My New Epiphanie London Camera Bag

From Epiphanie London Camera Bag

I can't believe my luck!  I won an Epiphanie London camera bag in their video sharing contest!  I got the bag today and I want to share my initial impressions.  Consider this a first look and I'll do a more in depth review later once I've got some use with it.

From Epiphanie London Camera Bag

When I found out that I won, I spent quite a while trying to decide which bag I wanted.  It came down to the London or the Austin.  I finally landed on the London because the ability to use it as a backpack could really come in handy.  They're both really good looking, stylish bags, but that feature won me over.  The design reminds me of a high end attache, and that's cool.

My first impression upon opening the box was a very positive one.  The bag came in a nice dust cover bag that I may use for storage if I need to.  It's a nice touch that keeps the bag from getting scuffed in shipping and could really come in handy if the situation arises. 

When I got the bag out of the dust cover, I was happy to find that the materials feel like they're of high quality.  The leather is synthetic, but doesn't feel at all cheap.  To the contrary, it feels like it's made to last and is top shelf.  I used to work in a pocket book factory after I got out of high school.  I got to see top quality handbags made up close and this bag reminds me of them.  The stitching and seams are perfect and really impresses me. 

From Epiphanie London Camera Bag

The antique brass finished hardware looks really good, too and compliments the leather nicely.

From Epiphanie London Camera Bag

From Epiphanie London Camera Bag

The bag came with four panels, two long and two short.  That is very nice because as you can see, I have a use for both sizes.

From Epiphanie London Camera Bag

That's my Sony NEX-5N, Fujica AX-3, and Yashica LM TLR.  On one end, where the short panels are, I have the 16mm NEX lens, flash, extra battery, and memory card with the short panel folded over it and on the other I have several rolls of film.

From Epiphanie London Camera Bag

It's got a spot for a 17" laptop, but I won't be hauling mine around.  It's nice to be able to stick my Kindle in there though.  The padding is a nice thickness on the interior and the material it's made from is soft.  There isn't any slackness due to too much fabric being used in the lining of the bag, which is great.  It's just another check mark in the quality build column.  The attention to detail really shows in the small places that you wouldn't normally look.

From Epiphanie London Camera Bag

Here's all the gear I had loaded in this bag, and it wasn't even full!  This bag will allow me to carry film cameras along with my digital which is something I haven't been able to do.  My other bag is one that I re-purposed into a camera bag and that limited me quite a bit.  I could only carry one camera and one lens at a time.  Sometimes that's OK, but often I found myself wishing for what I didn't have with me.

I'm really in love with this Ephiphanie bag.  It's got plenty of room for what I want to carry, it's very well made with quality materials, and it's a very good looking design.  I can't wait to take it out shooting!

Goodnight Sweet Lady

Mrs Linda Beckum was my great aunt.  The funny thing about that was that I never met her until I was in high school and I was one of her students.  I had her as my teacher for 12th grade English and she was my home room teacher my senior year.  She was such a remarkable woman in so many ways. 

Her wit and shining intelligence could've been intimidating but she was so kind and charming that it never was.  She was a brilliant teacher that always made you feel as though you could accomplish whatever task was laid before you.  She never seemed to take herself too seriously and that put her students at ease.  (Everybody remember the Viking helmet for Beowulf?)

In my senior year, thanks to Mrs Sara Dupree, I competed in the Literary competition in our area for Extemporaneous Speaking.  Aunt Linda encouraged me and allowed me to practice on her classes and it was such an immense help.  I didn't win, but I felt confident in my attempt, thanks to her and Mrs Dupree.  That seemingly small thing has helped me immeasurably through my secondary education and professional life. 

I was truly blessed to know her and be touched by her influence.  She will be sorely missed by everyone who ever knew her and their lives will forever be enriched because of her. 

From the Leaves of Gold book that she gave me:

Do not keep the alabaster box of your love and friendship sealed up until your friends are dead.  Fill their lives with sweetness.  Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier.  The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go.

— George W. Childs