The answer to your low budget camera bag needs

[flyb0y]

So I was rumaging around my closet the other day and found this Victorinox backpack I used my freshman year of college. Its an awsome bag, weather resistant, and very comfortable. I had just decided to sell my Lowepro CompuRover AW because it was WAY more bag than I needed at the moment for the little bit of grear I have. All of the sudden :idea: BAM!

I ran up to my local Lowes and bought this role of foam padding, some super glue, and a role of sticky back velcro. $10 total. I then turned the bag inside out, measured and cut the shape and size of the foam I would need for the bottom of the bag, and drew little marks where they would go. I then put some velcro on the bottom of the bag. This way, if I ever wanted to pull out the little compartment I was about to make for my 20D I could, and use the bag for regular stuff.

I decided the foam as it was, would not be enough protection. So I simply cut 2 - 4 pieces of it for each layer and super glued them together. After this dried there was no way these things were falling apart and it was more than enough padding. I then decided how big and what size I needed this thing to be and cut my foam accordingly. Used the velcro as little connectors for each wall and then put velcro on the bottom layer so the walls could connect to it and stay nicley in place. Also makes for later customization.

I then turned the bag rightside in and attached my bottom layer to the velcro I had put on the bottom of the bag. Then just took my little velcroed together box and attached it to my bottom layer and there you have it.
I feel just as safe putting my 20D in this setup as I would have in the Lowepro CompuRover AW I had, and it didnt cost me $100+. It will prob hold tops 4 lenses (with one on the camera), depending on size of lens of course. Im thinking, my 28-105 on camera, 75-300, 50mm, and mabie a 10-22. It also holds a couple of filters right behind my camera, and everything else in the front 2 pockets.

Why drop that $$$ on a bag when you have a perfectly good potential setup with you or your kids old school bag for $10. :D

http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/1.jpg http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/2.jpg

http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/3.jpg http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/4.jpg

http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/5.jpg http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/6.jpg

http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/7.jpg

http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/8.jpg

http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/9.jpg http://www.lemmonsphotography.com/Bag/10.jpg

[jenne]

This is awesome! I've been looking around for cool/trendy looking camera bags for months now and the closest thing I found were the Crumpler bags (and those cost a pretty penny too!).
Now, I might just take your idea a little further and use some of my old purses (or buy a new one just for this project, maybe a nice leather one...), pull out the ol' sewing machine to put nice covers on the foam and tada!... my very own custom-made very awesome looking camera bag. In the end, I will probably spend as much in time and money in making this bag as I would've had to fork out for the Crumpler one... but it will be unique and to my very own specifications. Thanks for the awesome idea flyb0y! :D

[flyb0y]

Glad I could help jenne. :) This thing actually took me an hour tops to put together after I got home with the supplies.

[dicky109]

You did a really nice job on the idea & description. One concern I have is that the picture of this foam looks like a type I've seen which creates a lot of static electricity. I'd have some concern about screwing up some of the camera's electronics.

Another material I've seen people use is old mouse pads. They use a high density foam which is the same type used by the bag mfr's, just thinner. Using your super glue, you could glue enough of them together to get the thickness you desire.

[DocFrankenstein]

I never understood spending more than 30 bucks on a bag. I have a Swiss Army brand laptop bag and it's awesome. 30 dollars from costco.

Diaper bags are good for cameras I hear... but I haven't tried one yet.

[Lotto]

LOL. Even though I love all the DIY ideas, but after spending thousands on camera and lense, I don't mind spending 30 bucks, or even 100 bucks for some good protection.

[flyb0y]

LOL. Even though I love all the DIY ideas, but after spending thousands on camera and lense, I don't mind spending 30 bucks, or even 100 bucks for some good protection.


The Victorinox bag I used for this was 90 bux new about 2 years ago. So its not like im using some inferior bag, and after having a $180 Lowepro bag and comparing the amount of padding in that bag to what I have made here, I would have to say there is more padded protection in my little construction here than in the Lowepro. I intended this idea more for the "just for fun" user more than somebody trying to carry around $10k in L glass. If I was planning on going hiking for days/weeks I would no doubt use something more designed for the task. However...for throwing the camera over my shoulder and heading to the local concert or sports event...I would rather use my new homebuilt. :lol:

You did a really nice job on the idea & description. One concern I have is that the picture of this foam looks like a type I've seen which creates a lot of static electricity. I'd have some concern about screwing up some of the camera's electronics.

Another material I've seen people use is old mouse pads. They use a high density foam which is the same type used by the bag mfr's, just thinner. Using your super glue, you could glue enough of them together to get the thickness you desire.

Thanks dicky109. I hadnt thought about the foam creating static electricity. Ill have to look into that. If so ill just have to locate some high density material like you are talking about. I bet Lowes or a carpet dealer might have something of the sort.

[beckybun]

Nice work! Very Creative :)

[EllenC]

[quote=jenne]This is awesome! I've been looking around for cool/trendy looking camera bags for months now and the closest thing I found were the Crumpler bags (and those cost a pretty penny too!).

I too have been looking for a stylish camera bag with absolutely no luck. I do have a backpack for big hauls but I wanted something that would fit just my camera with a wide angle lens and one just a wee bit longer - that's all.

I've decided to find a really great looking bag and buy inserts for padding. I know Domke makes inserts for lenses. Not sure what to do to give the camera some extra protection. Might just get me some of that blue foam.

[dicky109]

ill just have to locate some high density material like you are talking about. I bet Lowes or a carpet dealer might have something of the sort.
If you find it, could you post where? I was looking for some to pad a Mountainsmith waist bag, but the best I could do, without buying huge commercial quantities was the mouse pads. Just too bulky and I gave up.

[peter graham]

I've done the same foam trick for my backpack. The top compartment offers just enough room for two lenses so I bought some foam used for sleeping mats or just to use while sitting on damp ground. Cost five bucks and I cut it to size to use as padding to help secure the two lenses in place, so now they are quite accesible even when hiking any length of distance. No dedicated camera pack I've seen offers better usuability for hiking/photography than what I have.

The foam I've used is probably three times thicker than what's shown, same shade of blue, might be the same type?

[jenne]

I too have been looking for a stylish camera bag with absolutely no luck. I do have a backpack for big hauls but I wanted something that would fit just my camera with a wide angle lens and one just a wee bit longer - that's all.

I've decided to find a really great looking bag and buy inserts for padding. I know Domke makes inserts for lenses. Not sure what to do to give the camera some extra protection. Might just get me some of that blue foam.

I should get a local designer to think about designing stylish bags for camera gear. I like to walk around with my camera but a) I don't like just carrying it around with me in the open, especially in some parts of downtown TO and b) the Lowepro bag that I have can be bulky, even though it's a relatively small bag.
I guess it no longer becomes a low-budget bag then... crap, still need to design my own b/c I probably won't even be able to afford the newly designed bag :D

[BottomBracket]

You can also use one of those foam pads (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=7636&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1) (I call them Earth pads) that you can get at outdoor shops. Some stores sell them for around 5 dollars, and you can find some used ones at thruft shops and garage sales too.