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Let's talk bags for the M8


Guest guy_mancuso

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I've had my M8.2 since November. It has NOT been in a bag. (Before the M8 I carried an M6ttl that hadn't been in a bag for years). I shoot daily with it and my ambition is that it will never be in a bag. I use an "Urban DIsguise 20" by thinkTANK for my two lenses I carry with me plus all the other stuff a man carries in his man-bag. LOL. If I'm on assignment things get tangled with Canon dslrs. But the M8 is out where I can use it to take pictures. When I travel or am on an airplane it's still out. That's what it's made for. The other bag I've carried over the years is the Domke 803 small camera satchel (or whatever it's called). Nice small bag with plenty of "Leica M" room.

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Alright... I feel I have to respond to this old thread as I've embodied Imelda Marcos with my unsatisfying bag collection. I've been looking for a stealth bag and have been using a Domke F-802 for a year now. Good little bag with room for a couple of lenses and the charger. But still not great. I tried the "Jack Bauer bag" with Domke inserts. Too big and not enough form to the structure of the bag. I tried a Timbuk2 bag. Worked well but too slick looking, still calling out that there was a laptop or camera inside.

 

But now.... I've found the ideal stealth bag with style. Perfect size (slightly bigger than the Domke at 14x12x5.5). Perfect price ($45 on sale). And it has a nice casual style. It has a couple of inside pockets, one of which is zipped. It's not weather proof, but I've got the Timbuk2 for rain. This is a great over the shoulder or across the chest knocking about town stealth bag. I've got on order the Tenba photo insert which will fit perfectly in it. For now I'm using 3 Domke inserts inside (1 medium for the m8, 1 single, 1 double).

 

It is called: The Overland Equipment Arena messenger bag... And how about that guitar strap as the shoulder strap?

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The leather Barbour bag, with Billingham Hadley's insert works very well.

 

I'm thinking of making up this combination - please can you tell me which Hadley insert you use? Can you tell me how much M8 gear this carries? Would it be possible to post an image of the bag open with M8 in it?

 

Thanks

 

Tony

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I often use one of two bags that I find perfect for my needs, both are very well made, very reasonably priced and very low key, ie. do not scream out "fancy bag most likely containing something well worth stealing".

 

One is a shoulder bag, the Crumpler "Pretty Boy 4000 XL" , this is a compact bag that I comfortably carry the following in:

 

2 x M8 with grip and lenses attached ( 28mm 2.8 asph / 50mm Summarit )

Zeiss 18mm stored between the cameras ( sometimes replaced with a 75 cron )

 

This is a great little shoulder bag that is very strong, stores an ideal amount of "walk-about" kit and is very low key in appearance and is incredibly good value for money ... about £30

 

 

The other is a backpack, for when I wish to take my whole kit out, it is the Tamrac "Adventure 7 " , this is IMO a very underrated bag that is again very well made, will hold a surprising amount of gear with room in the top for other personal items or maybe sandwiches etc, is small enough to not be a burden on your back and importantly does not look like your average photo backpack. It is very comfortable to carry all day and is something of a bargain at around £45. In the photo you will see it holding

 

Left side back: M8 & grip with 50mm Summarit attached

Left side front: "Franken-Finder"

Right side back: M7 body

Right side front: M8 & grip with 28mm 2.8 asph + hood attached

Centre back: 75mm 'Cron

Centre front: 18mm Zeiss with hood attached ( stored face down )

 

 

With the cost/value of Leica gear it is tempting to buy an "expensive stand out from the crowd bag" to do the kit justice, but I like to keep it low key while maintaining quality workmanship. Both these bags are WAY better than their street prices would suggest and this is why I believe they are underrated bargains.

 

Simon

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I prefer not to carry a bag around. Particularly when using my M-cameras. The whole point with rangefinder cameras are their compactness. So, I keep my gear at home and on long stretch travel in a big shoulder bag. But when I am using the cameras, I pick one, at rare occasions, two cameras, which I carry with 'the lens of the day'.

 

I keep my M gear in a large Löwepro shoulder bag. I have a Löwepro OrionTrekker in which I keep my 1Ds III - either with a few lenses or - a few 550EX flashes.

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The ThinkTank Urban Disguise 20 is perfect for my small oufit: M8 with 28 Elmar or 35 Summarit mounted, plus 75 Summarit (all with hoods fitted).

 

I can also fit in a flash, spare battery, cards, notebook etc., all in a very compact high quality bag. The external expanding padded pocket - supposedly designed to hold a DSLR body - is very handy for lens changing.

 

I find Billinghams too bulky for my purposes, and whilst the Domke F5XB is a nice size it doesn't offer the protection of the UD20. And I can't justify the expense of A&A, especially bringing one into the UK - I would rather put the money towards another lens (there's room in the bag for one more!)

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as promised... my second Billingham Pro bag with the R8 + 35-70mm and my M7+ 28mm (all film cameras).

Nice color "sable" according to me :)

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Ok my go!

 

Like others I keep my Leica out when out and about, much easier to take pictures this way, plus I want to wear the chrome through to the gold below!

 

When travelling in my Domke bag with my DSLRs I wrap it in a £10 extra large chamois leather from Halfords-perfect.

 

BTW chammies are ideal for general wiping and glass cleaning, much better than microfibre.

 

Best

 

Guy

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One is a shoulder bag, the Crumpler "Pretty Boy 4000 XL" , this is a compact bag that I comfortably carry the following in:

 

I use a Crumpler just like yours (including the colour). Usually I go out with an M8 plus 2 or 3 lenses (one on the camera). Sometimes I wish Crumpler would use less velcro on their bags (it makes them a bit hard to open when one needs to change lens in a hurry), but, on the other hand, that makes them safer.

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jaa

 

from another thread on another forum, a member suggested buying some velcro strips (hobby store?) and covering up 3/4 of the velcro on the flap. the remaining 1/4 effective velcro is much easier and quieter to open.

 

sounds like it might be a good solution :)

 

cheers

 

rick

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I use the pocket of my Belstaff Trialmaster jacket. Will have to think of something better for the summer though as it can get quite hot wandering about wearing a 'tarmac' coat!:o

 

The small and medium Belstaff "Man" bags work quite nicely and don't look like camera bags. Not for the price sensitive though.

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This thread got me searching for the ultimate in bags. I wonder if the bags made by Fogg in France would suit M8 man.

 

Here is the link :

 

Fogg Specialist Bags - photographic bags and camera cases

 

These have got to be the bees knees - has anybody got one?

 

PS

 

I hope I can share with other members my condolences for all members of Natasha Richardson's family. R.I.P. She will be greatly missed.

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This thread got me searching for the ultimate in bags. I wonder if the bags made by Fogg in France would suit M8 man.

 

Here is the link :

 

Fogg Specialist Bags - photographic bags and camera cases

 

These have got to be the bees knees - has anybody got one?

Guy,

 

I recall some discussion some time ago and the general opinion was that they are pricey but excellent quality and 2 or 3 members mentioned having one or more.

 

A search on "Fogg" returns around 50 threads.

 

Pete.

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