marknorton Posted June 15, 2007 Share #1 Posted June 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I believe I have just solved my problem of the following: - It's not safe to check camera or computer equipment so it all has to stay with me. - I like to take a laptop (Sony SZ), power brick (since it powers my travel charger), Bluetooth mouse along with 2 M8s, 6 - 8 lenses, flash, cables, cards... and so on. - Strict regulations when flying from the UK say only one item of cabin baggage. - A single bag big enough to take everything is then too big to walk around with because you don't need to take everything with you when out shooting. - Sometimes, I don't do M, I do D2x instead... - I don't do Billingham, just a little too effete for my taste... For a few months, I've used the Lowepro Omni Sport and Traveller bags which are ideally suited to Leica M because you do not have to stack items; they open like an attache case (or from the top if you want to) and everything is there for easy access. Nosing around a local dealer (Morris Photographic, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire), I came across the Lowepro Stealth D650 AW. Brilliant. - I can fit the D2X, 4 zooms (12-24, 17-35, 28-70 and 70-200), flash and all the bits. - I can also remove the dSLR-orientated partitioning and fit the whole Omni Traveller inside with 2 bodies,6 lenses and all the bits already in place. There's two stages, you can remove just the partitions or the whole insert if you need extra space. - There's a separate padded compartment for the laptop, tons of pockets for everything else you need (iPod, phone, magazines, maps, travel dox), all weather protective cover, strap for attaching to a wheeled bag when you need to. - When I get to my destination, I can just use the Omni bag by itself, or I can check a smaller Crumpler bag stuffed with (clean!) socks if I only need to go out with a single body and a couple of extra lenses. And the cost of this marvel? About the same as a replacement hood for my WATE. Thank heavens for the Chinese... Problem solved! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 15, 2007 Posted June 15, 2007 Hi marknorton, Take a look here Bag Problem - Solved. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
DaveEP Posted June 15, 2007 Share #2 Posted June 15, 2007 Fanatastic! Please post a pic with all the gear in it so we can see what it looks like! It appears that the notebook goes at the back.... what is the padding like around there? I once has a notebook LCD screwed because it got some pressure on it while in a the bag.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted June 15, 2007 Share #3 Posted June 15, 2007 - I don't do Billingham, just a little too effete for my taste... Hey mate - d'ya want a smack in the teeth. Call me effete just ONE more time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted June 15, 2007 Sorry Jono! Dave, I'll put some pictures together tomorrow, padding for the lap top is fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted June 15, 2007 Hey mate - d'ya want a smack in the teeth. Call me effete just ONE more time. Mind you, my Crumpler bag goes by the name of "Pretty Boy Medium"... Where do they get these names from? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrc Posted June 15, 2007 Share #6 Posted June 15, 2007 Just what I need, another f* camera bag. Actually, I do -- I'm going to Vienna and then Israel next month, and none of my current 644 bags is quite right. So...how big a laptop will the bag take? I'm currently carrying a MacBook Pro that is 14 inches (~35cm) long. Will it fit? A quick look at SZ sites suggest it might be a bit smaller...Is there space for anything else (magazine, water bottle)? I'd be taking either an M8 with 6 lenses or a K10D with five... JC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted June 15, 2007 Share #7 Posted June 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hey mate - d'ya want a smack in the teeth. Call me effete just ONE more time. The problem is that it's just such *a feat* to carry a lot of camera stuff. This combined withs the requirement to carry ones own food and water on the flight makes life very difficult. But, hey, flying's fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted June 15, 2007 JC, they claim it will take a 17 inch laptop but an old Sony BX197 (huge) will not fit. Maybe an Apple MacBook Pro would. A 15 inch will be fine, my Sony SZ, 13.3 inch fits with space to spare. Bill, I agree with you, the main challenge for me is to take what I want to, not have to check it. When I get there, I can pick and choose what I need to take out with me day by day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted June 15, 2007 Share #9 Posted June 15, 2007 ... Lowepro Stealth D650 AW... Mark, I went to the Lowe site to look at this bag and there is a hyperlink that lists the portables that fit in it. As far as Apple's are concerned they only list up to 13 inches. The proof is in the pudding, of course. Clean socks? Geez Louise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
punktum Posted June 15, 2007 Share #10 Posted June 15, 2007 What about this one? http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/notebook_camera/CompuDaypack.aspx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted June 15, 2007 Share #11 Posted June 15, 2007 Effette or no, I'll man the barricades to defend Billingham. Supple, understated and weather hardy: all the ingredients necessary for successful protection. Hey, and I'm a colonial to boot who annually proclaims "Down with the British!" every July 4th EXCEPT when pondering the manifold merits of Billingham. -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent10D Posted June 15, 2007 Share #12 Posted June 15, 2007 Effete?! How DARE you!! What other bag could comfortably carry my entire M8 kit AND lipstick, eh? On a recent trip to Australia I found that my Billingham Hadley (the large one) actually fit perfectly inside the rear compartment of my soft carry-on bag. My laptop fit nicely in the front compartment, with plenty of room for accessories, travel documents, and book, and other bits and pieces. Then when I reached my destination I just pulled out the Hadley and went shooting. Very convenient. Alhough, I have to admit that the Hadley is actually a bit large for some occasions. I am feeling the pull of the A&A bag ... Everybody needs another bag. Kent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveEP Posted June 15, 2007 Share #13 Posted June 15, 2007 Everybody needs another bag.Kent. That is exactly what my wife keeps telling me as we pass Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton etc etc !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveP Posted June 15, 2007 Share #14 Posted June 15, 2007 Well, no one would call that bag effete :-) 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/26709-bag-problem-solved/?do=findComment&comment=282323'>More sharing options...
jrc Posted June 15, 2007 Share #15 Posted June 15, 2007 Well, no one would call that bag effete :-) Nor would they call it portable... Whatever the LowePro bag's other merits, one great thing about it is the luggage handle-strap, which I haven't seen elsewhere. I've got a Tumi carry-on backpack that I often travel with, and I'm thinking about having a strap sewn on -- maybe some heavy black nylon elastic stuff that would automatically contract when you're carrying it as a pack. I'm always pitching it off my rolling suitcase. I notice that Best Buy is now selling 1G Lexar cards for $29.99 (not on sale). Maybe the best concept for travel is to buy a bunch of cards and use them like film (images not stored off-card until you get home) with the smallest possible e-mail/web-reading device (whatever that might be) and just let the actual computer go for a couple of weeks...I know that would give some people here the shakes, not having the electronic teat close at hand (hand?), and that it might not work for people who travel on business...but for the rest of us, it's a concept...Get rid of a lot of weight, for sure; dump the computer, power supply, mouse, electric cord, adapters, etc. I'm going to the local LowePro dealer tomorrow to look at one of these bags. Not the Billingham, whose name reminds me of the word bilious, but the LowePro. I am tempted to agree that the Billingham is effete, except that my main M8 bag is a black-on-black M-Classics, about which a friend commented, "Nice Purse." JC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englander Posted June 15, 2007 Share #16 Posted June 15, 2007 Mark, I always try to avoid Heathrow and the other UK airports because of the strenuous enforcement of ridiculous carry-on restrictions. The one bag is a great idea. But, be warned, with BA at least, there are different amounts of carry-on weight allowed for each of the four or five different classes of tickets they sell. The most restrictive, as I remember, is 5 or 6 kgs and they have a sizer-and-scale as you board. The only solution is to pay to upgrade to whatever class allows the amount of weight you are carrying or fork over your gear. Flying BA with cameras was an expensive nightmare I do my best to avoid repeating. Joe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveEP Posted June 15, 2007 Share #17 Posted June 15, 2007 Mark,I always try to avoid Heathrow and the other UK airports because of the strenuous enforcement of ridiculous carry-on restrictions. The one bag is a great idea. But, be warned, with BA at least, there are different amounts of carry-on weight allowed for each of the four or five different classes of tickets they sell. The most restrictive, as I remember, is 5 or 6 kgs and they have a sizer-and-scale as you board. The only solution is to pay to upgrade to whatever class allows the amount of weight you are carrying or fork over your gear. Flying BA with cameras was an expensive nightmare I do my best to avoid repeating. Joe You make a good point, although since the restrictions of only one carry on from Europe was introduced, I have had no problems at all with 'weight' restrictions being enforced on BA for hand luggage. Given the size restriction, there is only so much the average person can pack in there, so photogs can usually get by with a little extra weight in that 'size' with no one questioning it I fly BA all the time, and the only time I have really run in to problems with carry on is at the BA check in desk as San Fransisco - about 5 years ago You must have been unlucky when you flew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englander Posted June 16, 2007 Share #18 Posted June 16, 2007 Well, Dave, I wish you continued good luck. I know I am not alone in my experience of being "weighed in" when boarding BA flights both because of what I have experienced and observed but also because of the long discussions of dismay among professionals at sites like Photo District News and Lightstalker. In my experience BA is the worst, followed by Air France, and Indian Air. As long as I can stand up straight under the weight of my bag, I have not had any trouble with any of the dozen or so other carriers I have flown. But since Mark specifically mentioned the UK situation, I thought to offer caution. Joe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveEP Posted June 16, 2007 Share #19 Posted June 16, 2007 Well, Dave, I wish you continued good luck. I know I am not alone in my experience of being "weighed in" when boarding BA flights both because of what I have experienced and observed but also because of the long discussions of dismay among professionals at sites like Photo District News and Lightstalker. In my experience BA is the worst, followed by Air France, and Indian Air. As long as I can stand up straight under the weight of my bag, I have not had any trouble with any of the dozen or so other carriers I have flown. But since Mark specifically mentioned the UK situation, I thought to offer caution.Joe Well, thanks for the heads up that other people 'are' having problems. It's worth knowing. Another reason to travel with M8s and not DSLRs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 16, 2007 Author Share #20 Posted June 16, 2007 Mark,I always try to avoid Heathrow and the other UK airports because of the strenuous enforcement of ridiculous carry-on restrictions. Well, I would like "to avoid Heathrow and the other UK airports" too, but it's tough to do if you live here. The only alternative is to escape to France under the English Channel... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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