No padding means you get more interior space.

That internal loop means the main compartment holds either 1 camera and bits & pieces, or the "ideal" setup, but nothing else. Front pockets too narrow & deep. Strap not ideal. Bit pricey.

The great 'perfect 35mm rangefinder bag' quest continues. The M Classic bag competes with the Domke 803 & original/mid-sized Billingham Hadley. The 803 is smallest & worst quality, Hadley clearly best quality, MClassic marginally largest. All 3 will take 2 cameras & extras. The MClassic has no padding, Domke has some, Hadley has plenty. The Hadley can take extra external pouches, they cost, but add capacity when needed. The MClassic uses Velcro to supplement the snap fastener, the Hadley’s ‘Quick Release’ works because the leather is very good quality. None says “camera bag”, though another rangefinder junky will pick any out at 100 metres. The MClassic has 3 front pockets, the outside 2 are narrow and deep. A short lens (35 Summicron, Voigtlander 15mm) or fat lens (i.e. 75mm Summilux) can be difficult to fish out. The interior space has 1 interior pocket which will hold camera+lens, and a loose flap which can uses Velcro to form a loop. This loop can hold a camera with lens attached. The loop has no bottom which means that anything smaller than a camera will wander around the bottom of the bag scratching treasured possessions (!) or just making it difficult to find an item when needed. The advantage is that the loop can be adjusted easily to hold anything from a body to body+long lens+viewfinder in place. The remaining interior space is difficult to use efficiently. Overall once you put 2 cameras plus attached lenses in the main compartment, 1 or 2 extra lens in the front pockets, you will have little usable space for anything else. The MClassic website has a photograph of a suggested 2 camera+4 lens layout+meter layout, it is probably the only/optimum layout. There is no padding, so all of the bag is available for equipment, but the loop arrangement restricts what I am happy to put in the main compartment. The padding & Velcro in the Domke & Billingham do reduce space, but give more flexibility in organising the interior. The shoulder strap attaches to the back, rather than the sides. Since there is no stiffener built into the bag it gapes when opened (cue more wandering in that interior). The points where the strap joins the body are too close together. The strap itself is not the arc shape you see on the shoulder straps on pretty much all laptop bags/briefcases and is less comfortable than it could be. Conclusion: Buy this bag if the MClassic website photo jumps out at you; otherwise pick 1 & give up on finding the perfect bag. I have gone back to my Hadley Pro.

Customer Service

No need

Similar Products Used:

Domke 803 Billingham Hadley Pro

Ease of use.
Does not scream - CAMERAS.
Rides well on hip.

Newer bags have better rain protection.
As well newer bags have more padding, but I find that unless you really bash your gear, this is not a big factor. The comfort of a soft bag like this far outweighs the lack of padding on a day to day basis.

Have had the original Leitz version since the mid 70's and was always my favorite bag. Needed to have the strap replaced a number of times due to fraying, but otherwise it took 20 odd years to fall apart. Couldn't wait to try the new version, and it is just as good, maybe better. I'll let you know in 20 years!

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Lowe Pro
Billingham
Domke

This is the BEST Softbag you can Buy for a Rangefinder shooting bag.

FAST and Easy access to your cameras and equipment.
Great craftmenship.
Beautiful Bag.
Light Weight but super sturdy.

NONE

As a working pro, I can't tell you how valuable this bag has become to me as a PHOTOGRAPHIC TOOL. I purchased the Brand new model that is Black w. Tan leather trim. It has a hanging pocket on the inside that I keep a rangefinde with lens attached. I keep a RF w. a 15mm lens and VF attached in the front, middle pocket. I can just reach and grab these bodies without looking. I could easily put another camera with lens attached. Everything has its own place. NO Clutter. I keep a Sekonic 508 meter in one front pocket and my PDA in the other. This bag holds more gear than I want to carry, but it is a small bag.

I LOVE This BAG.

Similar Products Used:

Lowepro
Bessler
Domke