rscheffler Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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I'll add my 2¢ even though Bob has found a bag.
I've tried a few slings and various bags over the years for the M system and found that I don't like zip-up type bags, particularly slings, because whatever lenses are stored in the end spaces, become difficult to remove because you're kind of fighting with the ends of the zipper where it comes together. Plus I don't like the feeling of the zipper teeth rubbing against my skin (I'm less concerned about the lenses rubbing against the teeth, unless the teeth are metal, which they rarely are).
Back in December B&H had some of the McKinnon bags on sale and I grabbed the 13L messenger and 5L sling. These are quite rigid 'clamshell' bags, which I normally don't like, but with a few customized Shimoda padded dividers, I was able to get the 5L to work for an M camera with a few lenses and the 13L for a mirrorless camera with 28-70/2, 70-200/2.8 and 20/1.4, or similar trio. The feature that intrigued me with both of these is the 'captive' opening system whereby you can fully unzip the clamshell cover to access your gear without rubbing against the zipper while an internal flap sewn onto both sides of the hinge area prevents the cover from opening too far for gear to spill out. Basically, you can walk around with the bag fully unzipped and nothing will fall out. There's also a bungee cord sewn along the edge of the cover that can clip to a hook on the other side to keep the bag closed without having to zip it up, allowing quick access by just unhooking the cord. Therefore the bag offers three carry options: fully open, clipped closed with quick access, or zipped closed. I found this flexibility with the 13L worked very well for my needs during a 3-week trip with my mirrorless system.
But the small bag I've gotten the most utility from for a single M body and up to 4-5 M-mount lenses is a customized CourierWare 'mini' messenger bag. These are made to order and you can customize the bag even beyond what is possible on the order page. I had the optional back inside pocked sewn down the middle to create two smaller ones like the two standard front inside pockets, and asked them to line them with 1/8" padding. Plus added clip closure rather than velcro. Each inside pocket will hold a 'standard' size M lens and the camera can be dropped in the middle between the pockets. When lenses are in the pockets, they expand to fill the inside of the bag and the bottom of each lens is kind of suspended over the bottom of the main inside compartment, meaning there is room underneath for other odds and ends to float around and the pockets keep the lenses from dropping too far down and becoming difficult to reach quickly. For really small lenses I've even cut pieces of PVC pipe just large enough in diameter for the lens mount to fit into, so that the lens sits on top of the pipe opening and the pipe acts like a booster to keep the lens closer to the top of the pocket for even easier extraction. Additional bonus is that with lenses that have rear elements that project beyond the mount flange, it keeps them from rubbing against anything (I generally carry M lenses without caps). A general issue I have with most messenger style bags is that they're quite deep and tiny M lenses end up way deep down inside the bag, difficult to see and/or find quickly. Hence my preference to keep them up near the top edge of the main compartment as much as possible.
During use I just flip the flap all the way back so it's between me and the bag, allowing easy access, or it can be left down to cover the contents in poor weather, less secure areas, etc. If the bag is not fully loaded, it will conform nicely to the side of the body rather than feeling like a rigid box, which is one thing I don't like about the McKinnon bags. One downside of the CourierWare design is that the shoulder strap is attached to the sides of the bag and with the flap closed, there's the potential for a slight gap where water can get in if it's raining. I'd really prefer an option to have the straps sewn to the edges of the bag's back panel so that the flap fully covers the opening, as is the case with a Filson bag I have (but is too big for M system use). I also think back panel positioning of the shoulder strap results in a more comfortable carry experience, though it can somewhat interfere with rolling the flap all the way back against the back of the bag.
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