Re: [Leica] The perfect bag?

["B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>]

Well, to his hims own..;-)...I tried putting film in that rear pocket
and found that it worked perfectly for me...I can just dip in and grab a
roll without opening or closing anything...and, as I noted, the front
pocket will hold something as large as the Sekonic 508 and/or the SF20
flash....as to the gear banging around in the bag - Tom is probably
right in saying, far more politely than I am about to, that it's not the
bag for those for whom Leicas are jewelry....;-)...but a wrapped lens or
two, or just a lens wrap stuffed in, will keep the gear from
scraping...And, again, when I tested it - and it was just a test,
getting the gear described in wasn't that tuff...PLUS....if one is just
carrying the gear, a tight fit is actually better than a lose fit...and
once one is using ones gear, at least one body and lens will be out of
the bag....so...

And Tom is also right when he notes that it looks more like a
purse...ooops...shoulder bag for guys ....than it does a camera
bag...:-)

B. D.

Tom Finnegan wrote:
> 
> 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