brambor Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 I would like to recommend a very practical camera bag from Patagonia. I was to test it during my last trip to the Czech Republic. The bag is perfect for someone who takes their gear into adverse weather conditions. It was originally designed for fishing gear. I like to be brief on strengths and weaknesses. Additional questions could be formed as reply to this post. Pros: Totally Waterproof - You can shower with the bag and no water will penetrate it. Velcro Dividers make it easily configurable do the size of your gear. Velcro Attached clear pockets - For Passport and documents that you temporarily need to have in hand. Removable Shoulder strap - great for attaching longer strap or for attaching the entire back to your sternum while wearing a backpack. Square Construction - great for unzipping the top part opening and rummaging through the bag while having the bag attached to your sternum straps or while being over the shoulder or on the ground Handles - In addition to the shoulder strap you have available handles to simply carry the bag. The two handles are possible to join with attached velcro. Could be attached over the bag but also under the bag to store handles out of the way. Superb quality - Patagonia's trademark Cons Supplied shoulder strap is too short when fully extended. Someone might preffer longer shoulder strap but since it is removable you can easily substitute with shoulder strap of your choice. Non removable handles - I would have preferred to have the choice to remove the handles. Only one choice of color - Actually I could care less but some might. The link to the bag is here http://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC?OPTION=PRODUCT&merchant_rn=7385&sku=48250&ws=false Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Way too expensive. What does "superb quality-Patagonia's trademark" mean? Sounds like a bad commercial with a matching color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald_brewster Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Patagonia does have high quality standards and prices to match. It isn't referred to at "Pata-Gucci" for nothing. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambor Posted May 12, 2006 Author Share Posted May 12, 2006 Well it means that their stuff is well made, lasts a long time and has a great warranty. The bag is big. It will take in a lot of gear. I carried with me two Canon bodies, One M3 body, One M Lense, Three big Canon Lenses (one in Canon Hard Case), lightmeter, about 40 rolls of film, a few filters, remote shutter, camera cleaning supplies, passport, tickets, Smaller One body shoulder bag from Tamrac, External hard drive and I don't remember the rest. The price isn't too steep for what you're getting. IMHO - YMMV I don't officially work for the company but am friends with some of the designers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmdelux Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 What does YUMMIE mean? Holly cow - $180 is that in US currency? Good argument for buying Domke. (smile) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmdelux Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 BTW FWIW......I don't work for Domke. I've owned 4 over the past ten years and think they are just great, well made, canvass fabric, competetively priced, unobtrusive, washable. Whatever suits your style my friend! (smile) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambor Posted May 12, 2006 Author Share Posted May 12, 2006 YMMV - Your mileage might vary. Domke to this bag is like Birkenstock Sandals to Scarpa Hiking Boots. Both good for something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmdelux Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Thats great Rene. I love it. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambor Posted May 12, 2006 Author Share Posted May 12, 2006 Cheers Paul. When it comes to my M carry choice I have my M3 attached to a thin climbrope loop which goes around my wrist but there are situations when you need bags like the Great Divider. It all depends on what you do and where you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeter Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 sounds like a good bag, but it would be a lot more attractive to me if it had a waist-pack design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Based upon some of your photos, Rene, I'm confident that you've communed with nature a bit more than many of us. Certainly a great deal more than I have. <p> A few years ago, I was listening (on NPR ?) to an interview with wildlife photographer Frans Lanting, who has written, "The tropical forest may be a naturalist's paradise, ... but for a photographer it can be a nightmare. Once you are inside it is all blood, sweat, and leeches. Whatever you take into the forest becomes part of the food chain, whether it is your equipment or yourself." <p> For guys like Rene, and Frans Lanting, rugged is required.<p> I'm really more of a city kind of guy, for whom 'the wilds' is defined as athletic fields <i>without</i> a functioning portable toilet, or at least some well-concealed bushes.<p> I do have 4 wheel drive, though :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Based upon some of your photos, Rene, I'm confident that you've communed with nature a bit more than many of us. Certainly a great deal more than I have. <p> A few years ago, I was listening (on NPR ?) to an interview with wildlife photographer Frans Lanting, who has written, "The tropical forest may be a naturalist's paradise, ... but for a photographer it can be a nightmare. Once you are inside it is all blood, sweat, and leeches. Whatever you take into the forest becomes part of the food chain, whether it is your equipment or yourself." <p> For guys like Rene, and Frans Lanting, rugged is required.<p> I'm really more of a city kind of guy, for whom 'the wilds' is defined as athletic fields <i>without</i> a functioning portable toilet, or at least some well-concealed bushes.<p> I do have 4 wheel drive, though :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Sorry about the double. First try timed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Lowepro Novas in yummy black! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmdelux Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 you guys got me laughing now. what better way to go before hanging up the mouse.......weekend warriors start your engines! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd_phillips1 Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Looks like a great bag.....but a bit too big. I'd fill it with so much that I couldn't carry it! I'd be interested in a smaller version, perhaps based on a satchel design. I've had (and still use) Domke's...but they DO wear out, especially the shoulder straps. The rubber "gripper" studs dry out and flake off giving a useless strap that will slip off constantly. I thought about replacing them with "UpStraps", but the attachment clip will slide back and forth on the long strap lug. When these totally wear out, no more Domke's for me. I love canvas and have a Billingham so I might try some more (but they do not have a replaceable shoulder strap either). I guess we're back to the "perfect bag" discussion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 Domke sells replacement straps for their bags. You cut the old one off and re-thread the new one on. I just did mine a month or two ago, cost $6.00 at the local camera store. As for Patagonia, that looks like a nice bag, and all their stuff is nice. But compared to Billingham and Fogg, well, you all know about their prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 Now I know what bothered me most- the name! I want the 'Great Uniter' and not a 'Divider'. Yes, I am the decider of what I buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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