Camera bag recommendations

[Alan R]

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Does anyone have recommendations for a not-huge camera bag that will comfortably accommodate my M240, an additional lens in the future and some accessories such as the usual extra battery, charger, memory cards etc?

Would be very grateful for some photos of your everyday carry setups!

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[arshute]

I use a Billingham bags for my various cameras as well as my 240. Expensive but well worth it https://billingham.co.uk

Allen

[ECohen]

 

Billingham Hadley, Its perfect case for a body and 3 lenses.

[dpitt]

This small bag will surprise you, but it holds an M with lens mounted + batteries and an extra lens. Depends on the lenses of course, but it easily holds a Summilux 35 + Summicron 50 and the like. If you plan buying larger lenses, the 20 series will do fine.

Advantage of this size is that I can carry it just held by my belt in my trousers if needed.
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/mirrorless-mover-10

[ricox]

Compagnon Nano Messenger - soft leather, long strap, very secure and discrete closure, less bulky and more discrete than a Billingham. Mine holds my M typ262, 35 Summilux, 50 Summilux, 90 Elmarit with room in the front and rear outer pockets for batteries and small accessories. Highly recommended.

 

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[Bobonli]

Do you want the bag to scream out “I’m carrying a camera?” If you’re trying to be inconspicuous consider Think Tank or even buying an insert for bag you already use. For example, I have an F Stop cube that I place into a plain knapsack. 

[Jean-Michel]

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The ThinkTank mirrorless series is pretty good, relatively inexpensive, quite weatherproof and simple looking. I have the ThinkTank 30. I use it with 2 M bodies and some lenses, etc. I now only have an M-P and a bunch of lenses and they all fit if needed. I even use it to carry my SL2 with a Leica 20-70 attached and a Sigma 85 in its pouch, plus batteries, plus space for an iPad if needed..

[tsleica]

Billingham for tough weather and Oberwerth for most other scenarios. I'm happy with both.

[otto.f]

35 minutes ago, tsleica said:

Billingham for tough weather

I was once in Greece at the Meteora when an extreme cloudbreak started at the moment we were just leaving the place to get back to our car. It was unbelievable. The Billinghams may not look as waterresistant as a Pelican case, but I was really surprised how utterly dry my lenses and camera’s were. The extra flap inside prevents also condense formation. Another plus, not always mentioned, is that it is the most silent bag I know, I never wake up people whom I want to catch on a decisive moment

Edited August 24, 2023 by otto.f

[Gregm61]

Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 is what I am currently using with a three lens setup; MP240 and Voigtlander 21mm f1.4, 35mm f1.2 III and 75mm f1.5.

I also picked up two of the side-mounting accessory pouches if I need to include a 4th lens and/or a flash unit.

Easy carry and, as noted, quiet to work out of.

[psyclism]

If you like Ona Bond Street style leather bags, Amazon has a rather nice copy for a reasonable price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076ZRBQDP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I have one, and with a second interior divider it holds my MP 240 with a small prime (LLL 35 8E or CV 40 1.4), 2 additional small primes (a CV 28 & LLL 50 Elcan) joined via a dual sided lens cap, Olympus viewfinder, extra battery, plus memory cards, lens cloths, small filter pouch for my one 39mm ND filter, card reader for my iPhone, etc in the front pocket. I store my phone in the rear pocket.

Leather is great. Interior is well finished and well padded. Hardware is nice, especially given the price. The strap, however, isn't the most comfortable, but it's removable and easily upgraded.

 

[RayD28]

Billingham Hadley Small.  Velcro separators so you can customize configuration.  Front packets that are deep and expandable.  For the last few days I've carried an M, two lenses, two .5 liters of water in one front pocket and the usual photography accessories in the other front pocket.  It has an easily removable insert and of course the silent leather straps to open and close the lid.  It's a bit larger than @Alan R asked about but if you might need to carry a few extra things without wearing a backpack it is perfect for me.  

https://billingham.com/products/hadley-small-camera-bag_colour-khaki-fibrenyte-chocolate-leather

If you want to limit your load to an M and a couple of lenses the Hadley Digital is good and what I use when I know I won't need to carry anything else.

Both are stealthy if you choose low-key colors.   If you go with either I strongly suggest a shoulder strap pad.  

I have an Ona Berlin for Leica that is beautiful leather but it's heavy when empty and has metal tuck-clasps that are quiet but not silent.  Once had a lady say she loved my bag so I don't consider it stealthy and, for me, screams rich guy carrying something valuable.  This is my personal opinion so please don't flame me.  I used it for a few outings but it's since set in the closet for six years.  However, it does fit @Alan R's criteria.  

[pippy]

On 8/22/2023 at 5:38 PM, Alan R said:

Does anyone have recommendations for a not-huge camera bag that will comfortably accommodate my M240, an additional lens in the future and some accessories such as the usual extra battery, charger, memory cards etc?......Would be very grateful for some photos of your everyday carry setups!

A lot depends on what, exactly, you mean by 'not-huge'.

A few years ago I discovered the 'Torres' bag from MegaGear and it's as near perfect for my needs as I've ever found - but I usually do like to carry two bodies with me.

I've just rattled-off a few snaps of what I would have with me for a full day of snapping (normally it wouldn't have all this stuff). Sometimes the number / choice of lenses will vary but this should give you a rough idea.

Bag with camera to give a sense of scale;

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Bag loaded;

 

What the bag shown above was holding;

 

The bag with a 30cm rule (the cat was jealous of the attention given to the bag and decided she needed to photobomb...);

As can be seen; the bag is pretty small yet can carry rather a lot when neccessary. The front-flap cinch-clip is lockable and can be secured with a small key. Not seen here is a full-length zippered 'pocket' - slightly smaller in size than the front pocket seen above - at the rear of the bag. There are also two small, slim 'pockets'; one at either end of the exterior.

It is available in a choice of colours if 'Knackered Brown' isn't to your taste; The only slight issue I have had with mine (which was easily resolved) was with the swivel-clips being a bit 'delicate' but the current bags have new-design clips which are far superior to those fitted on mine.

Here's the link to the manufacturer's page (I have absolutely no affiliation to the company);

https://www.megagear.com/products/genuine-leather-camera-messenger-bag-for-mirrorless-instant-and-dslr-cameras-brown?variant=19895349641286

Philip.

Edited August 25, 2023 by pippy

[jdlaing]

Which compartment does the cat go in?

[pippy]

1 hour ago, jdlaing said:

Which compartment does the cat go in?

None. She lies in a Sphynx-like posture atop the bag and acts as my Burglar Alarm...

P.

[tsleica]

Oberwerth bags...I use the blue one more because it takes an M with an extra lens and finder and is a tiny comfy bag. The brown one can fit a Linhof 6x12 w/extra lens tight and is a great everyday bag for a bunch of stuff w/o being huge or a pita.

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Edited August 26, 2023 by tsleica

[roydonian]

I never cease to be amused by the idea that thieves are able to distinguish between camera bags that apparently scream "steal me" and the many types of briefcase and soft-sided shoulder bags currently in use. Do they attend training courses in bag recognition? And the these courses been updated to recognise the new $1,000 dollar bag developed for what used to be the LHSA? That item must be a very tempting target.

When I used to work in Paris, one of my Billingham Hadley bags was pressed into service as a general-purpose shoulder bag. I never gave a thought to the possibility that it would catch the eye of the thief. His only 'haul' would have been my notebook, a pack of tissues, my medications, a couple of pens, and whatever paperback novel I was currently reading.

 

 

 

[Smudgerer]

A case? It takes a lot to beat the size/price/quality of the Crumpler Proper Roady II, mine are in Black and Brown and now 4-5+ years old. Two M's with lenses, iPad Mini, Kindle and room for other stuff too. Understated bags that don't say "steal me, it'll be worth it".

https://www.crumpler.eu/collections/camera-all/products/proper-roady-2-0-camera-sling-4500

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Hallo,

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[Mefty]

Billingham is the way to go....for me....for any setup 😂

https://www.qimago.de/media/en/detailpage/the-billingham-hadley-small-pro

[mfunnell]

I fully agree with those recommending Billingham bags: I have and use the Hadley Pro and Hadley Small Pro and they're very good (especially if also taking a laptop, tablet, or whatever as well as camera gear).

However, more often than not I use my Domke F8 - which easily fits my M240 with lens mounted, two spare batteries, two additional lenses with hoods, a set of compact binoculars and a viewfinder (I have the 18mm finder for the ZM 18mm/f4 which I often use - and usually forget to take out of the bag even when I take the lens out). Mine is in brown/khaki "ruggedwear" with weatherproof finish - and it holds up in rain quite well.

   ...Mike