It seems like every relatively compact camera bag for Leica M holds the camera with lens and maybe two more lenses or two M bodies with one additional lens. I always wish I could carry one additional lens than what I have. I'd like to find a bag that will fit a Leica M body w/lens and maybe three additional lenses. Not looking to break the bank (e.g., Oberwerth) and I don't mind the Amazon cheapos. It also needs to be a bag that fits M lenses without them swimming/bouncing around.
My current favorite is the Wandrd Roam Sling 6L. Works well for M body and three total lenses but it just won't fit that additional lens I'd like to carry.
So, looking to this community to see what you like. Thanks.
Ona Messenger bag. Use mine since > 10 years now. Just needs some leather surface treatment from time to time. Only con I observed with this bag are the metal clippings. You need to fully wrap the cover to the back to avoid that one of the metal clips hits your gear when taking it out or back into the bag. If in a hurry, this tends to be forgotten easily. I had a few near misses with this one when the clip hit the side of my lens (but not the top fortunately).
The Venture sling 6L sling will fit an M body an additional lens nicely. I butchered some PD orgami dividers to make it work with the bag really like it. Really understated bag that looks like a run of the mill sling. I can technically fit 2 lenses and a single body with lens attached in the bag, but this is usually a 1 camera bag for me or one body + lens bag at most.
I like this bag so much that I went and picked up the 10L camera edition sling, which does have dedicated camera inserts. It will comfortably fit an M body and 2 lenses and is now my main bag for gig work and travel. Can fit a second compact body with camera attached in here too.
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This is what I use to carry my M gear. For a while I had two bodies (M8 and M-240). The Domke 802 or 803 could hold both bodies with attached lens and still have space to put another lens or stack two. You will need to add an extra pad or wrap the lenses, but it fits nicely and is very discrete.
I use this for the little guys. Ape Case ACPRO324W @apecase.com. Zero problem with the M-mounts (up to five) and the main divider folds down so the camera can lay flat across the top. Everything you need, not a lot of extras. I really like the high-vis yellow interior. Overall, it's about the size of one of the old aluminum lunch boxes.
The Venture sling 6L sling will fit an M body an additional lens nicely. I butchered some PD orgami dividers to make it work with the bag really like it. Really understated bag that looks like a run of the mill sling. I can technically fit 2 lenses and a single body with lens attached in the bag, but this is usually a 1 camera bag for me or one body + lens bag at most.
I like this bag so much that I went and picked up the 10L camera edition sling, which does have dedicated camera inserts. It will comfortably fit an M body and 2 lenses and is now my main bag for gig work and travel. Can fit a second compact body with camera attached in here too.
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Problem with this bag is that if you’re traveling anywhere in Europe, they can easily snatch the camera out of the bag without you knowing about it. That’s the only thing that makes me anxious about slings well that and the other thing is -back pain, but I guess that comes with age
I have carried a Domke 5Xb- since the 1990s, I have a black (this one for 30 years) and a green one- it has gone through many RF cameras film and dig and can always carry a body and a couple lenses plus maybe binocs , a pen, or an extra battery- the 5Xb is cheap and does not call attention like expensive leather bags. I mostly carry two folded osprey bags inside that are waterproof and I am good for anything to contain camera and lens, just in case,
this is just one configuration with my MP, but a M11 is equally good.
lens_payoff_0l wrote:
Problem with this bag is that if you’re traveling anywhere in Europe, they can easily snatch the camera out of the bag without you knowing about it. That’s the only thing that makes me anxious about slings well that and the other thing is -back pain, but I guess that comes with age
One of the advantages of a sling is that you can easily wear it in front of you, for security purposes and/or easy access. But yeah they are terrible for your back if carrying a heavy load for a while.
freaklikeme wrote:
I use this for the little guys. Ape Case ACPRO324W @apecase.com. Zero problem with the M-mounts (up to five) and the main divider folds down so the camera can lay flat across the top. Everything you need, not a lot of extras. I really like the high-vis yellow interior. Overall, it's about the size of one of the old aluminum lunch boxes.
Interesting and I like the price! Looks like it would do the job for me.
As a confessed camera bag addict I'll say all the above are good options. I'll add Billingham Hadley small, Clever Supply 6 L Sling and Think Tank Photo PressPass 10.
I use the Billingham Hadley Small Pro, and it's the best-made camera bag I've found so far. In black, it's quite discreet and doesn't attract much attention. The price is a bit hard to swallow, though.
www.derekclarkphotography.com/blog/billingham-hadley-small-pro-review
lens_payoff_0l wrote:
Problem with this bag is that if you’re traveling anywhere in Europe, they can easily snatch the camera out of the bag without you knowing about it. That’s the only thing that makes me anxious about slings well that and the other thing is -back pain, but I guess that comes with age
what are you saying that kind of stuff occurs in NY at Times Square ?? What - NO WAY ! Impossible
I was just wondering, because I first bought those bags when I lived in the US and I'm now sometimes using them while living in Europe. Thought I may have made a mistake to continue to use them...
Any recommendations for small cases I can put an M3 in, and then put the case in a bag? I always prefer using bags that are non-descript, but need protection within that bag.
kevinsherm1 wrote:
Any recommendations for small cases I can put an M3 in, and then put the case in a bag? I always prefer using bags that are non-descript, but need protection within that bag.
Heres a bag I use a lot for the street. Its small and discrete. It's a military M-209 and it has a small APE padded insert. I think the insert and the bag were less than $50.00
?? What - NO WAY ! Impossible 
