Timbuk2 as a camera bag?

Thanks everyone for your responses so far. I am now leaning towards either the medium Messenger (buying a laptop insert) or the medium Laptop Messenger. I always seem to have this problem when looking for a new bag. I can find two bags that would be perfect, but not one that does everything I want.

The sewn-in laptop sleeve on a Timbuk2 medium takes up about 2" of internal space. It did however, provide some structur to the back, and flash and small lens or two could fit in there when not toting the laptop. The funny thing about the sleeve is that they only sew it on the top, and the sides and bottom use Velcro to hold it in place. The Domke inserts I had simply took up too much space. A 40D with my smallest lens--30mm f/1.4, is NOT a small camera, especially when a grip is added. Another note--the Crumpler 7MDH is actually smaller than a Timbuk2 medium laptop messenger bag. It is beyond me how people really carry as much stuff in the 7MDH that they claim--the padding in the 7MDH takes up a lot of interior room. I still have not given up on the Timbuk2 messenger bag plan--I need to make my own interior dividers and simply NOT try to carry much stuff in the bag. Right now for stealth, I use my CC Filson medium field bag with a towel tossed in for padding, and carry my 40D with 18-200 OS, a flash, some batteries, Epson P-2000, and some other odds and ends, and sometimes my 30mm f/1.4 in a sock. My camera stuff actually fits in this bag better than in the Timbuck2 I had as the heavy waxed/oiled canvas and bridle leather of the Filson bag has more structur than the Timbuk2 back, not to mention looks more classy and rugged. I will also say that when I added a computer and charging cord to the Timbuk2 bag, along with the camera stuff mentioned above--it was way too much to carry comfortably--and I am not a small person.

The moral of the story is that we need more than one way to carry camera stuff to fit the purpose of the outing, and we need to make choices on what to bring when we venture forth with camera gear. There is no one "perfect" camera bag--that bag would be the size of my wallet, fit in my other back pocket, and hold about a 1/4 of the Canon lenses, a couple of flashes and bodies, weigh under a half pound, and open and close itself with the press of a button!

Sorry--I didn't look at Frank's link to his "hack" photos at the Timbuk2 site before posting my reply above--they are very nice! I see there is no laptop sleeve in his bag. Also, I found it nearly impossible to carry a gripped 40D with 70-200 f/2.8 attached in my bag when I had it. The Domke inserts simply did not allow for it. Also, by the looks of Frank's bag, it must weigh a ton--and he still has some empty space! Nice job and well planned however.

Rudy M. wrote in post #4629254
Sorry--I didn't look at Frank's link to his "hack" photos at the Timbuk2 site before posting my reply above--they are very nice! I see there is no laptop sleeve in his bag. Also, I found it nearly impossible to carry a gripped 40D with 70-200 f/2.8 attached in my bag when I had it. The Domke inserts simply did not allow for it. Also, by the looks of Frank's bag, it must weigh a ton--and he still has some empty space! Nice job and well planned however.

oh hell, I'd never carry all that stuff. it was more an exercise to see how much you could reasonably fit in there. I have done a laptop in sleeve with the narrow inserts placed lengthwise and it was reasonable, though the inserts did flop aroudn a bit. I maintain that the 3-compartment lengthwise insert with a laptop sleeve would work well, but I've never tried it.

the 4-compartment alone in the messenger bag is a nice fit, though. it mushes up if there's nothing in the outer compartments and doesn't get too bulky if there is.

I figured you wouldn't carry all that stuff at the same time! Nice job on the layout of the Domke inserts btw. Here is the bag that I have been using for over 5 years and it shows no wear, only character! I have taken this bag with my camera archery deer hunting in snow, wind and rain without fear! It carries nicely, and hangs easily on a screw-in step, or a cut off limb, or just hang it by the strap from my tree stand. Works well in the bush, looks good in town, and I even used it just today when I went to court to file some documents and check my pick-up boxes.

http://www.filson.com …ield-bag--pi-2092394.html

I see the price has gone up about $25.00 since I got mine--but they can be had elsewhere cheaper. They can last a lifetime and then some. Here is another option for a camera bag from Filson that I have been thinking about
http://www.filson.com …2075128&parentP​age=family

A few Domke inserts in there would be pretty nice, and still have room for a jacket and some snacks. Very expensive however, but it can be used for other stuff.

i am bringing this thread back. hehe. i am also looking into timbuk2 bag that i can add some inserts so i can put in a mbp and my 40d with flash and maybe another lens but thats' it.

A few issues with Timbuk2 for camera bag. 1) The big it self is tough, but offer no padding of any kind. If you bump you bag, you bump your camera. 2)bag not fully enclose, the flap doesn't really cover the side that well, not a good ideal for camera stuff. 3) Like other said, your stuff will just be floating around in the large well. Unless you have nothing else, there or they will be bumping against each other. With the material, you cannot even add divider easily.

I also suggest take a look at ThinkTank Urban Disguise series. It is laptop lag look alike and has feature for cameras stuff. It looks kind of serious, so not very good for a casual day out useage tho.

im not really looking into a serious bag. just a casual walkaround bag that i can use for multiple purposes. am planning to go to nyc and want to be walking around central park and not wanting everyone to know i got anything expensive in it. hehe

I saw Timbuk2 messenger bags at Marshalls not that long ago. They were priced cheap (maybe $30??) I didn't bite because I scored a North Face backpack, and I prefer backpacks to messenger bags for gear. If one is close by you should check it out.

You might want to see if you have an REI near you and wait for their used gear sale.

Check out the domke inserts. They're a good solution for what you want. You can check out some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/chromewaves/213​556632/

I have a few Timbuk 2 messenger bags (different sizes) that I use as camera bags. I put a piece of closed cell foam in the bottom of the bag to give some padding, but otherwise don't worry about the lack of padding. These are for working out in the field, not for transport. In 10 years of using the bags, never had a problem (knock wood) with any kind of breakage. I tend to favor the "small" bag for holding a 30D with lens plus a second lens. I also keep spare batteries, CF cards, double spirit level, and various other accessories in the pockets.

I've used a small Timbuk2 as a camera bag several times, either by swiping the inserts from my Domke or using padded individual pouches for lenses and a flash and a neoprene cover on my 30D and main lens.

It's an old bag, so it's faded, worn with character, and doesn't scream of the contents, and works fairly well. I generally carry one or maybe two extra lenses, and sometimes a single flash.

On the downside, the size of the front flap can get in the way at times, and using individual pouches with more than two additional items can be fumblesome.

I find that set up the way I've used it, the smaller bag works best with one "width" of inserts, like a twin Domke insert. Trying to use a quad insert, like from my F-6, makes for a much bulkier bag, and at that point, I may as well just carry my Domke F-6 or F-3.