The Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black bag lets you pack just the essentials and nothing more.
I’ve found that the ideal time to use the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black is in the winter. My reasoning for this is because it’s designed to not hold a whole lot of stuff. So just in case you really need to bring a ton of gear with you, what do you do? Well, you can use the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black and wear a thick jacket that has pockets. Indeed, the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black only really holds the camera, lens, a phone, a few small items, and that’s it. There are tons of street photographers that would be okay with this, and that’s primarily who this bag is aimed at. If you’re a working journalist, a landscape photographer, or anyone else, look elsewhere.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lightweight
- Built incredibly well
- Lots of security
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- A million times more stylish than the predecessors, but still not up to NYC standards as far as I go
Cons
- Cosyspeed needs to do a proper messenger bag and not some upgraded fanny pack
Gear Used
We tested the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black with a Nikon Z6, Nikon 24mm f1.8, and a Hexar AF with film.
Tech Specs
Taken from the website listing
Interior dimensions:
155 mm (h) x 205 mm (W) x 90 mm to 115 mm (t) by a flexible back wall
Adjustable belt from 70 cm to 125 cm, extendable up to 165 cm with the optional BELTEXTENSION 40
Weight: 455g
Ergonomics
Here’s the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black. It’s a significant improvement on what their bags used to be. The front of the bag looks like this. There is a loop and a solid metal button keeping the bag closed. It’s attached to a strap that folks tend to use as a fanny pack/waist bag, but I’ve never found that to be the best way to use the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black.
On the sides of the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black are two pockets. They’re both thin. Because of the bag’s size, they’re not going to accommodate much.
Here’s one pocket. It’s zippered. I tend to store either business card wallets, beard oil, chapstick, eye drops, Advil, or keys in here.
This side has another pocket. Said pocket has a velcro strap on it. It’s less weather-protected than the other pockets.
The strap here isn’t like the seatbelt material that many of us are so used to. Instead, it’s similar to the strap that one would find on a backpack. This strap also has pockets where you can put other stuff in.
Here’s what the main button looks like once it’s been opened. As you can see, the lock slides over to the side. It’s a brilliant way of opening the bag.
Once the bag is open, you’ll find even more pockets. These pockets are pretty small, and in my time with the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black, I found them to be a bit useless.
The central part of the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black that you care about is the interior. The bag comes with dividers if you wish to split the area up. As you can see, a Hexar AF and a flash fit pretty easily. Most mirrorless cameras and a prime lens won’t have an issue being crammed in here. Your bag will, of course, be safe and secure inside.
Build Quality
The Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black was taken into the rain on more than one occasion. What’s nice about it is the way that the flaps are designed: they keep rain and snow out in the same way that most photo messenger bags do. Additionally, the bag is super comfortable to use. Because you’re not carrying a lot of gear, you don’t need to have a shoulder pad of some sort. Even better, photographers will appreciate the extra security it offers. To open it up, you need to undo a loop and then slide the lock to the side. Then you can get into the bag. It isn’t the best for quick access, in my opinion–that instead goes to just having the camera in your hand to begin with.
The Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black can also be used with other accessories that the company makes, like little pouches and all. These items are built well too. Overall, we don’t have a complaint about the Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black when it comes to its build quality.
Ease of Use
I’ve really come to like how Cosyspeed has been designing its latest products. While they don’t have to function as the fanny packs they were initially designed to be, they still can. Those of us with more self-respect won’t do that, of course. Instead, you can sling it around your chest and let it function like this bag between a sling and a messenger. It works very well for biking and while commuting. When you’re ready to access it, you just swing it around. You’ll need to undo the loop and slide the top flap to the side. Once that’s done, you’ll have access to the good stuff inside.
This bag is primarily designed for street photographers. And they’ll like the bag for its lightweight design and low profile. Their gear will also be very safe inside. But what they might not like is the lack of quick access when the bag is fully secured. If you only either use the loop or the flap lock, it’s a lot faster. But still, I think that street photographers should be carrying their cameras in their hands when shooting. When it’s time for a break, you can put your camera away in the bag.
Conclusions
The Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black is a very specialized product. It’s small, low profile, and it holds a camera: thatâs really all that it’s supposed to do. This is a bag for the minimal photographer in every way. I like the bag, but I find myself frustrated with Cosyspeed not making an even larger bag for a photojournalist. Street photography and photojournalism are similar. And this bag would be even better if it were bigger. It’s got a lot of the hallmarks that could make it a perfect bag for photographers. Are they good bags? You bet. But I’d probably never use this again as I find myself needing to be a packrat at times. It also doesn’t carry everything I need when I’m just relaxing. I like to be able to bring a book, eye drops, a film camera, a thermos with my favorite tea, etc. with me. This can barely hold a flask.
The Cosyspeed STREETOMATIC+ Black gets four out of five stars for the right photographer. They’re around $130 on Amazon. And if you’re very minimal, then go for it.
