Camera bag for SL2 + Q2M

[NightPix]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

In a few weeks my wife and I will be heading out for a several week vacation trip rattling around the Adriatic coast and Greece. To keep things manageable I’m limiting my kit to my SL2 and a couple of zooms (24-70 f2.8, & 16-35 f4) and my Q2M (will be shooting mostly scenery and street) - maybe a couple of small m lenses if there’s room. I already have good backpacks for when I need more of my gear, but for this trip I really only need a good shoulder or sling bag that I can carry all day. There are a couple zillion bags available, so I’d appreciate any recommendations the group has to offer that will help narrow the options a bit. I’d appreciate hearing what has worked well and not so well. Thanks!

[huwm]

think tank urban access 10 sling bag

I carry SL2 and a zoom attached (24-70 or 16-28 on most recent trip) and the other zoom or Q2 in divided off section

very easy to configure as you like

novel or 10inch iPad in compartment if required

room for batteries, blower, cleaning bits etc etc in compartments

[NightPix]

13 hours ago, huwm said:

think tank urban access 10 sling bag

I carry SL2 and a zoom attached (24-70 or 16-28 on most recent trip) and the other zoom or Q2 in divided off section

very easy to configure as you like

novel or 10inch iPad in compartment if required

room for batteries, blower, cleaning bits etc etc in compartments

Thanks. That’s one of the ones I’ve been considering. 

[trickness]

+1 for Think Tank. Really smart design, lightweight, reasonably priced and inconspicuous. The polar opposite of anything by Billingham or Oberwerth.

 

 

[Herr Barnack]

One of my favorite bags for the size kit you plan to carry is the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7 V2.0:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1430983-REG/think_tank_photo_710731_retrospective_7_v_2_0.html If I ever had to pare down my bag inventory to 2-3 bags, this would be one of the keepers.

Another possibility would be the Wotancraft Pilot 10 liter - https://www.wotancraft.tw/en/product/pilot-travel-camera-sling-bag-10L-khakibrownC

 

 

Edited April 6, 2023 by Herr Barnack

[NightPix]

4 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

One of my favorite bags for the size kit you plan to carry is the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7 V2.0:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1430983-REG/think_tank_photo_710731_retrospective_7_v_2_0.html If I ever had to pare down my bag inventory to 2-3 bags, this would be one of the keepers.

Another possibility would be the Wotancraft Pilot 10 liter - https://www.wotancraft.tw/en/product/pilot-travel-camera-sling-bag-10L-khakibrownC

 

 

Thanks for the great suggestions! I’ve always liked Think Tank products. After measuring, I’m pretty sure the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7 V2 might not be quite large enough. The SL2 is the culprit. I’ve ordered the 10, which is larger, to see how well that works. 

[hdmesa]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

On 4/5/2023 at 7:44 PM, NightPix said:

In a few weeks my wife and I will be heading out for a several week vacation trip rattling around the Adriatic coast and Greece. To keep things manageable I’m limiting my kit to my SL2 and a couple of zooms (24-70 f2.8, & 16-35 f4) and my Q2M (will be shooting mostly scenery and street) - maybe a couple of small m lenses if there’s room. I already have good backpacks for when I need more of my gear, but for this trip I really only need a good shoulder or sling bag that I can carry all day. There are a couple zillion bags available, so I’d appreciate any recommendations the group has to offer that will help narrow the options a bit. I’d appreciate hearing what has worked well and not so well. Thanks!

Considering the weight of the described gear, I would still opt for a backpack, just a smaller one. Personally, I would leave the two zooms at home and use the Q2M plus SL2 with two small M lenses if I wanted to carry a sling/shoulder bag all day.

[Virob]

2 hours ago, NightPix said:

Thanks for the great suggestions! I’ve always liked Think Tank products. After measuring, I’m pretty sure the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7 V2 might not be quite large enough. The SL2 is the culprit. I’ve ordered the 10, which is larger, to see how well that works. 

I can get an SL2, P16-35/4, SL75 and a Q2 in the retrospective 7 v1 and it is full. I don’t have the 24-70, but think it would be very (too?) tight.

 

[henryb]

I’m trying to solve the same “ problem.”  Here is the Oberwerth Leo bag ( larger one) being tried in a Leica store with SL2, new smaller 50SL, 16-35 zoom, Sigma 85 and Q2. I want something to carry all this on my trip knowing on any given day I wii not be carrying everything all day long - some will stay behind depending on the day’s agenda. 
I like how it can fit and also the bag is not huge to be on my shoulder for the day. With just some of the gear, I then have room for say a light rain jacket, snack etc.  Hope this helps. 

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!

[Carrot]

I prefer a bag that doesn’t stick out too far from my hip. Currently using a Tenba DNA Messenger 15 Slim, with four compartments created using dividers for SL APO lenses 90, 50, 35, and the battery grip. When not using the camera I turn the Len’s hoods around, which gives me space to put the SL2-S over the grip and one of the lenses. Also have a super_elmar 21mm f3.4 that sits on top of one of the other lenses in a soft pouch. It all fits in easily for travelling, then just takes out lenses I’m no likely to use on the day, to keep the weight down.

[LBJ2]

12 hours ago, henryb said:

I’m trying to solve the same “ problem.”  Here is the Oberwerth Leo bag ( larger one) being tried in a Leica store with SL2, new smaller 50SL, 16-35 zoom, Sigma 85 and Q2. I want something to carry all this on my trip knowing on any given day I wii not be carrying everything all day long - some will stay behind depending on the day’s agenda. 
I like how it can fit and also the bag is not huge to be on my shoulder for the day. With just some of the gear, I then have room for say a light rain jacket, snack etc.  Hope this helps. 

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!

Metal zips and metal fasteners inside the bag 😳

[huwm]

I’ve a retrospective 7 as well but find the urban sling more comfortable for all day use

[Timeslip]

peak design 10L sling or one of their backpacks. 

 

https://www.peakdesign.com/products/everyday-sling?variant=29742302068780

[Virob]

Has anyone tried this bag? https://bevisgear.com
it is probably bigger that required at 22L , but it is nice to have space for a jacket, lunch etc. It can convert between a backpack and a sling, and the opening mechanism looks very innovative. It would be cool if they made a smaller version.

[GFW2-SCUSA]

I like the concept of the Bevis bag - easily becoming a shelf type thing. The access seems very easy. My concern would be the security of the snap lock. I would assume it has been well tested, but a failure would be a disaster with all the equipment crashing to the ground. I agree that is would be nice if they made a smaller version. I personally don't need that much space for my Ms and small lenses.  I rarely use my SL2. In fact I rarely use a camera bag. A lens or two in the pocket and the camera on the shoulder or hand is my normal M.O. When I do use a bag it's a beautiful Oberwerth (a gift from my wife) or Billingham. 

[Virob]

11 hours ago, GFW2-SCUSA said:

I like the concept of the Bevis bag - easily becoming a shelf type thing. The access seems very easy. My concern would be the security of the snap lock. I would assume it has been well tested, but a failure would be a disaster with all the equipment crashing to the ground. I agree that is would be nice if they made a smaller version. I personally don't need that much space for my Ms and small lenses.  I rarely use my SL2. In fact I rarely use a camera bag. A lens or two in the pocket and the camera on the shoulder or hand is my normal M.O. When I do use a bag it's a beautiful Oberwerth (a gift from my wife) or Billingham. 

The claim is that the snap mechanism is taken from the hood latch system from racing carswhere you need very quick access during pit stops but that also needs to be very secure. Can’t have the hood pop open at 200km/h. This would suggest it has been extensively tested.

[ellisson]

Are there any other sling bag options beyond the Bevis when carrying a longer lens such as the Leica SL 100-400 or the other long zooms?  In another thread on the PD 10 liter everyday sling bag, the 24-90 zoom mounted to an SL2 camera is shown to be too large to  fit inside vertically.  

If quicker access to the SL2 mounted to a longer lens is needed, a deeper bag would seem to be required versus storing the camera + lens horizontally, which perhaps is workable if there is room underneath for smaller lenses and/or other gear.

I find that most of the sling bags are not designed for the long zoom lenses.  Backpacks seem to be the standard for long lenses +/- camera.   I’d still prefer a sling  somewhat smaller than the Bevis bag referenced above.

[Virob]

@ellisson, this might not be what you are looking for, but check out https://www.cottoncarrier.com/

For quick access to a camera with a long lens attached it might be better to forget the bag altogether, but it isn't subtle or unobtrusive. You could combine it with a backpack....

[kobra]

On 4/5/2023 at 6:44 PM, NightPix said:

In a few weeks my wife and I will be heading out for a several week vacation trip rattling around the Adriatic coast and Greece. To keep things manageable I’m limiting my kit to my SL2 and a couple of zooms (24-70 f2.8, & 16-35 f4) and my Q2M (will be shooting mostly scenery and street) - maybe a couple of small m lenses if there’s room. I already have good backpacks for when I need more of my gear, but for this trip I really only need a good shoulder or sling bag that I can carry all day. There are a couple zillion bags available, so I’d appreciate any recommendations the group has to offer that will help narrow the options a bit. I’d appreciate hearing what has worked well and not so well. Thanks!

So, a couple of things I've used.

1. Billingham bags. Not fancy, but just work and seem like they will last forever. I have used a Billingham Hadley One as a combo bag for camera and travel. It could hold all the camera gear you intend, and more, along with a laptop, tablet (if desired). 

2. I don't know if you are open to a different option, but I've started to use a MountainSmith Day lumbar pack; https://mountainsmith.com/collections/tls-lumbar-packs/products/2020-day-lumbar?variant=37843827720344 . Then, I use neoprene sleeves for the lenses, and just toss them into the bag. They also have "strapettes" which makes it more like a backpack if you carry more weight. The bag is very versatile... the weight is all on your hips, the strongest part of the body. You can easily swing the bag around without taking it off, so changing lenses is pretty easy. Also, it comes with a shoulder strap and the belt straps tuck in easily, so it can be worn as a shoulder bag for convenience. The Day pack, as above, can fit the 90-280, the SL2 with 24-70 (or 24-90), and still have room for the 16-35 and one more lens if you really want. That also leaves a dump pocket with enough room for spare batteries, memory cards, charger, etc. The "Tour" model is smaller and may be big enough for the camera and 2 medium lenses. 

3. Probably doesn't relate completely here, but for more active walks/hiking, a proper hiking backpack with an insert (or neoprene sleeves as above) is by far the most comfortable. But it does likely does not have the convenience for travel. 

The problem with many 'camera bags' is that they are not very comfortable for anything other than short walks. A shoulder (or sling) bag puts too much weight on one side of the body. "Camera backpacks" feature the ease of access, but have poor straps (especially the waist straps), and also have poor ventilation. Any amount of walking becomes uncomfortable, and hot. 

I've tried a lot of different solutions, but now the first 2 solutions above are what I've found to work best for all around carry that mixes comfort with convenience. Hope that helps! 

Brad

 

 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[huwm]

If you are veering towards 'action backpacks' with inserts/swinground and or rear access then have a look at this

https://uk.shimodadesigns.com/action-x30-kits/

I've done some pretty long hikes with it and found it really comfy, tend to put it down to open the back rather than use the swing round, which is a little awkward though doable because of the 'height' of the SLs

It is seriously water resistant and my Q2 and a few lenses remained dry during a 'dip' in the river wye

Overkill for your scenario I feel