[Leica] The perfect bag?

[Tom Finnegan <TomF@piengr.com>]

B.D. wrote:
How's that for reviving an ancient frayed thread?

I think I may have seen IT - the perfect M bag - on Nantucket this
weekend:

The Fillson (sp, you Northwesterners?) Small Field Bag.....VERY heavy
everything proof canvas trimmed in bridle leather, with bridle leather
shoulder strap with brass fittings....(which are less than ideal in
terms of banging cameras)...

interior just right for two M bodies with Tom A winders, with 35 and 28s
with shades mounted...room between the two bodies for another M lens or
two in lens wraps....Large front pocket covered by the same flap that
covers the main opening is large enough for SF20 flash and a Nikon SC17
cord...as well as a Sekonic 508....large open back pocket will hold a
ton of film....the top, rather than opening all the way like most pages,
has a large oval cut out, the side edges of which are about an
inch-and-a-half in from the edge of the bag - which means you don't need
to worry about rain getting into the bag.....

(No padding in the bag, but it would easily take a Domke insert,
although I don't really think it needs any padding, as heavy as the
canvas is....we're talking the natural fiber equivalent of 1/2 inch
plywood here...;-) )

The thing is guaranteed for the life of the owner, and looks like it
will outlive most owners...It doesn't look like a camera bag, and while
it doesn't look like a diaper bag, my guess is that with a little use,
it won't look like much of anything...

Oh, comes in a dark green and a tanish color....about $125.....

No...I didn't get one...YET....
**********************************************

I would hate to give the appearance of agreeing with the good Dr. (and he
will be horrified no doubt), but I actually have used one of these bags as
my everyday M bag the last two years. I typically carry an
M6/35-1.4/rapidwinder and M3/50-1.4 along with a small meter, half-dozen
rolls of film, and misc small items. Here's a link to the store,
http://smtp2.thewwwstore.com/filson/230.HTM

I would make a few small corrections to B.D.'s description. I think it would
be a bit awkward to put film in the rear pocket, which is just a flap and is
intended more for flat thin items like maps or plane tickets. The main
compartment will hold two full M's and a couple of extra lenses, but it
wouldn't be recommended for those that cringe at the thought getting a few
scuffs on their gear. It would be a tight fit and there is no padding. For
that much gear the Domke 803 satchel would probably be better. For a
minimalist, carry everywhere kit, though, it works great. My wife refers to
it as my purse, since it doesn't look like a camera bag and my wallet, keys,
sunglasses, grocery list ...all end up in the bag as well.

I also have the 'Small Carry-on Bag', which I have stuffed full with an
amazing amount of gear at times, but it is a bit awkward to try and work out
of. The factory store is worth a visit if you are ever in Seattle and in
need of new woolies/raingear/luggage.

Tom Finnegan
Seattle