Bag recommendation for OM-D

I just purchased new OM-D with 2 lenses and it is not shipped yet.

I am looking for a bag that can hold OM-D 1-3 lenses, flash and a spare battery.

I don't want a large bag as it will negate the purpose of buying a smallish camera.

Thanks

Bags are a really personal choice.

Moreover, how you use the camera determines bag.  Are you hiking?  Are you hiking with a hydration pack? Do you like camera bags that don't look like one?  Laptop/iPad capacity? Is money no object? Etc....

Lots of people recommend Think Tanks, Billinghams and Crumplers.  None may be right for you.

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http://jcharding.zenfolio.com/

The Lowepro 100 or 150 might fit the bill: http://www.lowepro.com/eventmessenger#prettyPhoto

So it depends on how you shoot, and how much protection you want for your equipment.

I'm a bagaholic...

Shooting Bag

my favourite travel light bag is my Billingham Hadley Digital, for m4/3rds. I have an Oly OMD with an Oly grip, kit lens, and now the 40-150 that Oly sells. Fits fine. That may be a lighter package than you have.

If I wanted to carry more, I would use my Domke F3X. It's probably not as waterproof as the Billingham, at least when I'm using it.

Storage Bag

If I was looking for a new bag, I would consider a Think Tank Retro5. However, I don't like their raincover. So I would pack a garbage bag in a pocket, in case of rain. Just like the Domke.

Backpack?

I have a LowePro 15L (forget the name) It's a sport bag you load from the back. Weakness? The waist belt isn't well thought out for me. Should be a little bit more substantial. I seldom use a backpack, so others have more experience than I.

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DaveL
Toronto

I'm a new to micro 4/3s and have a Oly E-M5. Just bought the thinkTANK  Retrospective 5. Nicely constructed bag, good for my E-M5 with the Panny 12-35 zoom, changer, and room for hopefully the Oly 60mm macro sometime in the future. Only issue I have with bag is the support system/dividers they have in place for the camera. Kinda flimsy....

+1 on the Think Tank Retrospective 5.  Beautifully made, very subtle, and the perfect size for an OM-D kit.  The rain cover is indeed quirky, although it will be familiar to backpackers.  I see the rain cover as a bonus.  Didn't know it came with one.  Was pleased to discover that it does.

I use the ThinkTankPhoto Retrospective 5 and am very happy with it.

If I need to go with many lenses and my iPad, I have the larger Retrospective 7 as well. An iPad fits in the back compartment.

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Thomas

I second the Retro 5 (or 7). It's a fantastic bag that looks stylish as well. There have also been many threads about bags for m4/3 that might have other recommendations.

Sean

I have the Event Messenger 100 for my day bag when going light and small. It will hold the OM-D plus a couple of lenses, along with the little flash that comes with it, and also a couple of memory cards and a LensPen.

I also own the Event Messenger 150 when I want to take my camera and my iPad. It is a little bit bigger and will hold 2 or 3 lenses, flash and of course my iPad inside the bag (dedicated pocket).

These bags are excellent value as they do not cost a lot (thats why I bought two), but they are very functional.

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DavidHH

I agonised over this for the first few week after receiving my EM5 and finall settled on the Event Messenger 100. I was afraid it may have been a bit small but it has turned out perfect for my needs. I have the OMD EMF with twin lens kit plus 45/1.8 & 20/1.7 plus remote shutter release, macro converter 4x ND filters + Circular polariser and the flash unit that came with the camera all snugly tucked away in this bag.

I have tried dozens of bags and still not one is an end all be all!  Quality of  Lowe Pro, Think Tank, Timbuk2 etc. are top notch, and even some odd balls like a ChromeBag I have are great quality, but each has a unique access system or strap and  they all make the experience personal preference.

The best solution I have found if you have a good brick and mortar near you, bring in your kit and try them all out.  I have wasted countless dollars shipping bags back and forth when I cannot find one at  a local shop, and as I type this I have 2 more cyber Monday bags coming my way with the intent of sending one back or possibly both if they are lame.

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Here's to learning something new everyday, and remembering it the next.

I don't understand why people use m43 to get a lightweight system, and then buy a bag (Think Thank retrospective 5) that weights 1kg!!! I mean: 1 kg for the bag only!!!

Amazing...

ThinkTank Retro 5 gets my vote as well for a small shoulder bag. The TT bags are among the best made in the world and they just don't wear out. They hold an amazing amount of gear. Price wise, they are more than the LowePro's, Crumpler, etc. but (IMO) they are much better bags.

With that being said, I also have a LowePro Flipside Sport 10L for hiking; it holds all the m43 gear you could throw at it, good strap system and enough room for a few essentials.

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http://stringfellow.smugmug.com

You need to examine how you will actually carry your gear. Don't think of a bag as holding just your camera gear. Think of what you actually carry with you and how you'll be carrying it.

For example, when I go on a trip (vacation or business), I only bring a single messenger bag with me while I'm out and about. It has to do everything, carrying my camera, paper maps, guide books, water bottle, small first aid kit, Advil, headphones, iPhone charger, etc. And it has to still be small/light enough for me to shoulder it all day long, for 16 hours if need be.

My choice was a CourierWare mini messenger bag, which holds everything I need (it gets stuffed full for airline travel, and emptied half out for daily use), except for the 16oz water bottle, which I carabiner onto the shoulder strap.

To the OP:  Olympus manufactures its own bag just for that capacity load, a small satchel type with hook and loop closure, for perhaps $50.  I got mine from Adorama a couple of months ago.

Consensus for the more sartorially inclined seems to be the:

Think Tank Retrospective 5 (I have one in Pinestone)

Ona Bowery

Both compact, well made, practical, don't look like camera bags and stylish to boot.

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www.samwaldron.co.nz

The Domke F-6 little bit smaller bag, ballistic series.  Buy the two part extra insert.  The ballistic series is better than the canvas because ballistic have velcro options inside the bag and are not sown.

I recently picked up at Billingham Hadley Small, and so far, I've been very pleased. It's extremely well made, cushions the equipment well, and it looks slick.

Right now it's holding my:

OMD with HLD-6

Oly 45mm 1.8

Oly 60mm 2.8

FL-50R

OMD flash (the little guy)

Battery chargers for OMD and double A's

4 extra AA's for the flash.

I still have room for one more lens, and once I get the PL 25mm 1.4 (that is, when my wife gives the ok...) I'll probably stop carrying my FL-50R everywhere.

Expensive bag, but worth it.

Mike

It is an oddly personal decision, as that which works well for one may not for another.

I personally love my Tenba Medium Satchel.  It holds body/grip with lens, an additional 4 lenses and my Oly FL-300R.  That is a whole lot of gear in a well padded, yet compact bag.

Good luck with your search,

Brian

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Though we may have precious little, it's still precious...

I picked up a small crumpler haven and fit an omd with landscape grip with 25 1.4 attached together with the only 12 and 45.

Its a little snug but all gets in there And can be dropped into whatever bag/backpack I want to take along.