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Timbuk2 Snoop Camera Bag – Almost Perfect

by pixie on January 1, 2012

I was looking for a small, incognito camera bag for a DSLR, and the Timbuk2 Snoop Messenger fits those requirements well. The green/gray color combination is really pretty, despite the names Algae Green and Cement. When you see it, this bag doesn’t say “I’m carrying a Very Expensive Camera,” which is a safety bonus in my neighborhood. I selected the Extra Small size, because I wanted a bag that fits necessities only, that I can just grab and take shooting for a few hours without lugging a lot of extra stuff with me. The XS does not have bottom straps for carrying a tripod as there are on the larger sizes. It’s exactly the right size for my needs, but be forewarned that the XS is really small, as camera bags go. If you want something to contain a lot of camera stuff, or if you need to carry all-day supplies like a laptop, sweater or snacks, you will want to size up.

With all of the dividers intact, the XS Snoop’s light blue padded interior compartment is divided into thirds. With this configuration you can fit a camera body + 2 detached lenses (I tested with an 18-55mm and a 55-300mm lens), or 1 lens and a speedlight. Or, you can fit a camera body with attached lens pointing down, and this gives you a space for more stuff, but it is such a tight fit that the camera is difficult to get out of the bag. I took out one of the dividers to create 1 larger space + 1 smaller one. The large space fits a Nikon D5100 with standard 18-55mm lens attached, placed horizontally, with room to spare so I can reach in and grab it to shoot. The remaining smaller section will fit one other lens, or a few small items such as lens caps, cleaner, remote, etc. The slip pocket in the back fits a camera field guide or an iPad.
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Mulberry launched the Alexa style a year or so ago, and while I love the way it looks, I wasn’t sold on the practicality of this style. Like the Proenza Schouler PS1 and the Hermès Kelly, it has a top handle attached to the flap instead of anchored to both sides of the bag, which means the flap closure hardware has to support the entire weight of the bag. In addition, the first season Alexas were made of soft buffalo leather lined with fabric. While I adore soft leather, it didn’t seem sturdy enough to support a structured style, and the bags sometimes looked saggy and droopy.
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The joys of less-expensive handbags

May 30, 2011
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If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed a distinct shift in focus from high-end “premier” designer bags to less pricey brands. This is due to both personal and more global economic reasons. I’ve been into beautiful handbags for years, and for a while I was happily buying Louis Vuitton, [...]

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Longchamp Le Pliage for Spring 2011

March 21, 2011
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Check out these spring beauties! (click for fullsize image) On the left is the Longchamp Le Pliage small handbag in Fuchsia, which is a really nice, rich pink. I’ve been carrying the small handbag every day for a week or so now, and I am amazed at how much it holds. It looks like a [...]

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Dooney & Bourke Shamelessly Copies Miu Miu

March 17, 2011
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I got an email from Dooney & Bourke the other day, announcing the release of their new Florentine Vachetta Satchel. I actually really like the style, but it’s obviously a complete ripoff of the Miu Miu Bow Satchel that debuted in 2007. Let’s look at them together, shall we?

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Chloe Marcie Tote in Brick Red

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Chloe’s Marcie style has been on my radar for about a year now. I’ve been watching the evolution of Chloe bags over the course of several different designers, from Martine Sitbon and Karl Lagerfeld to Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo and beyond. While I still adore (and carry) my classic red Edith, the Paraty did [...]

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