anyone use Timbuk2 Messenger bag?

[Coco-Puffs]

Timbuk2 Messenger bag size M. Does anyone on here use this? I've been looking for a messenger bag (for daily use and hauling my textbooks/noteoboks and EOS), and came across this.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/images/Timbuk_blue_lrg.jpg

I bought my Crumpler 6months ago but I only used it less than 5 times...I have one of those inserts and I Just put that into my Mountainsmith "Tour" bag so I thought about just getting a Timbuk2 Messenger bag and adding on those inserts again.

[brucea]

I have a couple of Timbuk2 bags. I bought them before they changed from cutesy names to small medium etc. My small bag is called a peewee and the larger one is a Dee Dog.

I like these particularly because they don't look like camera bags. They are waterproof (as long as the flap is closed) and pretty bulletproof.

I mostly use the small bag for the camera with lens mounted and maybe one additional lens. I can also fit extra batteries, CF cards, small notebook, pens, filters, etc. That's plenty for me walking around. I use the larger bag for travel. Can fit camera, several lenses, laptop, and other stuff.

Note that I went to WalMart and picked up a closed cell foam sleeping bag pad and cut it into rectangles to fit the bottoms of the messenger bags. This gives the bags some structure and offers some protection for the gear.

You can custom order bags (colors and options) or order standard bags from Timbuk2 at www.timbuk2.com . They make a bunch of accessories (strap pads, little ditty bags, etc.) as well.

[jednaszewski]

I have one of these and I really like it. I have the medium size. It's perfect for when I just want to take my camera with one lens plus a couple of books and my shogi board.

[Coco-Puffs]

and my shogi board.

shogi board....couldnt get more random then that. gosh i suck at shogi.

but anywho, I got to look at them today, and the Small is just a little too small for me...i could fit my camera and lens but too big, but with textbooks, too small. So I think im gonna sell my Crumpler and get the Medium.

and too bad you cant make one custom in japan!

[nadtz]

I have a chrome messenger bag (about the same size) which I stuck a domke insert into and...

http://badtz.org/images/IMG_5854-02.jpg

http://badtz.org/imagesi/IMG_5855-02.jpg

Im very happy with the result, and I finally have a bag im happy with that fits my laptop and my camera gear.

[Coco-Puffs]

I have a chrome messenger bag (about the same size) which I stuck a domke insert into and...

http://badtz.org/images/IMG_5854-02.jpg

http://badtz.org/imagesi/IMG_5855-02.jpg

Im very happy with the result, and I finally have a bag im happy with that fits my laptop and my camera gear.
thanks for the pic.
that is exactly what i wanted to do.

[Coco-Puffs]

these bags sure arent cheap.

[kaitanium]

i aboslutely love my timbuk2, got the medium one (and i did get mine before they changed the name too). get a shoulder pad for yours if youre hauling heavy stuff, it tends to get uncomfy

[nadtz]

The bags are not cheap, but most camera bags are on the costly side. I've probably gone through 3-4 camera 'shoulder' type bags before finally trying the chrome bag with the insert. Additionally assuming you dont set the bag on fire they (chrome and timbuk2) will repair them for pretty much as long as you own them. I brought my bag with me when I moved from NY to chicago but I havent gotten around to getting a bike so Im happy to have a functional use for the bag again =) I might get one size larger though to accomodate the 350D+ grip a little better.

[Coco-Puffs]

I really need to sell my Crumpler...I saw the bag again at a store and it looks so much more functional for daily use.

[Brian Puccio]

I use a LowePro sling bag for camera stuff, but for my laptop, school books, work papers, extra change of clothes and whatever else I might need to carry, my Timbuk2 bag still looks band new after years of use and several vacations. I thought about selling it recently, but decided I was too attached.

[Coco-Puffs]

I use a LowePro sling bag for camera stuff, but for my laptop, school books, work papers, extra change of clothes and whatever else I might need to carry, my Timbuk2 bag still looks band new after years of use and several vacations. I thought about selling it recently, but decided I was too attached.

what size do you use (if you got them after they made them with normal names :p)? I'm trying to decide if i want the S or the M...the S would be perfect for laptop+books, and maybe my 300D + std zoom lens...but im not sure.
I doubt ill take my SLR to school often but you know, just in case.

[Brian Puccio]

what size do you use (if you got them after they made them with normal names :p)? I'm trying to decide if i want the S or the M...the S would be perfect for laptop+books, and maybe my 300D + std zoom lens...but im not sure.
I doubt ill take my SLR to school often but you know, just in case.

I use the laptop messenger, which is equivilant to their medium size messenger.

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/retail/catalog.htm?categoryId=71

It's a bit big for my MacBook, I could get a smaller messenger bag and put my MacBook inside a sleeve inside the bag, but I've been through too much with this bag to get rid of it.

[Coco-Puffs]

yeah, i thought the M was too big sometimes...but the S seems a little small... i wonder if i can get like a medium small :p

[chromewaves]

I have a Timbuk2 medium messenger that I'm using as a camera bag. I have a variety of Domke inserts that I store my gear in, a 1-compartment short and a 2-compartment short most times, but I could fit a 4-compartment in there if I really needed. a 3-compartment would also almost take up the width of it. Note that Domke also makes padded baseboards for their bags that also fit the Timbuk2 medium almost exactly. Very handy since the inserts aren't padded at the bottom and only around $10 at B&H. I also use cut-up foam/rubber mouspads for protection at the bottom of the inserts.

I like that you can cram a lot of stuff in the bag but it does get a bit heavy, even with the shoulder pad. Or maybe I'm just a wimp. The Domke insert system is great because if I'm travelling really light, I can just pop one into a smaller messenger bag I have (about half the width of the Timbuk2) and voila - perfectly innocuous tote.

[oni0n56]

I have the timbuk2 commute that I actually use for my macbokpro. Never thought of using it as a camera bag though - I have a lowepro slingshot that I use for that.

Could someone post pics of how they use this for a camera bag? It seems to me that it'd be too thin, and then you'd have big bulges from where your stuff is.

These bags are great though for carrying books and stuff, i normally put all my notebooks and homework in along with my macbook and use that rather than a backpack - leaving my back free to carry my camera hehe.

[chromewaves]

check this article out - it uses a Timbuk2 large, but same principle. The size and bulk is about the same as a Domke bag.

http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,9215

[Coco-Puffs]

check this article out - it uses a Timbuk2 large, but same principle. The size and bulk is about the same as a Domke bag.

http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,9215

wow, great link. thanks:)

[chromewaves]

if you want to see my medium Timbuk2 with all the gear loaded in domke inserts,

http://static.flickr.com/92/213556632_dbadd13cff.jpg?v=0

For specifics on contents, check out my Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/chromewaves/213556632/) page.

[Coco-Puffs]

thanks for the pic :)
doesnt that get heavy though??

[anshu]

btw, im gonna order mine in the next few days. Ebags is having some good back to school sales!

[chromewaves]

Im sure it does - that's why I never carry it fully loaded!

I usually make do with the two flatter inserts turned perpendicular so that the bag is slimmer against the body - I can easily carry the body and two or three lenses around without the weight being too much of an isse. But I have walked around the apartment with it fully loaded, out of curiosity, and it's not as bad as you might think - but my lenses aren't that heavy. No L-glass or anything. If I were going to haul everything a long ways I'd probably get a backpack. But for just getting around town, the timbuk2 is quite good.

[paul_t]

I've got a custom Timbuk2 which I use for work - great for moving student files and homework around. Don't tend to use for my camera as I found it very uncomfortable.

Like the idea of the inserts though - may look into this a little bit more sometime. ;)

[narlus]

thanks to coco puffs for alerting me to this thread. i was in a similar situation, and wanted something not camera-specific for lugging a small amount of gear to shows. the minitrekker is overkill, and while i do own two timbuk2 bags, neither really fit the bill (i've got the guapo messenger bag, which is huge, and i've been using my wife's metro bag, which isn't bad but a bit small).

since i do like the quality and customer service of TB2, and other bag vendors weren't really any different price-wise, i decided to stick w/ them and just got my XS messenger bag in yesterday's mail.

http://www.timbuk2.com/static/images/perspectives/275/specialtyMessenger//1_f_jb-st-jb.jpg

it looks to be the perfect size...usually i bring an extra battery, CF card, body + lens (350D + sigma 30mm f/1.4) and additional lens (50mm f/1.8 ). this bag has plenty of room for that; i was able to fit body+lens and my 70-200 f/4 lens as well, w/ the 50mm sitting on top of the body if need be. i'll never bring that big lens to any shows, but am thinking of at some point getting the 24-70 and that plus 420EX could easily fit in the bag, and the bag itself is still very wieldy.

the domke inserts look like a great idea, i'm gonna check that out.

[Coco-Puffs]

I gave up on the idea of my books+camera idea.
its just too heavy. I might get the small one for camera only though.

[Margie]

A week or so ago I ordered a Domke F 2 bag on-line. When it arrived and I filled it with all of my stuff, I decided it was too heavy to carry in the field. I returned it and instead purchased a Tamrac Pro Digital Zoom 9 bag, just to carry my camera with lens and one extra lens.

That had solved my in the field bag needs, but I still wanted something larger for all of my stuff. After reading about the Timbuk 2 messenger bag on-line and here, I decided to find one to look at in the area. I quickly found one and bought it. It is very comfortable to wear, which I really like even when quite full, plus I can also carry a jacket or water with me too. I got the medium size and it is way large enough for everything.

Instead of getting all of the dividers for now, I am planning to carry the Tamrac bag with camera and lens inside of the messenger bag. I will put my extra lens in separate cases and they will all be protected.

[Dorman]

Just checking these out here as a good alternative to other shoulder bags. The medium looks like it would be far too large for my uses, checking out the X-small and small Timbuk2 Classic messengers, what inserts could these use and would they realistically hold my gear?

X-small - 12.75" W x 8.5" H x 5.25" D
Small - 14.5" W x 9.75" H x 5.25" D

What concerns me is the depth, my camera body side to side is about 4.75" W, top to bottom about 5.5", would this fit in comfortably?

[narlus]

brad - since the bag purchase, i've become a grip user. it makes the camera gear fit a lot tighter, but still possible. i can still fit these in, but it's tight:

30D + Grip
canon 85 f/1.8
canon 50 f/1.4
sigma 30 f/1.4

plus room for incidentals like extra CF cards, batteries, car keys, ear plugs, phone, etc. i had bought a Domke 'tray' for the lenses, but they are too wide so i use soft pouches (and of course one lens is mounted).

if i want to bring my flash, i have to leave one lens @ home. same goes for if i bring my 17-55 lens...not enough room.

hope this was helpful.

had i to do it all over again, i'd probably bump it up a size to Small, but at the time, the custom messenger bags only came in XS.

[Dorman]

Thanks Narlus, that gives me some insight. So the body with grip will fit across the 5.25" width of the bag?