I don't own the 3.5L (Pilot) bag from Wotancraft but I'm interested.
I'd imagine this is a common pairing, and was hoping for thoughts from people who have the bag, even better with this exact setup. Quite a few bags from over the years laying around unused now, and the wotancraft I believe needs to be ordered, at least in the UK.
This is what it looks like with the bag I currently use from Vanguard, I believe the 5L shoulder but not certain:
It's a good bag. It comes with two dividers, I'm just showing the extra space in the photo. That extra padding on the bottom is my own, but it does have a little there by itself.
It's pictured above with the 50mm f1.2 nokton SE and the 28mm f1.5 nokton (both e-mount). The apos should be close but a little longer I think (no e-mount 28 yet) but it would be super tight with the 3.5L from wotancraft, like maybe not even fitting, I'm not sure.
Vanguard bag specs measured as well as I can with the flexible material:
External width is 24-25cm
Internal width about 21-22cm
I believe it's their 5L shoulder camera bag. It's still small, well protected, it's okay. But there's wasted space there and when I carry it, I feel like yep, I'm carrying the camera. It's just that little bit wide for a compact kit.
I think the wotancraft 3.5 L is one I've seen people like, and I'm interested in the canvas one.
I'm not certain about protection on the sides but I'm reasonably careful as long as it's not terrible.
I'm willing to give up the hood on the 50 (it's not in the photo above either as I suspect it will be tight with the wotancraft). And I just want as small as possible, with reasonable protection, practical and fits this.
I'm not sure how much different it would be to be honest but very tempted to give it a shot and thought I'd check in here first.
The specs mention 19cm internally, 20cm external... which seems rather thin for protection and might be cutting it real fine.
Wotancraft straps are a little short usually so I'll probably be swapping that out, don't particularly like the red quick adjustment thing either. The padded section on the strap with the vanguard has 0 grip if you want to wear it on one shoulder, I removed it (cutt off the thread that secures the strap to do it) and use something else.
I bet the 2L would feel perfect to carry but I'm certain that won't fit based on specs. It probably wouldn't fit the leica m with a 50+28mm summilux either (why am I even thinking of that). The 2L might be nice for just a single lens.
It might seem crazy over a couple of cm, but I tried putting the camera in an old diesel sling I had and it felt so good. Like it was barely there. But that doesn't fit an additional lens and it's basically 0 protection. And it's not like the 300g from the lens makes all that much difference so I just want to remove some of the bulk.
One small thing for people who end up interested in the vanguard - the thumb grip often catches on this bag, but I have to use one with the a7cii. I'm curious about how it fares with the wotancraft.
I don’t have that particular bag, but have a bunch of other Wotancraft bags. They’re very good, but a bit heavy. If you want that extra protection, I recommend them, but I often find myself using the lighter Bellroy bags.
johnvanr wrote:
I don’t have that particular bag, but have a bunch of other Wotancraft bags. They’re very good, but a bit heavy. If you want that extra protection, I recommend them, but I often find myself using the lighter Bellroy bags.
I took a look at belroy bags previously as I know they're quite popular too but the messenger ones seemed bigger than what I was looking. The slings are super close to the chest and as far as I can tell, no dividers.
The wotancraft 3.5L pilot one in canvas says 400g. The leather one does look heavy it's why I was thinking about canvas but not sure how that compares. The vanguard one I have is 480g, assuming it's the 5L VEO which looks right, and the bag doesn't feel heavy, just a bit wide for my selection.
What's the belroy one you use, and what camera/lens(es) do you usually use it for?
Yogifi wrote:
I took a look at belroy bags previously as I know they're quite popular too but the messenger ones seemed bigger than what I was looking. The slings are super close to the chest and as far as I can tell, no dividers.
The wotancraft 3.5L pilot one in canvas says 400g. The leather one does look heavy it's why I was thinking about canvas but not sure how that compares. The vanguard one I have is 480g, assuming it's the 5L VEO which looks right, and the bag doesn't feel heavy, just a bit wide for my selection.
What's the belroy one you use, and what camera/lens(es) do you usually use it for?...Show more →
I have a Bellroy 10L with dividers and one size smaller without. Lots of different cameras. You’re right that they’re close to the chest, a bit too close.
I picked up the 2L, will only fit one of the 28/50mm lens with the a7cii and some earbuds underneath the lens, filter and cloth most likely but will confirm when I get it. Can use it for the fuji as well with some sunglasses most likely.
My previous bag of this size was like 20 years old and needed replacing anyway, will give me a chance to see the colour in khaki as I was leaning more towards black for the 3.5L one to be less showy but let's see how bright it is.
I don't think the bigger one will be as good as the vanguard to be honest but being that little bit smaller is worth it for me. Didn't look that small on Mr Leica though.
Would also need to replace the strap on the 3.5L, likely need to find some d-ring that fits and have a clasp. And I may position the camera with the lens pointing down so I'd need to make something for the lens to sit on and be protected, a hassle. Even if sideways, would want something to cradle the lens so the camera sits properly.
Looks like a reasonably handy bag to have anyway.
Also picked up their water bottle holder with a strap.
I've got one of their small pouches that I use for the x100vi and that will quite easily fit a lens inside the samyang protective case that comes with their 45mmf1.8 or the slightly larger case with the 75mmf1.8 - they're useful but don't have much grip, don't ask how I know (but it worked). Need to do something to those, grip tape maybe.
Won't be as easy to swap the lenses as with the vanguard though so not a brilliant solution. And a bit silly with two straps for a casual outing, but for me, the vanguard is borderline too.
Water bottle separately I'm okay with.
Thanks for reading my tedious blog entry, have a good weekend.
I have the Wotancraft 7L and 10L, and have enjoyed using them immensely. The 7L tends to be my daily bag. I tend to carry an a7rIII and a9II, both with small lenses attached. Or, sometimes just one body and a couple lenses.
What I like about them is that they don’t look like traditional camera bags. The material is very soft and flexible.
There’s a pad at the back of the main compartment used to create a pocket for either a tablet (7L) or laptop (10L). This pad can be removed, keeping just the dividers to separate cameras/lenses. I doubt removing it changes the weight much, but it does make the bag even more flexible. There’s pros and cons to that. The pro is that it fits around the body better. The con is that it can be hard to work out of the bag when it’s too flexible depending on how full it is. I’ve done it both ways at times.
I really like the “fid-lock” flap. Once you’ve used to it, it’s really fast and easy to access the contents. However, it does require some thought and practice so it seems it’s pretty secure.
The fid-lock flap does look really good for quick access with a small amount of peace of mind.
Sometimes I want to try a photo but think, is this unzip worthy?
Also now immediately regretting the khaki colour pick on the 2L but let's see.
The 7L does look like a useful bag to me too, maybe in the future. Khaki probably looks good for the 7.
my 7L is grey and my 10L is the khaki. Overall, I think I like the grey the most. I got the khaki for when traveling to sunny, hot locations.
Oh, and they fold pretty much flat. I tend to use the khaki 10L as my travel bag. At least up to now, it has always fitted fine under the seat in front of me on the plane. I then pack the 7L in my carryon suit case. If staying at a location I know is secure, like in-law’s house, I’ll sometimes shift just what I need for that outing into the 7L.
Yogifi wrote:
The 7L does look like a useful bag to me too, maybe in the future. Khaki probably looks good for the 7.
Like @goo0h I have the 7L and 10L, both in Khaki. They are my favorite bags, by far; very well made and highly adaptable. The optional add-on pouches are very useful too (I can fit a small body, like an a7cR, in one of them.)
