Thread: Camera bags - options?

Went to have a look at camera bags the other day when I came to realise that they're just regular bags with padded inserts in them. Not really sure what the Lowepros and the Billinghams and the Crumplers do that is any different to that, really. Well... maybe they've got little side pockets for memory cards 'n things. But anyway I'm thinking as an alternative of buying a regular bag and then looking for padded inserts, if there are any.

What bags do you use, what would recommend as serious compact enthusiasts who prefer to keep it light and mobile?

I've been carrying my carry-everywhere Leica M8.2 and single 35mm lens in a perfect fit Lowepro bag for the past couple of years. I've just recently bought a 90mm lens so I'm going to need a bigger bag.

Plus, I'm still in denial mode over the new Leica M - I'm determined to buy it but am in denial that I can't afford it. So while I'm in denial mode I'm thinking I may need an even bigger bag to carry two Leica bodies and three lenses.

The current Bare Bones Bag would be great. The M with lens plus one or two additional lenses fit perfectly plus pockets for notebook, pens, extra battery, memory cards, etc. Just enough bag and unobtrusive.

Bare Bones, thanks for that, I hadn't heard of it until you mentioned it. Looks pretty good! It seems to fit exactly what I need. Not too pricey either.

Andrewteee beat me to it; I also recommend the Bare Bones.

I've had mine for a few months now. I carry my X-Pro 1 and 3 lenses, plus the usual bits and pieces. The bag is well made, unobtrusive, and provides a god balance between protection and bulk. It also has a pocket sized for an iPad; I often keep a paper notebook in there, and sometimes my iPad Mini.

I looked at the ThinkTank Retrospective 5 before settling on the BB. The Retrospective is a great bag, but too bulky for me. The BB conforms to your shape.

How well padded is it? I'm looking at some photos of it online but it kind of looks thinnish. Is this the one you're talking about:

The Bare Bones Bag EVOLUTION, BBB-E | Indian Hill Imageworks

If it has space for an iPad mini, well then dammit I'm going to have to get an iPad mini too.

Hi

Yes, that's it.

The padding is less than that of most bags. But, I feel it is more than adequate. I am very careful with my gear and would not commit to weak protection. I might not use it for rock climbing with my gear. But I use it for everything else with no worries. The price of what I consider to be over-protection is bulk. In my experience the gear is only really in 'danger' when we are handling it. In this bag it is safe. It will easily withstand a drop or severe bump.

If you need more specific information, let me know.

What does it mean by 'minimum velcro noise':

"Two Velcro closures on the flap: fast open, secure close with a minimum amount of velcro noise."

I have never heard velcro in the middle of the night that isn't jarringly loud.

But if I read it correctly, there is a zip along the top opening under the flap, right?

I bought a Hadley Small from a member of the m43 forum.
I carry two pens and my X100. Can also carry an IPad and lenses and batteries.
The quality and utility is unbeatable.
Since getting it I have pretty much quit looking at other bags.
I also have three different size Crumplers, a Think Tank 10 and a Lowepro FastPack.
The Crumplers get some use when carring only one camera.

I love the classic Billinghams look, I've known of those bags for a while. The Crumplers I'm not so sure of, every Crumpler shop I've been to don't seem to stock many camera-related bags so I've never been able to check out their range other than the smaller point-n-shoot camera bags.

I've been reading up about the Bare Bones, they're handmade by Courierware and they provide options so I can have clips instead of velcro.

Hmmm. I have a Crumpler Large haven insert which is heavily padded. With the same thoughts as the OP, I am thinking of getting a small LL Bean duffle bag abt $38 as the main 'bag' with the haven to be used inside.