Bag suggestions for a Mamiya C220?

Hiro10X · Aug 13, 2023

Hey group,

I am looking for a bag solution for a Mamiya C220 with accessories. I am trying to find an over-the-shoulder bag style. I normally carry extra film (obviously), a flash, lens filters, release cable, Lumecube and some cold shoe adapters. I recently purchased a Peak Design Everyday Sling but it's really tight and better suited for a modern SLR.

Thoughts? Thanks!!

MattKing · Aug 14, 2023

Welcome to Photrio.
If you are looking at used bags, don't discount the ones designed for the larger types of video cameras. They work well with a camera that stands relatively tall.

David Lingham · Aug 14, 2023

When I’m using my C220 I carry it in an old Billingham 335. Large enough for the camera & 80mm, a 55mm lens, filters, light meter, spare film and other essential stuff such as a small flask and sandwiches.

juan · Aug 14, 2023

I've used tool bags from big box hardware stores - Lowes, Home Depot, etc. add a little foam padding as needed. They are tough, don't scream camera, and are inexpensive.

Alex Benjamin · Aug 14, 2023

Welcome to Photrio.

I use a Tenba DNA 13 Messenger bag when I want to walk around with the C3. It's large enough for the camera, extra lens case, and other accessories, and has pouches on the side and flap for film. I can even fit both the Mamiyas C3 and RB67 when I'm going out for a walk without tripod and with only one lens attached on each. A bit tough on the shoulder with that weight, but practical.

DNA 13 Messenger Bag - Blue

Checkout Tenba's blue DNA 13 messenger bag with a quick access top zipper and removable padded camera insert with fit a mirrorless or DSLR camera with 3-5 lenses.

tenba.com

grahamp · Aug 14, 2023

I used to use an AguSport Quorum bag that was designed for cameras and fitted on a touring bicycle handlebar rack (back before mountain bikes became common). Tall enough to take the camera upright, a 55mm and 180mm lens plus the one on the camera, film, filters, and cable release. It's still the bag I use with the Mamiyas, though I use larger formats more these days.

A 6-can cooler bag is a bit small, but something a little larger might be available. It really helps to be able to stand the camera upright, and just pull it out using the strap.

miha · Aug 14, 2023

I carry my C330 in a Domke F2.

otto.f · Aug 15, 2023

I don’t think this camera is made for a bag, and vice versa even less. Get over the shyness to show you like photography

Sirius Glass · Aug 15, 2023

A bag that carries the camera to your side works if the weight does on throw off your back. I prefer top loading backpacks.

mgb74 · Aug 16, 2023

Personally, I find the older style, "toaster size" bags work best with my C220 (remember all those leather or fake leather bags that everyone had in the 60s and 70s?). But a flash usuallly means a bracket of some sort, and that can be an issue fitting in the bag.

chuckroast · Aug 16, 2023

I use something like this - the Tamrac 604. It's about 10x12x8. I configure it to hold different systems including 35mm, 645, 6x6, a 2x3 Baby Speed Graphic and, of course, Mamiya TLR. It will comfortably hold a C220, 3 lenses, a meter, filters, cable release, and still have room for one more lens.

I got mine used at a camera shop for $5. It was pretty dirty, so I put it in the clothes washer (you can also use a dishwasher on a lower temp, so long as it's clean and clear of any food particles) along with the dividers and then hung it up to dry. Came out looking new...

Vintage Tamrac Medium Camera/Camcorder Carrying Case Bag Model 604 Black | eBay

<p>Vintage Tamrac Medium Camera/Camcorder Carrying Case Bag Model 604 Black. Good condition but it does have a few spots that need to be cleaned </p>

www.ebay.com

It's one of my more useful bags because it reconfigures to handle all manner of different body and lens shapes. Best $5 I ever spent

chuckroast · Aug 24, 2023

ronniecraig said:
My sister and her husband are going to Botswana in about a month (mid-June) for 5 day safari trip and a few more days afterwards in Victory Fall. The Moremi Air is their charter flight company with weight limit of 15 kg. What kind of duffel bag (brand, size, model, etc.) should they buy for this trip? The bag itself shouldn’t be too heavy but is big enough to carry all the stuffs they need for the trip. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. It would even be better if you can suggest some places to purchase the bag. Thanks!

No clue, but my first store of choice to check would be REI who have all manner of such stuff. They might also ask their safari outfitter what they recommend.

ProTip: Do not go on safari (or any other major trip) without having tested every camera that will be used, bringing spare batteries, and bringing spare SD or CD cards. Both batteries and storage media should be tested ahead of time. A tested 2nd charger isn't a bad idea either.

rulnacco · Aug 27, 2023

Good lord, there’s an infinite variety! The only way to really *know* is to take your gear to a store and try it in whatever bag(s) look like they may strike your fancy. (And then, please, buy the bag there instead of going home and ordering it online. Yeah, you’d save *a few* bucks by doing that - but supporting a bricks & mortar establishment is worth the premium paid.)

*Personally* I’d recommend a Domke. I have a ballistic nylon J-3 I used to carry a Mamiya TLR kit around in (when my Nikon F4 and sports shooting kit wasn’t in it) and it has worked worked great for nearly 25 years now (it’s currently home to my Nikon F3/MD-4 and six AI-S lenses) . They’re classy looking, durable (my J-3 is battered but still fully functional), and efficient - it’s easy to get things in and out of them but they’re still well protected.

The main thing is you don’t want a bag that is going to cause you to curse at it. I’ve picked up three other (second hand) Domkes over the years for various purposes, and I’ve never been moved to utter profanity at any of them.

SodaAnt · Aug 27, 2023

rulnacco said:
Good lord, there’s an infinite variety! The only way to really *know* is to take your gear to a store and try it in whatever bag(s) look like they may strike your fancy.

Unfortunately, that only works if there’s still a store to go to. In my area, all the brick and mortar stores that carry such things are gone.

Neil Grant · Aug 29, 2023

..this is a Lowe Pro Nova 190 (i think). It's quite tall but the camera just fits with grip and Porro finder. The smaller 'cells' will hold two lens pairs face-to-face, or one big one - like a 180mm. There's a zip front and top for other photo bits.

GregY · Aug 29, 2023

ronniecraig said:
My sister and her husband are going to Botswana in about a month (mid-June) for 5 day safari trip and a few more days afterwards in Victory Fall. The Moremi Air is their charter flight company with weight limit of 15 kg. What kind of duffel bag (brand, size, model, etc.) should they buy for this trip? The bag itself shouldn’t be too heavy but is big enough to carry all the stuffs they need for the trip. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. It would even be better if you can suggest some places to purchase the bag. Thanks!

Well i'm sure this has nothing to do with a C-220.... but Patagonia makes great duffles....i've used them extensively

Patagonia Black Hole® Duffel Bag 40L

Tough and highly weather-resistant, our Patagonia® Black Hole® Duffel 40L keeps your gear protected and meets most airline carry-on requirements.

www.patagonia.com

rulnacco · Aug 30, 2023

SodaAnt said:
Unfortunately, that only works if there’s still a store to go to. In my area, all the brick and mortar stores that carry such things are gone.

Ouch! A very sad sign of the times. I'm currently in Mississippi, where at least here we have one decent camera store (DeVille Camera & Video) in Jackson. I guess I got spoiled living in Orlando for six years before that: they have *three* excellent camera/gear spots, one of which (Colonial Photo & Hobby) sells new and used stuff, and the other two (Harmon Photo and Kiwi Camera Service) carry a great supply of second-hand gear.

With bags, it's really important to get the feel of them: do they comfortably fit your gear, can you get things out and back in efficiently, do they feel right slung from your shoulder, do they have all the accessory compartments you need and arranged properly. So I sympathize if you can't do that before buying, that's tough.

chuckroast · Aug 30, 2023

rulnacco said:
Ouch! A very sad sign of the times. I'm currently in Mississippi, where at least here we have one decent camera store (DeVille Camera & Video) in Jackson. I guess I got spoiled living in Orlando for six years before that: they have *three* excellent camera/gear spots, one of which (Colonial Photo & Hobby) sells new and used stuff, and the other two (Harmon Photo and Kiwi Camera Service) carry a great supply of second-hand gear.

With bags, it's really important to get the feel of them: do they comfortably fit your gear, can you get things out and back in efficiently, do they feel right slung from your shoulder, do they have all the accessory compartments you need and arranged properly. So I sympathize if you can't do that before buying, that's tough.

If you can find a bag you're interested in - perhaps someone you know has one - eBay can be your friend here.

SodaAnt · Aug 30, 2023

Another option is to buy from someplace (Amazon comes to mind) that has a liberal return policy and try it. If things don't fit, return it.

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Aug 31, 2023

I use a ThinkTank Retrospective 7 for all my MF needs. I can fit a Mamiya C330 + 1 or 2 extra lenses, film, and my spot meter.

I can substitute the Mamiya for a Fuji 6x9 RF or a Rapid-Omega 6x7 RF + extra lens.

Sturdy bag, classic look, flexible and easy to work with.

Bag suggestions for a Mamiya C220?

Hiro10X

MattKing

Moderator

David Lingham

juan

Alex Benjamin

DNA 13 Messenger Bag - Blue

grahamp

miha

otto.f

Sirius Glass

mgb74

chuckroast

Vintage Tamrac Medium Camera/Camcorder Carrying Case Bag Model 604 Black | eBay

chuckroast

rulnacco

SodaAnt

Neil Grant

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GregY

Patagonia Black Hole® Duffel Bag 40L

rulnacco

chuckroast

SodaAnt

Michel Hardy-Vallée

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Bag suggestions for a Mamiya C220?

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