Best Shoulder Bag for Two Cameras

[Arthurwg]

Yikes! I see that ONA makes a great looking bigger bag, the Astoria. But it's apparently sold out at the moment.

 

[Bormental]

@Pieter12 This is truly "glass half empty" sort of situation What you're seeing as "already bulging" looks like "collapsing everywhere else" to me. Your bag is 60% empty and it can't keep its normal shape, so it folded in both dimensions on width & length. Personally, I do not like when things bounce around. I like my equipment to sit tight, yet be easily accessible.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Temba messenger bag. I carry a DSLR, ME Super, and Holga in it. I love his way it is to get in and out if it.

 

[Pieter12]

@Pieter12 This is truly "glass half empty" sort of situation What you're seeing as "already bulging" looks like "collapsing everywhere else" to me. Your bag is 60% empty and it can't keep its normal shape, so it folded in both dimensions on width & length. Personally, I do not like when things bounce around. I like my equipment to sit tight, yet be easily accessible.

The bag is thick, padded leather. It doesn't collapse on its own.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

@Pieter12 "squeeze an SLR"? Are we talking about the same bag? Here's a photo of my Nikon FM (and it's quite loose in that compartment). The extra empty space is usually occupied by one of my MF cameras. RB67 will not fit, but C330 and M645 are easy:

View attachment 252416

This probably wouldn't work with massive fast zooms, but my prime lenses (OP's situation) are easy.

I appreciate seeing a picture with your camera in the bag. But where do you put all the peripheral items, such as light meter, film, hoods, filters, cable release? I think the Domke F7 might suit the OP with his two cameras.

 

[awty]

I use a small camera back pack for larger SLR's and medium format cameras/lens. Much easier to carry around than a large shoulder bag. If its just one camera or a couple of smaller 35mm's I will use a shoulder bag. If Im photographing I will just hand carry or use a neck strap.

 

[Pieter12]

I appreciate seeing a picture with your camera in the bag. But where do you put all the peripheral items, such as light meter, film, hoods, filters, cable release? I think the Domke F7 might suit the OP with his two cameras.

This came up as someone suggested the ONA Bowery bag and I did not think it appropriate. As for what is in that bag, it's an F2AS, with a metered prism--works well enough that I don't feel the need for a separate light meter. When I do I have a Gossen digisix, which is tiny. I rarely use this bag because it is severely limiting. Better for my TLR, which has fewer peripheral accessories. And if I'm packing a cable release, that means a tripod, and if I'm toting a tripod, I'll probably take a medium format camera instead in a larger bag or backpack.

 

[Bormental]

The bag is thick, padded leather. It doesn't collapse on its own.

You just posted a photo of it collapsing on its own. Even the separator is bent. Use my photo to see how it's meant to be used and try putting something in it!

 

[Bormental]

I appreciate seeing a picture with your camera in the bag. But where do you put all the peripheral items, such as light meter, film, hoods, filters, cable release? I think the Domke F7 might suit the OP with his two cameras.

The extra 35mm rolls is under the Nikon, it was actually in the photo. The extra 120 roll goes under the MF camera. The Gossen Digisix is in the side pocket, and the phone goes to the back pocket. For items such as lens hoods and cable release, there's no room. I primarily do street photography and prefer smallest possible equipment with best ergonomics, this applies to bags as well. Before C-19, having a small bag like this allowed me to always have it for my regular commute, i.e. I always have two cameras on me: 135 and 120.

I understand that some folks prefer to carry more accessories, and some like their equipment to be very loose, like @Pieter12. The OP hasn't indicated what his preferences are.

 

[Pieter12]

You just posted a photo of it collapsing on its own. Even the separator is bent. Use my photo to see how it's meant to be used and try putting something in it!

Kind of like the one posted on the manufacturer's site.

 

[abruzzi]

The most flexible bag I own is the Domke F-803. I bought it originally for several 35mm cameras that usually had zoom lenses attached. The height of the bag meant you could put the camera in with a relatively long zoom, and it would fit fine. Then I could add a couple extra lenses and film. I took my Pentax MZ-S on vacation and for transporting through the airport was able to fit it with two Pentax bodies (a PZ1p as a backup), 50, 35, 24-90, 100 macro, and 28-200. It also held a folding Retina in the pocket. When I got to my destination, I didn’t carry that many pieces around, but just took what I needed, but it could really be filled up. Later on, I discovered the same bag easily holds my ETRSi, three lenses, two or three backs., a case of 5 rolls of 120, and a light meter. I can also fit the same with my 6x7 GS-1, except I can only barely fit a second film back.

 

[Arthurwg]

Now I'm thinking I could use a small backpack for the two cameras while traveling and bring a shoulder bag in my luggage for use when I arrive. Probably would not use both cameras on the same shoot. This stuff drives me crazy.

 

[BrianShaw]

That makes good sense... and should make the question easier to answer.