Re: [Leica] Re: Expensive Bags

["rlb" <rlb@triad.rr.com>]

No flames from here Douglas.

The only person that I know that owns more bags than I do is Mark Rabiner.
He's a bag nut too.  The difference is that he loves everyone of his bags
and I like bits and pieces of each one of mine but none completely.    The
Billingham stays at the back of the closet because I never use it.  It's
beautiful to look at but for me very difficult to use.  Too many flaps and I
despise the zippered cover that you must go through to get to your
equipment.   Need more than one hand to go through it...at least for me.  I
also don't care for the leather catches that are either too snug or too
loose.     I bought my first Tenba several weeks ago and it's very well
made.  I should have bought the next larger size.  One of my favorites is
the Domke Leather F2.  It is extremely well made and isn't as floppy as the
canvas Domke.  I don't care for the metal hooks.  The strap on it is the
best strap that I have ever used.

I must agree with you about Tamrac.  They seem to better much stronger and
of better material than Lowepro's.  I have two different size Tamrac
backpacks and find I use them both more than anything else.  If I could only
get them onto my back without breaking my arms I would have it made!!

Bob Bedwell


Subject: [Leica] Re: Expensive Bags


>
> I find this talk of bags a bit amusing.  The Billingham in particular is
> hilariously overpriced, and seems to offer nothing over a no-name bag I
> could buy on 14th St. for a few bucks.  It also looks moderatly expensive
> (if not particularly beautiful); if I were a thief, I'd be tempted.
>
> The Domke too strikes me as a joke.  I shot with one in Kyoto, and
> not only does it offer very little protection -- supposedly a feature, not
> a bug -- but it has way to much metal on it for my liking:  just the thing
> to scratch a lens in the field.  And you can find stuff like this in army
> surplus stores for a *song*.  Just buy a Tenba insert (twenty bucks, and
> unlike the Domke, capable of modification) and you're off and running.
>
> I use Tenba bags mostly -- at least they're well-made -- but I'm starting
> to think they look too expensive with the leather trim.  My favorite at
> the moment is a Tamrac fitted backpack:  I can carry all my equipment, and
> barely feel it.  (And it's about a third the price of a Billingham.)
>
> Feeling the flames already,
>
>
> Douglas Cooper
>
>