Alternative 'gadget bags'.

[dougdarter]

Camera bags scream their value to any potential thief.

I use a Lowepro insert kit in a couple of bags. Both are non camera and therfore much more discrete, yet do the job as well as any camera bag.

The Colonial bag is a beauty, and will last a lifetime, but costs less than a similarly sized Billingham, and the Osprey bag costs only £50. The insert kit was second hand from Ffordes, and cost £12.

Belstaff Colonial bag:

Osprey Messenger bag:

 

[hoolio]

That Lovely Belstaff bag you picture above has a list price of £265 though its in their sale for half that at the moment, I get your point but it still screams value at me.

 

[travellingcello]

Have to agree with the above- the best thing would be to buy inserts off ebay and put them into your ordinary bags and use them as camera bags when needed.... which is kind of what the OP is doing I guess, but perhaps not with a bag that looks exactly like a Billingham or posh weekend bag!

 

[dougdarter]

I've carried the Belstaff bag in London, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Rome etc, all the places you would expect to experience a pickpocket, yet it has never received a second glance. Most people would not recognise it as being particularly valueable.

Opportunist camera theives/camera bag thieves will be looking for obvious camera bags such a Billingham, Lowepro, Crumpler etc, not messenger bags or shoulder bags.

Of course, there is always a chance that any bag may get stolen, but I always carry mine across the body, not hanging from the shoulder.

 

[dougdarter]

That Lovely Belstaff bag you picture above has a list price of £265 though its in their sale for half that at the moment, I get your point but it still screams value at me.

I bought the Belstaff bag in Avignon, France, a couple of years ago for 150 euros. I'm guessing that the price must have gone up

 

[ndwgolf]

Camera bags scream their value to any potential thief.

I use a Lowepro insert kit in a couple of bags. Both are non camera and therfore much more discrete, yet do the job as well as any camera bag.

The Colonial bag is a beauty, and will last a lifetime, but costs less than a similarly sized Billingham, and the Osprey bag costs only £50. The insert kit was second hand from Ffordes, and cost £12.

Belstaff Colonial bag:
QUOTE]
Any chance of a link to the Lowepro insert kit

 

[MindofMel]

Any chance of a link to the Lowepro insert kit

co-sign.