One idea behind messenger bags for photo gear is that they look like the bags that lots of people carry with just boring old work inside them - hence, less likely to be stolen. Nice idea. But the implementation leaves a good bit to be desired in many instances in my experience.
The most obvious issue is the logo. I know every maker wants you to advertize that you own their brand but on a bag that is designed for stealth adding a bright logo that says "CAMERA BAG" is not a bright idea. Fortunately most logos are sewn
onto the bag and an sharp blade can take care of that very neatly and quickly. However, some are sewn
into the bag itself and hence not easily or cleanly eliminated.
The second issue is more subtle but none-the-less an issue for me. I own and have used messenger bags for work for 15+ years. Most have not cost a fortune and have held up for years of heavy use. After looking at my old ones (kept around because they can still carry items even if they are no longer presentable enough for work) all of them, every single one, has detachable should strap and heavy metal hardware for the attachment points. This allows the user to change the strap, add a slide to the strap, etc. with ease. It also offers an external attachment point for d-rings and such. Now, I look at the messenger bag I own from Tamrac - the strap is integral to the bag. Why? Just why? Then I looked online at several commonly mentioned messengers and all but one appeared to have integrated straps. The exception appeared to be the Timbuk 2 Snoop, however upon closer inspection it has a clip on one side and the strap appears sewn directly to the bag on the other side - again, why? This feature makes the bags look different from regular business/school messenger bags and helps them stand out - which is the last thing you want if you went for stealth.
Then there are issues with padding. On the several I have handled the padding is thicker on the sides of the bag then on the bottom. Again, why? I put my bags straight down most of the time and try not to let my camera bag be placed between other bags thereby compressing it. The main point of impact in my experience is the bottom of the bag. So, why pad less there?
Next comes the flaps. I have several work messenger bags that have VERY well thought out and organized flap compartments and front of the interior (under the flap) compartments and additions that are of high quality and very functional. The photography messengers that I have handled all remind me of the messenger bags for school I had in the 1980s - cheap plastic, poorly thought out, or just not very much there at all. If Swiss Army can make flap compartments and additions that are solid, functional, and well planned why can't camera bag makers simply buy a couple and look at what they've done?
Finally, if you are going to make an integrated strap (again, why) then do one that has the following features:
- Long enough for big people
- Has a very good pad
- Uses metal hardware for durability
Just in the past couple years I have see an explosion of camera bags from lots of makers. Many of them are variations of each other with little to distinguish them. However, there are many with genuine innovation and serious advantages. Messengers remains one area where I have yet to see genuine thought put into them instead of gimmicks and not much else.