Bag for rangefinder gear

[Keltzar]

hi,
am thinking of getting a tiny travel bag to fit a Bessa R, with 28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses. Since most bags are made for SLRs... what would you recommend for rangefinders since they're so much smaller?

 

[ckiang]

Originally posted by Keltzar
hi,
am thinking of getting a tiny travel bag to fit a Bessa R, with 28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses. Since most bags are made for SLRs... what would you recommend for rangefinders since they're so much smaller?

Get the smallest Billingham or Domke?

Regards
CK

 

[Keltzar]

The smallest domke is too big.
Billingham... maybe an idea.

Why this question came up is because Most smaller bags have pockets made for a lens of height about 10-12 or15cm (being typical sizes for an SLR lens). My rangefinder lenses are mostly between 5 and 8cm tall. This means a lot of wasted space... so no sense in carrying such a bulky bag!

 

[rubric]

The smallest domke is the 5xb. it might fit your gear. The next largest is the f3.
Check out the catalogue:
http://www.tiffen.com/domkecat01.htm

 

[Keltzar]

hi,
went down to cathay today and bought
the perfect solution - the lowepro S&F utility case.
It will fit my RF camera and 4 RF lenses, and has
external compartment for my viewfinder and
a flash. Option to either side-sling or belt on.
Excellent stuff... only $27!

And very compact.

 

[bench]

Just gotten a contax g2 kit, now to find a bag.
i need one to fit the body, 28mm, 45mm & 90mm and maybe the TLA200 flash.
anyone else using G2 has a bag to recommend??

I can't seem to find the Lowepro S&F Utility bag Keltzar mentioned :dunno:

 

[Keltzar]

Just gotten a contax g2 kit, now to find a bag.
i need one to fit the body, 28mm, 45mm & 90mm and maybe the TLA200 flash.
anyone else using G2 has a bag to recommend??

I can't seem to find the Lowepro S&F Utility bag Keltzar mentioned :dunno:

Check Cathay Photo. It's about $25-30.

 

[bench]

Hi Keltzar, thks, I'll check again.
By the way, what gear are you using? Do u have a pic of the bag?

 

[Keltzar]

Check lowepro's site under street and field series.

I am using a Bessa-R with 15/4.5, 35/2.5, 50/1.5, 90/4.
A mix of voigtlander, soviet and leica lenses.

 

[Parchiao]

Lowepro Photo Runner would make an excellebt bag for the G2,lens and flash.

 

[Keltzar]

it depends on what he is looking for.

I also have a photo runner - have had it for 5-8 years. It's about 40% bigger than the S&F pack. Small lenses like the G-lenses will be rolling around. I find the photorunner better for a small SLR setup e.g. FM2.

 

[Parchiao]

I have the Photo Runner, and the S&F Utility Case. I say this because I am speaking from experience.

The Photo Runner has three inserts, as such the possibility of four compartments, and no rolling about of lenses. The size of the G2 is not smaller than a FM2/3n or an Aria. If it is good for a FM2, it is good for a G2. Moreover, the compartments actually suit the size of the G lens more than SLR lenses. BTW, I kept the G lenses in the protective cover, especially in a camera bag. In fact, you can even put in an extra PnS and some extra rolls of film.

Ultimately, the choice lies with each person's personal preference.

 

[whoelse]

I use Lowepro Prisma 300AW for my Fed or small slr. Not too big and small, stylist and doesn't make you look like photographer, well padded and water resistant. I shoot in rain quite often too.

 

[Keltzar]

Bench:
It is ultimately your preference. It seems both Parchiao and I have the Photorunner AND the S&F.

He prefers the former and I the latter.

In fact, I only bought the S&F early this year because of my RF cameras because I found the photorunner too bulky. When I travel, sometimes I carry my S&F pack with my RF gear inside another bigger lowerpro bag (forgot model)... which also carries an SLR + more lenses. So when I don't want the whole rig, I take out and carry only the S&F pack. On some trips, I carry the S&F pack (with gear) inside a haversack with other things... and that's my airplane hand-carry.

The photorunner is a little big to put into any other bag and is usually carried by itself.

Ultimately, it is your preference.

 

[Keltzar]

I forgot to mention.
When I carry the S&F inside another camera bag, that's because sometimes I also carry my powershot G2. So the S&F case , for me, nicely serves to carry either the RF gear or the powershot G2 ... while I leave the big camera bag at the hotel.

it's your preference.

 

[Red Dawn]

Hi

my Billingham Hadley Small works very well when i want to just take out my rangefinders.

its small and compact and yet for times when its required, can still fit 2 rangefinder bodies with lens attached, a small flash, lots of film (take them out of their boxes!), notebook, pens etc etc.....

and best of all it doesn't look like a photo bag for the uninitiated!

 

[Ansel]

Not sure if anyone noticed. TCW has got some very Lowe-pro and Domke-looking bags selling less than half the price of the real magnums. Some of them are quite small too. No harm having a look.

(mumbling to myself: See if Don will give me a good discount since I am giving him a free commercial.)

 

[bench]

Thanks Keltzar, Parchiao, Red Dawn and Ansel for your advice. I've been checking out the stores. Finally settled with a Billingham yesterday, Venture Gear-I think, small and real handy. :lovegrin: :lovegrin:

Thanks again !

 

[Red Dawn]

Thanks Keltzar, Parchiao, Red Dawn and Ansel for your advice. I've been checking out the stores. Finally settled with a Billingham yesterday, Venture Gear-I think, small and real handy. :lovegrin: :lovegrin:

Thanks again !

hey just curious...where did u get ur billingham gear from?

 

[dreamseeker]

Hi Red Dawn,

I think Yip Chieng Trading carries the Billingham brand. The same agent for Quantum stuffs. Off-hand I cannot remember the number to call but the owner is Mr. Chan. Very friendly fellow.

I am also thinking of getting a Billingham Hadley for my RF. Can't decide between it and a Domke.