Voigtländer Bessa III: ruggedized yet small/light bag

bonk · Dec 15, 2009

I did it - I bought a Voigtländer Bessa III! Now I am looking for bag/case for it.
I would like the bag to be as portable as possible (I don't want to loose the main advantage of that camera) but still provide as much safety as possible.

It doesn't have to carry anything but the camera (plus straps) - no film rolls or anything.

It should be as dust and water protective as possible.

It would be cool if it also would protect a bit from physical impact. Maybe hardcase - maybe some cushoning ...

It shouldn't be too time consuming to get the camera out of that bag/case and get ready for shooting.

Any ideas?

Jesper · Dec 15, 2009

Perhaps one of the small Hadley bags from Billingham.
Not hardcase, but definitely more stylish.

DWThomas · Dec 15, 2009

Not sure about size; for my Perkeo II I found a "Tamrac MX5384 MAS Accessory Pocket," part of a series of thingies they make to go on a belt, that holds the camera and two or three rolls of film. It has a velcro closure and a heavy duty belt loop, plus some padding. Perhaps one of the larger lens pouches might fit too. I believe Lowepro has some similar items.

Or maybe use an insulated soda bottle carrier to throw thieves off track!

bonk · Dec 15, 2009

DWThomas said:
Not sure about size; for my Perkeo II I found a "Tamrac MX5384 MAS Accessory Pocket," part of a series of thingies they make to go on a belt, that holds the camera and two or three rolls of film. It has a velcro closure and a heavy duty belt loop, plus some padding. Perhaps one of the larger lens pouches might fit too. I believe Lowepro has some similar items.

Or maybe use an insulated soda bottle carrier to throw thieves off track!

The Bessa III is 178mm x 109mm x 64mm. Would that fit?

Nikanon · Dec 15, 2009

I think the bag is the least of the problems, just go out and look at bags that fit nicely

Mick Fagan · Dec 15, 2009

The round Australia Bessa III which is going around to lucky people who have it for two weeks, was supplied to me inside a Pelikan type case, small, waterproof, padded and a perfect fit for the camera, the owners manual and as a bonus, one could stuff two, maybe three rolls of 120 film inside as well.

I no longer have the camera, but the case was an absolute perfect fit for the camera.

It had a small unmovable handle, making it very easy to hand hold.

Mick.

DWThomas · Dec 15, 2009

bonk said:
The Bessa III is 178mm x 109mm x 64mm. Would that fit?

Ouch! That's a chunky little number. No that would not fit in the pouch I described (which also seems to have disappeared from the Tamrac website). The pouch I have even fits my Ercona II 6x9 folder, albeit pretty snugly.

With that very rectangular form factor, some of the shoulder bags and such sold for video cameras might be worth a look. It will fit in some of the larger lens pouches, but they would tend to be a little "fat" because they are designed for a cylindrical object.

tim elder · Dec 15, 2009

Domke makes a few small bags that might fit one perfectly.

Tim

guyjr · Dec 15, 2009

There is an official case made for the Fuji GF670 version of the Bessa III - the two cameras are identical, and the case fits the Bessa perfectly (I bought one back in July).

Go to "that auction site" and search for the terms "gf670 case". I bought from sk_photo for $99, arrived about a week or so later. Perfect fit, just what I wanted, and I suspect would fit your requirements as well.

bonk · Dec 16, 2009

guyjr said:
There is an official case made for the Fuji GF670 version of the Bessa III - the two cameras are identical, and the case fits the Bessa perfectly (I bought one back in July).

Go to "that auction site" and search for the terms "gf670 case". I bought from sk_photo for $99, arrived about a week or so later. Perfect fit, just what I wanted, and I suspect would fit your requirements as well.

That leather bag looks rather thin. It doesn't seem to qualify as "ruggedized". I am looking for something a little more protective, I think.

bonk · Dec 16, 2009

guyjr said:
There is an official case made for the Fuji GF670 version of the Bessa III - the two cameras are identical, and the case fits the Bessa perfectly (I bought one back in July).

Go to "that auction site" and search for the terms "gf670 case". I bought from sk_photo for $99, arrived about a week or so later. Perfect fit, just what I wanted, and I suspect would fit your requirements as well.

That leather bag looks rather thin. It doesn't seem to qualify as "ruggedized". I am looking for something a little more protective ... I think. Is it just the thin leather with no lining/cushoning inside?

Barry06GT · Dec 16, 2009

.
How about the new Domke F-5XA and F-5XB, ot the new Domke 700-80D a.k.a. F-X8. All for sale on Amazon.com

My Fuji GA645 fits the F-5XA with plenty of extra room.
.

SWphoto · Dec 16, 2009

Take a look at the Bare Bones Bag at figitalrevolution.com. I have large (BBB2) one for my 35mm film camera and a few lenses, the small one should be fine, and have space for film, etc. Damaso Reyes has a nice review on his blog, in the nice things of 2009: www.damaso.com/blog. Very light, decently-protected- great in the field.

guyjr · Dec 17, 2009

bonk said:
That leather bag looks rather thin. It doesn't seem to qualify as "ruggedized". I am looking for something a little more protective ... I think. Is it just the thin leather with no lining/cushoning inside?

I don't remember offhand exactly what the lining on the inside is like, but on the outside it is just a thin leather. It hugs the camera pretty tight, but comfortably, which allows me to slide it into a jacket pocket. If you're looking for something to protect it against a fall or something, then I would agree this probably isn't the case for that.

Ektagraphic · Dec 17, 2009

I highly reccmend the Domke F10. It's so worth it.

PeterAM · Dec 17, 2009

I have one these Domke bags (http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=domke&itemnum=700-52B) that I use for a DSLR or SLR and a lens or two. It's well made and compact; not padded. If you get one, remove the Domke logo from the flap, to make it less visible. I'm haven't done the math, but you might be able to add some padding.

Voigtländer Bessa III: ruggedized yet small/light bag

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