It's hard to put to words what looks like a camera bag to me. So let's use pictures. See below.
(Full disclaimer -- this is not an all-bags personal manifesto. This is more about a bag
expressly for travel, where I am a little more guarded re: 'open carry' of gear away from the populated tourist areas.)
A = Classic cube-like foam coffin. 100% tell you have expensive equipment in there.
Fail. (I own this bag, actually, but I'd only use it at very safe or familiar destinations.)
B = Bougie disastersauce. This bag says "Punch me in the face and take my Leica, but please don't steal the star luggage piece of my travel instagram 'lay out all my gear' photos!"
Quadruple fail.
C = A Honda Civic, but this year's new slightly curvier model. A modern streamlined camera bag that lacks the tell-tale cubey-ness, but still looks like it's meant for gear. "I'm not sure it's a camera bag, but there's probably
something good in there."
Fail (for travel), fine for general use.
D = I might work in an Apple Store. This is the inflection point of doubt with what the bag is for. Could be a school or work bag, just as likely to have a bagged lunch or workout clothes in it, etc. I could own a bag like this but I think there are better options.
Mini-fail, but not by much.
E = Something that looks weird / different. Camera is not the 1st, 2nd or 3rd thing you think when you see that bag. You think -- "Well, someone's either an artist or at least wishes they were." Just as likely would have a skateboard or large collection of hats or a few copies of Architectural Digest inside.
Pass. (I am considering this bag presently.)
F = The ultimate sleeper of a camera bag. Stellar misdirection at work here. This is 8000% tickling the part of my brain that smiles when I build a sweet DIY beater of a satchel into a great discreet bag. there may be concerns of robustness / durability, but 'camera bag' is the last thing you'd call this.
Pass. (I am considering this bag presently.)
Hope that helps frame up what I'm looking for on the 'not look like a camera bag' front, but the original inputs still apply. I don't want a crappy duffel bag that fools everyone but is also a steaming turd for camera use.
- A