Looking for the Impossible: Small Shoulder Bag for Camera & Notebook

[YSLee]

Well, I've been through this quite a bit, so I thought I'd see if anyone has seen anything that might fit the bill. Essentially I'm looking for a small shoulder bag that needs to fit this criteria:

1. Small! Should not be too big. I'd say around a Crumpler 6-7 million size, or smaller than a Lowepro Reporter 300AW.
2. Needs to fit a SLR with vertical grip. It would be nice if it could fit with a small lens, but I'm not hopeful on that.
3. 1 or 2 small lenses or 1 lens and a flash. Biggest lens will be the f/2.8 ultra-wide.
4. Needs a compartment for a small notebook. My 12.1" notebook rivals some netbooks even. This is a hard part. Almost every bag manufacturer thinks that people with cameras want to bring big heavy notebooks. So only the BIG huge bags get the notebook compartment.
5. Not ugly or uncle-ly. Billinghams are not even in the consideration. So are Think Tanks and Lowepros (their design team seems to have taken a holiday).
6. I'm also very open to a normal bag that can be converted to fit this purpose. The problem I've found is that most normal bags do not have the thickness to accomodate a camera plus a minimal amount of padding to make up the compartments for the purpose.

Any ideas?

Edit: Opps, forgot to mention, one more requirement: Removable strap to use my own neoprane strap.

[Nik-enduser]

Hi,

Try this product by Lowepro: http://camera-and-photo.become.com/l...es--c211679905

Or look at the smaller Domke sling bags.

[calebk]

I was going to mention that Think Tank do make bags that will fit smaller notebooks and pro camera bodies, buit I suppose you're gona rule it out. Guess their style isn't for you.

[gazkw]

well, in the event billingham comes up on your radar again, you can consider the hadley large. i think there is one on BNS.

can fit in 3-4 lens, body+grip (but unattached) and laptop. but you can't fit in your neoprene strap. the new billingham strap is very padded and comfortable.

[Edwin Francis]

How about the Tamrac Adventure Messenger 5?

http://www.tamrac.com/5535_open_lrg.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aSMdcSNavs

Size is about what you're looking for. Not sure about the strap though. And the design is pretty conservative / bland (I guess that's subjective).
Saw it at TK several weeks ago.
Like you, I use a 12" notebook, and I seem to be perpetually in search of the perfect bag.

[YSLee]

Originally Posted by calebk I was going to mention that Think Tank do make bags that will fit smaller notebooks and pro camera bodies, buit I suppose you're gona rule it out. Guess their style isn't for you.

Think Tank's Urban Disguise 35 is meant to accomodate telephotos. Using shorter lenses results in a very sucky experience where you end up stacking lenses. That's the only Think Tank bag I know of that's meant to fit smaller notebooks.

And yes, I don't like their style. Have an Urban Disguise 50, and I'll probably sell it off once I find a replacement.

[YSLee]

Originally Posted by gazkw well, in the event billingham comes up on your radar again, you can consider the hadley large. i think there is one on BNS. can fit in 3-4 lens, body+grip (but unattached) and laptop. but you can't fit in your neoprene strap. the new billingham strap is very padded and comfortable.

The Hadley's bigger than what I'm looking for, and way obiang. Sorry, I think Billinghams are very obiang. Like what you'd wear with exposed suspenders and polka dot bowties and plaid socks.

[YSLee]

Originally Posted by Edwin Francis How about the Tamrac Adventure Messenger 5? http://www.tamrac.com/5535_open_lrg.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aSMdcSNavs Size is about what you're looking for. Not sure about the strap though. And the design is pretty conservative / bland (I guess that's subjective). Saw it at TK several weeks ago. Like you, I use a 12" notebook, and I seem to be perpetually in search of the perfect bag.

Hi, yes, actually functionallity-wise, the Adventure Messenger 5 is pretty close. Maybe I'll write to Tamrac and ask them to see if they can make a similar bag for the Aero or Express series. I'm sure I'm not the only person out there looking for such a bag. :P

Thanks for sharing; searching for bags with oddball requirements is a pain!

[StrifeYun]

can try the medium size sling for national geographic.

[Hitman]

With a little creativity, you can modify the Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home into a laptop/camera bag...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=383571

[PrimePhotog]

Thinktank Urban disguise 50/60 or Billingham Hadley large unless you really hate them...

[calebk]

Originally Posted by YSLee ... And yes, I don't like their style. Have an Urban Disguise 50, and I'll probably sell it off once I find a replacement.

Originally Posted by PrimePhotog Thinktank Urban disguise 50/60...unless you really hate them...

Read, much?

[YSLee]

StrifeYun: I saw the new grey coloured bags, are you talking about those?

Hitman: That's a consideration, but the new Crumplers don't have a removable strap...

Prime: As I've mentioned, Billinghams are definitely out, and the 3 bags you listed aren't small. Not to me anyway.

[satch]

Just got my Urban Disguise 60 today... will be comparing it with my Billingham Packington and should be able to give some comments next week =p

[benny]

I recently got a bag for S$50 when I bought a dry cabinet. China brand call wang de fu or something like that. Cheap, but well paded.

It has a paded notebook compartment that can take the 12.1" notebook. and 3 paded compartment in front. The 50D with grip goes right in and I can put in another 2 lenses. There's another 2 pocket in front for accessories. Overall, it's stll smaller than most notebook bags.

The only down side, you can't use your own optech strap. But the one on the bag ain't bad either. As for looks, it ain't fashionable, more functionable. You are not going to get much attention on your bag or 'oooh' and 'aahh' comments about it.

Cheers,

[gazkw]

oh thats the WONDERFUL bag

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by YSLee [*]Not ugly or uncle-ly. Billinghams are not even in the consideration. So are Think Tanks and Lowepros (their design team seems to have taken a holiday).

billingham = ugly or unclely... you have high standards!

[iMac08]

get Tod or LV to customise a Camera bag for you loh....

To me if the bag is durable,easy access to lens,comfortable to carry can liao...if not just buy a Ixus100IS and put in your LV..nicest....

[YSLee]

Originally Posted by night86mare billingham = ugly or unclely... you have high standards!

No, I just think Billinghams are best used by men (not even ladies, this is exclusive gents stuff) who hail from a time when the sun never set on the British Empire.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by YSLee No, I just think Billinghams are best used by men (not even ladies, this is exclusive gents stuff) who hail from a time when the sun never set on the British Empire.

faint