RE: [Leica] Leica bags report

["Dan Honemann" <ddh@home.com>]

Well, as promised, here are my initial impressions of the Courierware (see
site address below) extra small camera bag:

Pros:

- -- it is extremely light
- -- the shoulder strap is wide and comfy
- -- the padded insert seems thick enough to adequately insulate the camera
- -- The top flap can connect to the body with either plastic snaps or velcro;
the latter is quite convenient

Cons:

- -- it's rather flimsy, and because it is longer than it is tall, it buckles
in the middle when you carry it
- -- the padded insert is bottomless--it's just a circular bad with two walls
in the center, dividing it into thirds.  It is _not_ a pouch that can be
lifted up with the contents remaining inside of it
- -- I don't like the dimensions: I'd prefer taking two inches from the length
and adding them to the depth of the bag
- -- the few pockets that are on the bag are almost entirely geared toward
carrying papers and folders; no pockets seem to have film cannisters in mind

Conclusions:

Since this is the first and only camera bag I've seen, I have a hard time
evaluating it--I can't compare it to anything else.  It will do the job, but
I'm not all that thrilled with how it feels when carrying it.  It is really
too much bag (size-wise, and I got the smallest size available) for my
needs.  At twice the price of the Domke F-803, I'd have to say the latter is
the better value--without yet having seen the F-803, mind you.  Based on the
descriptions I've read here and on their website, the 803 is slightly
smaller, has a briefcase style handle (the courierware bag has none), and
has more useful pockets.  I could be wrong, but I believe the Domke inserts
are pouches which can be removed while retaining their contents.

My inclination is to return the Courierware bag and get the Domke.  I'll be
interested to hear what others (who have seen other bags) have to say about
this one.

Dan


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Dan
> Honemann
> Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 10:43 AM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: RE: [Leica] Leica bags report
>
>
> Nathan,
>
> Thanks for posting your impressions of these two bags.  Both were on my
> "short list," but the one that finally made the cut was a courier
> bag (see:
> http://www.courierwareusa.com/camerabags.html).  I'll post my
> review of this
> bag as soon as it comes in--hopefully tomorrow!  From what I can tell off
> the website, it is quite similar to the Domke F-803, but has velcro
> fasteners and slightly more room (I bought the extra small
> version; you can
> get it in small or medium, both of which have quite a bit more room).  It
> also features a padded insert with three compartments.
>
> Dan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of
> Nathan Wajsman
> Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 10:07 AM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: [Leica] Leica bags report
>
>
> Intrigued by various comments on the LUG, I have recently bought two
> satchel-type bags for my M outfit. I know it sounds a bit frivolous, but I
> like bags and I am forever in search of the perfect one. Considering the
> value of the contents, the cost of another bag is peanuts. Anyway, the two
> bags are the Domke F-803 satchel ($78 plus $18 each for the two
> inserts) and
> the M-Classic bag from www.mclassics.com (around $95), also a
> satchel-style
> bag.
> The main selling point of these satchels is that they do not look like
> expensive camera bags and that they are compact and easy to work
> out of. The
> Domke writeup talks about avoiding unnecessary padding which adds bulk to
> the bag and makes it swing away from your body when you walk. The
> M-Classic
> web site also stresses the convenience and compactness.
> In comparing the two, I am a bit ambivalent. Both are very well made, have
> similar dimensions and each has some good and bad points. The Domke offers
> better protection, as the material is thicker than the M-Classic.
> Also, the
> inserts for the Domke are great, as they are closed at the bottom so that
> little bits do not migrate from one compartment to another. In
> contrast, the
> M-Classic is a bit weak on the protection side: the material, while rugged
> and weather-resistant, is very thin and I do not feel comfortable setting
> the bag down on a hard surface for fear of knocking the rangefinder out of
> alignment. I have put some padding from another camera bag at the
> bottom to
> alleviate this. The M-Classic lacks the handle of the Domke and I do not
> like that way the shoulder strap is attached to the bag. On the other hand
> it is more roomy than the Domke and has a more flexible closing mechanism:
> either Velcro, or snaps, or a belt-type closure, while the Domke has one,
> rather inconve! nient, keychain-type snap.
> Both bags accomodate my two M6s and the 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm and 135mm
> lenses, plus a Manfrotto mini tripod, the SF-20 flash and some film and
> other small odds and ends. The main difference is that the
> M-Classic allows
> me to carry both M6s with a lens mounted while the Domke requires
> me to keep
> on of them without a lens on.
> In summary, I like the Domke because of the better protection but the
> M-Classic is easier to work out of. I would not use the latter, however,
> without the padding I have added in the bottom.
> Nathan
>
>
>
>
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