Anyone have input on the Lowepro Photo Runner? I wanted something small, like the Camera Pocket, but it has been discontinued. The Photo Runner seems like it's more fanny pack then I want. Anyone use it, and have some feedback? Thanx. Bob Stevens.

-- Bob Stevens (matlaw@hargray.com), April 24, 2002

Answers

Bob,

I posted a review of sorts of the Photo Runner in the "Travels with Leica" thread under the "Accessories" category. (http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=008b8g)

I use it as both a fanny (belt) pack and as a shoulder pack. It's quite easy to use when configured for shoulder usage.

Feel free to contact me directly if you have questions.

-Nick

-- Nicholas Wybolt (nwybolt@earthlink.net), April 24, 2002.

Check out the Domke F5XB "belt and shoulder bag". Used with the optional belt, it functions just like any waist pack. But it looks classic enough to carry in an urban setting when appropriately dressed, rather than the Lowepro line which all look to me like they're made for a hiking trip.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 24, 2002.

I'm thinking of picking one up this week as well, mostly to fit my new EOS w/ 100 USM macro, with a rangefinder on the side. seems optimal, but I have yet to try it out.

otherwise, i'm using a lowepro stealth reporter AW as my daily laptop/camera bab, somewhat heavy, but works great.

I, on the other hand [being gen x] prefer the "hiking/street/messengar bag-look" of lowepro over the retro canvas look of domke.

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 24, 2002.

I like the Hadley Small billingham. It is small, but not too small, is totally quiet to operate out of. Is totally waterproof, comfortable, has a totally removable insert and is discreet- doesn't look like a camera bag.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 24, 2002.

I've got the Hadley (standard size) and second everything Kristian says. I've tried a few bags, but this is the one that really does it for me.

I also have an Alice, which is excellent for one camera one lens occasions, but a bit boxy. On the whole I prefer the Hadley.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), April 24, 2002.

If you wanted something in between the camera pocket and photo runner, Lowepro makes the mini orion. I use it for an m6 three lenses and there is room for a few rolls of film.

-- Bill Henick (dhen1922@aol.com), April 25, 2002.

Bob, I second what Rob is saying, but if you wanted a larger size bag i would opt for the hadley "pro", which is exactly the same size as the original, but it also has a zippered weather proof A4 size document holder on the back of the bag, a carry handle on top and the ability to add extra "small" pouches to the sides of the bag. And the price is about the same!!

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 25, 2002.

No, Kristian, dammit, _I_ second what _you_ say! ;-)

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), April 25, 2002.

I bought a J803 from Domke over the Hadley. Sure, the Hadley does not have that annoying Domke clasp, but the Domke has the more useful distribution of pockets for little stuff like batteries, cleaning cloths, passport and the like.

For carrying just an extra lens around I use my pants back pocket - when I am not overweight :-) . If you live in a cool country you are lucky. A jacket with a number of pockets suffices to carry a lot of spare stuff around in great comfort.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), April 25, 2002.

Rob, do you always have to agree with me?! You're always trying to follow my lead. Must be the inspiration I have over your photogrphic ability. Well if I don't have it at least someone does! :-)

Mani, does the J-803 take the Hadley insert, cause the Domke inserts suck!????

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 26, 2002.

I have had the Photo Runner for over two years. It is a very well padded bag and you can really put lots of stuff in it despite its smallish size. I can easily put two Leica M bodies with four lenses plus an 8x20 Leica binocular, small tabletop tripod, and lots of film. I also have other bags but the Photo Runner got the pick every time I travel. But It is not a perfect bag as Jay mentioned in his post - the look of the bag is more for hiking than for general purpose photo outings. For that, I am considering buying a Domke F5XB before my next trip.

-- Cing-Dao Kan (cdkan@yahoo.com), April 26, 2002.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input! Bob Stevens

-- Bob Stevens (matlaw@hargray.com), April 26, 2002.

Cing, before purchasing the F-5XB, contemplate this: virtually no padding, noisy zipper, like your photo runner, one tiny pocket besides the internal compartment, noisy velcro cover flap, not water resistent. If you drop the bag, all it will do is stop the camera from being scratched.....as padding will not brace much impact at all.

Otherwise it is comfortable to wear, and doesn't shout "camera inside". Avoid the black colour as hair and dust sticking to it will piss you off big time.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 27, 2002.

Just one thing, BTW - I have recently been travelling quite a bit to take picture and this has often involved throwing a bag into the back of tractors and trucks wuite often (after taking underexposed pictures of them). I noticed that it's easy to squash the rewind lever out of shape on the M6's, so whatever bag you get, I recommend storing the cameras with the rewind knob upwards. It's quite a delicate part of the camera. I had to lever it back into shape with a screwdriver a few times before I realised what was causing the problem.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), April 27, 2002.