Photography Thailand Forum

[stet]

Anyone know Thai or Kuala Lumpur vendors for Safrotto or Mekko bags? I'm looking for their versions of a big Domke bag, or maybe of the Lowepro Stealth Reporter.

*rick.

[Mark Maclean]

I did actually spot a LowePro vendor in Bangkok's Panthip Plaza last week.  It's a relatively big store and stocks all sorts of accessories such as bags and tripods.  Don't ask me what floor it's on though...

[Marc Schultz]

The dealer in Thailand for Lowepro is actually: Image Systems Limited, 61/18 Taveemitr Soi 4 Rama 9 Road, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10320, Tel. 02-246-1812 / 02-246-2046, Fax. 02-246-5754

I am not sure if they carry any of those other brands, but you can check with them. There is also Crumpler here in Thailand, but they are imported through Jebsen and Jessen if I remember correctly.

[stet]

thanks, Marc and Mark ...

I did spot some of those bags in Chiang Mai, Crumplers at the new Denchai near JJ Hobby Market, and Photo Bug just got in a new batch of LowePros, including the range of Stealth Reporters. I'm looking for a shoulder/messenger-style bag, which is why I was mainly thinking of Safrotto's Domke knockoffs. I haven't seen the Safrottos in the US, but have heard great reviews from people I trust and was hoping to find one in Asia. Denchai has the 7-Million-Dollar Home Crumpler bag, which seemed good onliine but in real life was still a touch small. I have a Sunpak 622 Super handle-mount flash, a truly huge potato masher, and if I go out with my D200, or worse, Rapid Omega, my current bag is way, way overstuffed.

I may be being stubborn about messenger bags, though. I like the speed of them, but I prefer that they can "fold" against your body, rather that sit like a rectangular block like the Stealth Reporters do.

[Marc Schultz]

Your welcome Rick. I am not familiar with most of these bags, but may have a look online when I have time. These days I mostly travel with a couple of assistants so weight or convenience is not to much of a concern as is protection for the equipment. Most of the time my cameras and lenses go into a Pelican hard case.

You may though find Singapore and Hong Kong have more selection than Thailand in general.

You could contact the manufactures directly though and see if they have any distributors in Thailand. That would be the best approach I think. It would lead you right to a source in Thailand if one exists.

Hope this helps.

[stet]

such a simple way to find out, and I never thought of it. Thanks again.

I e-mailed Safrotto and they got back to me within a few hours! They don't have any vendors in Thailand, but they do sell at Digicolor in Jalan Ipoh, KL. I'll be heading there in a couple weeks on a visa run, so I'll hopefully have a bag to review.

From what I've read, Safrotto makes some great knockoff bags, and in some respects people say they've improved them. I've mostly read about their Domke clones, and I'm hoping to scoop one on my trip. Their site's English section is busted, but you can find the catalog on the Chinese side because the link names are in English, if you're viewing link URLs in your bottom bar: www.safrotto.com.

Man, I wish I had assistants to carry my gear, too, though. Maybe when I have children. 

[Marc Schultz]

Glad you got some more information and found a source.

I remember seeing some good quality Lowepro Mini Trekker copies made in Vietnam being sold in Lad Prao on Phaholyothin Road (opposite of Central Ladprao) by a shop called Hung & Na. Something else you can check out if you are interested and they may carry other bag copies as well. Also, the underground stops about 2 blocks away from there so easily accessible.

Hope your assistants arrive soon :)