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Formal bag for MF gear

P. Chong

P. Chong

Well-known member
I was recently a guest at a black tie event in the Louvre in Paris, and felt totally under dressed with my Billingham style camera bag. In the bag is my Fuji GFX 50S II with Hasselblad HC 2.8/80 attached to the H Adapter G, and the Hasselblad HCD 4/28 and Fujinon GF50. I am wondering if there are any recommendations for a camera bag to fit this gear, and look formal enough to not look out of place in a tuxedo. I also want to avoid looking like the pro covering the event. Suggestions anyone? I am thinking of a large leather or alligator messenger bag (yea, Dante will strike again) with a padded camera specific insert.
 
TechTalk

TechTalk

Well-known member
The French bag maker Fogg makes Billingham style camera bags, but handcrafted by a husband and wife team with more style and much more limited production. They have recently begun to offer an all leather bag in one size but various leather styles, the Fogg Satchmo. I've linked their website below as well as their London dealer Robert White.

It may offer the panache you're seeking. But, for an item to have real panache, you need a story to go with it. Below is a link to the Fogg story with a brief history of the makers and which also discusses their new Satchmo model. There are only three dealers worldwide to order from, but you can contact the couple that crafts them to discuss your order with them first.

https://www.slack.co.uk/fogg-and-the-new-satchmo.html

https://www.foggspecialistbags.com/fogg-camera-satchels/satchmo

https://www.robertwhite.co.uk/fogg-...el-black-leather-with-black-leather-trim.html
 
R

robmac

Well-known member
Personally, I'd go for a black sling bag like the Element 15 by Compagnon. Black to blend into your tux, room for a larger body and sling because you can pull around over your back in more crowded situations and few would even know it was there. I think the trick would be not to have it stand out like natural leather/canvas would against a tux.

On the Element line: I used the lighter-coloured Element 15 on a photo trip to the Inn on Fogo island, NL using the GFX50S with HC lenses (28, 80) and the GF 45 with no issues. The roll-top is FAR more useful than I imagined. Liked the sling so much, I acquired the full-size backpack version.

Have fun
 
TechTalk

TechTalk

Well-known member
P. Chong said:
I am thinking of a large leather or alligator messenger bag (yea, Dante will strike again) with a padded camera specific insert.
Click to expand...
You can find quite a wide selection of leather camera bags from German maker Oberwerth. In the upper left corner of their webpage, you can select the currency used to display prices while browsing. Happy hunting!
 
glenerrolrd

glenerrolrd

Workshop Member
Three approaches (and thank you for a clear explanation of your requirements ).

1. Black Smooth leather messenger bag....must be light weight and used without a bulky insert . Width is most important ..it needs to be thin and tall not (short and square like most small bags ) . The leather should be polished looking . Bag should be in that 3-4 wide size . This is important so bag collapses into your body . You have to look close at the leather many popular bags are industrial strength ...designed for rough use . I will look for a couple of examples . (Artisan and Artist used to have bags like this , Oberwerth of course is great , I have thin black Billingham that is coated canvas that would work (its all black ) . Black Nylon also works so Prada makes a formal looking bag .

2. Lens only bag ....assume you have the camera and the 50MM on your shoulder (black smooth leather strap ) . You would need a very small black leather bag for two lenses ,a few extra batteries . This is the approach I would use and I have one of Overgaard s small MONO messenger bags (way way too expensive ).

3. Get a Leica Q2 MONO and forget the bag ....this would be much more useful and elegant solution . Plus you would have 28/35/50mm FOV at a touch with plenty of pixels .

Considerations

Based on your stated requirements ...you don t need the bulk of a true working bag . Ditch the insert and use a camera wrap or neoprene pouch . Or just stuff that white silk scarf you wore with your tuxedo ! into the bag as padding .

Personally I favor the lens only bag because I want the camera out all the time .

A Pro would have a small flash and this could be tricking in the Louve.

When I am stuck I bribe my wife (very expensive choice ) to use a purse that can hold a lens .



I am really jealous of your getting to photograph at the Louve . I was scheduled to be in Paris the entire month of June but a last minute family issue required a postponement . I know this assignment well and you have the 3 focal lengths I would want .
 
glenerrolrd

glenerrolrd

Workshop Member
robmac said:
Personally, I'd go for a black sling bag like the Element 15 by Compagnon. Black to blend into your tux, room for a larger body and sling because you can pull around over your back in more crowded situations and few would even know it was there. I think the trick would be not to have it stand out like natural leather/canvas would against a tux.

On the Element line: I used the lighter-coloured Element 15 on a photo trip to the Inn on Fogo island, NL using the GFX50S with HC lenses (28, 80) and the GF 45 with no issues. The roll-top is FAR more useful than I imagined. Liked the sling so much, I acquired the full-size backpack version.

Have fun
Click to expand...
Rob This looks much too large for a discrete event . Am I looking at the correct bag ?
 

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glenerrolrd

glenerrolrd

Workshop Member
Using my advice from above I looked at several great bag providers . I own products from each of them and its all about specific requirements, personal taste and amount you will spend . The Oberwerth light line is as close as I can find quickly . The artisan and artist Salgado is a decent choice but tight . The Billingham if you get the all black version is really excellent .

The issue with all three is the width and collapse ability . The larger of the two Oberwerth s has a 5 inch width and is designed to hold that much open . Otherwise this would be my first choice . The smaller Oberwerth should fit two lenses easily and is the right size . The A&A bag maybe just a little small (I own that one ). It is a very useful bag but you would have to transport the camera without the lens and stack two lenses . The Billingham is super useful .. I have two large Billingham messenger bags . If you take out the insert the bag will collapse into a very thin profile . That is what I find most useful . Use the strap across you body and fit the bag to your lower back .
 

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P. Chong

P. Chong

Well-known member
Thanks for interesting options. But I think canvas and leather constructs like Billingham and Fogg are too casual. I have seen another chap who was there using a LV box like manbag, but he was using a Leica M11 and quite a bit smaller than my MF kit. I am thinking of something along the same lines. What popped up in Pinterest is the Loewe Puzzle Large, the Miyake Bao Bao Messenger black, or a sleek, smooth leather tote. I have a Montblanc Meisterstuck backpack, which is formal enough…but didn’t think of it to bring it to Paris.

I think Roger’s idea of only a lens bag may be interesting. Btw, the event was last week, (I posted a pic in Fun with MF 2022) and we had the Louvre all to ourselves as it was closed to public on Tuesdays. As black tie events go, there was champagne and food to be consumed,opera and spectacle to watch, so a small bag may be a better choice. I also like the idea to raid the wife’s bag closet to loan a nice formal piece to carry the two lenses, but of course did not cross my mind while packing for the trip. Btw, I find the GFX ISO performance to be sufficient to do the shots hand held.

For visual interest, I decided to add this photograph I took at the Lourve. The gentleman is the Editor in Chief of Vogue Singapore. GFX 50 S II with Hasselblad HC 2.8/80.

norman-back.jpg
 
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glenerrolrd

glenerrolrd

Workshop Member
Now I see you have to fit in with the Editor of Vogue . You are right that repurposing a designer messenger bag would be best . You would not have to walk far from the Louve to see almost every bag worth considering :cool:. The leather on the Montblanc line is what I would look for . Look at the Overgaard blog posts one bags . He differentiates between the travel bag size and the carry size . No way to make a travel size bag look elegant on a carry .

I found its best to have the exact dimensions available . For example ...a bag that is thin about 3-4 inches carries best . If the width can be as needed (no bottom piece ) even better . Second height can really help look into stacking lenses verse side by side . (remember the camera and one lens will be out most of the time ). Third consider that you may want to carry the body without a lens . This allows for the height of the body to go along the bag length .

Having a good handle on the dimensions can make finding your bag easier . I like a bag that's length(across) 10-12 ,height 7-9,width (depth ) 3-4.

I would use Leica M bodies and no more than three lenses. However..... I fully understand the value of using the larger sensor and having the MF aesthetic and I can not say your approach isn t best . Makes me want to dust off my ancient HB 500c/m and shoot film . No bag just standard lens .

The other thing that's nice is to have an Apple iPad MINI remotely tethered (sort of ) similar to Leica Fotos application .
 
glenerrolrd

glenerrolrd

Workshop Member
OK I found some excellent alternatives . All MontBlanc . Important to look closely at the photos of the bag being carried . You will look like a EVENT photographer if you carry too large a bag . I would sacrifice a lens if needed or have your assistant (good luck ) carry it . Bags that are tall (more height ) look best (see the photos ). See some examples below. First example looks too large . Second example probably too small . Third example (at Yoox) is about right .

If you are wearing a Tux the gear needs to fit the event ....not a bag that fits the gear .
 

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P

Paul Spinnler

Well-known member
glenerrolrd said:
OK I found some excellent alternatives . All MontBlanc . Important to look closely at the photos of the bag being carried . You will look like a EVENT photographer if you carry too large a bag . I would sacrifice a lens if needed or have your assistant (good luck ) carry it . Bags that are tall (more height ) look best (see the photos ). See some examples below. First example looks too large . Second example probably too small . Third example (at Yoox) is about right .

If you are wearing a Tux the gear needs to fit the event ....not a bag that fits the gear .
Click to expand...
Also very nice!
 
dave.gt

dave.gt

Well-known member
glenerrolrd said:
OK I found some excellent alternatives . All MontBlanc . Important to look closely at the photos of the bag being carried . You will look like a EVENT photographer if you carry too large a bag . I would sacrifice a lens if needed or have your assistant (good luck ) carry it . Bags that are tall (more height ) look best (see the photos ). See some examples below. First example looks too large . Second example probably too small . Third example (at Yoox) is about right .

If you are wearing a Tux the gear needs to fit the event ....not a bag that fits the gear .
Click to expand...
:)I rather like Glen’s selections.I have a collection of bags for different uses. But of course, my two black Billingham bags are my favorite. Not that I have use for an ensemble for such events, but I wouldn’t personally opt to use my Billingham bag (not even the smaller Leica bag).

The Montblanc looks perfect for such an occasion to me. Very nice!!!:)
 
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