which one should I bag? (part 2 of a couple more)

Back to my bag search. 

I decided I wanted a messenger bag. But I do not know which one although I know which brands are my best bets.

Lowepro. Vanguard. Manfrotto.

Online prices of the new Lowepro Pro Messenger and Vanguard Up-Rise 38 are way beyond what I intended to spend on a bag, so they are out of selection order.

Early weekend in December 2012, I drove to a shopping complex in KL to check out some photo accessories and I stumbled upon the Inverse 200AW in a shop doing a ‘sale’ on some bags. The Inverse 200AW can be had for RM299 (around USD98). 

It was no doubt a pretty reasonable price for an original Lowepro. However I soon decided that a waist pack is not something that I’ll be comfortable with especially for day-long shoots.

With the Lowepros and Vanguard out of the question, I was left with the Manfrotto. But with a huge price range between RM250 to RM460 at different merchants, I have to be very careful if any of those cheaper ones are not originals, or worse end up being a victim of profiteering.

Lowepro Pro Messenger 200AW

Nice.
Expensive.
Can't afford.

Lowepro Inverse 200AW

I figured I won't be too comfortable with a waist pack. 

Not when I have a tree trunk for a waist…lol.

Vanguard Up-Rise 38 Quick Draw Messenger 

Tops my list but like the Pro Messenger 200AW, I really can't afford this. 

Besides it's too laptop bag-like which is a constant target for snatch thieves in KL.

Manfrotto Stile Unica VII 

Within my affordability range.

But logic tells me that bright red doesn't equal being inconspicuous. 

And after trying out the bag, I honestly feel that the material (and stitching) won’t last as long for the ‘rough’ user that I am.

At this point I am effectively out of choice. Or am I?

But as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait…or as I prefer to say in in Malay, “berkat kesabaran”…I eventually found the bag that fits into my set criteria.

which one should I bag? (part 1 of a few more)

I’ve been using my Lowepro Fastpack 250 for a couple of years and I enjoy using this bag since I’m a backpack person. 

I have a modest collection of backpacks that I use interchangeably, both for photography and non-photography stuff. Ok I confess my bag (esp backpack) fetish matches some ladies' handbag collection.

But I have a little gripe about backpacks…they tend to look huge and intimidating for street work, at least mine do.

Ask any photographers and they'll admit that they are always in need of yet another bag. Come on guys, help me out on this :p

This time around I want a simpler, inconspicuous messenger bag to lug my gear around as I do not want to look too ‘photographer like’ and risk anything untoward happening to my gear when I’m out shooting. Perfect excuse! Haha!

I researched online for a bag that matches my needs going through the many good brands available in KL shops and the usual suspects such as Lowepro (Pro Messenger & Inverse 200AW), Vanguard (Up-Rise 38) and Manfrotto (Stile Unica VII) were later shortlisted.

Camera bags are an expensive investment. On top of that, if you are after Lowepro you need to be careful with imitation Lowepros that are on sale along with originals even in those so-called reliable shops. Of course unscrupulous merchants (yes, even the big names) still and do overprice their products and there are even those who’d pass off used products as new ones. Welcome to Kuala Lumpur, the territory where some seemingly genuine merchants hoard imitation stuff and pass them off as originals.

One simple advice on purchasing camera bags. Go for a reliable brand. No second guessing this one. 

Next: which one should I bag?