My DIY camera messenger bag (v. Jack Bauer style)

[bry3]

So, I've been looking all over online for a camera bag for my XTi and lenses, but geez, camera bags are rediculously expensive. I don't want a bag that screams "steal me b/c there's an expensive camera inside". So who did I turn to? That's right...JACK BAUER.

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/37/9b/28cc793509a03f0cd0132110.L.jpg

So I bought this bag off ebay for about $20 ( do a search for "Jack Bauer messenger bag" or you can get it an army surplus store)

http://a46.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/6/l_1252de8481fbc0cbd9a1ff3485bc144d.jpg

http://a711.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/16/l_78f1cda21d30888256d55b8e9e46b83e.jpg

Bought Domke FA-210 (1 compartment) and f-233 (3 compartment) inserts for about $40 from adorama.

http://a960.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/81/l_7029d9f4c874b825c77893573470ac1f.jpg

Also, to soften the bottom, I just put a thick towel.



The finally result? Saved me $50-$70 from buying one of the million dollar crumpler camera bags. :)

[zeol54321]

Great job, now you got me interested in making my own camera bag.

Just a quick question, can the DIY bag fit a big lens (i.e., the Canon's 70-200 f/2.8)?

[Hostile]

Hehe, nice work. I'm looking to buy a bag but can't decide what kind I want to get. I have a LowePro Nova4 but can't decide if I want a larger bag or a smaller top loader for just the camera and a lens. Ideally I'd buy both, lol.

[_aravena]

$60 for a DIY seems a lot. I've never spent more than $20 on mine. Looks like a good bag but you could have spent a little more for a Domke or less even pending.

[danpass]

I have the same bag in green. I used an old soft cooler (cut up and re-taped) as my padding 'sleeve'


.

[alt4852]

i really like it, nice job.

..and jack bauer is awesome, so you get bonus points for picking a great reference. =)

[Jolly Rodgers]

i was going to buy the same bag that was used in the indiana jones movies for this sort of thing

[bry3]

$60 for a DIY seems a lot. I've never spent more than $20 on mine. Looks like a good bag but you could have spent a little more for a Domke or less even pending.

It was the inserts really. Didn't feel like making inserts from scratch.

[_aravena]

^Well yeah, that's what does it. That's why I love having so many left over inserts and I just use velcro strips.

[tonyptony]

Old thread, I know, but I decided to try this route as I was not having good luck finding a bag for my mid-load style shooting. This setup is my XTi, 17-55 IS, 100mm macro, and 70-200 f/4 IS L. Plus batteries, hood for the wide zoom, and other small bits - with room for the 430 EX if needed. This is my "be prepared but don't bring so much you're sorry later" setup.

The thing that bothered me about a number of options - the backpacks, slingpacks, and even some of the traditional shoulder bags is that I didn't want to a) pull the bag off my body to do a simple lens change, b) risk other stuff falling out of the bag to get something in one of the back inserts (a la Slingshot), or c) have to pull half the stuff out of the bag to get to something because it's on the bottom. I also wanted something discreet.

I know the TT UD 30 is just about perfect for this configuration, but when I just missed out on getting a used one here I decided to take the cheap way out.

So I bought a black genuine Bauer bag from an Army/Navy store for $16. Ordered the Naneu Pro inserts for another $20. Put it all together and found that it's just about right for what I need. All lenses available directly; I can pull off the long zoom and drop it into any open insert space without having to reorganize the bag. Inside the bag there is a handy zippered pouch for batteries and CF cards. Button pockets on either end for more stuff if I need it. When I flip the cover over the bag it's not too thick, molds to my body, and looks very unremarkable. Just wish the strap was removable; I'd replace it with one of my Lowepro curved straps so I could do an opposite shoulder style arrangement.

[SMP_Homer]

I only clicked because "Jack Bauer" was in the title...
I sure miss the Jack Bauer Power Hour...

[Sparky98]

Stop by Wal-Mart and pick up a blue closed cell sleeping pad for less than $10 and you can make enough pads for several bags. The pads are something like 20"x60"x5/8" and you can easily cut them to any size you need. The only problem is that the foam is a little soft and will gouge easily but it will still last a long time. If you want you can use superglue to stick the pieces together to help them retain their shape.

[_aravena]

Have to remember that. I love my Target bag. They had a lot of bags but the problem was they were too soft and fell in on themselves. So finally they got one that was a little more stiff. After putting in the insert, it became perfect!

Still use it as a my daily bag.

[bimmeracer3]

Have to remember that. I love my Target bag. They had a lot of bags but the problem was they were too soft and fell in on themselves. So finally they got one that was a little more stiff. After putting in the insert, it became perfect!

Still use it as a my daily bag.
Could you post a link?

[_aravena]

For?? Review is already linked

[jbergdoll]

Looks great, props on the 24 reference... Just a hint, don't ever waste your time setting up a perimeter because it never works. In 6 seasons, CTU has yet to learn that.

I can't wait until the prologue for season 7 in November! :)

[SlowBlink]

Hmm, thanks for reviving this thread. I'm looking for a soft bag and making one is a great alternative. I'm tired of my lowepro banging into me when I walk, bend, crouch..etc

[bimmeracer3]

For?? Review is already linked
I was wondering about which bag you got from target/.

[somethingsimple]

theres a great DIY 'shootsac' (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=514829) (a la jessica clare (http://www.shootsac.com)) thread in here... i stumbled across it and with the generous instructions posted by cajungal i was able to make my own version

its a little more involved than this great idea, but it produces a more specialised product - each has its place i think

[muscleflex]

lol - this is cool! i've never noticed this one before. my girlfriend got me the official jack bauer bag last year for my birthday. i'll port a pic on sunday night when i get home. it's the same as the OP's pic but it's got a round CTU badge on the front.
http://www.24fanclub.com/productDetails.do?productID=732

[SlowBlink]

If you're in Van or want to order online I just found this place about four blocks from my place that has very good prices. http://www.camouflage.ca/ I'm going to drop by today and check out a couple. $24.99 for the J.B. style bag.

Checked it out and I'm going to go back tomorrow and grab one. I'll try and beat it to death and see how it holds up.

[zso]

Thanks to the ideas from this thread, I just purchased a messenger bag today from Aeropostal...they had a $50 bag on sale for $24. The bag already had a stiff padded insert in the middle for a laptop, so I placed some sticky velcro tape inside the insert and added a couple padded dividers from one of my bags. I can fit my 40D w/grip and lens attached, three smaller lenses, and some accessories inside the bag. It is great and it doesn't scream "steal me". I find it easier to grab my camera out of rather than my backpack.