Thanks, Moose.
I de-accumulated somewhat last year and sold my Billingham Photo Packington and
now regret it greatly. I’ve looked at Domke, but it seems that the company
tries too hard to be “classic” with its designs. And I don’t want those great
big metal clips adding to the weight of the bag; nor do I want metalwork around
bags that I might try to slip into my car and which might scratch the leather
(I am bit fussy like that).
I envy you your experience in the shop! But even without the younger women
helping you to choose I’m nearly sold on that Sling; nor is it very pricey Over
Here, at about GBP44 in one of my favourite shops.
I’ve just been on a longish walk where we are on our week’s break, in the Peak
District of Derbyshire, and I took a waist belt bag from Crumpler with me. It
contained my X-Pro1 with 18, 35 and 60mm lenses and it was OK, but a pain to
get on and off my waist. It was also difficult to deal with in the varying
temperatures of the walk (which took just under 4 hours). In the sun and out
of the wind it was a warm day and my waterproof jacket/shell was a little warm
over a microfleece; but on the hillside in the wind it was pretty chilly and I
needed to put my jacket back on. These changes of clothes were made much more
difficult with the waist belt and the Sling would have been just the job.
I might have to go and find a camera shop with service myself . . .
Chris
> On 7 Jun 15, at 01:55, Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> On 6/4/2015 12:19 PM, ChrisB wrote:
>> My wife thinks that I am strange, with my collection of bags.
>
> Oh, sorry about that. ;-) My wife also collects bags, hats and other things,
> so she understands.
>
> I do wish I were better at de-accumulating. :-) I am doing one piece. At
> least the Domke F-803 Waxwear bag that arrived Friday from B&H is going back.
>
>> What’s this “last” one, Moose?
>
> Thereby hangs a tale ... In the misty past, something about 40 years ago, I
> bought a bag. Just a shoulder bag or satchel, not a camera bag, not a
> messenger bag, a term that had not yet entered the buying public's orbit.
> Looks a bit like a Billingham Hadley, the way the top folds to lap over the
> sides, and with plain old leather straps and brass buckles. About the time
> Billingham was switching to camera bags, I think; the Hadley may not yet have
> existed, either.
>
> No QR release, but I found the buckles easy to operate. Easier, really, than
> some current hooks and plastic snap together buckles. It's been my travel bag
> for, well, seems like forever. I have often though how nice it would be to
> have one like it for my camera stuff.
>
> Then, recently, I found my self being a bit foolish, putting my two primary
> cameras, with lenses attached, in the old favorite, with no padding between
> the cameras or between them and the world. So I decided the time had come to
> get a bag like it for cameras.
>
> After way too much time spent on the web, measuring my existing bags and
> equipment, putting them in a spreadsheet, reading reviews, etc., I decided
> the Domke F-803 would do the trick. And their new(ish?) "rugged" finish was
> attractive and waterproof, too.
>
> But, well, it just doesn't work. In spite of all the care in choice, the
> interior is a little too small and the Velcro options for connecting dividers
> highly inadequate. And those Domke clip/hooks, Oy! I'd forgotten. The only
> Domke I've had with one is a great big old thing only used as a carryall, not
> a go bag, and hasn't been used in some time. EVERY time I opened or closed
> the F-803, a little bit of the flesh on the tip of my finger got a little
> pinch*. Looks nice - won't work - would become just another bag in the closet
> before its time.
>
> So, I took the advice I've given here before, buy, or at least research,
> tripods, head and bags in person. I've bought major cameras sight unseen with
> excellent results. But bags? Even with them in hand and on body, I blew that
> one once.
>
> So being very lucky to have a full camera shop still operating nearby, I took
> my own advice, 15 minutes each way and an hour or so in the shop. What a
> delight!. I was irritated when they moved farther away, but more space means
> more stuff to play with in an uncrowded area. And they have upped their
> service game!
>
> A young (at least to me) woman immediately took me in tow, looking at the
> cameras I'd brought along, listening to what I thought I wanted, and showing
> me what was available (I think they have every significant brand but
> Billingham). When she got called away for something, she brought over another
> young (ish? who knows from here?) woman who turned out to be perhaps even
> more knowledgeable.
>
> We had a lovely discussion about various aspects of photography while I tried
> various bags. When I commented that I could solder along alone if there were
> other customers/priorities, she said they'd let her know if she was needed.
> Wow! I don't know that I can recall that level of service, certainly not in
> this century. :-)
>
> In the end, it was less the service than the casual, no rush atmosphere and
> huge collection of bags set out so all could be seen that worked. I had been
> looking for a bag that looked like my old favorite shoulder bag, not one that
> "worked" like it!
>
> I picked up a bag that looks more like some sort of women's casual bag/tote
> than a camera bag. But it's got a proper padded insert that may be used in
> several ways, a lot of other room to boot, and a lot of pockets around the
> edges to accumulate all the lens caps, etc. And it's LIGHT.
>
> One end unzips for an additional large, sort of teardrop shaped space. One of
> the saleswomen said she uses it for snacks, light jacket, and so on, to go
> with the camera gear. It looks completely unlike the old fave, but works so
> much like it, but with safe carry for the cameras, immediately at hand and
> with space for 'stuff'.
>
> I thought it lacked one important thing, a hand strap. but then, so many hand
> straps, on the Hadleys, the Domke F-803 and others, are attached to the top
> flap - and don't work worth a damn unless the top is snapped/clipped/zipped
> closed. My old friend has the leather hand strap very firmly attached to it's
> back 'wall', which is stiffer than the other sides. Hold it by the hand
> strap, and the cover/flap stays closed, whether secured or not.
>
> But then, then, I the sales woman pointed out how the shoulder strap
> adjustment works. Pure genius, compared to the ubiquitous strap adjusters on
> other bags. There's a plastic clip, instant and easy to use, yet secure, that
> adjusts the length all the way down to right across between the ends of the
> bag - and the excess is held by an elastic loop and an end pocket. Click -
> pull - click, and it's a hand strap or shoulder strap of whatever length in
> seconds.
>
> So I happily paid up my $60, half the cost of the Domke from B&H. Yes, I
> could get it for $45, no gas and no tax, from B&H, but Looking Glass more
> than earned the difference.
>
> Oh yeah, a negative, the removable shoulder pad isn't very non-slip. One of
> the women said she bought some stuff at a crafts store that dried as slightly
> sticky, rubbery dots on hers. And I doubt it is really waterproof, as it
> doesn't say so. The fabric looks inherently water resistant, but I may spray
> it.
>
> What is it, you still ask. Well here it is on the web, but I swear the web
> just doesn't do it justice, either to how it works or LowePro's usual care
> with details.
> <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=11032319&InitialSearch=yes&sts=pi>
> Yup, even cheaper from B&H in gray, but I didn't want the bright orange
> trim. I've got a bag that doesn't look at all like a camera bag; I don't want
> eyes drawn to it.
>
> I may have a further report after we go travelin' and shootin' next week.
>
> Baggy Moose
>
> The LG sales women had no advice, they said they just got their fingers
> pinched whenever they demoed Domkes, and didn't own them.
>
> --
> What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
> --
> _________________________________________________________________
> Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
> Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
> Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
>
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|