New camera bag: Lola by epiphanie

By curiousillusion ( February 17, 2010 at 7:16 pm) · Filed under photography, ,

So back in December, I first heard about a new line of camera bags that were coming out…. a brand called epiphanie, which is a line of bags that looked more like purses, that you could carry everywhere (and would WANT to carry everywhere).  As soon as I saw the bag called Lola (which is the same name as my dSLR), I knew I had to have it.  Well, that and there was a discount code that pushed me over the edge.

The first shipment of bags were due to arrive “sometime in February”.  Imagine my delight when I got an email with my tracking number today… and when I read from that tracking number that my bag was supposed to ARRIVE today.  I’ve spent all day eagerly anticipating it and when I finally got it… it was everything I dreamed it could be.

Warning… the color of the bag tends to vary from picture to picture, it’s my fault as I was shooting in bad lighting.  In real life it’s a vibrant red, a cherry red, a bit more red than in the pictures (in the pics below it seems to be almost coral).

First of all, it arrived nicely sealed with a cute little sticker:

I wanted to save the sticker but in my excitement to get at the bag, it tore.

It has it’s own dust cover (to keep the bag in when you’re not using it), mine is purple, which matches my bag’s interior (not sure if they’re all purple or if they all match the interior of the bag).

Isn’t it pretty?!  According to the website, the exterior is supposed to be “water-resistant, high quality synthetic leather”. (It also comes with a detachable long strap, for carrying across your body… not shown).

They slipped some of these cute little cards with quotes in the pockets, it was such a treat to get them (each card was different).  There are two exterior pockets (one on each side) and one interior pocket.

The inside, as I said, is a light purple… and it has removable panels (four small ones and two long ones that you can rearrange in any way you want).

I like this little hangtag, which (if you turn it over) doubles as a mirror (yes, I’m such a girl… that was the first thing that went through my mind).  I also love the attention to detail.  It looks and feels very well-made… my co-worker really likes the knots on each side, as do I.

My new epiphanie bag is currently filled with the following: my Nikon D90, with the kit lens (18-105mm, aka the BIG lens), my 50mm lens, my macro filters, uv filter, lens cleaning pen, wallet, spare battery, iPhone, notebook, and other random odds and ends… oh and mini Danbo, of course.  And there’s still room for more.  I could definitely still have space for a flash or a macro lens (sigh, if only I had a macro lens), possibly even both.

I already got one question about the bag: is it easy to access my camera while carrying it on my shoulder.  And the answer, for me, is yes.  I can take off one strap (keeping the other strap on my shoulder) and easily use one hand to grab my camera out of the bag and put it back when I’m done.   Of course, it all depends on how you arrange the removeable panels inside.

Is there anything I don’t like?  Well, I will say that the zipper isn’t as easy to close as it could be – because of the way it’s designed, you can’t do it one handed (you have to pull out the side of the zipper, hold it straight, zip it, then tuck in the side). But I don’t usually zip up my bags so that’s not a deal-breaker for me.  And even if I did zip up my bag all the time, it’s only a little bit of extra work.

Anyway, I’m really pleased with my purchase… the other day I started having doubts about the fact that I ordered something that no one else had seen or reviewed yet but the quality of the bag, not to mention the style, etc is even better than I could have hoped for. If you have any questions about the bag, feel free to leave it in the comments and I will do my best to try to answer them.  As for me… I’m gonna be rocking this bag for QUITE a long time. :)

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  • Hvanva01
    How do you feel about the red? Does it hold you back because it doesn't go with everything? would you rather have the black?
  • I love the red, but I've always been a fan of brightly colored purses. And I think the red definitely goes with everything, plus I think it's the reason why I get so many compliments on it. I definitely am glad I have the red instead of the black. :)
  • Ilene
    what material is the lining? it looks like terry cloth
    and does each divider stick to the lining with velcro?
  • Um it's not terry cloth, it's softer than that. And yes, each divider has velcro on three sides so it sticks to the lining.
  • lisa_jane
    Hi,
    This Camera Bag looks amazing =)) Is it real Leather??
    Would someone please let me have a voucher code so I can benefit from a little discount??
  • blondymk
    I want this bag. Who has a coupon code I can use. Please.
  • tad30175
    Does anyone have the coupon code? I'm planning on ordering the Lola, love it!
  • Cate
    I have a question about the bag. Do the knots on the straps bug you at all when you're carrying it? Have you used the long strap? I'm worried that when the shorter straps are hanging down and I'm carrying it all day with the longer strap, that the knots on the straps will irritate me. Otherwise I love the bag and am probably getting Lola.
  • No, the knots on the straps do not bother me at all. And yes, I was walking around with the long strap today... usually I use the short straps when I'm taking it around on an every day basis, and the long straps when I'm actually going around shooting pictures. But the knots are not bothersome at all, they're perfect.

    Hope you get it soon, I love mine! :)
  • Hi, just discovered those beautiful bags and I'm thinking about getting one. But I'm not sure about the lengths of the hand straps. could you tell me how long they are?

    thanks,
    anja
  • Wendy
    BTW, you are getting so many hits to this post, because it was mentioned at http://digital-photography-school.com/camera-ba...
  • It looks SO cute! I saw your link from their site, but I have a few questions I was hoping you could answer :D

    Question: You mentioned its pretty deep....does that mean that I could easily fit my macbook in it? (the 13 inch one) - you mentioned you currently have your notebook in there....? (did you mean paper or laptop? lol)

    Also, is the discount promo still on?!:D
  • Hey, thanks for the comment. I'm afraid I don't know if you could fit your macbook there, I'd compare to my macbook but... I don't have one YET. It kind of narrows towards the middle to top of the bag so it might not fit perfectly.

    As for the discount promo... the one I used isn't going on anymore but I do have one that came with the bag that I was gonna give away (15% off). If you're interested let me know, it expires March 15th so if you don't want it, I'll see if someone else does before it expires. :)
  • shailaks
    i'm interested in a coupon code. wanted to buy the bag just now but realized there is a coupon code - how to get one?
  • Does anyone else have a coupon code. I was just going to order one and found out that there was a code
  • Kate
    I would love the coupon code if someone isn't already using it! I am planning to order this bag this week.
  • This was so fun to read... I love that you can use the tag as a mirror, we never even thought of that! Thank you for taking the time to write such a nice review of Lola! :)
  • dreawood
    I think these bags look beautiful! im getting one soon. I love the red and blues but may go with the brown ginger one.
  • I'm in love with this bag. Wish I could get one. I tend to throw my SLR in my handbag, which really isn't safe...

    *bookmarks*
  • I love that it doubles as a purse. I would worry sick about someone trying to nab my camera bag, but yours is under cover!

    I'm going through the same paranoia in choosing a laptop bag. Oy.
  • Yay! New camera bag = love. So excited for you.
  • soozun
    Wow - so cool...what an awesome camera bag! I love the hangtag with the mirror.
  • ari_b
    I love that bag!!! Whenever I can afford a nice dSLR camera, I'm gonna copy you and get that bag . . . but maybe in green . . .
  • eQ
    What a pretty bag! You are going so PRO!
  • tinafabiano
    I love that! I think I'm going to have to invest in one myself.
  • That is such a pretty camera bag! Does it have room for other things - like phone, wallet, keys, diary - so you only need the one bag or do you need a separate bag for that stuff?
  • Oh yes, tons of room. I'm only carrying one bag and not only that... the bag I'm carrying looks like a purse and not like a camera bag, ya know?

    That being said, if you have like 3 lenses you're carrying around, you may not have that much space. But THAT being said, the bag is really deep so there's a way to put the lenses and camera so they're protected with the dividers, and then put stuff on top. If that makes sense... :)
  • CarissaJaded
    I love it!! it will be perfect for you!!
  • Nyx
    OMG WANT
  • chelseasteed
    Well, it looks AWESOME! How much of a discount did you get with your code? I think this is going on my wishlist (you know, for when I get a job and actually have monayyy to spend!) Thanks for answering my question! :D
  • Um, it was 10% but every little bit helps, lol! And good luck!
  • mirandabreon
    It's adorable! Really, I wish I could get my D90 already...if only for the bag!

    Think you could get away with telling them it's your new purse?
  • justtheashes
    Beautiful bag! I went to the website to check them out... but a bit expensive for me! Maybe when I have a real job...
  • Yeah I know. That being said, from what I can tell camera bags typically are really expensive. And then when you add that this one is made to look like a purse, the cost makes sense.

    Plus it's good quality and should last for years to come. So that helps.

    Lol look at me try to justify my purchase!
  • Ooooh, that bag is gorgeous! I love the color.
  • Omg, I am SO jealous! Congrats on your new bag :) Hopefully I can save up and get my own soon.
  • oohhh I ordered one of these also! it must be on it's way! Mine is a different style but I'm so glad to hear how well you like yours!!!! I can't wait to get it!
  • Oooh which one did you get? Hope you take pics when you get yours, I'm curious to see what the others look like irl!
  • I got Ginger.. I will post pictures as well... and let you know.
  • aapuzzanchera
    congrats on your purchase. I have seen this site before. The bags look great. Enjoy it!!
  • Quave
    Looks nice! Great colour!
    And surprisingly, it does seem to be very functional. I like that there is plenty of space in there and that you can get things out (and in) with ease.
    When I had my camera and the bag, I would always zip it up. I would imagine knocking the bag over by accident and the zoom lens falling out or something. Or something being spilled, or dust. I always zip it. (Well, used to).
    Congrats on your purchase. I'm sure you will get a lot out of it.

    The mirror thing, that's such a crack up. :)
  • Ha I knew you'd like the color.

    Yeah maybe I should start zipping up my bag. I just... don't. But because of the dividers, the stuff is wedged in there so it won't just fall out. Or shouldn't anyway.
  • sarahnicole
    So cute. I wish I had an amazing camera so I could buy this bag and carry my camera in it. Think I could use it as a purse?? haha. I love this bag!!
  • Ha ha you could definitely use it as a purse! Well... not mine, you'll have to get your own. :)
  • I will reiterate, you are adorable.
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