Can anyone recommend a good bag for a MF SLR?

DLM · May 22, 2010

I'm looking for a decent bag for my M645. Right now I have to use one bag for the camera and extra lens, and another to carry film, 2 extra magazines, and my Sekonic meter. I usually have the camera set up with the 80mm lens and prism, and keep the 150mm and WLF in my bag. Most bags are designed around a 35mm SLR or DSLR, and just don't really work that well.

What bag do you owners of medium format SLRs use on a regular basis?

Mark Fisher · May 23, 2010

I use a Domke F3X for my hasselblad with prism, 2-3 backs, 50-80-150 lenses, a Pentax digital spot meter, and film. I also have a filter wallet attached to the strap. It is was about right until I put the extra backs in there. One extra back is more reasonable. The bag is heavy so I added the "postal" pad that Domke sells....highly recommended!

tomalophicon · May 23, 2010

I use a lowepro fastpack 350.
It folds 645pro body, 4 lenses, 3 magazines, cleaning gear, winders, notepad and all the other usual stuff.

It's good but any more stuff and I'd need a bigger one.

Morry Katz · May 23, 2010

Lightware makes a couple of tough, adaptable bags for MF. Mine holds a Rollei SL66 with prism finder and 80 mm lens plus 4 other lenses, 2 extra mags, meter, bits & pieces. I've been using it for about 25 years.
Morry Katz - Lethbridge, Canada

DLM · May 23, 2010

Thanks. The Fastpack looks like it might work really well. I've been using the lowepro Slingshot 200 as my main bag, but it doesn't fit the M645 well, and I've been wanting to move to a backpack instead of the sling.

alexmacphee · May 23, 2010

tomalophicon said:
I use a lowepro fastpack 350

How is it for weatherproofing? (I've just acquired an M645 outfit, so this question's become relevant to me too.) Can you manage a tripod with it?

R gould · May 23, 2010

Try one of the bigger billingham's. I have a 335 and use fot a bronica etr with 75 lens,50 and 200 lens,weston v exposure meter, spare back film filters etc and still have room to spare, and it is both very tough and waterproof,Richard

DLM · May 23, 2010

wow, those larger bags get expensive real quick. I'm stuck in the price range of around $100 right now.

Kevin Caulfield · May 23, 2010

Billinghams are superb but extremely expensive. I use one for my Blad kit.

benjiboy · May 23, 2010

Kevin Caulfield said:
Billinghams are superb but extremely expensive. I use one for my Blad kit.

They are worth every penny Kevin, I have two a 335 and a 550 , I have had both of them for more than twenty year, and they a still perfect and like new.

Q.G. · May 23, 2010

LowePro Stealth Reporter series. Nr. 400 would be good for a 645 slr kit.

Not a very large bag, you'd say looking at it. But i carry a 6x6 SLR with 5 lenses + hoods, two extra backs, prism, 2 extension tubes, meter, and the usual loose bits in one of those.

Robert Budding · May 23, 2010

I'm not willing to carry anything heavier than my Mamiya 7 and a few lenses in a shoulder bag (I like to walk fairly long distances). It all gets heavy once you add in a tripod and a few flash heads. So that's when I pull out my Mountainsmith Borealis AT backpack. Yes, access is much less convenient, but at least I'm comfortable.

tomalophicon · May 23, 2010

alexmacphee said:
How is it for weatherproofing? (I've just acquired an M645 outfit, so this question's become relevant to me too.) Can you manage a tripod with it?

I don't know. I suppose you could look it up on the website.

I just carry a tripod in a case over my shoulder. I don't attach it to the bag/

Q.G. · May 23, 2010

Robert has a point. When weight goes up, shoulder bags quickly get very uncomfortable, and having either a harness that allows carrying the bag on two shoulders backpack style, or a true backpack will be much better.
So i'll change my vote from a LowePro shoulder bag to a LowePro backpack. Even the Mini-Trekker is big enough for a medium sized MF kit.

flatulent1 · May 23, 2010

I use two bags for my M645. The basic kit (camera, 2-3 lenses, 2-3 inserts, film) goes in a Billingham 225. The extended kit (more lenses, spare backs, more inserts) sits in a Billingham Hadley Pro. If I'm going out for a little light shooting I grab the one bag, and if I think I'm going to need it, I'll grab them both.

wiseowl · May 23, 2010

+1 for Billingham

I have a 445 which has seem much use over 20 years +, it's still going strong. All I've had to do is replace the internal padded pockets and the shoulder pad. Apart from that it's looking in good shape.

It gets used in turn for 35mm kit and mf kit, depending on what I'm shooting most.

It used to swallow an etrs kit consisting of 2 lenses, 2 backs, prism, speedgrip and Metz 45 flash with out any issue. It is currently housing an SQB with 2 lenses, 2 backs and a prism. With plenty of space left for more.

Martin

CGW · May 23, 2010

Domke F2 works for my Mamiya 645 kit, F1X for the Mamiya RB67 kit.Spend a bit more for the ballistic nylon version and the shoulder-saving strap pad.

PeterAM · May 23, 2010

Billingham's are great (I use a Hadley Pro for my DSLR or 35mm kits), but I use a less costly bag for my Mamiya 645. I got this last year from Atlex; it holds a 645/finder, 80mm attached, another lens and smaller stuff. Well padded, compact and appears to be (at least somewhat) water repellent. Walmart sells them as per the link, so you might be able to look at one.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ape-Case-ACPRO1400-Digital-SLR-Camera-Case-Large/5156587#ProductDetail

Mainecoonmaniac · May 23, 2010

I'm a bit of an iconoclast and like Crumpler bags.

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funkpilz · May 23, 2010

I would suggest a Domke F2 or even F-1x. I use the F-1x for my MF outfit and it's just about perfect, I do tend to overload it though, which is why in hindsight I'd go with the F2.

alexmacphee · May 23, 2010

tomalophicon said:
I suppose you could look it up on the website.

First thing I did. It doesn't say, unfortunately.

"Go all day with the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 350 backpack. It protects your pro digital SLR and 17" widescreen notebook compactly while providing generous storage for other gear. Side-entry compartments let you quickly grab equipment and accessories, even while you're on the move. Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adjustable dividers. A comfortable mesh waistbelt, and an adjustable sternum strap, help distribute weight evenly. To help you make the most of this Lowepro bag take a look at our new product video."

John Koehrer · May 23, 2010

Domke F-2 Ballistic carries RB67,1 lens & magazine mounted. 2nd lens & back separate. Room for Polaroid back & adapter, film & misc accessories.
It's not a tight fit so there's room for notebook, meter, filters & film.
The Ballistic nylon is bulletproof.Got mine for $40. used.

benjiboy · May 23, 2010

John Koehrer said:
Domke F-2 Ballistic carries RB67,1 lens & magazine mounted. 2nd lens & back separate. Room for Polaroid back & adapter, film & misc accessories.
It's not a tight fit so there's room for notebook, meter, filters & film.
The Ballistic nylon is bulletproof.Got mine for $40. used.

If I bought an F2 that's the one I would go for John the canvas ones don't look too waterproof to me for the English climate.

Sirius Glass · May 23, 2010

Get a bag that is bigger than you need because you will buy another lens or two and more film backs.

Steve

tomalophicon · May 23, 2010

alexmacphee said:
First thing I did. It doesn't say, unfortunately.

"Go all day with the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 350 backpack. It protects your pro digital SLR and 17" widescreen notebook compactly while providing generous storage for other gear. Side-entry compartments let you quickly grab equipment and accessories, even while you're on the move. Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adjustable dividers. A comfortable mesh waistbelt, and an adjustable sternum strap, help distribute weight evenly. To help you make the most of this Lowepro bag take a look at our new product video."

It feels like it might be water resistant but I wouldn't carry it in the rain without a garbage bag or something wrapped around the camera and lenses.

Can anyone recommend a good bag for a MF SLR?

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