As a photographer, the quest for the “perfect camera bag” is a never-ending one. I think that part of it is the fact that we have to buy a bag to actually see what it’s like in-person, since there are very few stores which have all of the good, unique brands in stock. And as woman I feel like I’m always having to buy a bag that was designed for a man so my bag collection is filled with a bunch of ugly black camera backpacks and messenger bags.
So when I came across the Kelly Moore B-Hobo bag I did what I usually do before buying something online: I read the reviews. The majority of the reviews on this bag were very good, so I went ahead and bought it.
The reason I got this bag was so that I could take my camera with me everywhere. One thing that is burned into my brain is from Jay Maisel—he is always preaching to photographers that we should take our camera with us everywhere we go. Well, I don’t really want to lug an ugly, clunky camera bag with me, sling a camera on my shoulder, or have an extraneous amount of gear with me at all time (talk about heavy). Instead, I’m happy with my Canon 5DMkIII and a 40mm or 50mm lens. So my ideal purse would be something that can always carry the following:
- Camera and lens (Canon 5DMkIII with RRS L-Bracket attached and 40mm f/2.8 lens)
- Wallet
- Business cards
- iPhone
- iPad/Laptop
- Girly things (lip gloss, etc.)
- Misc accessories
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- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII and 40mm pancake lens, MacBook Air and charger, wallet, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
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- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII and 40mm pancake lens, MacBook Air and charger, wallet, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
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- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII and 40mm pancake lens, MacBook Air and charger, wallet, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
Overall this bag works for this scenario. I’m glad I have the 40mm pancake lens, because it reduces the amount of “bulk” that a larger lens, even a simple 50mm, adds. This bag is very narrow so there’s not a lot of room to add a camera plus lens without it pushing front part of the bag out unnaturally.
Left: Front pocket; Middle and Right images: Side pocket
You’ll also notice that my iPhone is not in the side slot, which is where it would be ideal to place it. I can squeeze it into the side pocket, but I almost always have some sort of case on my phone and the pocket seems to be designed specifically for an iPhone (or smart phone) with no case around it (sigh). If I put my phone-with-case in it, it is squeezed in so tight that it pulls the case off. Granted, I use a Mophie battery case, so it’s larger than most, but I’ve tried it with the iPhone bumper and it doesn’t fit very comfortably.
And, for comparison, here’s what it looks like when I stick a little bit more gear inside of it:
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- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII, Canon 70-20mm f/4 lens, Canon 14mm lens, wallet, iPad, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
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- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII, Canon 70-20mm f/4 lens, Canon 14mm lens, wallet, iPad, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
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- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII, Canon 70-20mm f/4 lens, Canon 14mm lens, wallet, iPad, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
Ultimately, I can use this as I wanted to. It works for my “one camera with tiny lens” scenario. But I’m pretty sure that the bag is intended for pro photogrpahers with more than one lens, possibly a flash as well, and also the normal stuff we girls want to carry with us, too. But even with just the one camera/lens scenario, the bag ends up getting pretty heavy and hurts your shoulder if you’re walking around with it a lot. I have found that you can really only fit one pro camera body and two other main items, such as two pro lenses or a lens and a flash. That’s about it. You might be able to cram a few more pieces of gear inside, but you’ll just add bulk and weight, and there’s not enough padding for more stuff so you’re stacking things on top of each other.
Here’s my overall assessment of this bag:
Pros:
- Very stylish bag.
- Nice padding inside of the bag on the bottom and back, and internal separators (FYI, no padding on the inside-front of the bag).
- Easily holds a small camera/lens combination with other purse stuff.
- Comes in a variety of very cute colors (I totally wish I got the lavender one instead!).
- Two ways to carry the bag: “messenger” style to hang at your hip, or over one shoulder like a normal purse.
- Easily holds an iPad, Kindle or small laptop (such as a Netbook or MacBook Air)
- Overall it’s a super cute, very nice purse that can hold a few pieces of very light camera equipment (I don’t use it as a “camera bag”, but as a daily purse to carry normal stuff).
Cons:
- Cannot carry very much camera gear without becoming uncomfortably heavy. Does camera gear actually fit in the bag? Yes, if does. But the straps are not padded well enough to make comfortable to carry it around with all that gear.
- Even if you can carry all the gear you want, you’ll end up with very little room to put other stuff (wallet, misc purse things, phone, etc.)
- Too narrow for a camera with (even a small) lens attached. It gets really bulgy and doesn’t have a nice form when you stuff it full. The only exception to this is a tiny pancake lens, like the Canon 40mm.
- The cell-phone pockets on either side are useless, unless you still use a flip-phone or a phone (like the iPhone) without a case. If you’re like most people and have a smartphone (iPhone or Android device) and any type of case then don’t even dream of putting your phone in here. You could probably use these pockets for lip gloss or a spot to hold a pen.
- Outside material feels somewhat cheap. I’m used to it now, but when I first got it it was not what I was expecting.
Would I recommend this bag?
I would not recommend this to a working professional photographer to use as a “real” camera bag. Personally I want something that I can use as a day bag to hold one camera and a few lenses, but this doesn’t cut it even for that type of setup. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a stylish, beautiful purse with extra padding and a good choice of color who wants to also carry one small camera/lens with them. The Kelly Moore lineup has several other types of bags as well … I’ve never used the other ones so I can’t speak to those, but I would consider another style of bag to try out and maybe use as a purse.
Do you still use the bag?
At the time of writing this post, yes, I do. This bag ended up becoming a very nicely padded “normal” purse that can hold everything I carry on a regular bases, plus a camera, but I find myself rarely taking the camera with me because it’s pretty heavy (the strap is really not suitable for weight). I’ll stick my Lytro or a compact camera in it on a daily basis, and on special occasions I’ll stuff my SLR with a small lens in it, too. I also like using this purse as my “laptop bag”, so to speak. I have an 11-inch MacBook Air and the back pocket holds it very easily. I would even consider getting another one to use the way I use mine now.
Would it work for professional photographers when on-assignment or photographing for a client?
In my professional opinion, no. However, it really depends on how much gear you use and what your method is. If you plan on carrying your camera body separately, this bag may work well for holding your extra lenses. But the straps are thin and not comfortable once you start adding any type of weight to it (like a few pro lenses or a camera body, for example).
Would you recommend this bag to other photographers?
If they don’t plan on using it as a serious camera bag, then yes, I would. It makes a great purse with all the padding and can still easily hold an iPad or small laptop (it fits my MacBook Air quite nicely). If they want something that will hold a camera body, a few lenses and some accessories, then I would definitely not recommend it.
Do you recommend another similar purse/camera-bag to photographers?
So far I haven’t found anything that would work, but I also haven’t tried very many out. If there was a store filled with girl-purse-camera-bags then I might get lucky, but for now I’m going to have to stick with my “function over form” style of bag. Comfort is extremely important to me when working and traveling, and I would never sacrifice that for a cute design. (With that said, if you want a wonderful, comfortable and functional camera bag, I recommend that you go with ThinkTank.)
To sum it all up, I’m still looking for the “perfect bag”. I do like this bag, don’t get me wrong, I just don’t think it works for a pro photographer in most shooting environments. My main camera bag right now is a ThinkTank Shapeshifter, which I love and works well (comfy and holds all of my gear). It’s black, and ugly (sorry ThinkTank … but don’t worry I still love ya!) but it works. :I also use a ThinkTank Retrospective 10 for day-travel, it comes in a few different colors (I have the Pine color and LOVE it) and the padding on the strap is super cushy and comfortable.
Comfort and practicality will always outweigh style for me, but it doesn’t hurt a girl to try. So, when I do come across the perfect bag for a photographer that is comfortable and functional and I don’t feel I have to compromise with an ungly “guy” bag then I promise that you all will be the first to know.
As a photographer, the quest for the “perfect camera bag” is a never-ending one. I think that part of it is the fact that we have to buy a bag to actually see what it’s like in-person, since there are very few stores which have all of the good, unique brands in stock. And as woman I feel like I’m always having to buy a bag that was designed for a man so my bag collection is filled with a bunch of ugly black camera backpacks and messenger bags.
So when I came across the Kelly Moore B-Hobo bag I did what I usually do before buying something online: I read the reviews. The majority of the reviews on this bag were very good, so I went ahead and bought it.
The reason I got this bag was so that I could take my camera with me everywhere. One thing that is burned into my brain is from Jay Maisel—he is always preaching to photographers that we should take our camera with us everywhere we go. Well, I don’t really want to lug an ugly, clunky camera bag with me, sling a camera on my shoulder, or have an extraneous amount of gear with me at all time (talk about heavy). Instead, I’m happy with my Canon 5DMkIII and a 40mm or 50mm lens. So my ideal purse would be something that can always carry the following:
- Camera and lens (Canon 5DMkIII with RRS L-Bracket attached and 40mm f/2.8 lens)
- Wallet
- Business cards
- iPhone
- iPad/Laptop
- Girly things (lip gloss, etc.)
- Misc accessories
-
- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII and 40mm pancake lens, MacBook Air and charger, wallet, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
-
- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII and 40mm pancake lens, MacBook Air and charger, wallet, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
-
- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII and 40mm pancake lens, MacBook Air and charger, wallet, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
Overall this bag works for this scenario. I’m glad I have the 40mm pancake lens, because it reduces the amount of “bulk” that a larger lens, even a simple 50mm, adds. This bag is very narrow so there’s not a lot of room to add a camera plus lens without it pushing front part of the bag out unnaturally.
Left: Front pocket; Middle and Right images: Side pocket
You’ll also notice that my iPhone is not in the side slot, which is where it would be ideal to place it. I can squeeze it into the side pocket, but I almost always have some sort of case on my phone and the pocket seems to be designed specifically for an iPhone (or smart phone) with no case around it (sigh). If I put my phone-with-case in it, it is squeezed in so tight that it pulls the case off. Granted, I use a Mophie battery case, so it’s larger than most, but I’ve tried it with the iPhone bumper and it doesn’t fit very comfortably.
And, for comparison, here’s what it looks like when I stick a little bit more gear inside of it:
-
- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII, Canon 70-20mm f/4 lens, Canon 14mm lens, wallet, iPad, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
-
- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII, Canon 70-20mm f/4 lens, Canon 14mm lens, wallet, iPad, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
-
- Bag with Canon 5DMkIII, Canon 70-20mm f/4 lens, Canon 14mm lens, wallet, iPad, iPhone, business cards and misc accessories.
Ultimately, I can use this as I wanted to. It works for my “one camera with tiny lens” scenario. But I’m pretty sure that the bag is intended for pro photogrpahers with more than one lens, possibly a flash as well, and also the normal stuff we girls want to carry with us, too. But even with just the one camera/lens scenario, the bag ends up getting pretty heavy and hurts your shoulder if you’re walking around with it a lot. I have found that you can really only fit one pro camera body and two other main items, such as two pro lenses or a lens and a flash. That’s about it. You might be able to cram a few more pieces of gear inside, but you’ll just add bulk and weight, and there’s not enough padding for more stuff so you’re stacking things on top of each other.
Here’s my overall assessment of this bag:
Pros:
- Very stylish bag.
- Nice padding inside of the bag on the bottom and back, and internal separators (FYI, no padding on the inside-front of the bag).
- Easily holds a small camera/lens combination with other purse stuff.
- Comes in a variety of very cute colors (I totally wish I got the lavender one instead!).
- Two ways to carry the bag: “messenger” style to hang at your hip, or over one shoulder like a normal purse.
- Easily holds an iPad, Kindle or small laptop (such as a Netbook or MacBook Air)
- Overall it’s a super cute, very nice purse that can hold a few pieces of very light camera equipment (I don’t use it as a “camera bag”, but as a daily purse to carry normal stuff).
Cons:
- Cannot carry very much camera gear without becoming uncomfortably heavy. Does camera gear actually fit in the bag? Yes, if does. But the straps are not padded well enough to make comfortable to carry it around with all that gear.
- Even if you can carry all the gear you want, you’ll end up with very little room to put other stuff (wallet, misc purse things, phone, etc.)
- Too narrow for a camera with (even a small) lens attached. It gets really bulgy and doesn’t have a nice form when you stuff it full. The only exception to this is a tiny pancake lens, like the Canon 40mm.
- The cell-phone pockets on either side are useless, unless you still use a flip-phone or a phone (like the iPhone) without a case. If you’re like most people and have a smartphone (iPhone or Android device) and any type of case then don’t even dream of putting your phone in here. You could probably use these pockets for lip gloss or a spot to hold a pen.
- Outside material feels somewhat cheap. I’m used to it now, but when I first got it it was not what I was expecting.
Would I recommend this bag?
I would not recommend this to a working professional photographer to use as a “real” camera bag. Personally I want something that I can use as a day bag to hold one camera and a few lenses, but this doesn’t cut it even for that type of setup. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a stylish, beautiful purse with extra padding and a good choice of color who wants to also carry one small camera/lens with them. The Kelly Moore lineup has several other types of bags as well … I’ve never used the other ones so I can’t speak to those, but I would consider another style of bag to try out and maybe use as a purse.
Do you still use the bag?
At the time of writing this post, yes, I do. This bag ended up becoming a very nicely padded “normal” purse that can hold everything I carry on a regular bases, plus a camera, but I find myself rarely taking the camera with me because it’s pretty heavy (the strap is really not suitable for weight). I’ll stick my Lytro or a compact camera in it on a daily basis, and on special occasions I’ll stuff my SLR with a small lens in it, too. I also like using this purse as my “laptop bag”, so to speak. I have an 11-inch MacBook Air and the back pocket holds it very easily. I would even consider getting another one to use the way I use mine now.
Would it work for professional photographers when on-assignment or photographing for a client?
In my professional opinion, no. However, it really depends on how much gear you use and what your method is. If you plan on carrying your camera body separately, this bag may work well for holding your extra lenses. But the straps are thin and not comfortable once you start adding any type of weight to it (like a few pro lenses or a camera body, for example).
Would you recommend this bag to other photographers?
If they don’t plan on using it as a serious camera bag, then yes, I would. It makes a great purse with all the padding and can still easily hold an iPad or small laptop (it fits my MacBook Air quite nicely). If they want something that will hold a camera body, a few lenses and some accessories, then I would definitely not recommend it.
Do you recommend another similar purse/camera-bag to photographers?
So far I haven’t found anything that would work, but I also haven’t tried very many out. If there was a store filled with girl-purse-camera-bags then I might get lucky, but for now I’m going to have to stick with my “function over form” style of bag. Comfort is extremely important to me when working and traveling, and I would never sacrifice that for a cute design. (With that said, if you want a wonderful, comfortable and functional camera bag, I recommend that you go with ThinkTank.)
To sum it all up, I’m still looking for the “perfect bag”. I do like this bag, don’t get me wrong, I just don’t think it works for a pro photographer in most shooting environments. My main camera bag right now is a ThinkTank Shapeshifter, which I love and works well (comfy and holds all of my gear). It’s black, and ugly (sorry ThinkTank … but don’t worry I still love ya!) but it works. :I also use a ThinkTank Retrospective 10 for day-travel, it comes in a few different colors (I have the Pine color and LOVE it) and the padding on the strap is super cushy and comfortable.
Comfort and practicality will always outweigh style for me, but it doesn’t hurt a girl to try. So, when I do come across the perfect bag for a photographer that is comfortable and functional and I don’t feel I have to compromise with an ungly “guy” bag then I promise that you all will be the first to know.
Nicole is a photographer, published author, and educator specializing in Lightroom, Photoshop, and photography. She is best known for her books on food photography but is widely versed in various photographic genres, including landscape, nature, stock, travel, and experimental imagery.
245 Comments
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I love this bag, great website!
Nice bag, but not my color. The cool thing (for the women) is it’s a purse and will hide the fact you are carrying around $1000’s of dollars of equipment.
I have been searching for the right bag for forever! I recently got a backpack converter type bag, which i love while out on hike-type shoots, but something like this would be amazing for daily use. Doesn’t hurt either that my purse is literally falling apart!
Sounds like a good day to day all rounder bag.
I would so much have a stylish purse bag to carry my camera with me everywhere! Thanks for sharing your comments and hope to have a chance to win!
I also enjoyed take a tour to your blog.
omg!! it’s got purple on the insides…. *W A N T* ! :)
Nice looking bag….sure would like to have one! :-)
I am still on the hunt for the right camera bag…This sure looks good to me :)
A pocket for everything!
Pretty.
Maybe there need to be gender specific options? I don’t carry lipgloss or makeup. All I need is the iPhone space. My fat wallet lived in my pants pocket.
I think this bag/purse is just what I’ve been looking for!
This looks like a great everyday bag!
I would love to get a bag like this for my wife.
Hmmm… so I am wondering how well it would work w/ my Nikon D300s and my 50mm. Might be too tight of a fit? But I don’t have a lot of ‘other’ things that I take with me so maybe it would work.
Either way, fantastic review! Very thorough!
It depends on how you set the camer in the bag—if you fit it sideways, with the lens pointing to the side, you won’t get as much jutting out of the lens to make it bulky. But you lose on space that way.
Firstly, I love your blog and follow via email. Your 2 minute tutorials are terrific. Your photos are inspiring and creative. This bag would make a nice walkabout bag, especially in the city. Your Food Photography Book and the onOne Software are a great bonus. Got my fingers crossed :D
Thanks Mari!
Awesome bag!!! Love that it looks like a purse and that it’s brown leather for fall!!! =D
I’m trying to find a bag that is professional looking, that will work with my suits, comfortable, and stylish. I finally got my own bag (was using hubby’s backpack camera bag, similar to this: http://products.lowepro.com/product/Pro-Runner%20350%20AW,2183.htm) from Walmart. It is a Lowepro Passport Sling. It works but isn’t really professional looking or girly…not that I’m overly girly.
Thank you so much for giving us your review of the Kelly Moore B-Hobo bag. I was considering telling my husband it was what I wanted for my birthday or Christmas.
The bag you’ve reviewed is different from the give-away bag, correct? Either would be fun to try! I found a mini backpack that I manage with but having a camera specific unit would be nice. And then there’s the other treats that go along with… I’d love to be in the drawing for those. I actually just started following your blog yesterday after your guest blog for Scott Kelby yesterday. Your work is beautiful.
Yes, that’s correct. The giveaway bag is a 2-Sues bag, mine is the B-Hobo bag.
Very complete review, Nicole.
I love Kelly Moore bags and I’ve been dying to get my hands on one! My current camera bag is too embarrassing to take out in public!
Nice bag, my wife would like it alot.
Seems that it might be useful for a tourist without seeming like a tourist w/a camera.
I’m so glad you did this review – like you I am in constant search of the “perfect” bag. I think I own half the ThinkTank line, but still looking! Nobody carries these girly bags anywhere near me (was hoping for a display at PSW), so I’ve been afraid to try. So, I’m entering your contest! (already ordered OnOne Suite 7 at PSW).
Thank you for the honest review. I’ve been looking at purchasing one of these bags for a traveling with my camera and one lens. I too have many black (ugly) camera bags :) Based on your review it might fit my needs.
Hi Nicole,
I just your article at Scott Kelby’s blog! So inspiring…thanks!
I’d love to receive that bag!
Sounds like just a couple of inches’ adjustment to the dimensions and a wider strap would flip the bag from “carry stuff and maybe a camera” to “carry a camera and stuff so it’s handy” functionality. Maybe, if you talked to them, they’d take your feedback into consideration and produce a “Nicolesy” bag?
Would love to win the bag for my wife and everything else for me! :)
Love the bag, would love to win! :D
Great looking bag. My wife would love it.
Looks like a great bag for the wife, I sure would like the other things to go with it. Thanks Nicole.
This bag looks awesome, I have been looking for one like this.
Love purses! At least that one is a gorgeous color! :)
It’s kind of disappointing to hear that it doesn’t fit that much. That said, I don’t tend to carry tons with me, so it’d still be excellent!
This bag is gorgeous! It looks perfect for a purse that happens to hold a camera :)
Soon I’ll have a 10:1 bag to camera ratio.
Seems like an interesting bag, wish it would hold a little more gear.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this bag! Would work so well for street photography!
Nice post on Scott’s blog…
Nice bag, I want!
Thanks for the great review, Nicole! I have considered these bags in the past and appreciate that you have given such a thorough review!
I’ve been coveting a Kelly Moore bag for ages.
What a beautiful bag! Thanks for the review and giveaway.
Beautiful!
Awesome review! Very detailed and I love everything explained well! Thanks for the giveaway!
Great blog today on Scott Kelby’s blog. The bag doesn’t even look like it would hold a camera; great!
We need a bag like this for males. It looks more like a female bag to me – There goes my chance to get the prices :(
(and I already bought the book)
Rocke
The Kelly Moore Bag, your Food Photography Book, AND the OnOne Software, Perfect Photo Suite 6!!!! Oh my, that would be like heaven for me! Keeping my fingers crossed, as I want this so very much!
I LOVE the 2-Sues bag you’re giving away in this contest! It seems to have everything I need for a day’s shoot and then some. I already purchased….and love!….your book so if I’m fortunate enough to be the winner, please feel free to select a different name [for the book only!] so they can enjoy your book as much as I have. I would be more than thrilled to win the onOne Software and camera bag!
Best wishes to everyone entering this contest and thank you for introducing me to the Kelly Moore website…her bags are beautiful!
Hi there! Enjoyed reading about your “ah-ha” moments in Scott’s blog. I plan to share a piece with my class of beginning designers. Thanks for sharing!
Connie
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for an awesome giveaway! I really like the Kelly Moore bags for just cruising around town, but for keeping 1 camera and 1 lens with me at all times (Jay’s words are burned in my brain as well). Would love to win all of these things!
~Kristina
Really nice looking bag. Looks like it would be perfect to use as an every day bag for my OM-D and a couple lenses. I currently use a Think Tank Retro 5 as an every day bag but this bag might work better to use as an every day bag/purse and looks like it would be just the right size.
I already have your book so if I win I’d do a giveaway on my blog for your book. :)
I will take this long shot, Miss Nicole…I would like to stop carrying my camera around in a very small purse.
Oh my, oh my! Did I die and go to photographer’s heaven??! What a wonderful bundle. I really want the food photography book, need a gear bag and had been hoping to play with OnOne to create background blur for food shots. A big thanks for the chance.
Throw my name in the hat!
Cheers,
Anne
Cool bags. It would make it much easier to be able to have a camera ready at all times. I would love to have one!
Thanks for the honesty .. I love your truth and I know this KM bag would be perfect for me. I’m using a grocery bag now as not into my sling bag … and have not found another bag that works with walking with a camera and kids.
Thanks for the review. Had never really looked at Kelly Moore Bags until now. I like the Thirst Relief Bag they have on their web site, more my stile.
Cheers.
Talk about timely Nicole, I was just muttering about having to find something now that will work feezably in my meanderings with camera in tow and all these stupid test strips etc XD
I’m so not into purses, but as Kimberly said.. Purple!!! Yay! ^^
Thanks for helping me out with the input, and I’ll cross my tender fingers at winning the bag (side thank you to Brad for putting extra goodies into our fun week!)
Excellent review, and I enjoyed your guest blog yesterday! Would love to win! Fingers are crossed!
I love Kelly Moore Bags for their dual uses. I dont have enough gear to fill out any of the pro bags.
ninajanke at gmail dot com
Attractive bag. I have the same problem with weight with my messenger bag that I cram my iPad and d7000 in with other stuff – books and notepads, etc. the strap is pretty wide though. I am interested in seeing how this bag would work out as an occasional choice.
I carry a Domke everywhere and would love something that is a little more stylish. These bags look great!
I dig Kelly Moore bags, nice review! And nice giveaway :)
What a great looking bag!
This bag is not really my thing, being male – I much prefer the back-pack style (Lowepro slingshot type), but I really think it’s time that someone designed a “masculine” bag for us guys – after all, these days we have the phones, the tablets, the compact cameras and the wallet and the car keys (and some of us do carry makeup too!) and there are only so many pockets in jeans and jackets!
How about it Kelly Moore? Anything in the pipeline for the guy photogs?
I would absolutely love to have one of these. I can’t agree more with you Nichole about it being best to actually try a bag before you buy, but it is so hard to do in Australia as no one has any selection of overseas ones, and there are few made here. I have looked online at these, but postage from the states is expensive, so fingers crossed for a lucky break.
I too am on the search for the perfect bag so I can carry my camera everywhere. I agree that the best camera is the one you have with you :) Thanks for this great review.
This sounds like a better solution than carrying around my camera in my ENORMOUS hobo bag, which gets ungodly heavy. Thanks for the detailed review!
Is there a Perfect bag. I want to find one. I hide cameras in big bags I have now just to have a camera with me. This would work as it is padded. I love the look of it and it is one of “my” colors. thanks for an honest review, Nicole. It helps us all.
Spot on review. My wife has a similar style and experiences all of the cons and pros you list.
I have the same problem… sick of lugging my black bag everywhere I go!
Very honest and thorough review.
Regarding the giveaway, would be ideal, book and software for me and my wife would be “over the moon” with the bag. Therefore a happy Havord family :)
Scott Kelby sent my here :) Thank you for a great chance to win!
I’m looking for a purse with good padding to carry my camera in to take to parties. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I’m new to your site but you have some great ideas and tips. I will be a regular from now on.Thanks!
Great review – my wife would love if I got her a bag like this. When she’s helping me out she’s not a big fan of my “manly” bags.
Thanks for your honest review! I’d love to win a nice bag as mine has had it!
Love that bag!
Sounds like an awesome collection of items to win, I am in.
Nice bag and undercover
Nice bag with all the pockets. Would be great for my wife when we travel or everyday use for her.
Thanks for the honest review. I’ve been thinking about getting one of these for a while. This gives me food for thought.
This bag looks like it would be great for someone using m-4/3 gear who wants a camera bag that isn’t obviously a camera bag. It could be a perfect bag for urban travel. It looks a little more “purse-like” than I would normally use, though, and I wonder a little about the narrow strap.
I have this bag! I love it – not for working as you said, but for everyday use it’s great. I *may* have even used it as a purse from time to time ;)
Nice review of the bag. very informative!! Thanks!
I bet I could get my wife to carry this with an extra lens or two in it for me
I am still using my Wal-Mart grade backpack bag. So I am still searching as well. This bag would be just right for my wife.
Martin in Indiana and cyberspace.
Love this bag! I’m traveling in November an really could use this! Thanks for posting this on your blog! I’ll follow in the future!
Loved your review. Whether I win or not, I’m buying this one, as I’ve been searching for a “purse” type bag that would carry my bridge camera without looking like backpack I now carry.
Also, was so impressed with your writing that I bought the e-mail version of your book, “Finding Focus”
Looks like a nice bag. Good honest review.
Great review. I agree it looks like it would be better as a purse than a camera bag.
Would love a bag that doesn’t look like a camera bag unlike my current backpack.
This is an awesome bag and I’d love to win one.
Great review. Good to know that the strap isn’t comfortable even though the bag is cute.
Three items I really need! Doing an event this weekend shooting food and people, need to look nice. The purse would be perfect the book useful and the program great to have. Be wonderful for next event.
Been bugging Kelby boys to do a purse review of all available…..tell them they are slackers! Ha ha.
Been looking for a bag that my wife can carry and this one is sweet. Just added it to her Amazon wishlist just in case I don’t win this one. Thinking about adding the ThirstRelief bag to my wishlist.
Looks good. I like your blog!
Love this bag & your comments. Perfect timing — mine is falling apart. Enjoyed your guest post on Scott Kelby’s site. Thanks.
Wow! This would be a great bag to prompt me to carry my camera with me all the time. I purchased your book about the Canon 60D. It is fantastic!
great review, got my interest!!!
I have a Micro 4/3 system and I have been drooling over this bag. It would be perfect for me!
Not my style, but this would be perfect for my wife, who carries her P&S camera in a separate case in a fanny pack or doesn’t carry it at all.
Thank you for this opportunity. Christmas is coming, you know!
What a great looking bag! Would love to have one! You’re right it’s hard to find the perfect bag. Great review of this product, thanks for sharing!
A complete, honest review. I agree that most bags are black and ugly. Would love to have something more stylish.
I have been really interested in Kelly Moore bags, because carrying a purse on assignment is awkward at best. I tend to shove all my stuff: keys, cash, id, and whatever else is necessary, in my pockets and leave my purse at home when shooting, so it doesn’t slow me down.
Thanks for the review! I still am interested in trying out a Kelly Moore bag, because I think it is better than leaving everything behind, but now I know it’s not the perfect solution.
Awesome looking bag.
I would love to try the bag, I would prefer a different color but still I have friends who love the bag. Great for day trips not as a photography day but never leave home without your camera! Wouldn’t mind any of the other prizes either. Thanks for the giveaway!
Jan
I’m no more deserving of this fabulous bag than anyone else who’s commented here but I guarantee you this. I am a new found lover of all things Kelly Moore & your blog as I now realize it is possible to be stylish, efficiently organized & ready to rock with your camera nearby.
LOVE LOVE SHOOT SHOOT
Thank you for your thorough and informative review.
Sincerely,
One of Atlantic Canada’s fabu wedding photographers
Looks like it would work perfectly for days without a pro shoot.
Pretty purse/bag! great for just carrying your camera around!
One of these bags has been on my wish list for a while. Great review!
Great looking bag. Loved the post on Kelby’s site. Inspirational for someone like me just starting out.
Great review on the Kelly Moore bag! I am forever trying to find the right bags for the right situation! I just returned a backpack I thought might work for some short day hikes. I’m always on the lookout :)
Thanks for the great review, Nicole. I agree, it is soooo difficult to find a bag (for the ladies) that looks great and works well. I too have a bunch of ugly camera bags. They do the job, but man they are not pretty to look at. The eternal search for the perfect camera bag continues …… :-)
Thanks for a really good review. I just started reading up on this bag and can’t believe I found this entry the day after it was posted. I can’t decide between the b-hobo bag or the 2 sues… I do have the thinktank retro 10, and it holds my stuff well, but as a daily shooter, I found the strap a little too heavy duty… and it’s black and not really cute, hence my hunt for a cute camera bag.
Matt mentioned in his comment post that it doesn’t LOOK like a camera bag, so that no one thinks you’re carrying thousands of dollars of equipment. I accomplished a similar feat in carrying my camera in a DIAPER bag! Who steals a diaper bag? I got a Kate Spade diaper bag at a thrift store and use it all the time. The vertical, round, padded slots designed for holding bottles fit my extra lenses. And the bag is water repellent. It even came with a water repellent changing cloth that I use to kneel on in moist situations. However, I would be tickled pink to try a Kelly Moore bag!
For everyday purse/camera bag I use a Lowepro Passport Sling in black. It is almost weightless empty and I can carry my Olympus OMD5 with several lenses,a flash, a few photo essentials and purse stuff. The outside pockets hold pone, water bottle, kleenex and other stuff as needed. I bought a Shootsac Tote for travel as a carry on and loved it except that it was a bit heavy for my very narrow sholders after a few hours. B oth are good for on the go work, especially if I take the camera out and use the bag with stuff inside as a very carefully watched weight on my tripod. I have looked at several brands of camera bag/purses and find them all to be rather heavy and lacking in easily accessable place for $$/id/creditcards/ checkbook.
Beautiful, stylish and practical, my wife certainly will love it ;)
I think my wife would dig this bag for her camera gear.
Looks like a good purse replacement for me! Never thought about keeping my camera with me at all times!
I have the B-Hobo bag and I agree that it can be a bit uncomfortable to carry when it’s heavy. Now that I have more than one lens I want to use all the time I definitely need a bigger bag. That’s where this giveaway comes in nicely, so pick me! Pretty please?
Loved your candid review of the Hobo bag. I’ve been looking for a day bag that doesn’t look like you’re carrying lots of expensive gear and that isn’t a backpack. Looked at the Kata Orbit-120 and bag at PSW; it’s a softer messenger bag style, but it’s still a black bag.
The Kelly Moore 2 Sues has enough more capacity (50% more) than the hobo — and is a classy look. I’d love to have one!!
I loved your book on Food Photography. I bought it last year and it has inspired me to start working on a cookbook for my family. I have spent the last year capturing images and practicing some of the staging. I still need to work on my lighting techniques though. Great blog post about the camera bag. I like the unique look of them, I have been looking for another bag and would love to win one.
Nicole-
thanks for the review, I will check out their full line of bags…
My daughter uses the classic as her camera bag and she loves it. I currently use the ThinkTank Retrospective 10 in Pinestone as well. :) I have back issues so I am learning to pare my gear down to my D7000 with battery grip, 85mm prime lens, 28-300 telephoto lens and an SB 700 speedlight. Having a bag that would work as a purse and camera bag would be the bomb. It looks like the 2 Sues might fit the bill. ;)
sounds like its perfect for a small camera when you don’t want to lug a backpack around..
I saw your review yesterday and did not leave a comment. I immediately thought the bag was stylish.
I’ve always wanted to try out this bag, what better way to win one.. and maybe I’ll give it to my daughter she’d love it!
Would love to try this bag, so much prettier than what I have now.
I would love to win this bag.
Thank you so much for the honest review, Nicole. It is very stylish; too bad that it is not that functional. I do have a very stylish, functional and comfortable camera bag :) …
Thanks for a very thorough review!
Well done.Solid, thorough review, very cute bag! Totally appreciate it, thanks!
Great bag and great review. I’ve been looking for a camera bag like this, cute and functional…
I have the Kelly Moore Boy bag. It might be more suitable for your needs. I have a 5D and can fit an extra lens and a flash plus all the little stuff and an iPad. I recently bought a Sony NEX 7 for more mobile photography. Took it to PSW and was very happy with the results. Now, I have to find the right bag for it and the new lenses and flash I ordered…it’s always something, isn’t it?
I have the 2 Sues bag and Love it! I can carry two Canon camera bodies with attached lens and a heavy 45CL Metz grip flash. The top of the bag is slouch so it lets you add lots of stuff. And all of the pockets let me keep all my usual purse items with me. The shoulder strap is padded and eases up on the weight. It looks just like a purse so you can take it anywhere and not be outed as a photographer. The hardest part of my decision was the tan or gray. I picked tan, but would Love to win the gray. Anyone looking for a great bag should consider the 2 Sues.
Loved your Scott Kelby guest blog on Wednesday. Love this bag!
I just found your site, after watching you on several hangouts. Nice piece on Scott Kelby’s blog. I’m going to be a regular.
Always looking for ways to my DSLR everywhere with me.
It would be great to have an opportunity to check this one out.
Great and thorough review. I like that you speak about the downsides transparently. Well done.
Wow! Thank you for such a fab honest review! I love Miss Moore’s bags, but just can’t afford one at the moment. THANK YOU BUNCHES for the chance ya’ll! xo
My girl would LOVE this bag! Wonderful review.
Nice blog. Useful post. Thanks
I am also constantly on the hunt for a bag that’s functional, yet doesn’t scream camera bag. I appreciate your review on the hobo bag. The 2-Sues, though, looks like it would fit my needs…camera, medium zoom and maybe a flash. Would love to try that one.
I would love to win this for my Mom. Thanks for the chance!
Needledd at gmail dot com
Very comprehensive review! Beautiful photos!
Great review! I’m looking for something to hold my work items, camera, and some mom necessities – I’m not sure if this is the answer, but it’s hit the maybe list. What’s your opinion of the materials? I’ve seen mixed reviews & it’s been the biggest hold back for me. Thanks!
thanks for the review.I have been looking for a bag/purse to carry camera as well as other essential stuff when travelling.
I’ve been wanting one of these purse/ camera bags for a long time. Such a great detailed review! Thanks!
Kelly Moore has been on the top of my wish list for years! Love the review and so excited for this giveaway. Thanks!
I love this bag, I have been using a black very masculine camera bag for my camera and having something like this kelly moore bag would be awesome, its so stylish and feminine! We don’t have anything like this in Australia. Also I would love to learn some of your creative food tips Nicole, I just saw your twip interview it was great to hear your story very inspiring.Have a fantastic week.
My daughter would love this bag.
Nice !
Thank you for your very detailed review! I’m been craving a Kelly Moore bag for a long time, and the B-Hobo bag was on my short list of choices. But you helped me see that I probably need one of the slightly bigger bags. Like the 2 Sues! Winning that would be perfect!!
I love winning things, might as well try
This would be a step up from the bag I have, and make it much less noticeable that I was carrying my camera around with me.
This bag would be a great Christmas present for my mom with her new Canon DSLR. I would really like the software and your book. Great review. Thanks.
This would be a wonderful gift package for Christmas for my daughter. Thank you for the chance!
It is a shame that outside of the USA, the range of such beautiful things is often limited, or really stupidly priced.
Thanks for the great review! This bag is now on my Christmas list. This is the first time I have read your blog – plan on becoming a loyal reader! You are an inspiration!
Thanks for such an awesome giveaway!
I love this bag and it’s perfect for what I’m looking for! Thanks for hosting a fabulous giveaway!!
Oops! I noticed just as I hit submit that my complete email address wasn’t included in the above post. Thanks again!
Thanks for the great givaway
Thanks for such an awesome giveaway!
would be a great bag for my travels. Hope I get it
Great Bag!
I LOVE this bag and your book is being used as a teaching tool for my daughters high school. We are a home school family and we are reviewing it now and will share with thousands of other home school families. We firmly believe in the vital need for real art to be taught and what better way than photography?! Your book covers our 2 favorite subjects…food and photography! I really need this bag and other items to help with providing an exceptional education to my 2 daughters! Thanks for your work…beautiful!
That was a great review of the bag. I was looking at getting that one last month but decided to hold off thank for the review I’ll check out a different version.
Great review! I have heard so much about Kelly Moore bags, but I have yet to have the pleasure of trying one out for myself. Thanks so much for this opportunity! Fingers crossed!! :D
Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I just found this blog (thanks SK!) and read the great review…even if I don’t win (the more likely scenario) this lovely bag is on my wish list, so I’m starting to save my pennies. I’ve been using an old manky camera bag for way too long, and seeing as my other weakness (apart from lusting after cameras, bikes and guitars) is wearing outfits other than my old jeans for every photoshoot, this bag is absolutely more in keeping with this wannabee syylin’ photographer. Plus I’d get to learn a whole bunch more as well!
Thanks!
Sasha
I have the hobo and love it for personal use!
I have been looking for a while for a more feminine camera bag for my Mark II and Mac Air. Would love to own this.
Thanks!
Wish you had the raspberry one but would be great anyhow. Good review!Thanks! D
I am just starting out in getting serious about photography & love love these bags. Just found your blog too. Beautiful photograph’s. I’ll be following…you are very talented.
Photography is my hobby so I carry my DSLR camera with me almost everyday. Not an easy task: I’ve been looking for (as in, forever!) the perfect camera bag that would double as a purse. This Kelly Moore bag looks perfect! I would love to review it for my photoblog, too :)
I have both your eBooks from Craft & Vision, as well as your Canon EOS 60D book. It would be awesome to receive your food photography book to complete my Nicolesy collection :)
It’s a joy following your stream on G+. I’ve been loving your before-after takes using the onOne Software Perfect Photo Suite. I currently only use Photoshop CS5 for editing. What fun it would be to try out the onOne Software and then come to use it as my main editing tool.
I have been drooling over this bag for a while now :) It is fantastic!
hey Nicole,
I keep thinking about these bags because there are times when I’m going somewhere and don’t want it to be obvious that I’ve got a big camera with me. The thing is, I don’t have a place to actually SEE them in person – so it’s good to see this review. They can be expensive to buy just to try it out and find that you don’t like it.
Thanks for the review!
I gave up on the camera cases and bags early. I found in the sales bin at Nordstrom’s a wonderful grey purse that fit the camera with lens, spare lens, flash and pockets for things like filters and accessories. The padding was an issue, but I have managed with some glue and pieces of foam. The strap is big enough to cross over like a messenger bag and although it is heavy, I can manage carrying it around for a short time. I have even shot with it on but it’s a bit cumbersome. I have a small tear working it’s way into one of the pockets and the lovely thing about buying from Nordstrom’s is their exchange/return policy. Good luck with your search…. I like the concept found ‘outside the box’ … price wise, I spent less on this than a bag from the catalog at the camera store.
Lucky I have a mini camera.. would definitely fit in this bag!! and loads of other stuff too
Hey Nicole.. this is good..
Though not very much interested.. considering my baby sis’s bday on the way!!
Thanks for such an awesome giveaway!
Great Bag! would be g8 for my travels.. love the color..
pretty
I really love you photographs of food in your book; Food Photography, From Snapshots to Great Shots! I took four years of photography and then had to put everything on the back burner due to my husbands illness. But I have always kept up with watching great photographers and you are one of the greats! My mouth waters when I look at your photos. And of course I would love to win the Kelly Moore B-Hobo bag it is a very nice bag! With much love to one of the best from one of the wishful! : D
Love the color, love the “saddle” look of the front flap! Oh, and huge congrats on your food photography book going international! That’s awesome!
Mandy can have the bag. I want that sweet, sweet Suite 7 upgrade :)
Wow a little for everyone! :)
Nice review, but more interested in the software.
Well, the bag wouldn’t be for me but I’ll bet one of the 3 lovely ladies in my household would adore it.
But the software sounds like a good bundle.
Subscribing too.
I’m not entirely sure that bag is the right fit for me, but I’ve been dying to try out OnOne software.
It would be really nice to win the onOne Software Perfect Photo Suite. They make such awesome software.
Hey I’ll carry the bag! You can never have too many camera packs :-)
But then again, OnOne7 would be a great win as well!
Not a bag for me but looks nice if used without a camera ;)
I definitely need a bag, but more importantly, would love the SW.
Thanks for doing this!
I just started playing around with the free versions of the OnOne software recently and I’m really liking it. Getting the whole photo suite would be great! And I’m interested in food photography, so the book would be a bonus.
Wow!!! What a giveaway!!! Awesome prize for someone. Good luck everyone!!!
I do love Thinktank, myself. I like the softness of the bag in the giveaway, but yes. . a wide-padded shoulder strap is a Must for longer carries.
Should I win my copy of the On1 software, I would finally come to understand the thrall of it, and be grateful for the chance.
Keep up the great job you are doing!! :)
I would love to win!!
This looks like a perfect bag for a lighter-duty photographer like my daughter. Great review!
Ooh! Nice review.
I would love to use the onOne software to make a 30×90 print for my house. Hook it up!
Big fan of your work
It would be nice to win!
I love Kelly Moore bags. Very well built and they look great.
This looks like the murse I’ve always wanted!
Great Post Nicole! A shame for photographers who has larger lenses, can’t fit it in their bag. I guess it is better for street photography with the pancake lens.
Someone will be very lucky to win all the prizes.
Thanks for the detailed review!
-Ron
Ha! I got a Jo Totes bag for the same exact reason – a daily PURSE that I could carry minimal gear but fit essentials like wallet, phone, and girly stuff. Fantastic review and thanks for the opportunity for the giveaway.
Yes, it is true, the search for the perfect bag never ends…
I have a few ladies in my life, that do photography, and would love to receive a bag like the one in this giveaway. Thanks !
WOW! Nice bag! Love to have it :)
woo-hoo!!!!
I’ve been looking at similiar bags for a while. It doesn’t appear to be useful when carrying a lot of equipment, but could be very useful in many scenarios. I’ve considered getting one for events where looks over the functionality of a larger bags would be more appropriate. Thanks for the dtailed review Nichole.
Great!
very nice! thanks!!
Bag for myself, yes please.
Book for myself, yes please.
OnOne for a friend, since I already have Suite 6, yes please.
I want to scream, “Pick me! Pick me!”
The bag is gorgeous! Even though I’m not a photographer, it’s perfect for all of the stuff I have to take with me to auditions. Headshots, change of clothes, water bottle, tea mug, makeup, extra shoes, extra music, iPad… and other random stuff opera singers carry around with them on the subway.
Just say the words, Kelly Moore, and I’m hooked! Would love a chance to win this bag.
I love the look of this bag! I totally agree that finding a camera bag that I actually want to carry around with me has been near impossible! If I had this bag I would never leave home without my camera :-) Thanks for sharing!
That looks like a cool bag. Hey, my wife would love a new purse! Thanks for all the great info.
I just wanted to say…1st that I just stumbled onto your site from Google+ and I am probably one of the few guys you will have responding. But, the bag is very nice and I have been taking photos for the last few years…but, my wife has “just now gotten hooked” and has started taking photos and has actually come up with some real great shots. I think it would be wonderful for her to have something that beautiful and functional for her “budding” new interest…Thank you for your website…Doug.
I have had my eye on one of these bags, but can’t bring myself to buy another camera bag! Would help maybe keep me a little better organized to carry my camera with me everyday:)
Thanks for sharing this nice bag. You do very nice work and you are an inspiration.
I would love this type of camera bag! The software and the book would be just as awesome as the bag. Thanks!
Helpful review. Would love to win the book and the software. Be happy to share the bag with someone else.
Love the style and colours of this bag!
Can a man enter this contest?! Well I’m entering anyway! I may not be able to carry the bag around myself,but I can give it to my auntie who travels a lot,and I can keep the software. I would say something Cheesy like “I never win anything!” Or ” How much I love photography!”, but I’m not! I will say that it would be wonderful to win!
P.S. Did I mention that I love photography, and I never win anything?
Very cool! this bag would be great gift to give to my wife before she heads out to Kenya for 3 months, to keep our cameras more hidden. Till i get over there and do some shooting too!
win or not your fun and cool so is your man! Both my wife and i follow you both! Thanks for being always real.
A bag for my wife and software for me. Great prizes. Great casual bag for the wife.
I think my wife would enjoy the bag. She’s becoming quite the shutterbug.
Bags are like shoes. There will never be a single style that suits all purposes. But it sure is fun to try them on.
Love your work and nice bag, choose me
Fantastic looking bag. Sort of like tripods…you go thru a couple lousy ones to get to the one you should’ve bought in the first place
This would be so ideal instead of lugging around a typical camera bag/backpack. Doesn’t scream “camera bag!”! Lovely amount of space and seems versatile too. Your review was extremely detailed and relevant – thank you for that!
Well, I have tried previous versions of OnOne and I know my wife would love your bag. We have your Food Photography book, and love to see your photos and your participation in TWIP.
I’d love to be the lucky winner here…
Trust me, my girlfriend will figure out how to get everything she owns jammed into that bag.
My wife would like it if I had a sack like that.
Thanks for the review – I appreciate knowing about a bag that can handle a camera AND other technology like the iPad. I appreciate the honest review of the aspects that were not so useful. I think the bag would be really useful in my own work too.
I’d like to give it a try.