[Leica] Re: Contax G bag [rather long]

[phong@doan-ltd.com (phong)]

Hi Don, Will

    I use the G1 bag with my Leica M.  I can fit one body with Rapidwinder,
    with a lens mounted on, and 3 other lenses easily.  It is very nicely
    finished - reminds me very much of Coach leatherware.  To add further to 
    Will's comments, I do wish the strap is wider; I sometimes worry if it
    might break under the weight of Leica gear (with 90mm Summicron & 35mm 
    Summilux Asph titanium).  Contax G equipment is considerably lighter.  
    This is a concern only when I carry a lot of gear, so I don't.

    Unlike Will, I carry the 90mm Summicron in this bag.  The bag in
    effect has two levels:  one accessible from the top, and one at the bottom,
    accessible thru a side, drop-down hinge-fashion flap.  Little velcro
    inserts are used to divide the interior into compartments.  I configure
    my bag into six compartments:  Top left is long enough for the 90mm
Summicron,
    underneath the 90mm is a very small compartment, suitable for two rolls
of film or
    a small detachable hood (e.g. 35 Summicron, or 28mm Elmarit).  The right
side
    is divided into two compartments (top & bottom) suitable for small &
medium lenses
    (28mm Elmarit w/o hood & 50 Summicron, e.g.).  The top, middle of the
    bag is for a M body, with lens mounted, facing down, T-like fashion, the
sides of the T
    resting on the top of the side compartments.  I leave the well of the
middle top
    compartment deep enough for the 90mm.  The compartment below is large
enough 
    for the 35mm Summilux Asph or 28 Elmarit, with square  hood mounted,
(the hood 
    faces the front of the bag).  I put the mounted M in the top
compartment, lens 
    facing down.

    Although one could carry 1 body and 5 lenses (including 2 fairly big ones), 
    in practice, I usually carry 3 lenses and a body, sometimes with a compact 
    P&S (e.g Minilux or Contax T2): 2 bodies and 4 lenses !  I also get lenses
    with built-in hood whenever possible (50 Summicron).

    I carry Contax G gear in a similar manner, (3 or 4 lenses, all with
    mounted hood, including the 90mm Sonnar).   I don't know how the bag works
    with the Leica 75mm, Noctilux, or the 21mm, 24mm and 135mm lenses,  or
previous
    generation lenses.  This bag works well for me; at least until I carry a
2nd M body.  

    I also have used the G2 system bag; it is too big for walking around.
    The G1 bag is my favorite camera bag, except it's a litlle too nicely
finished.
    Try to buy them used; for a while, it was part of a promotion.

- - Phong