Shoulder/messenger bag recommendations?

snerkler

snerkler

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Toby
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I’ve currently got a Think Tank Urban Approach 5 which ticks all the boxes except one, it looks like a camera bag.

I’m looking for a shoulder/messenger bag that’s as functional as the Urban Approach but looks nicer and would like recommendations please.

Criteria are:-

Size similar to the Urban Approach 5 (interior 24 x 18 x 10cm), can be a touch wider.

Needs to be lightweight, I like the Retrospective but they’re over 1kg, by comparison the Urban Approach 5 is 600g

Has to be easy to open and close one handed, but at the same time secure.

Needs to look like a ‘trendy’ bag rather than a camera bag.

I’d say budget £100-150 max.

Is there anything that meets this criteria?
 
gcogger said:
I took one of these (K&F Concept) on a recent trip, and it worked well enough.
I believe Peak Design do something similar if you want to spend more :)
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Thanks, looks good but still looks more 'camera bag' than I'd like.
 
Suck the weight up and get a Retrospective 5, version one is in my opinion better and cheaper too.
Used mine all over Europe, still looks fine after being dumped on numerous train and plane floors.

Got caught in the mother of all storms on a riverbank near Maastricht, so bad the we were rescued by the Dutch police.
No waterproof cover on yet the gear inside stayed dry, we were soaked to the skin.
Here it is after the storm at the Police station, they were brilliant and gave us drinks and towels to get dry.
Then took two other couples to their hotel and us back to the railway station.
P1003843 1.jpg
 
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tijuana taxi said:
Suck the weight up and get a Retrospective 5, old one is in my opinion better and cheaper too.
Used mine all over Europe, still looks good after being dumped on numerous train and plane floors.

Got caught in the mother of all storms near Maastricht, so bad the we were rescued by the Dutch police.
No waterproof cover on yet the gear inside stayed dry, we were soaked to the skin.
Here it is after the storm at the Police station, they were brilliant and gave us drinks and towels to get dry.
Then took two other couples to their hotel and us back to the railway station.
View attachment 454235
Click to expand...
Thanks, it is number one at the mo although I have to consider weight due to my Fibromyalgia (y)
 
I have a couple of Thinktank Retrospective bags which I like, so they would be my recommendation as well. Although I am using the 30v2
 
snerkler said:
Thanks, it is number one at the mo although I have to consider weight due to my Fibromyalgia (y)
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Its not that noticeable, just sold my lighter Billingham Hadley Small because it never got used.
I have a worn out shoulder and a bad back, but can carry the Retrospective 5 quite happily.
Extend the strap and it rests nicely at your back, shorten the handle and it slips over a carry on case handle.
I also attach a Lowepro Bottle handle if needed through one of the end loops (as seen in the photo)
Zip pocket inside for cash, cards etc and another one on the back too, not sure V2 has both.
 
tijuana taxi said:
Its not that noticeable, just sold my lighter Billingham Hadley Small because it never got used.
I have a worn out shoulder and a bad back, but can carry the Retrospective 5 quite happily.
Extend the strap and it rests nicely at your back, shorten the handle and it slips over a carry on case handle.
I also attach a Lowepro Bottle handle if needed through one of the end loops (as seen in the photo)
Zip pocket inside for cash, cards etc and another one on the back too, not sure V2 has both.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll look into it more closely.
 
Tenba messenger DNA bags are pretty good imo and they have an extra strap which goes around your waist to stop the bag swinging especially when you bend down. Can take extra strap off if not needed.
 
Something from Billingham will be over budget but maybe you could find a used one.
 
I have one of these which I like.

www.cameraworld.co.uk

3 Legged Thing Toxic Wraith Large Camera Messenger Bag (Onyx)

3 Legged Thing Toxic Wraith Large Camera Messenger Bag (Onyx) Wraith is the ideal camera messenger bag for photographers looking for a bag that stands out from traditional camera bags. Made from premium materials our fabrics are treated to protect agai
www.cameraworld.co.uk www.cameraworld.co.uk
 
I use both the Wotancraft Pilot 7l and 10l great bags, expandable with accessories and don't look like a camera bag - mine are both khaki in colour with no horrible logos plastered all over them. They open and close with one hand and more importantly have a swivel hinges for the strap so never get twisted
 
sk66 said:
Tamrac has some options; but the retrospective 5 is just under 1 kg.
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Thanks I'll take a look.
nog said:
Tenba messenger DNA bags are pretty good imo and they have an extra strap which goes around your waist to stop the bag swinging especially when you bend down. Can take extra strap off if not needed.
Click to expand...
Thanks
woof woof said:
Something from Billingham will be over budget but maybe you could find a used one.
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I'm not a fan of the Billingham bags, not my style at all I'm afraid.
Adamcski said:
I have one of these which I like.

www.cameraworld.co.uk

3 Legged Thing Toxic Wraith Large Camera Messenger Bag (Onyx)

3 Legged Thing Toxic Wraith Large Camera Messenger Bag (Onyx) Wraith is the ideal camera messenger bag for photographers looking for a bag that stands out from traditional camera bags. Made from premium materials our fabrics are treated to protect agai
www.cameraworld.co.uk www.cameraworld.co.uk
Click to expand...
That looks cool.
Nusratty said:
I use both the Wotancraft Pilot 7l and 10l great bags, expandable with accessories and don't look like a camera bag - mine are both khaki in colour with no horrible logos plastered all over them. They open and close with one hand and more importantly have a swivel hinges for the strap so never get twisted
Click to expand...
Never heard of them, I'll take a look (y)
 
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snerkler said:
I'm not a fan of the Billingham bags, not my style at all I'm afraid.
Click to expand...

Ah. Such shame as they're hard wearing, waterproof and they don't necessarily scream camera bag. One big advantage for me is there's no zip so you can open the bag and take a camera out in a quiet place without that tell take zip sound. Surprisingly I've had comments like "that's a nice bag" about mine a few times :D

Good luck.
 
I’ve been using the retrospective 10 v1 for a a long time maybe 10 years.
While it’s a great bag and can carry a fair amount it’s a b**ch to lug around all day when loaded, especially when hot.
I will have a7iii with tamron 28-75 attached.
One side Sony 85 1.8 and Samyang 18mm. These are un separated
Other side my mini 3pro.
Front pouch the mini 3pro rc controller
Then random filters and a tiny hand held tripod.

Recently I’ve resorted to using a tiny Nikon one my daughter got with her camera for free.
Holds the same a7 set up and one lens. But is super light. My only dislike is its a single clip in the middle to shut it.

I also need to fine something smaller for travel. So will keep following this thread.

Just checked what you’re currently using and that actually looks ideal. Bar looks any issues?
 
pmac said:
I’ve been using the retrospective 10 v1 for a a long time maybe 10 years.
While it’s a great bag and can carry a fair amount it’s a b**ch to lug around all day when loaded, especially when hot.
I will have a7iii with tamron 28-75 attached.
One side Sony 85 1.8 and Samyang 18mm. These are un separated
Other side my mini 3pro.
Front pouch the mini 3pro rc controller
Then random filters and a tiny hand held tripod.

Recently I’ve resorted to using a tiny Nikon one my daughter got with her camera for free.
Holds the same a7 set up and one lens. But is super light. My only dislike is its a single clip in the middle to shut it.

I also need to fine something smaller for travel. So will keep following this thread.

Just checked what you’re currently using and that actually looks ideal. Bar looks any issues?
Click to expand...
The bag I’ve got it great by all accounts. It has a single clip like the Nikon one you have, however it also has Velcro so when I’m wanting quick access I don’t bother with the clip and just use the clip as extra security when I know I’m not wanting to use the camera for a while. The Velcro also has ‘silencers’ on it so that you can open the bag without making a noise, obviously this makes the Velcro redundant though.
 
I like the Tenba DNA Slim Messenger (I have the DNA 16 Slim) bags along with Crumpler, whose bags are the lightest I have found. With the DNA I like the top zip opening for quick access, the main opening is Velcro and magnetic clips so seems nice and safe for me. Also, another reason I like the top opening as it allows me quick access when the bag is rested on the floor of my mobility scooter. May be of use for you when out on your bike?....I used to have the Retrospective 7 when I was using Fuji, lovely bags but way too heavy for me.

Years back when Fuji were launching the Xpro-1 & XE-1 Wex and others were giving away Billingham bags along with a choice of lenses to help the system start up. Didn't like the Billingham bag they give me and sold it straight away.
 
I ended up buying the Vanguard Veo 21M in stone colour, however the internal dimensions are way off and it's a struggle to get my A1 and 20-70mm in let alone this and the 35mm f1.4 so it's going back. Shame as it seems quite a decent bag otherwise. Internal dimensions are supposed to be slightly bigger than my current Think Tank but they're not. For example the width is listed as 11cm yet I've measure it at approx 8cm.
 
snerkler said:
I ended up buying the Vanguard Veo 21M in stone colour, however the internal dimensions are way off and it's a struggle to get my A1 and 20-70mm in let alone this and the 35mm f1.4 so it's going back. Shame as it seems quite a decent bag otherwise. Internal dimensions are supposed to be slightly bigger than my current Think Tank but they're not. For example the width is listed as 11cm yet I've measure it at approx 8cm.
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Another bag that might suit you is the Tenba Cooper Slim 13 (if you can still find one)
Cooper Slim
I had one of these, but still preferred the Retrospective 5, sounds like you might like it though.
 
I got one like this about five years ago - use it all the time. No-one knows it's a camera bag till I take the camera out.

www.ebay.co.uk

Bag for camera 11" Vintage messenger Top Brand Goat leather satchel shoulder | eBay UK

Outside bag: 1 front pocket and 2 side pockets. It has top handle to carry and use as a briefcase. Each bag is individual crafted. – looks better with age, regular use as the leather softens and deepens in colour.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
nog said:
Looks very similar to the Tenba DNA?
Click to expand...
Doesn't to me, quite a lot of differences even at first glance.
Cooper flap secures with velcro not plastic clips, main compartment has a zip closure.
 
Although I like my Billingham bags my most used camera bag is just a cheap man bag bought from a market stall in Thailand. I think non camera bags are worth looking at as inserts are available but of cause the dimensions have to be ok.

Good luck with the next one Toby.
 
I use a Vanguard VEO 38 Discover.
Amazing bag!!
It holds my Sony a1 + Sigma 100-400 no problem.
There's a bottom section that holds a Vanguard VEO tripod or you could use the compartment for a jacket etc.
Probably the best quality, versatile bag I've owned - and I've had more than my fair share of bags ;)
There's probably a more up to date version available nowadays.
 
T
tijuana taxi said:
Doesn't to me, quite a lot of differences even at first glance.
Cooper flap secures with velcro not plastic clips, main compartment has a zip closure.
Click to expand...
Tenba DNA flap also secures with Velcro, I don’t use the magnetic clips most of the time- no need as Velcro only is secure -and also has a zip to access the main compartment if you don’t want to use flap. DNA could well be the version 2 of the Cooper
 
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Nusratty said:
I use both the Wotancraft Pilot 7l and 10l great bags, expandable with accessories and don't look like a camera bag - mine are both khaki in colour with no horrible logos plastered all over them. They open and close with one hand and more importantly have a swivel hinges for the strap so never get twisted
Click to expand...
Another vote for this bag which I have used for over 2 years now, after migrating from a Peak Design. Ideal for my Sony with lens attached and 3 other (smallish) lenses; plenty of extra storage for small stuff.
 
mstphoto said:
I use a Vanguard VEO 38 Discover.
Amazing bag!!
It holds my Sony a1 + Sigma 100-400 no problem.
There's a bottom section that holds a Vanguard VEO tripod or you could use the compartment for a jacket etc.
Probably the best quality, versatile bag I've owned - and I've had more than my fair share of bags ;)
There's probably a more up to date version available nowadays.
Click to expand...
The vanguard 32 and 38 look great but I’m after a smaller bag than these, I already have several larger bags (y)
 
pmac said:
Did u sort anything?
I’ve just bought the vanguard veo go 34m.
Should be here mid next week for my trip. Will let you know when it arrives what it’s like. Seems smallish and only 0.7kg
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No, still wanting one but not been actively looking since I sent the VEO back. The VEO Go range does look good but it still looks more of a camera bag so there's no point for me as I already have a think tank like that (y)
 
snerkler said:
No, still wanting one but not been actively looking since I sent the VEO back. The VEO Go range does look good but it still looks more of a camera bag so there's no point for me as I already have a think tank like that (y)
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Yeah it does i guess look more like a camera bag. For me it’s just the weight difference for travelling.
700g vs 1.3kg on my thinktank
 
pmac said:
Yeah it does i guess look more like a camera bag. For me it’s just the weight difference for travelling.
700g vs 1.3kg on my thinktank
Click to expand...
Yeah nice and light, I think my think tank is around 500g (y)
 
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