I remember seeing a short article in VC a few months back. George DeWolfe was using a Billingham satchel to carry around his LF gear in the field. He put his camera on the tripod, and used the satchel to carry around essentials in the field. Obviously not for traveling or backpacking, but I am looking for something similar for 1-3 lenses (smaller f8 versions), 4-6 4x5 film holders, a pack of QuickLoads, and some filters. I might also use something like this for 35mm gear.

It seems like a great solution when working within short distances of my car.

Any clue which Billingham model was in the photo?

-- Andy Biggs (abiggs@tvmcapital.com), July 27, 2001

Answers

Andy, Haven't seen the photo, but the only "satchel-type" I can recall is the PhotoHadley, in particular the "Packington" version, which is taller. I owned the standard Hadley a few years back and used it for a small nikon 35mm outfit. It would serve as an excellent essentials bag, but I would be wary leaving the camera on the pod unless I had a waterproof/dustproof cover on it (like a small stuffsac) Hope this helps Paul

-- paul owen (paulowen_2000@yahoo.com), July 28, 2001.

The satchel to which you referred I believe is made by Domke. BILL

-- william mitchell (mitchell.candy@worldnet.att.net), July 28, 2001.

It was the May/June 2001 issue of View Camera, and the satchel was indeed a Domke.

-- Donald Brewster (dpbrewster@prodigy.net), July 28, 2001.

Andy,

I've been using a similar setup for some time and use both a Domke bag and a Tenba bag of similar design. I prefer the Tenba for some extra padding in the side products but would recommend either one. Both have 4 pocket inserts that you can pull out without having to unload. Its pretty easy to have a couple sets of inserts with different lens kits for whatever shooting you are going to do.

Good Luck

-- Kevin (kkemner@tatesnyderkimsey.com), July 28, 2001.

In the magazine article he refers to it as the Domke camera satchel. I just happened to have a Domke catalog so I looked it up. Sure enough they have a bag called a "Camera Satchel" - model F-803.

Main compartment - 13" long 4" wide and 9" deep. Weighs 1 pound 15 ounces.

-- Steven Dial (sgdial@bellsouth.net), July 28, 2001.