4x5 Bag, NOT Backpack, Recommendations

[jtsatterlee]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good bag, NOT backpack for a 4x5 field camera, 2 or 3 lenses, film holders and all the miscellaneous stuff one ends up carrying around with 4x5?

Thanks,
John

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Crumpler Fux Deluxe.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Bag

I have the bag that Zone-VI used to make. Sometimes they come up on Epay. Great bags. Check out Fineartsphotosupply;anthony is making some very nice field bags. A good bag that is white and really holds your equipment is worth the money.
Peter

 

[esearing]

I have used a standard canvas duffle bag with multicolored dop kits (shaving kits) to separate and hold accessories. Works for monorail or field camera. The dopkits hold about 6-8 film holders or a box of polaroid. there are lots of pockets in the duffle and kits for small accessories.

 

[Jim Moore]

Another vote for the Zone VI bag. There is currently one listed for sale on eBay.

Jim

 

[jp80874]

The other side of the coin, just for another view point. I use a Tenba backpack as a bag. It holds all you ask and more. At age 64 I carry it around the national park trails in a baby jogger with 20” wheels and shock absorbers. In a pinch I can also use it as a back pack. It also has a rain hood.

John Powers

 

[wfwhitaker]

Midwest Photo offers a Tenba 4x5 field camera bag which looks to be modelled after the old Zone VI bag. May be worth investigating at $149.

Whenever possible I like to try to keep the kit size down to what I can get into a Domke satchel. An added benefit is being able to hang it from the tripod which keeps everything out of the dirt, sand and mud.

 

[Loose Gravel]

I've used Domke bags. I like them because they don't say "steal me" on the outside. I don't usually carry the camera in the bag. I put all the other stuff in the bag and put the camera and tripod over my shoulder. I have put the camera in the bag when I carry limited lenses or film holders.

 

[Lee Shively]

I used a Lowe Pro Magnum with my Wista 4x5 when I had it. It held the camera plus 4 lenses, a few holders, filters, etc.

 

[Joe Lipka]

I have a Tamrac 628 (I think). Biggest bag Tamrac makes. Had a Wista field 45, 20 film holders, three lenses, light meter, dark cloth and other stuff. It is an "over the shoulder" bag that has the ability to convert itself to a back pack. Pretty cool.

I had a Zone VI bag, but I always thought that was kind of an "out of the truck" kind of bag.

 

[John Kasaian]

I suggest a cooler. An igloo or coleman(the more thrashed the better) if you want the protection of hard sides, or a california cooler(or similar product) if you want a softy with a shoulder strap. I appreciate the thermal qualities in hot climates (I live in the San Joaquin Valley) and the fact that you won't look like you're carting around a 1K investment is additional security. My 2-cents

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

A few more words on the Crumpler. It looks like (and in fact is) a messenger bag that you can get with a padded photo insert. It has a big padded strap that goes across your chest so a fair amount of the weight rests comfortably against your back. It's all very well made. I've done day hikes with it and a tripod and a canteen on a shoulder strap, and I've carried it on planes. It holds my Tech V with the grip attached, 6 lenses, shades, filters, meter, finder, loupe, etc., and I usually carry 4 Grafmatics. Eliminate two or three lenses, you could carry twice as much film.

It has a laptop compartment, where I usually put my Grafmatics, but if I'm traveling by plane and need my laptop, I'll put my empty Grafmatics in my checked luggage, carry on the laptop, and put my film in the top of the bag outside the photo insert, usually in a lead bag.

You can also pull out the photo insert with all your equipment neatly packed and have a huge bag to carry other things.

 

[Charles Webb]

I prefer the Domke canvas bags in the lighter colors to keep my stuff cooler in the hot sun. Others have mentioned the great points of the Domke. They don't last to well though, my last new on is close to 25 years old. Still looks and works fine no tricky plastic faseteners to didle with.

 

[Julian Hart]

Hi John

I use a Tamrac 757.
Dead Link Removed
It IS a backpack, but it comes with a shoulder strap (which I have discarded in favour of a wider and more padded Lowepro one) and it works for me as a very comfortable bag. The main compartment takes a 5x4 Gandolfi, the top takes 2 lenses, one side pocket has the darkcloth, the other my DDS (max. 6) and the front has the lightmeter, filters, holders and all the other odds and sods.
It is a tight fit but it does work. I particularly like the design because it is slim and keeps the weight closer to the body and therefore pulls less on my shoulder. The backpack harness can be partly removed and zipped away when not in use.

Good luck, Julian

 

[Edwin]

For many years I have used Domke bags, of one kind or another, for all my equipment carry needs. There many different sizes/configuratoins available to suit just about any requirement you have. For 4x5, I use the Domke Super Satchel.