Street Photography Messenger Bag Review: The Timbuk 2 Commute 2.0

by Eric Kim on April 21, 2011

As a street photographer, having a good messenger bag is essential to ensure you will always have your camera and equipment by your side. Often people ask me what bag I use, which is the Timbuk 2 Commute 2.0 Messenger Bag. It is not a camera bag per-se, but I have found out it works incredibly well, especially when you put in a Padded Camera Insert. Check out this quick review I did of my bag below!

What camera bag do you swear by when it comes to street photography? Leave a comment below!

Tagged as: commute 2.0, padded camera insert, street photography, timbuk 2, youtube

http://drewshannon.net Drew

I’ve been using my general Timbuk2 messenger bag for awhile, but I just ordered the specialized Timbuk2 “Snoop” camera bag. Can’t say enough great things about that company.
- http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim
  
  Tell us how you like it Drew!
http://www.jmcdonaldphotography.tumblr.com Jason

I have too many bags I don’t even want to go into it, lol
- http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim
  
  Which ones?
  - http://www.jmcdonaldphotography.tumblr.com Jason
    
    Well, the first was the little Nikon bag you get when you purchase the camera. Second is a Lowepro Mag 2 AW, then I own an AmazonBasics DSLR backpack (for the price, its everything you need in a backpack), and now I just ordered Giottos 5203 Camera Bag (in black). Awesome vintage canvas/leather for a good price.
http://blog.christakisphoto.com/ Christakis Schinis

I have the Artisan&Artist – Evans Walker. Super bag for the camera, my two lenses, light-meter, filters and a few other bits and bobs.

Although it’s designed for smaller cameras, you should be able to fit an entry level DSLR with kit lens. Should be perfect for small interchangeable lens cameras like the NEX series etc…

Having said that, I usually travel with no bag, just my camera and one of my two lenses.
http://www.arovingvision.com Kit Taylor

I also have more bags than I can count. But my wander around bag is a Tilley Intrepid, with an organizer insert from some long-forgotten bag stuffed into it. Today I meandered around Seattle with D700 and 35mm and 60mm lenses. Plenty of extra room for a light rain jacket, book, magazine, whatever. Often I’ll have my netbook as well, to do a little writing during my many espresso breaks.
- http://www.arovingvision.com Kit Taylor
  
  Oops — that should say D300. I don’t even have a D700 and don’t plan to get one. Hoping my X100 arrives soon.
  - writerman242
    
    how can you even think of a d700 even as a freudian slip? hahaha..i have the d300s and itg’s a beautiful camera…only regret is i bought the 24-70 and shuld have the 17-55vr i think itg is…the one i got is really heavy and no vr..but i don’t plan on the d700 either. mind if somene gives me a d3s i might somehow FORCE myself to convert t full frame lol
http://dcrunographer.wordpress.com/ DC Runographer

How do you feel it works as a bag for a cyclist? I could be wrong, but it doesn’t seem to have the security of the Timbuk2 messenger bag. Do you feel it keeps everything in there nice and safe? I’d be worried that things would be spinning around in there like an out-of-control dryer.
- http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim
  
  It works quite well. It isn’t as secure as a Chrome bag in terms of staying close to your body, but I have ridden with it for a year with no problem
Profsr Jones

How about one of these (talk about build quality), or one of these outfitted like this. Actually, I just got one of these (don’t have my own pic yet) that I’m lov’n for M3/4 system. It holds a G1, GF1, three lenses, EVF, Flash, remote, filters, and stays behind out of the way instead of smashing into doors a people as you move.
- http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim
  
  Wow you got a ton of bags! Nice collection
  - Profsr Jones
    
    Yea, can you say OCD!!!
    
    I’ll add this one to the mix of good street bags.
http://www.photopatzer.com Dan B

Holy cow Profsr Jones!

Love the idea of a insert in that bag, Eric. I’ve had that bag for a couple of years now, but never thought of using an insert…

I figure i’ll throw mine into the mix too. I use the Think Tank – Retrospective 30 and I love it. Big and spacious. enough to carry a couple books, the cam and something to eat. Not to mention its extremely comfortable. Okay mini-review over… i love this thing.
- http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim
  
  The bag looks pretty sweet. And definitely get the bag insert– HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/byzeno/ Zeno

I use the Ultra Force Heavyweight Classic Messenger Bag. It is Ideal for just Street Photography.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0035CTG3M

It is not expensive Around £16 (20-25 US dollars), It is not eye catching. It does not scream I am a photographer, and you don’t get a sweaty back.

Zeno
- http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim
  
  A camera insert would work well with it too
Philthy

I use the Dakine Mission Photo Backpack for all occasions. Great build quality along with weight distribution for longer walks. Also it doesn’t look like a typical camera bag
http://mattnewberry.com Matt

Hey Eric, for a small kit (M4 or G2, for example) have a look at Lowepro’s Terraclime 100. Small and supple, very well made; it stays out of your way. It has no stiff internal structure – you can use a Terraclime pouch (or other) as an inside divider.
http://blog.gothalo.net gothalo

I use a Crumpler New Delhi 230. Camera, and two lenses, plus extra battery, extra card.
writerman242

anyone else ue the thinktank retrospective 20? it’s great size for my gear, but also fattens up too much really, but hve really yet to trial it on a long day’s street work….any opinions on tis bag?
paolo

i’m using an old Billingham bag which I bought at a flea market for 200 pesos (around 4 dollars)
jakob

Hi Eric,

could you please give me a hint where you bought your TIMBUK2COMMUTE2.0 in that colour? I can’t find it anywhere and love it!!

Thnkx
http://twitter.com/banthehyphen s lall

Eric, which size do you use for the Commute 2.0? I’m thinking of getting the small size since I don’t like to carry a lot of gear, just wondering what you use. Thanks!!