Bags...

[ChristopherCoy]

Bags are one of those subjects that are highly subject to personal taste and preferences, I realize that, but that doesn't make them easy to shop for. Firstly, they're expensive as hell. Secondly, they can't be found just anywhere so comparing them isn't necessarily easy to do. And thirdly if there is any part of photography that contains "fandom", it's bags.

Since 2010-ish I've used a Lowepro 300AW Slingshot. I used to love it but as my lens assortments grew it got extremely heavy and completely full, and I quit using it. Over the last year, I've carried around a Peak Design Everyday Messenger 15 usually with just the F100 or F5 with the 50mm attached, however I've come to dislike that one as well. It is too thin for the camera to fit into with the lens attached, and if you keep anything in the front pocket at all, it cuts into the interior camera room.

I've been casually looking at bags that are big enough to fit the RB67 and all three lenses, but I have yet to find anything that interests me. I'd really like something that would carry the RB with lenses, and still have a little room to put the F2 with a 35 or 50mm attached to it - but not cost multiple hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Bags are kinda like boats, they depreciate 75% immediately after you buy them.

Am I looking for the unicorn in the horse pasture or what?

 

[Pieter12]

No, but you're not going to be very comfortable lugging around a bag that big. Maybe a roller case, like a ThinkTank Airport.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

No, but you're not going to be very comfortable lugging around a bag that big. Maybe a roller case, like a ThinkTank Airport.

I've thought about a hard case, or a roller case, but that would seriously limit my ability to take it places like our annual Colorado trip and the like.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I have a ThinkTank messenger bag that I use to carry my RZ with one back, one lens attached and two other lenses (there's space enough for three, but I like being able to walk upright with square shoulders rather than looking like Marty Feldman's Igor in Young Frankenstein). I can keep a couple pro packs of 120 film in the front pocket, along with a light meter. I forget the model name/number but it was in the $100-125 range IIRC, so not bank-busting. I'd recommend making some decisions before you go out the door on what lens(es) you're going to take with you and only bring the camera, one (or two) backs, the lens mounted on the camera, and one other lens. Trust me - I've schlepped that RZ kit of mine across Mexico City on the subway, and by the end of the day, you're hating the camera.

 

[Pieter12]

Some of the backpack cases can carry quite a bit of gear, the best thing to do is take the equipment you need to pack and go to a big camera store that has lots of bags and see what works. If that is at all possible right now! I have found carrying a back pack and a shoulder bag can work for me if I am hiking and need to carry a lot of gear. The camera and lens I use the most goes in the shoulder bag strapped across my chest, that I can easily slide into position in front.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Some of the backpack cases can carry quite a bit of gear, the best thing to do is take the equipment you need to pack and go to a big camera store that has lots of bags and see what works.

That's the problem, we don't have any big camera stores with lots of bags. We have one store in Houston - the Houston Camera Exchange - and their selection is limited. And it's limited to the high priced bags only.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

I have a ThinkTank messenger bag that I use to carry my RZ with one back, one lens attached and two other lenses (there's space enough for three, but I like being able to walk upright with square shoulders rather than looking like Marty Feldman's Igor in Young Frankenstein). I can keep a couple pro packs of 120 film in the front pocket, along with a light meter. I forget the model name/number but it was in the $100-125 range IIRC, so not bank-busting. I'd recommend making some decisions before you go out the door on what lens(es) you're going to take with you and only bring the camera, one (or two) backs, the lens mounted on the camera, and one other lens. Trust me - I've schlepped that RZ kit of mine across Mexico City on the subway, and by the end of the day, you're hating the camera.

I'm figuring that's going to be the 127mm and the 180mm. I dont see myself using the 65mm much as I don't tend to enjoy wide shots very often.

 

[Kino]

Not sure it's big enough but investigate this:
https://www.harborfreight.com/5800-weatherproof-protective-rolling-carry-on-case-x-large-64819.html

Yes it's not a bag, but it's inexpensive for an airline compatible roll around.

 

[removed account4]

I usually put my stuff in a peanuts pillow case that has snoopy and woodstock on it

 

[ChristopherCoy]

I usually put my stuff in a peanuts pillow case that has snoopy and woodstock on it

...and I believe it too!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I'm figuring that's going to be the 127mm and the 180mm. I dont see myself using the 65mm much as I don't tend to enjoy wide shots very often.

Once you use it a bunch, and get a better sense of the lenses, you may find there isn't that big of a difference between the 127 and the 180 in terms of field of view. On days when you're in a macro kind of mood, haul the 65 around because it will let you get REALLY close with the bellows on the RB, and still keep some depth-of-field. The ThinkTank bag I have is the Spectral 15. They don't sell that exact model any more, but this is the closest equivalent: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...tank_photo_710687_vision_15_shoulder_bag.html
They have it on sale in Olive for $97 right now. Regularly about $150.

 

[MattKing]

I used an Amvona large bag that worked well. It was deep enough to hold a layer of lens and a chimney finder (in a soft sided thermal lunch kit) with the camera, film back and lens and a hand meter on top. It had side pockets big enough for a film back, a front pocket for film, and a top compartment for smaller things.
I also used a used, high end diaper bag with padding for just the camera, film back and one lens plus meter and film.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

. The ThinkTank bag I have is the Spectral 15.

Those don't look much thicker than my Peak Design messenger. I'd be interested to see how your RZ fits in there. I'm imagining that you put the camera in lens first so it stands in a vertical position?

 

[awty]

I carry my rz, three lenses, motor wind, 2 film holders and other paraphernalia in a padded back pack with two top zipped main pouches I bought from a computer shop. Been using it for 5 years.
Solid cases on wheel rattle badly and screws loosen. Need to pack tight.
Carry my 8x10 in a hard case.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

You are right that camera bags are often outrageously priced. And many are purposely fancy, which means heavy brass buckles or leather trim.

You wrote RB67 and 3 lenses. To me, that sounds like the Domke f1 Little bit Larger bag (if you want a shoulder bag rather than a backpack). I use the f2 for a Hasselblad, but I think the f2 would be snug for your kit. Have fun searching.

 

[Greg Kriss]

No, but you're not going to be very comfortable lugging around a bag that big. Maybe a roller case, like a ThinkTank Airport.

I have settled on using ThinkTank bags with wheels. These roller cases look a lot more like luggage rather than camera bags. If I am a working in a public place I take along a (rock climbing) sling and a locking carabiner that I use to attach the bag to something permanent. Most people have never seen a locking carabiner. The biner is simple and straight forward to lock and unlock but you'd be surprised at how many people have no idea how they operate.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

I used an Amvona large bag that worked well. It was deep enough to hold a layer of lens and a chimney finder (in a soft sided thermal lunch kit) with the camera, film back and lens and a hand meter on top. It had side pockets big enough for a film back, a front pocket for film, and a top compartment for smaller things.
I also used a used, high end diaper bag with padding for just the camera, film back and one lens plus meter and film.

hmmm.... if I consider those kinds of bags and just added padded camera inserts, that opens up a whole bunch of new opportunities!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Those don't look much thicker than my Peak Design messenger. I'd be interested to see how your RZ fits in there. I'm imagining that you put the camera in lens first so it stands in a vertical position?

Yes- I put it in vertically, but film back first. I leave the strap attached so I can pull it out of the bag strap first. I think most messenger bags in the end are very similar in interior dimensions. RBs/RZs are an awkward fit for any camera bag because of their overall bulk. It's much easier to fit a Hasselblad plus a couple lenses in a bag.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

@MattKing got me to thinking about different alternatives. A gun range bag might be a workable plan...

https://www.amazon.com/Smith-Wesson...eywords=5.11+RANGE+BAG&qid=1615901044&sr=8-20

 

[MattKing]

@MattKing got me to thinking about different alternatives. A gun range bag might be a workable plan...

https://www.amazon.com/Smith-Wesson...eywords=5.11+RANGE+BAG&qid=1615901044&sr=8-20

Up here, I'd be cautious about a gun range bag.
Where diaper bags are more likely to attract the attention of young mothers, gun range bags are more likely to attract the attention of worried peace officers...
Of course in Texas, it may be the other way around....
If you use something that is re-purposed, you will need to budget for some sort of padding or camera specific inserts.

 

[KenS]

I still have the Halliburton that 'housed' the Hassie (or Mamiya RB) those many years ago but as of to-day I'd rather humph around my Linhof in a much experienced ZoneVI 'soft' bag on my shoulder
and my wooden tripod in the 'free' hand.

Ken

 

[cjbecker]

For actually hiking or carrying gear, i would only go down the route of a hiking pack and inserts like the tenba byob inserts. The only use of real camera bags I have is for storage. They are way too uncomfortable to hike with.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

For actually hiking or carrying gear, i would only go down the route of a hiking pack and inserts like the tenba byob inserts. The only use of real camera bags I have is for storage. They are way too uncomfortable to hike with.

OMG PERFECT! The backpack insert is perfect! I can stick that in my Hurley backpack and be done!

 

[MattKing]

No one is ever "done" when it comes to camera bags!

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Yes- I put it in vertically, but film back first. I leave the strap attached so I can pull it out of the bag strap first. I think most messenger bags in the end are very similar in interior dimensions. RBs/RZs are an awkward fit for any camera bag because of their overall bulk. It's much easier to fit a Hasselblad plus a couple lenses in a bag.

So as it turns out, I can fit the RB with the 127 attached, the 65, and the 180 in my peak design Messenger 15” bag, and still have room for a 2nd back and my light meter. I packed it up this morning and I’m headed out with two loaded magazines to try some botanical stuff at some nature and botanical gardens.