Is there a photo bag that doesn't say "Steal Me"

[joeisayo]

Yes, the limited edition Louis Vuitton bag specially made for your equally limited edition Leica M camera. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Either that or any Domke bag specially the one with a picture of Jim Domke's lovely mug on it.
Now that would scare anyone from comming close to your bag!

Cheers

[DanielHayduk]

Just a random thought...

If your current bag is already older, you might just want to dress it up. Maybe 'drop' some paint on it, rub a bit of guck on it. Patch it with ducttape... Make it look old and beat up. No thief would suspect expesive gear in a 'neglected' bag like that! It might just work.

*disclaimer* I have not tried this, and if you do, I am not liable for anything ruined by doing so.

/daniel

[DavidPlummer]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Eric,

You could look at the Crumpler bags.
Edmond

[/ QUOTE ]

I would second Crumpler bags - the flap on the one I have uses both buckles and velcro to hold the flap down over the top of the camera. In Paris I am sure someone tried to pick pocket items from the bag by popping the catches, hoewver, the velcro prevents the flap from being lifted to gain access to the contents without me knowing. Even if you don't go with a Crumpler the catches/velcro is a worthwile feature to look out for - especially compared with, say, just zippers which are incredibly easy to defeat.

crumplers have a lot of unnecessary padding in them, plus a lot of extra loud and sticky velcro. oh yea, and they're all really, really brightly colored. I used to like them, but I kinda felt like a cross between a bike messenger and an art photo student.

having wasted $$$ on every brand i've now accepted that i'll never find the perfect one, but for being indiscreet and since I don't care about swaddling my gear in padding, i've gone back to an ugly, taped up black canvas domke.

billingham, with it's the louis vuitton-like leather straps, is better avoided in poorer places, and both the boxy tamracs and strappy lowepros look like thief magnets... they're thinking that if your bag is worth a lot then the contents must be worth a lot more.

but don't stress about it too; besides venice every time that i've been robbed was in a U.S. metro city.

-m

[KaraSchaeffer]

[ QUOTE ]
billingham, with it's the louis vuitton-like leather straps, is better avoided in poorer places

[/ QUOTE ]
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] yes, I've got to admit when they are brand new they look "posh" but all new bags look like "new" bags.... besides as any self-respecting woman knows, Louis Vuitton bags are made of plastic.

Anyway my Billingham bags look like "bags", not like "camera bags containing US$8000 quids worth of goods. And my general appearance when I walk around doesnt mark me as a "rich mark".

[Nathan_Drummond]

Hint, if you can look the part of the sleep-deprived, harried new father..... A Diaper/nappy bag.... no self-respecting thief will risk stealing a diaper bag to find it full of dirty diapers.
(Extra points if you can get a baby to go along with the bag!)

Most diaper bags have lots of compartments, padded areas for bottles, zipped-in plastic liners (so you can wash them out) and come in the all-so-cute colors of pink and baby blue. A sure bet would be to stick a empty baby-bottle in on of the outside pockets, make it look like you're the stranded father while mom and the kid are visiting the bathroom.

Hey, it may not do much for your image as a "professional" but it will keep would-be thieves looking somewhere else!

Kara,

Last time I looked Louis Vuitton bags were made of canvas and leather. You can tell the fakes pretty easy, the LV logo should never be cut off, one end has LV right side up, the other side has LV upside down.

In the colour logos there are 35 colours, the knock offs never have more than six or seven.

Also remember LV bags never have any plastic wrap on them when they are sold new. Legit ones are wrapped in a box, no plastic wrap. The real LV bags will last you a lifetime.

....and while on the road I use a Lightware Digital Backpack to get my stuff there, then I work out of a Northface Borealus (sp?) backpack, usually leaving a camera or two on my shoulder.