[Leica] My M purse (quite long)

[Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com>]

I get a catalog called "Back Saver". I have a bad lower back problem
(currently getting cortisone injections between L4 & L5) and a couple of
years ago I bought a back recliner chair, and a "back saver" shoulder bag
from them. The bag is leather, large, black, and looks like a rather large,
very soft, leather purse, with a full length zipper across the top. I put a
stretchy, well padded, non-slip, camera bag strap (Optech I think) on it as
the strap that came with it was somewhat hokey. The purse has large "D"
rings for strap attachment. I carry this bag as my
briefcase/purse/whatever... The inside is divided long ways so you can put
a laptop on one side and papers/folders/notebooks... on the other.

I bought two Billingham tall inserts. These are"two holers", eg; double,
two pockets, two holes. My wife disconnected one side of the center
dividing cross piece in one of the inserts and sewed it into the corner
giving me, still two pockets, but a large triangle-like shaped pocket and a
small triangle shaped pocket. Draw what I just said and you will see what I
mean.

She then sewed a piece of cloth on the bottom of both the modified and
unmodified inserts. This keeps things like lens caps and other small things
from moving from one pocket to the other, or out into the bag away from the
insert. Even though this bag has a built-in foam bottom, I put a piece of
close cell foam (1/4" thick) in the bottom of each pocket.

Since these are Billingham inserts, they have Velcro around the outside. I
put the opposite type (hook or loop) in my bag, on the front side of the
divider, and then placed these Billingham inserts into the bag, secured
from moving around, by this Velcro.

My M6 with 35/1.4 ASPH and TA Winder attached, fits vertically into the
large triangular shaped pocket. Rolls of film fit exactly into the very
small triangular pocket. My 75/1.4 fits into the first (next to the camera)
unmodified insert pocket. My 50 DR Summicron fits lens cap down into the
last pocket. My 24/2.8 ASPH sits base down (plastic rear cap to plastic
rear cap) on top of the 50 DR. The 35/1.4 ASPH lens hood resides on top of
the 75/1.4 in its pocket (plenty of room). The 24 and 50 have their shades
attached.

On the other side of the divider, I carry papers, magazines, notebook (not
computer), etc. A zipper pocket inside holds miscellaneous small stuff. An
outside end pocket holds my phone. An outside side pocket on one side
(front - camera side) holds my Palm III, and an identical side pocket along
the back holds receipts, coupons, various notes and papers (flat stuff.)
You know... the stuff that seems to accumulate and multiply on its own.

This bag is completely anonymous looking. And I carry it everywhere, like a
purse. It is a purse. With reading material, notebook, needed papers, etc,
and a complete M6 kit enclosed.

It's not like carrying a "camera bag". It's like carrying a purse. I love it!

Jim