Re: [Leica] Golf carts

[Jim Brick <jim@brick.org>]

Is five lenses considered a "heap" of gear? I used to carry a lot more. But
with these five, I have superwide to very long. The M lenses may well
reside in my pockets since I'm using 35/2, 50/2, 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit. All
VERY small as lenses go. And while visiting different places, I won't
always be carrying both R & M. The R bag & tripod is more of a car kit for
Velvia landscapes.

I worked summers in Germany at the European Space Agency in Darmstadt, ('68
to '73.) I had Alpa equipment and that's when I got to know the owners of
the Alpa factory. They loaded me up with equipment to use while in Europe.
I carried a car load of equipment around but packed a small bag for
extended hikes. I'll follow the same practice this time. Carry in my bag,
only what I need for the hike/outing. Obviously carrying the 15 on mountain
hikes is useless. But in buildings, small towns, or other close-in
situations, it cannot be beat. Likewise the 180 and extenders are not
always appropriate. So in reality, my shoulder bag will only carry three
lenses most of the time.

So the golf cart idea, although deserving merit, will have to be passed
along to someone else.

Thanks anyway,

Jim


At 01:11 PM 4/19/98 +0200, you wrote:
>To those LUGers (like Jim Brick) that carry heaps of kit to Europe in
>shoulder bags.  Please be warned that the practise of bag snatching is
>increasing.  It is particularly common in Italy where a pillion rider on
>the back of a lightweight motorcycle or moped will grab a bag from a
>persons shoulder and be lost in traffic before you can protest.  It also
>happens in France.  Sometimes in Germany.  But NEVER in Sweden Oh no.
>
>Solution?  Have you considered a golf cart?  Not the one you Americans ride
>around in but the two wheeled variety.  The bag will hold a lot of gear,
>has lots of pockets, and will save your back.  The handle can even be used
>as a tripod (bipod?)  
>
>Fasten a few scruffy looking sawn off golf clubs out of the top flap and
>you have the perfect unobtrusive camera bag that no thief would look twice
>at.  I'm serious.  I've been looking round the flea markets for one myself.
> No point in buying a new one because the bag will have to be modified for
>access to the bottom.
>
>Alan Hull
>
>  
>