the sides (wearing the bag with the strap creates a 'trough' on the top and sides.) These bags are an evolution from his original bags he was making when he owned a bicycle courier service in Boston. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr. B Posted March 18, 2014 Share #19 Â Posted March 18, 2014 It is a nice looking bag, but it looks too much like a woman's purse to me. Mr. B Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marc G. Posted March 18, 2014 Share #20 Â Posted March 18, 2014 I like the idea of creating a special bag for the M system buti think the execution of the product is flawed. too tall for my taste and the color looks a little ... weird. Also, I find the prices of ONA bags to be too high for what you get. Especially the leather models are horribly overpriced. I guess they have to, to sell. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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