Inconspicuous Bag?

Disclaimer: Please do not read nor respond to this thread unless you are genuinely going to recommend an actual camera bag.

I'm looking for an inconspicuous bag for a D750 with two small primes (D750 with 24mm 2.8 attached, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 plus spare battery).

I don't want it to scream "camera bag" as I will be traveling by subway day and night through rough neighborhoods in a big city known for it's high crime rate. I want easy access to the camera. I'm not worried about pickpockets, I'm worried about some thief or thugs trying to rob me because they think I am carrying an expensive item in the "camera bag". Of course, I won't access my camera on the train at any time. Train is only for transport purposes.

Any bag suggestions? Please, please, super pretty please don't respond with "get insurance, take an Uber/Lyft/Taxi, stop worrying about your equipment because it is only a tool, take a cheaper set up, etc." I am ONLY looking for bag recommendations, not travel advice. Please respond only if you have a bag recommendation; an actual bag you have used or know of that does not look like a camera bag.

I apologize for appearing rude, but I find it frustrating that every time I post (or others post) a request for a specific recommendation of an ITEM, several folks chime in with belittling, snippy, non-helpful comments. The rest of you folks are awesome and I value your opinions!

My solution for this was a well built camera organizer that went into a ordinary grubby looking messenger bag or a backpack (depending on my travels). I still have the crumpler organiser - but I don't think they sell them anymore. If you don't mind the expense, you might want to have a look at Peak Designs cube.

I bought a Timbuk2 messenger bag along with their Snoop insert for those times when I need a small kit and don’t want it to be obvious. I can carry one or two 5DIV’s with lenses mounted and a 15”MBP in a sleeve in it.

I have an Amazon Basics that looks like a back pack, but has the padding and partitions for a camera and lenses. It also functions as a laptop pack, too. I tried just using a back pack, but the padding/organizers are really needed. I'll carry a 7D2, Sigma 50-500, an 18-55, and a 50-250 in there. If I'm just doing cities, I'll leave the 50-500 at home.

I have been searching online for several days and it looks like I am leaning toward that option. I'm not thrilled at the idea of using a backpack, but there aren't too many options out there.

If I can't find a bag I like, I might have to go with a regular backpack and a couple of small padded lens cases inside to keep the lenses apart from the camera.

tcphoto1 wrote in post #18915683
I bought a Timbuk2 messenger bag along with their Snoop insert for those times when I need a small kit and don’t want it to be obvious. I can carry one or two 5DIV’s with lenses mounted and a 15”MBP in a sleeve in it.

Very nice looking bag! I have an older messenger bag (Ruggard Legion 45) that is similar in terms of dimensions. Problem is that it looks a bit like a laptop/notebook case.

I am debating whether to go with a cheap backpack with padded lens cases or the messenger bag.

Capn Jack wrote in post #18915685
I have an Amazon Basics that looks like a back pack, but has the padding and partitions for a camera and lenses. It also functions as a laptop pack, too. I tried just using a back pack, but the padding/organizers are really needed. I'll carry a 7D2, Sigma 50-500, an 18-55, and a 50-250 in there. If I'm just doing cities, I'll leave the 50-500 at home.

I saw that one on Amazon! It appears that the the strap is tailored for the right shoulder (not designed to be used with the left shoulder). I have a sling backpack with a similar design; great sling bag, but not comfortable if I try to switch it to my other shoulder.

My daughter made me a double skinned heavy calico "shopping bag style" carry bag with two heavy duty carry straps.
I wanted a bag I could put my camera bag inside and as your requirements didn't scream camera.
The grand kids decorated it and I find it does the job very well.

I carried my camera in THIS BAG using an INSERT, (not this one but a similar one, mine is not available). I stopped using it but it worked well and didn't look like a camera bag to me. The bag was kind of a "thing" back in 2012-2013.

snegron wrote in post #18915797
I saw that one on Amazon! It appears that the the strap is tailored for the right shoulder (not designed to be used with the left shoulder). I have a sling backpack with a similar design; great sling bag, but not comfortable if I try to switch it to my other shoulder.

They may have changed the vendor/design. Mine has two straps, both shoulders. That probably explains the mixed reviews for this product, too. If they buy it from different vendors, the quality design will change. Mine seems well made and I've used it for a couple of trips now.

Nice messenger-style bag! Price is decent as well. It is roughly the same size as my Ruggard Legion 45.

Think Tank Retrospective 5 (original version)

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com/c/product/84733​6-REG

I don't know if you would mind a backpack, but I love my Atlas Athlete camera backpack. It doesn't look like a camera bag at all. It looks like a ordinary hiking pack. It can compress down to 20L or so if you don't need to carry much. It can expand up to 40L if you need to carry clothes, etc as well. It is the most comfortable pack I've tried so far. I use it for hiking, and I've already been able to go further with this pack than I have with any other camera backpack I've had so far.

The Atlas packs come in different torso sizes, and now you can pick different hipbelts as well.

The camera core is adjustable in size, and the small configuration will easily carry what you listed.

It is rear-opening, so no one can get to your gear while you have it on.

Look up Atlaspacks.com.

EDITED TO ADD: The manufacturer pics don't show it but there's an elasticized pocket on each end where I put bottled water or cans of soda.


Don't know what your definition of inconspicuous is but I've been using this for a couple of years because it's not obvious it's a camera bag. The usual places carry it.

https://www.tamrac.com​/products/rally-5-v2-0

There's room in it for:
-100-400 zoom
-wide angle zoom
-DSLR body with a 24-105 attached.

There's room in zippered side pouch for filter boxes/lens cleaning items/extra battery/etc. I put filter wrenches/snacks in the laptop pouch on the other side.

Mine is all-black and doesn't have the gray vertical stripe on the flap.

I have that exact bag!! I liked it so much that I purchased a second one as a back up during a sale! It is my go-to bag with my 7dmk2, 16-35 and 70-200. It's like that bag was made for my 7dmk2!

However, it still looks too much like a camera bag. I'm leaning now more toward a backpack despite the fact that I don't like backpacks. Someone mentioned the idea of using a cooler-style backpack. It would be somewhat inconspicuous as I would look like a fat guy with a food cooler backpack.