Smart looking camera bags?

[pjtn]

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any smart looking camera shoulder bags? The best I've found is the Think Tank Retrospective 10. I'm looking for a black shoulder bag that looks clean and neat, not so much like a camera bag.

I'm looking for suggestions outside of the Lowepro, Tamrac, Kata, etc.

[markymarkrb]

While I have not tried them out.  F-Stop makes some bags that are pretty clean looking compared to the competition.  I am considering the Kenti myself but would like to know what other people are thinking.

Mark

[shaun]

Hi

I'm happy with my tenba messenger, neat with plenty of zips and removable insert.

http://www.tenba.com/products/Messenger-Large-Photo-Laptop-Bag.aspx

Shaun

[IanB]

How about a Billingham? They seem to be welcome in most places (as long as they are not too filthy!)

http://www.billingham.co.uk

The website shows nearly all the range in khaki, but pretty much all of them are also available in black. I used to have a black Hadley with tan leather trim, which got approving comments in non-photographic company.

[JBerardi]

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any smart looking camera shoulder bags? The best I've found is the Think Tank Retrospective 10. I'm looking for a black shoulder bag that looks clean and neat, not so much like a camera bag.

I'm looking for suggestions outside of the Lowepro, Tamrac, Kata, etc.

Have you considered using something like the Crumpler Haven with a regular shoulder bag?

[Wayne Fox]

you could always get yourself one of these.  Just say it's your wife/girlfriends purse

[fredjeang]

or these, military built: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Retro-New-Vintage-Army-Lunch-Bag-Russian-Doll-blue-fabric-flap-/290665358575?pt=UK_Women_s_Handbags&hash=item43ad0164ef#ht_668wt_1163

[DennisWilliams]

Saddleback Leather

You can custom order.

[Wayne Fox]

Saddleback Leather

You can custom order.

Thats some nice looking stuff.  Here's the actual link Saddleback Leather

[fredjeang]

Hey...it was a half joke.

A truth story from a french veteran reporter:

In the 60's they arrived at Rio de Janeiro by boat. The young reporter had a bag like the Saddleback. While he was walking out from the boat, his collegues were all smiling at him.
100 meters laters, the young reporter came back on the boat...without the bag.

He asked his collegues: "why didn't you tell me and let me go?"
"You're learning, now you know"...

There are some places where the most ridiculous and crappy bag can be the best option. Always have something like that with you.

[amsp]

Think Tank makes great bags, I use an Urban Disguise 50 V2 for my medium format gear. If you want a canvas bag you should check out Domke too.

[darr]

I second Think Tank bags. I have their Airport Checkin for laptop and tethering accessories, their Airport backpacks that fit into carryon Pelican cases and some of their Modular Componets. Their products are very well constructed and thoughtfully designed.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

... Annie Leibovitz has one.. A Louis Vuitton camera bag...

Now I understand why she went bankrupt

[darr]

Now I understand why she went bankrupt

    
You are probably right! With a spending attitude like that, it's only a matter of time before the cash cow dies.

[Gordon Buck]

I like my Domke F5XZ, http://lightdescription.blogspot.com/2012/02/domke-f5xz.html .

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

I thought buying appartments and houses which lost their value were her problem...

Apparently, not only you do not have a LV bag, you do not seem to have a sense of humor either

[andyptak]

Of course, in order to have a smart looking bag, I'd have to be a smart looking photographer.

[darr]

More serious: I think fredjeang is right, go low profile use a bag that doesn't look like a camera bag.

I think you are right (fredjeang too!). Traveling around with expensive gear can get scary if you are a small, petite woman like me. I understand why some photogs place black tape over the "Leica," "Nikon," etc. of their camera bodies. I make it a point to always have a guy tagging along or I get too freaked with the thought of someone stalking my gear; it makes for an uncomfortable and sometimes unsuccessful shoot. I think being as inconspicuous as possible with expensive stuff is the "smartest" way to travel with gear.

Darr

[fike]

Maybe her financial ruin was due to Annie's choice to embrace iPhone photography.
http://www.tuaw.com/2011/11/16/photographer-annie-leibovitz-recommends-iphone-as-a-camera/


I can give another strong recommendation for the Think Tank gear. I really like the Urban Disguise bag for my SLR gear.

[JohnBrew]

Fogg bags.