The Grams28 172 Camera Sling is the most expensive and elegant camera bag that I’ve ever owned. I’m currently on a camera bag quest, and this is the first stop. If you are, too, perhaps you’ll find this article helpful. I don’t have any affiliate links for Grams28 or anything like that; this is simply my opinions and experiences as a photographer looking for a new camera bag.
For a few years now I’ve been happily using a National Geographic NG2344 Earth Explorer Shoulder Bag, which I discussed in The Ultimate Travel Compact Camera Kit article. I like that camera bag for several reasons: it’s very small yet somehow holds a shocking amount of gear, it’s highly affordable (generally speaking, I’m a cheapskate), and it fits in the middle console of my car, which makes it ideal for roadtrips. I have no intentions of replacing that bag; however, I have encountered some situations where it is not ideal.
Specifically, last summer I attended a wedding, and I wasn’t going to bring the Nat Geo bag with me. It would have been tacky, to put it mildly, since it was a black tie event. I wasn’t the photographer, I was a guest who happened to be a photographer. I carried my Fujifilm X100V because it was discrete and could slip into my pocket. In retrospect, the X100V was great for many circumstances but less-than-ideal for some others; I wish that I had had an interchangeable-lens option, like my X-E4 or X-T5, and maybe the Fujinon 90mm f/2. While the Nat Geo bag would have technically worked, I would have stood out like a sore thumb carrying it around. An elegant camera bag was needed, but I didn’t own one.
In the months that have followed, I have photographed a few different events, this time as the official photographer. I don’t necessarily consider myself an events photographer, but, nonetheless, under some sets of circumstances I’ve done it several times recently. I like the Nat Geo bag, but, once again, it wasn’t the right style for the situation. With these events occurring fairly regularly, I felt that a more appropriate camera bag was necessary for when I need to appear professional. I needed a bag that’s both functional and fashionable.
After much searching, I came across the Grams28 172 Camera Sling. It seemed to be the right size—neither too big nor too small—and it looked really nice. At $459, I was apprehensive about how expensive it was, because I’ve never owned a camera bag that costs this much. For the price, it should be my everyday carry, and not a once-in-a-while option; however, I was not looking for an everyday carry camera bag. Still, I thought that this could be the right one, so I went for it.
The 172 Camera Sling is a high-quality Italian leather camera bag that measures 12.5” wide, 8.6” tall, and 4.7″ deep. It has a padded interior, and comes with two velcro dividers. There’s space for spare batteries and SD Cards in a zippered pocket. Another compartment could fit a small iPad. The bag seems well designed and durable, and the adjustable strap is quite comfortable. Aside from all that, it’s especially stylish, which was essential.
Grams28 claims that it will fit a Fujifilm X-H1 and telephoto zoom. For myself, I wanted to carry two bodies, plus a couple of lenses. I was able to fit my X100V (or an X-E4 with the Fujinon 27mm f/2.8), an X-T5 with the Fujinon 18-55mm f/2.8-4 or the Fujinon 90mm f/2 (but without the lens hood… it can be placed on backwards and fit in the bag) attached to the body, plus a spare lens. As I have it configured, the 18-55mm lens won’t fit as a spare (only attached to the camera) unless the hood is removed, but the TTArtisan 35mm f/1.8 will, as well as similarly-sized or smaller glass. There’s a lot of different lens options that one could go with, and I tried several different arrangements. I’m still figuring out the best camera/lens combinations, but for my style of photography, the X100V and X-T5 with the 90mm are essential; it’s the spare lens I’m unsure about. The Fujinon 35mm f/2 is what I’m currently leaning towards, and what I most recently used; however, I’ve been considering trying something more wide-angle, perhaps the WCL-X100 II conversion lens (which I don’t currently own) for the X100V. It might be possible that the 27mm pancake will also fit, depending on what the main spare lens is—it does fit (snugly) with the 35mm f/2, but I felt it was redundant to have both since the focal lengths are similar. Interestingly, my wife’s X-T4 fits noticeably more snugly in the bag than the X-T5, so the larger Fujifilm bodies might not be the best choice for the 172 Camera Sling.
I’m very happy with my Grams28 172 Camera Sling. It is exactly what I was looking for. It’s not my everyday bag (although it could be if I didn’t typically dress very casual), but it serves a very specific purpose quite well. On top of that, Grams28 customer care has been top-notch. They reached out to me a few days after I received it to make sure that I was pleased with the bag, and to answer any questions that I might have. If you are a wedding or events photographer and are looking for a fashionable (yet still functional) camera bag so that you appear professional, or if you’re just a stylish person, I personally recommend the Grams28 172 Camera Sling.
Click here for the Grams28 website.
Click here for the 172 Camera Sling.
I really love my Cwatcun. Very affordable and stylish. It may be to girly, although the guys in the ads look fine carrying it.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/FocusonCameraBag/page/53AA5417-9017-41C8-9572-7C347ED573BE?ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto
I definitely came across these in the research, but didn’t feel they were “right” for me, personally, in what I was looking for. But each person has different needs and tastes, for sure. Thanks for sharing, I appreciate it!
I thought the link was for the specific bag. The one I use is towards the bottom, black with afew purplish iridescent trim pieces.
I have 3 Ona bags and 12 Think Tank Retrospective bags and 1 Peak Design sling, so you are in no way close to over-the-top in camera bag investment. I applaud your restraint! And your sense of style, although, you know, it looks more like a purse than a rucksack. But you knew that.
Yeah, this wasn’t a rucksack style 🤣
The metal clasps and such do give it some masculinity… looks good with a tux, not so much with a t-shirt.
I have often said that buying a camera bag is more difficult than buying a camera! I have gone through a lot of bags over time but I’m pretty happy with my current set-up: a Tenba Fulton v2 14 and a small leather bag (brand unknown, good leather, much smaller than the Grams28 172 bag) if “stylish” is required. The Grams28 172 looks very nice, but the price and weight (890 grams) do bother me :).
What’s your opinion on the Tenba Fulton v2 14L? I was looking at that one.
Hi Ritchie, the Tenba is hands down my favorite bag ever. Last year, I have carried it extensively on long walks through Italy, Germany and Netherlands without any fatigue (BTW I’m not tall, at 1,78 meters, but my son at 1,83 meters finds it very comfy as well). The padding (outside and inside) is good and so are the straps. I also love the fact that the upper “roll” compartment can be used for anything you fancy, including a sweater or coat. It easily carries 1 body (XT4, XT5 or XH2) plus 3 to 5 lenses, depending on their size (the 16-55 f/2.8 is not a problem, nor is the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8). Plus there is space for water bottle, accessories and tripod. I like the fact that the camera is accessed through the part that rests against your back, which means it can never be opened by unwanted guests :), although, of course, it also means that you have to take off the bag to change a lens. Lastly, in the tan/olive colour it does not look too much like a photo bag, but could be any rucksack, really.
Thanks so much for the report! That helps a lot. 😀
I have been on a massive bag hunt but for just a daily carry for my x100vi in a bag that doesn’t look like a camera bag. I looked at every grams28 bag closely because I so wanted it to work. But none of the sizes were right-they were either too shallow or to large.
Yeah, I’m looking for something like that, too. Maybe Part 3 of this series, if I find something that I like….