Is this the only daily camera bag you need? Ona Brixton review
Ona’s Brixton mag is a joy to behold but the goodness runs much deeper than simple looks.
Verdict
While it isn’t a cheap bag, it is worth every penny. It will most likely outlive you and become an heirloom piece, serving everyone who uses it well. It looks gorgeous, it’s built to last while protecting your gear, fits just the right amount of gear and is very easy to live with. For daily use it’s a winner, for anybody looking to combine style with purpose.
If you would like one of your own you can get it following the link below, which will give me a little kick back.
What and why?
If you are anything like the average photographer you probably have more than one camera bag. Most likely you have a number of them, used for different situations and for varying payloads. The reality is this is likely unnecessary, costly and means finding somewhere to store them all. For the majority of people I’d say two bags is probably all you need. One larger backpack, or hard case for bigger shoots and one smaller bag, which could be a messenger bag or a sling, ideal for daily use, where you might want to be out and about with a camera or two and a couple of lenses and accessories.
The problem is choice paralysis. This is a very busy market, so knowing what is the best option for you can be hard and that’s before you even consider aesthetics which, if we are honest, do play a part in buying decisions.
I’ve had countless bags over my three decades as a photographer. Some well worth the money and others not so much. By far, my favourite daily bag of all time is the Ona Brixton, which I”ve used every single day, sometimes not even as a camera bag (although there’s always one in there). Read on to discover my experiences with it over the last 8 years or so.
One Brixton - Quality and handling
The Brixton is a full grain leather satchel-styled shoulder bag, although different colours and canvas versions are also available. It’s exceptionally well made, with very strong stitching, a good thick strap with a pad and nice hardware.
The bag has one large inner section, lined with hook and loop compatible material, perfect for dividers, of which four ship with it. There’s also a slim divider running across the back of the insides which can accommodate a laptop. This is perfect for a 13” laptop but I regularly squeeze my 16” MacBook Pro. It’s tight but does fit. Just.
One the front are two leather pockets, which are surprisingly roomy. Plenty big enough for passport, phone, lens cleaning kits, film etc. In fact they are large enough to fit a kindle, which is handy, as I like to use this as hand luggage when flying. These pockets are covered when the bag is closed, k keeping things dry and protected.
Each side of the Brixton has a small pocket and these are the only real weak point. They are made from the same leather, so don’t expand much, or have any usable elasticity, meaning they are really only good for the slimmest of items. Fine for pens or a memory card reader but not much else. I would like to see something different here but they do keep the lines of the bag looking great. Maybe an acceptable trade-off. I think so.
On the rear is an open pocket that is perfect for documents, an iPad or similar. It’s pretty roomy and latches magnetically. It’s very handy for tickets and passes when travelling, or for easy access to frequently used items.
The buckle is a novel approach but works well and replacement is easy, if needed.
Closure is via too latches, the corresponding part to which are attached to the front pockets. They are adjustable using the leather straps, similarly to a belt and finding a good length is easy enough. Interestingly the latches are separate to the straps and can be easily replaced. I managed to lose one a while back and finding a replacement from Ona was easy and not too cost prohibitive.
The lid folds over the opening a decent amount and there are flaps that keep the rain out, at each side. They are small but do a great job and I’ve never experienced any water ingress. Do keep in mind that this isn’t a sealed bag though. For me, ease of access outweighs total weather proofing for a bag of this type.
There is also a full leather handle, stitched into the top rear edge, which is strong and comfortable
Overall, the Brixton is a beautiful bag. It seems to get better with age, with some nice patina developing and only adding to its character.
The rear flap is magnetic, for easy access to frequently used documents, tickets and slim items. Perfect for an iPad.
Performance
No matter how pretty or nicely constructed it is a bag needs to perform well, or it will be left collecting dust somewhere, making way for others. The Brixton doesn’t disappoint. It has one main downside but I’ll get to that shortly.
As I’ve said, I use this bag every day, in all weather and situations, from walking around town to travelling the world. In fact this nag has been all over Europe, China, Japan, New Zealand and countless trips the the US and it has never let me down. It’s easy to live with having a nice large opening that is simple to access. Undo one or both clips and lift the flap. It’s that simple. The thick ness of the leather, combined with the nicely padded interior, give confidence in its ability to protect my gear and it’s just the right size for a day of street photography. My most common payload is either a Fujifilm X100V or my Nikon F2 and a second lens. Sometimes all of the above. I’ve used it plenty of times to cart around my Hasselblad 500CM too and there’s always space for those little bits you need, plus a drink and a snack.
Now, the single downside is the weight. The Brixton isn’t the lightest but then it can’t be. Rather than modern man made fabrics, leather always comes with this trade-off. It can get a little wearisome after hours and hours of walk, although the shoulder strap’s padding helps a lot. It isn’t unbearable by any means but if you plan to carry a lot, keep that in mind and maybe look at the Ona Camps Bay backpack, which I will be reviewing soon. Spreading the weight might be wise for some situations.
Living with the Brixton is a joy in most instances. Moving dividers is simple, the flap lifts away nicely for easy access and doesn’t keep falling shut like some others I’ve used. Keeping documents and travel tickets in easy reach makes life smoother when traveling and the look of that lovely cognac leather is sublime.
The inside can fit a body, a handful of lenses and a laptop.
Final thoughts
It’s not cheap but then what camera bag isn’t? Amazon basics might not cost much but they aren’t overly protective and certainly won’t become heirloom items, which the Brixton certainly will. It’s built to last and improves with age, unlike me!
If I could only have one shoulder bag it would be this one, without a shadow of a doubt. I’ve tried others that look similar in the marketing photos but pale in comparison once you see them in real life and don’t install much confidence as a daily carry. This is an outstanding daily bag and I’ll not be trading it any time soon.
Worth considering
The Bowery is the Brixton’s little sibling. It’s a little bag with a big personality.
If you’d prefer something a little smaller and lighter, then Ona’s own Bowery could be just the ticket. It’s significantly cheaper too. It has fewer pockets and you can’t fit a laptop in it but for wandering around town with a camera and a snack, it’s perfect. Like the Brixton it also comes in a number of colour ways, in both leather and canvas.
The Skyline is a neat bag with a very different vibe but does a similar job.
2. If you aren’t so worried by materials then a good modern shoulder option is Tenba’s Skyline. A great option at a very attainable price point. Plenty of storage, including the elasticated mesh pockets on the end, zippered front pouch and internal dividers.