Not Another Camera Bag Question — Looking for Something Different for My Leica M

[Vsisishi68]

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Hello everyone,

I’ve been looking for years for the “right” bag to carry my Leica M with a lens mounted for everyday use. What I’m after is not a typical camera bag, but rather something that looks and functions like a regular work/commuter bag — with space for things like books, a laptop, pens, etc. — while still offering a small, well-protected compartment for a single camera body and of course an easy access.

I’m convinced that if I had such a setup, I’d end up carrying my camera with me everywhere, every day, and ultimately taking a lot more photos.

What do you think? Have you ever felt the same way, and if so, did you find a good solution?

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[Derbyshire Man]

I use a Billingham Hadley Pro for that. In the darker non canvas materials it looks a lot less like a camera bag and I use the divider system to leave a gap for a M11P and 35mm or similar for the exact reasons you give. 

Edited August 17 by Derbyshire Man

[jaapv]

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[Stef63]

I’ve been using the Fogg E-Flat for over 15 years for exactly this purpose. It’s a messenger-style bag that fits what you’re describing: a laptop (MacBook Pro 14” in my case) with charger and cables, an umbrella, a book or water bottle, plus an M with one lens mounted and room for one more.

It doesn’t scream “expensive camera inside” and its slim profile still passes as a briefcase-style bag. At the same time, it’s surprisingly roomy—I’ve carried an S3 medium format body with an S-lens mounted and two extra S-lenses without issue. Considering the size of those lenses and the S3, that says a lot about its capacity.

That said, these bags are probably hard to find today, as Fogg seems to have stopped production. But any similar-sized messenger bag will serve the same purpose.

 Fogg E-Flat

[charlesphoto99]

Buy a camera divider/pouch insert from camera bag provider of your choice, and put it into messenger bag of your choice. 

[BWColor]

Maybe off topic, but I use a leather half case and a camera strap.

[pedaes]

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1 hour ago, Stef63 said:

Fogg seems to have stopped production

'They' (some new help I think) have started up again and introduced the Can Can https://robertwhite.co.uk/products/fogg-can-can-satchel-green-fabric-with-havana-leather

[Topsy]

2 hours ago, Derbyshire Man said:

I use a Billingham Hadley Pro for that. In the darker non canvas materials it looks a lot less like a camera bag and I use the divider system to leave a gap for a M11P and 35mm or similar for the exact reasons you give. 

When I worked this is what I did too. 👍

[lct]

The PortaBrace "MS LeicaQ2" could perhaps interest you.

https://www.portabrace.com/product-page/ms-leicaq2

[eaharman]

I use a small Samsonite tablet bag, I suspect designed size-wise to suit an Apple tablet,  but takes camera with smallish lens fitted, longer 90mm lens, battery etc and sundry filters and lens cloths.

It's advantage is that it doesn't attract attention as  a camera bag yet you can get a decent amount of kit in it.

If you have a Safari then a khaki army style bag would work..

[THEME]

OP go for a camera-only bag – you'll be joined by your gear much more often

[jgeenen]

vor 17 Stunden schrieb Vsisishi68:

rather something that looks and functions like a regular work/commuter bag

I tried several commuter bags, but their (built-in) functionality for photo gear was limited.  Likewise, a dedicated camera bag has limited functionality for daily commuter gear.

I have a Leica Neoprene sleeve (part no 14867) that fits into about every bag and provides reasonable protection. I use it together with a messenger bag (e.g. Vaude, Crumpler etc.) For my commuter backback (Ortlieb Commuter Backpack) I either use the afore mentioned Neoprene sleeve or a Peakdesign camera cube XS (that fits an additional lens).

Protection of this combo is more than reasonable.

Other than that I tried my "do-it-yourself" skills - standard 5mm thick felt delivers good protection for the camera gear and can be tailored to any size. It can be glued with textile glue (and, if your sewing skills are good) enforced afterwards. I used this method to "convert" standard leather bags into photo bags (see photo below, the yellowish insert is made this way).

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[amclanejr]

I’ve been using a RedOxx Gator bag for close to 20 years, ridden hard and put away wet, it accommodates any number of different loads:

https://www.redoxx.com/products/gator-edc-bag?variant=46879847678273

They have many other good options for carrying gear also if you poke around their site. (No relation, just a satisfied and long-time customer…)

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Edited August 18 by amclanejr

[davidzvi]

I've been using really small dedicated camera-only bags that I just put in my Peak Design backpack that holds my laptop, lunch, and other work-related stuff for years.  It allows my carry kit to change without having to change my daily work bag.  The small bags range from a REALLY small NG1153 up to a Domke F-9, though most often it's a ThinkTank Speed Changer (the older one that still had loops for a shoulder strap) or the Peak Design Field Pouch.

 

[jakontil]

I buy camera inserts and can transport to any of my camera or work bags including backpacks from goruck in my case

[drew.saunders]

Domke makes a line of camera satchels/messenger bags. However, a camera insert for a regular messenger bag might be a better choice. I have a Courier Ware messenger bag that has a camera insert that makes it more of a full camera bag, that would be overkill for one camera with a lens. 

[Yoyoid]

Wandrd Prvk 15L and larger have dedicated camera compartments. 

[DadDadDaddyo]

It raises an important and maybe unexpected point: bags for storing and bags for carrying can be different things. That said, you'll never get a shot with the camera in a bag. 

The need to reach in and pull the camera out of the bag introduces a moment of decision, perhaps hesitation, into every situation; do I get out the camera or not? This will frequently result in a decision to leave the camera in the bag. 

At the same time, having the camera with you in the bag is far better than finding yourself in a moment but with the camera sitting safely at home. 

Still, that decision moment, that evaluation, can get in the way of a potential photo being made. I've lost far more photographs because the camera wasn't in my hands than I have to somehow missing a shot when the camera is in my hands.

Every step saved between the moment you see a photographic possibility and the moment you're framing the shot improves the chances that you'll get the shot. 

A half case does a really good job of giving your camera reasonable protection while still allowing you to be somewhat ready, if you'll pardon the expression, to be "decisive in the moment."

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Hallo,

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[Kiwimac]

Buy a very small bag that fits only the camera/lens. 
 

Put it in the big bag for laptop etc. 

 

Hey presto. It’s a padded compartment in the big bag and a standalone small camera option when required. 
 

 

[Kiwimac]

3 hours ago, DadDadDaddyo said:

It raises an important and maybe unexpected point: bags for storing and bags for carrying can be different things. That said, you'll never get a shot with the camera in a bag. 

The need to reach in and pull the camera out of the bag introduces a moment of decision, perhaps hesitation, into every situation; do I get out the camera or not? This will frequently result in a decision to leave the camera in the bag. 

At the same time, having the camera with you in the bag is far better than finding yourself in a moment but with the camera sitting safely at home. 

Still, that decision moment, that evaluation, can get in the way of a potential photo being made. I've lost far more photographs because the camera wasn't in my hands than I have to somehow missing a shot when the camera is in my hands.

Every step saved between the moment you see a photographic possibility and the moment you're framing the shot improves the chances that you'll get the shot. 

A half case does a really good job of giving your camera reasonable protection while still allowing you to be somewhat ready, if you'll pardon the expression, to be "decisive in the moment."

Yes. 
 

That’s why I have Harry Benz make very long straps for my cameras. To borrow from@Overgaard, always wear a camera. 
 

When weather and so on permits, I carry mine out of the bag across the body so that the camera sits on my right hip. If I reach down, it falls to hand instantly. 
 

I can also rotate the strap/camera loop and make it so that the camera sits on my chest if I think that I’ll need it even more quickly. 
 

Oberwerth make a case you wear on the belt, and the camera strap goes cross body like mine but the camera lives in the case on your belt until you need it. 
 

https://oberwerth.com/en-int/products/1-second-camera-holster-jan

Edited August 19 by Kiwimac