Peter McKinnon Sling for a Leica M11 + 2 lenses?

[kinetic]

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I am considering getting the Peter McKinnon 8L Sling from Nomatic to carry around my Leica M11 with the 50mm Summilux attached and a Voigtlander 28mm Ultron II (in the rare case I need a wide).

8L will probably be too big as an EDC, but I can always carry all my gear for travel in it if I need, including a rocket blower, sensor cleaner, microfiber clothes, ND filter, CPL filter, step up rings, and even some of my lens baby crystal attachment things etc.

I currently use a smaller 4L Chrome Industries bag, but things just roll around inside and I worry about wear and tear. I like to use my gear, yes, but I also am the type to baby everything I have. Right now I stick my camera in an OpTech neoprene "case" that just wraps around it, and the extra lens in a lens pouch, and toss it into the small bag. But when I need access, it's a pain fumbling around with the optech case to undo it, and it's cumbersome to unzip a lens pouch for changing lenses. I'm hoping for a sling that can do a bit more for me.

I'm not looking for a ton of bag recommendations, just specifically to see if anyone has used the 8L sling from Nomatic and think it would be OK for my use?

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[FlashGordonPhotography]

For two lenses I’d rather have the camera over my shoulder and the 28 in a pocket. If not then a VERY small waist bag. I’m a little over sling bags as they’re quite slow to access and not terribly secure when travelling without locks, which make them all but useless. Waist bags put no pressure on the neck or spine, which is great for a big day of walking/travel.

If you insist on a sling then go for it. I’d have a look at the Wandred 6L as well which can be a sling or hip bag, although I think it’s FAR too big for an M. I fit a few lenses in the 1.5L hip bag, double capped, which I adore for travel with the M. I use the 6L bag for my Hasselblad X2D. I really rate Wandred bags. They’re brilliant. If you have to have the camera hidden away then the 6 litre will be very good. I have some Nomatic bags that are travel ones, not photo. The quality is great. I still think 8L is too big, unless you have a lot to carry. And anything with a PK badge is expensive.

I know you didn’t really want bag recommendations but do look at the Wandred bags. Also Wotancraft if you want something really beautiful. 

My bags all hold a cleaning cloth and mini blower. lens caps at home. Super high quality UV filter on each lens in it’s place. Camera over should ready to shoot. I normally use a sling camera strap for the ‘blad but am experimenting with a Peak Design capture clip for the M11 and M11 Mono and a PD leash, as I’m becoming less tolerant of things hanging off my shoulders/neck.

Also you can get inserts for a normal bag to convert it to a camera bag.

Gordon

[kinetic]

44 minutes ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

For two lenses I’d rather have the camera over my shoulder and the 28 in a pocket. If not then a VERY small waist bag. I’m a little over sling bags as they’re quite slow to access and not terribly secure when travelling without locks, which make them all but useless. Waist bags put no pressure on the neck or spine, which is great for a big day of walking/travel.

If you insist on a sling then go for it. I’d have a look at the Wandred 6L as well which can be a sling or hip bag, although I think it’s FAR too big for an M. I fit a few lenses in the 1.5L hip bag, double capped, which I adore for travel with the M. I use the 6L bag for my Hasselblad X2D. I really rate Wandred bags. They’re brilliant. If you have to have the camera hidden away then the 6 litre will be very good. I have some Nomatic bags that are travel ones, not photo. The quality is great. I still think 8L is too big, unless you have a lot to carry. And anything with a PK badge is expensive.

I know you didn’t really want bag recommendations but do look at the Wandred bags. Also Wotancraft if you want something really beautiful. 

My bags all hold a cleaning cloth and mini blower. lens caps at home. Super high quality UV filter on each lens in it’s place. Camera over should ready to shoot. I normally use a sling camera strap for the ‘blad but am experimenting with a Peak Design capture clip for the M11 and M11 Mono and a PD leash, as I’m becoming less tolerant of things hanging off my shoulders/neck.

Also you can get inserts for a normal bag to convert it to a camera bag.

Gordon

Thanks for the thoughts!

If I'm actively "shooting," my camera is in hand with a wrist strap. But there's plenty of times when I just need to stow the camera in between, like if I'm putting it in the car, or if I'm walking to a shoot but not actually shooting on my way there. Occasionally, I won't bring a bag at all and yes, then I'll have a shoulder/neck strap. Which is why a small light sling is a good one for me. I already have about four other backpacks and huge slings, but just looking to satisfy some GAS.

I've looked at inserts, but none are small enough to fit my current Chrome Industries Kovac bag.

I guess I'll take a look at the Wandrd bags too. Thanks!

 

[Photoworks]

the endless dilemma. 

I have the PD sling 6L and fits the camera with 1-2 lenses fine. I still don't like to have it when I am shooting, I just carry a camera on my shoulder.

The Peter sling looks ever more bulky, but it looks like it would fit all you want and more.

to avoid the bulk when I am shooting I tend to use a MANTIS 1 WAISTPACK with neoprene pouch.

 

[LBJ2]

11 hours ago, kinetic said:

I am considering getting the Peter McKinnon 8L Sling from Nomatic to carry around my Leica M11 with the 50mm Summilux attached and a Voigtlander 28mm Ultron II (in the rare case I need a wide).

8L will probably be too big as an EDC, but I can always carry all my gear for travel in it if I need, including a rocket blower, sensor cleaner, microfiber clothes, ND filter, CPL filter, step up rings, and even some of my lens baby crystal attachment things etc.

I currently use a smaller 4L Chrome Industries bag, but things just roll around inside and I worry about wear and tear. I like to use my gear, yes, but I also am the type to baby everything I have. Right now I stick my camera in an OpTech neoprene "case" that just wraps around it, and the extra lens in a lens pouch, and toss it into the small bag. But when I need access, it's a pain fumbling around with the optech case to undo it, and it's cumbersome to unzip a lens pouch for changing lenses. I'm hoping for a sling that can do a bit more for me.

I'm not looking for a ton of bag recommendations, just specifically to see if anyone has used the 8L sling from Nomatic and think it would be OK for my use?

No matter what bags I try, for quick and easy day-to-day, lightweight, weather proof carry I always go back to PeakDesign slings. To me these slings are what I call speed-designed bags, easy to get in and out of super fast and when I'm at an event, quickly swivel to my back and out of the way when I'm in the zone moving, jumping, running, bending, kneeling all over all the place to keep up with the action and avoid bystanders. I use the PeakDesign 10L and 6L--thankfully no metal zips and clasps to worry about when moving gear in and out quickly. 

The Peter McKinnon 8L Sling looks very similar to PeakDesign slings from what I see on the internet, so I'm thinking everything I like about the PeakDesign would apply to the Peter McKinnon 8L Sling too and like you wrote 8L can do double duty for long distance travel when you might need touring along more stuff. 

[Rob L]

The Peter McKinnon 8L is an awesome Leica M bag. Perfect for two bodies with lenses mounted and accessories. The shape of this bag is efficient and perfect for Leica M. Too big for what you describe though. I use it more for travel or storage, as like many others here, I never go out with that much gear anymore, especially with 60 megapixels and sharp modern lenses. The PD 3L will easily hold one body with lens and second lens in the little stretchy pouch in the corner, leaving plenty of room for a cell phone and pair of shades. The Wandrd 3L looks pretty awesome too as it opens wide like the McKinnon, and unlike the PD, which you have to spread open to get stuff in and out

[Rob L]

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Addendum to my last post: I looked at the Wandred 3L and it is tiny! Too small for Leica M.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

3 hours ago, Rob L said:

Addendum to my last post: I looked at the Wandred 3L and it is tiny! Too small for Leica M.

I use the 3L for lenses only. I can carry 3-4 lenses and the camera over my shoulder. You’ll need the 6L if you want to store the camera.

I’m a firm believer that if you’re out shooting the camera should be on a sling or wrist strap, not in a bag.  But I know not everyone subscribes to that view.

Gordon

[kinetic]

11 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

I use the 3L for lenses only. I can carry 3-4 lenses and the camera over my shoulder. You’ll need the 6L if you want to store the camera.

I’m a firm believer that if you’re out shooting the camera should be on a sling or wrist strap, not in a bag.  But I know not everyone subscribes to that view.

Gordon

I believe that too, but it's also an everyday carry when I'm not shooting, so that's when the bag will come in handy.

[kinetic]

I stopped by the local Peak Design store today to look at the slings in person, and the 3L is definitely the right size for one M body with lens, and one additional lens. There's no other room for big stuff, but you can fit things like an extra battery or two, extra cards, some filters.

The 6L is fine too, but there's a bunch of extra room. You could probably fit at least one more extra lens in there, if not two. I'm only really going to be lugging around one extra lens, so it might not be ideal.

I ended up not getting them, I don't love how they look. The material it's made of etc. is really top notch though. Just not exactly my style. I'm still in love with my Chrome Industries bags, I just wish they had camera inserts.

I'm considering just sewing insert dividers into the bag, or maybe rigging it somehow.

[Rob L]

Still probably too large but McKinnon makes an insert for their backpack that may be called a "cube". I have one that I use inside a small Timbuktu courier's bag. It's about the same size as the previously mentioned McKinnon 8L sling.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I still have a few Crumpler camera inserts lying around that I use all the time. Not sure they still make them.

Gordon

[kinetic]

4 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

I still have a few Crumpler camera inserts lying around that I use all the time. Not sure they still make them.

Gordon

Without the "velcro" on the inside of the bag, I don't know how I would affix it. I'm thinking maybe I need to rig up some hard plastic, wrap it in the soft velcro, and then inserts should work...

[FlashGordonPhotography]

On 6/8/2023 at 4:14 AM, kinetic said:

Without the "velcro" on the inside of the bag, I don't know how I would affix it. I'm thinking maybe I need to rig up some hard plastic, wrap it in the soft velcro, and then inserts should work...

I was talking about these

https://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/crumpler-photographic-bag-haven-medium

They’re not made anymore but maybe there’s something similar out there. I think you can get the Bellingham bag inserts at great expense but I would think some searching would find a bag *converter* like above.

Gordon

edit: yep found a dozen of them on Amazon. Just searched for *camera bag insert*.

Edited June 10, 2023 by FlashGordonPhotography