Premium camera bags - which one??

[Herr Barnack]

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There are a lot of premium camera bags to be had these days - from the ones I have seen on the web, the six that are linked below seem to be the best offerings. I am wondering if there are forum members out there who can give a bit of information and/or thoughts on any of these bags.

 

Any insights that can be offered will be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Dothebag Mono_04 - Leather camera bag

 

ONA Berlin II Camera Messenger Bag (Vintage Bourbon) ONA028TN-2

 

Medium 14" Newport voyager Camera Bag Made in the U.S.A. - 14-150-35-02 - Copper River Bag Co.

 

Shop Gadget Bag | Saddleback Leather Co.

 

Oberwerth "Freiburg"

 

b-laika

[Jeff S]

You mean thoughts beyond the hundreds of posts already available through search?

 

Jeff

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[250swb]

Any insights that can be offered will be greatly appreciated.

 

 

They are all horrible.

 

 

Steve

[M9reno]

Have you had a look at this one?

 

BILL AMBERG - LEICA CAMERA BAG

[NZDavid]

Shouldn't there really be a bag/case sub-forum?

[DigitalHeMan]

They are all horrible.

 

 

Steve

 

 

Agree. Keep it simple, you don't need to be trying to make a statement with your bag.

[Torgian]

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All camera bags are terrible, and you'll always be lusting after the next one.

 

That said, I use a Billingham and a Thinktank. My Billingham is the one I use for when I don't need to take other things with me. I use the think tank to house my camera so that I can put THAT into my backpack, a Chrome, for when I go on hiking trips.

 

One day I'll probably buy either an ONA or another Billingham, but a larger one so that I can bring my camera with me along with my schoolbooks and supplies.

[Torgian]

Also, I noticed you added Saddleback to your list. I have one of their backpacks, and it's very sturdy and nice. However, I must say that I don't think it would make a good camera bag unless you add your own foam padding.

 

If you were to spend the money, I would suggest the Saddleback since I do actively use one of their backpacks and find it to be very high quality for what you pay.

 

However, if I were to buy a new camera bag now, I would probably go Billingham, as I mentioned before. ONA is nice, and I may get one of their bags in the future, but I would lean towards Billingham versus any other manufacturer right now.

[semi-ambivalent]

Agree. Keep it simple, you don't need to be trying to make a statement with your bag.

 

No kidding. Those bags all want to make you look like you're rich. You should dress like the ultra-rich; they're much harder to spot. Maybe a ratty Billingham, but they seem to take an awfully long time to get ratty.

 

s-a

[DirkR440]

Filson offers also nice bags: Camera Field Bag | Filson

[Herr Barnack]

Agree. Keep it simple, you don't need to be trying to make a statement with your bag.

Well thank God that I'm fortunate enough to have a total stranger at hand to decide for me what I need and don't need.

 

"Making a statement" or trying to look like I'm wealthy is not a consideration - at all. In my worldview, only a tool will attempt to put on the appearance of wealth so others will think highly of him.

We all like high end cameras and lenses, otherwise we wouldn't own Leica gear. I can't see that having a high end bag to carry my high end camera kit in is such an abomination.

 

That having been said, my cutoff point is just above the Billingham price range. Fogg camera bags are out of the picture, as are Hermes and the likes of http://www.ghurka.com/rangefinder-leather-camera-bag-khaki-twill?gdftrk=gdfV26657_a_7c235_a_7c739_a_7cZZGGB057TNCZ

Edited November 24, 2014 by Carlos Danger

[DigitalHeMan]

Any insights that can be offered will be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Well thank God that I'm fortunate enough to have a total stranger at hand to decide for me what I need and don't need.

 

 

Sorry, I must have misunderstood the bit where you asked for 'any insights'.

 

In that case: I'm sure you'll look continue to look lovely whichever one you choose to buy and wear, Carlos. That better?

[250swb]

I'm not sure about the colour, but do you think my Lenny Kravitz would fit inside?

 

35cm Matte Pink Porosus Crocodile Birkin

 

 

 

Steve

[DigitalHeMan]

I'm not sure about the colour, but do you think my Lenny Kravitz would fit inside?

 

35cm Matte Pink Porosus Crocodile Birkin

 

 

 

Steve

 

 

Very pretty, but I've never seen a pink crocodile, have you?

[sanyasi]

I am a big fan of Think Tank Bags. I use the Urban Design 50v20 as an airplane travel bag. I am able to get two Leica M style cameras in it, plus two additional lenses, a laptop, batteries, an air blower, and plenty of SD cards. I also get a filter pouch in it. I may have been able to get one other lens in it.

 

I fill an Artist and Artisan bag with socks and underwear and pack it in my suitcase. Once on location, I leave the Think Tank Bag in my room and walk around with the Artist and Artisan bag.

 

I believe I use the Image Smith Artist and Artisan bag. Artisan&Artist* Bags. I like this as a walking around bag because I am able to shove a iPad Mini in it, which is nice to have when wondering by yourself in a city. Mine has an outter button pouch on one side. I don't see that in the current photo. That is where I shove the iPad Mini.

 

Hope that is some useful practical experience

[250swb]

Very pretty, but I've never seen a pink crocodile, have you?

 

If I drink enough it could be a pink elephant or a crocodile, I just hope I don't have my credit card with me and wake up in the morning with my arm around a boutique camera bag.

 

 

Steve

[platypus]

I have just (2 weeks ago) taken delivery of my new ONA Berlin 2 Mess.bag, purchased sight unseen from the USA...after a lot of soul searching and worry...as it was for me a rather radical departure from the fat little Billingham Hadley I've been using for years and years. Thankfully it is a complete success, I am delighted with the bag,

it is smaller and much narrower than the Billingham but this compactness dictates that I must stop carrying a lot of stuff that I really didn't use anyway. Seeing it online the colour worried me some, but seen in person it is actually brown and not orange and, after two applications of leather oil, it has mellowed down nicely.

The leather, particularly the shoulder strap, was a bit stiff at first, however the oilling and some use has taken care of that as well. The interior padding is better quality (I think) than Billingham's and the bag has plenty of neat little pockets and such for a phone and other things.

For me (a female) it is a perfect compromise between a camera bag and a "handbag"......yes it's probably ridiculous but I love the thing!

P.S. I should probably point out that I take my MM everywhere with me so the right bag is important, I am not interested in how stylish it looks, and the Berlin 2 is not particularly "boutique".....it's more "countrified" if anything, and a good practical little bag.

Edited November 25, 2014 by platypus
additional information added.

[Guest jvansmit]

here in Hong Kong, I use a locally-made Seventy Eight Percent messenger bag in black canvas & leather with an Artisan & Artist insert. It's reasonably lightweight & comfortable enough for day-long city use, the thick canvas & leather strap doesn't slip off my shoulder, it's showerproof, and quick to open & close. Large enough for a couple of bodies + lenses as well as stash space for an iPad, earphones, etc. It's a bit hipster-looking when new but gets better with heavy use. It's quite expensive at $345.

 

http://www.carryology.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo7.jpg

 

For traveling in SE Asia, I use a 10 litre Goruck Bullet hydration ruck with one of the shoulder straps cut off so I can use it as a sling bag. It's tough and well padded, easy to swing to the front & unzip quickly, but only has enough space for one M body + lens (as well as water, sunglasses, phone, wallet. etc, etc). I use Domke Protective Wraps with it.

 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/282952789062604091/

 

One of my photographer friends has a Filson Camera Field Bag, and it's very disappointing. The bottom of the bag sags quite a bit when worn, it takes ages to open & close the pockets, and the green dye/wax rubs off onto clothing in hot weather.

Edited November 25, 2014 by jvansmit

[Jeff S]

I have just (2 weeks ago) taken delivery of my new ONA Berlin 2 Mess.bag,...

 

I hope the new bag doesn't have these issues.

 

Jeff

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[philipus]

Since the better part of a decade I use a custom-made Crumpler Wonderweenie with insert. For smaller kit, I also have an ONA Bowery. Both are perfectly adequate for my needs.

 

I have lately been eyeing Chapman which have a few interesting models.