This week ONA announced a big release of an all new bag line, called The Black Collection, aimed mainly at the travel photographers. The all black designs stray away from their usual highly artistic and unique all-leather look, but loses little in the way of features and build quality.
The Black Collection launches with three new styles: the Hamilton, the Nylon Camps Bay backpack, and the Nylon Brixton messenger bag, all designed for travel photographers. Yes, the company that's already well known for their beautiful leather bag selection is getting into the travel business and it's looking pretty damn sleek. Right now it looks as if the flagship is going to be the Hamilton rolling camera bag and duffle, which holds a unique design as well as measurements perfect for a carry-on.
Each bag is handcrafted from premium 1050D ballistics nylon and features Italian leather accents and solid brass hardware in gunmetal finish; all of which are lightweight, highly durable, and water-resistant. Having owned an ONA bag myself I can fully support their move to the more clean and tactical look with this new collection. The price points for each is well within the price range for any travel photographer looking to up their style within a more professional setting while on the go. With the Nylon Camps Bay bag priced at $409, the Nylon Brixton at $279, and the Hamilton at $589, it may be hard to see the value in a higher cost you might be used to, but hands down these are some of the best quality bags for the money.
Having heard many arguments about form and function in camera bags these days, what do you think of the announcement from ONA? Do you think they are stepping into the world of beautiful yet practical travel camera bags or would you go the much cheaper route with Lowepro or Incase even if it meant sacrificing the lifespan and durability?
Ouu man I want that Hamilton.
That roller bag though!
:D
Agree its a bit much for a travel bag that will get a bit tore up but it does help when going to a client shoot and rolling up with something just a bit more refined than a LowePro bag from Best Buy. Ha I am in love with my ONA Union Street!
Hi Jerry, thanks for the comments! Our bags are indeed designed with style in mind, but you don't need to baby the Hamilton roller at all -- 1050D ballistic nylon is highly abrasion resistant and is very much a gold standard for luggage. After all, ballistic nylon was originally developed by DuPont back in the day for for WWII pilots' flak jackets. :)
Also, one more comment -- while durable, we would not recommend the Hamilton to ever be checked (we'd never recommend any camera equipment to ever be checked if you can help it!) For regular carry-on purposes, we think the Hamilton will be more than durable enough. :)
I'm really liking that Hamilton. You no longer have it on your website although I do see it elsewhere. My trepidation is that I've read the wheels are not that good. Any comment on that? Are they user replaceable?
Also, I would put caps on my lenses.
Hi Nick, we totally agree! Cap-less lenses make for more aesthetically pleasing product photography, though, hence why everything you see has lenses and filters removed. :)
All of this gear (with the exception of one lens) actually belongs to our director of marketing!
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I just love the insert of the Hamilton. It's exactly what I was looking for. I wonder if they would ever consider selling this separately...
Hi Karin, thanks for the comment! Were you asking whether or not we would ever sell just the insert by itself? We're assuming that a 21.5”H x 12.5”W x 5.5”D insert would fit in your existing luggage?
Keep the feedback coming!
Karin, fstop sells similar inserts for their bags in a range of sizes.
I love my ONA bag (Prince st field tan) and they look even better when they're a bit scruffed up...