#1

Hi all,

I wasn’t sure where to put this - there’s a backpack suggestion thread and then there’s my old mirrorless camera thread. Neither seemed quite right (though if mods disagree, I’m sure you will move it, which is fine of course).

Anyway, I want to look into getting a really good camera bag. I will likely be getting 2 more lenses in the next few months for 3 total and I have a more compact mirrorless camera (Sony A6000). I’d love something that can fit all that and maybe with a bit of flexibility if I get another camera that is potentially larger.

Wisdom from the experts? Thanks!

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#2

I’d check out Peak Design, along with ONA Bags and maybe Billingham. :ok_hand:

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#3

I’ve had a Lowepro ProTactic 450 for over a year now. I obsess over bags. This one is decent enough. The 450 is for a 15" laptop. I think they make a smaller one for a 13". There are knockoffs on ebay and I hear the quality is questionable.

Pros: you can fit all sorts of things inside, since it is very reconfigurable. I have an a6500 and a bunch of lenses and a mavic pro quad. It all fits. I feel like a turtle wearing it. I think this is a pro, because I enjoy feeling like a turtle (maybe snail is more apt?). Everything feels pretty damn protected. I use soft microphone bags to organize and hold my cords inside. The bottom side pockets are nice for easy camera access. I like that it is all black and minimal branding. I wish Thule didn’t have such visible billboard branding on their gear.

Cons: I cram a 15" touchbar MBP and a 12.9" ipad pro in the pocket. It kind of works, but if you want to carry a paper notebook larger than A5 AND a laptop, it will be a tight fit or a nogo. Side pockets are fairly useless and tiny. I took off the belt right away. That might be useful but not for me. It looks pretty military, which may or may not be what you are going for.

Bags are all about compromises. This one gets heavy if you cram it full of stuff and forget about just what you’ve crammed in. If you don’t like your potatoes touching your carrots on your plate, this might be the bento box for you. If you want to go minimal, look elsewhere. My $.02.

#4

I tend to prefer non-camera specific bags. They’re less expensive for the same quality, can hold other stuff, and don’t signal “camera in here” … I use gear wraps for lenses when I need a bunch of stuff on the go.

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#5

I’ve had a Domke F-2 and one of their now discontinued J series small messenger style ballistic nylon bags for 15+ years, and both get used for music events more than photography these days.

Oh yeah, I also have a really well loved olive drab Domke F-6 “Little Bit Smaller” bag that is about a year newer than the other two. It was a diaper bag for about 5 years in addition to hauling camera gear and general man purse duties. It now holds my Leica gear but has also worked well for various music gear.

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#6

That’s kind of a direction I’ve been leaning in, or finding a little bag that can go in a bigger bag. Camera ‘cube’ or whatever. Or just something designed for cameras, but incredibly non-descript.

I love bags :slight_smile:

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#7

I find that Topo is a good price/quality brand and I’ve used even their smallest shoulder bags for my camera just fine.

#8

Yeah, I’ve gotten into some of the smaller Topo bags for holding cables. Their camera cube is on my short list, Timbuk2 has a nice one too that seems a bit cozier for grabbing and going (wish the Topo bag had a strap).

#9

Regarding “on the go” sort of bags, I’m in favour of the Cocotte messenger bags with the padded lens inserts: http://www.cocotte-equip.com/english/items/fred-black.html and http://www.cocotte-equip.com/english/items/capa.html. Top-loading, sits slim to your body, easily flips to the front side for reloading/switching, very secure for biking or crowds, and waterproof materials (though not sealed - if you’re caught in a downpour as I have been your gear will be fine but don’t toss it in the river!).

#10

Billingham sell just the inserts for their bags. For a long time I used the insert from a Hadley Small in my messenger bag whenever I wanted to take my camera out and about.

The small insert should easily fit an A6000 and 3 lenses (depending on how big they are). I can send you photos of mine full with gear if it helps.

Recently I bought a Hadley Small Pro, partly for camera use and partly for use with a baby sling. I can recommend it.

#11

I’ve loved using my Langly Alpha Globetrotter. Been using a Langly bag in one form or another for the past 4 years. Sealed top and bottom compartments, inserts in bottom compartment can hold a camera and up to 5 lenses, many pockets, waist and chest straps, and tripod holder. Super durable, plus it looks pretty good imo. I use it just as a regular bag most of the time, but it’s really nice for holding audio equipment when I got up into the mountains as well as camera gear. https://www.langly.co/collections/camera-bags

#12

Oh man, it looks like topo discontinued my favorite should bag of third, the Field Bag. If you can find one somewhere it’s my favorite for cameras.

#13

Think Tank Photo might be worth a look.

#14

I’ll second Domke bags. Simple, well-made, and versatile.

#15

I can second that! I’m pretty fond of Peak Design. I have the 5L Sling, Cuff, and Leash, and I am happy with all three. I typically carry my micro 4/3 camera with 2-3 lenses (one of them mounted, typically my 20/f1.7 pancake) along with a film SLR, disposable, or instant camera and some odds and ends. The 5L Sling might be too small for a Sony body plus 3 Sony lenses since they are a bit bigger than most m4/3, especially if you might get something larger, but it depends on your specific lenses and preferences. I wanted something that was camera specific or camera-leaning but plain looking and as compact and easy to access as possible and I feel good about it in all regards. check the drop down for a couple photos of the bag and of everything I had in it today, along with more details:

pics/words

image
07D19020-A4AA-431E-A30F-070C9372AC95.jpeg3390×2544 1.94 MB
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9FBFED4C-0F94-4BBC-A73D-6DD752C6C423.jpeg4032×3024 2.17 MB

  • Panasonic GX85 micro 4/3 body
  • 3 lenses, two of which are very compact: 20/f1.7, 12-32/f3.5-5.6, and old Minolta 45/f2.0 with m4/3 adapter
  • Cuff (on camera), Leash (in front pocket unless needed)
  • Instax Mini instant camera w/ spare film pack
  • extra battery, SD card, lens cloth, and some filters I forgot to take out for the photo

I could also fit more small accessories (another battery plus some small stuff) in the interior zipper pocket, plus a small-ish tablet or similar size thing in the tablet sleeve, which I don’t often use. I don’t carry a laptop with me often so that wasn’t a concern.

this might be excessive detail, but I have used a few different bags over the years with my film SLR and other cameras (typically non-camera-specific bags that I just made do with) and I like this setup a lot. I always have it ready so I can just grab it and go, and I also plan to use the 5L bag as a camera insert of sorts in a carry-on for upcoming trips with a field recorder/cold shoe mount and disposable film camera in place of the Instax. I really like organization options that are versatile and flexible, and I think Peak’s bags do that better than any others I’ve seen. You can definitely tell that they’re designed by people who actually use them.

If I were needing to carry more or bigger bodies/lenses in the future, I’d definitely at least consider the 10L Sling or their backpacks, though I don’t expect to need more than this for the foreseeable future. I tried out the 5L and 10L Sling in my local camera shop before deciding on the smaller one, and the 10L is the largest I’d personally want to carry with a single strap - any larger and I’d use a backpack. Bringing my gear and testing it in person at the shop was super helpful for me.

It also stays in place when riding a bike which is not common for me with sling-type bags unless they have a stabilizing strap (like larger Chrome/Timbuk2/etc).

tl;dr @sellanraa: I’d personally recommend the Peak 10L Sling to carry what you described!

#16

Another vote for the Peak Design Sling (I have the 5L). Totally solid for a small set-up. Can carry a big camera with a lens and a field recorder, which is all I ever really want to carry.

I do think that dedicated camera bags are really only necessary if you are toting pretty big systems, at which point a lot of padded dividers and specialized pockets for filters makes more sense. Most cameras are well built enough that you can cram them into a bag without agonizing over it.

#17

Hey everyone, hope the holidays are being good to you!
Along with making music, I love cycling, photography and field recording. I was having a tough time finding a good padded camera bag that I could put gear into that was suitable for riding as well.
Enter the Chrome Industries Nico F-stop. Adjustable padded dividers, sealed zips, lots of handy compartments, and sits just right when I’m riding and it doesn’t kill my back. Worth a look.

#18

Well, I had it narrowed down to a few options:

  • Timbuk2 messenger bag + Topo camera cube
  • Topo field bag (no longer produced, but on eBay)
  • Timbuk2 Informant (no longer produced, but on eBay)

Pleased to have a brand new small Timbuk2 Informant on the way. I think it’ll be just right. I can’t imagine getting more than 1 more lens. I just got home from getting a Sony 18-105 F4 G series lens I’m excited to tinker with. Time to take my dachshund photography to the next level! :slight_smile:

Thanks everyone for your wisdom. My Timbuk2 bag that is about 20 years old looks the same as it did when it was brand new, so the durability of the brand and the discreteness of the bag were important factors. Plus, it seems like just the right size.

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