foam packaging material

[ayee007]

i called the UPS store and some crafts stores but cant seem to find something i can stuff into my lowepro fastpack 250 to prevent my camera body from shifting while its on my back...does anyone know where i can find this type of material? or a inexpensive way to stuff my backpack without causing potential damage? i dont really want a spongy material because it will start flaking and dont want any of the debris to be in the bag to get into lenses...i stole these pictures from a member on here for a mental idea...

or if u have any leftover material you're willing to sell to me for cheap, please PM me! thanks!

[Lowner]

Closed cell foam is sold by DIY upholstery shops, but you then need to sew it up in some cheap nylon material and add velcro. I normally end up remaking whats supplied because manufacturers and I never seem to agree about layout!

I'm very surprised you have that much room, I have to squeeze my 30D and Eos3 into my Vertex 200 backpack.

[ayee007]

is closed cell foam the spongy soft kind or the more hard/packaging material? which one is a better protector? anyone in the US have any idea what stores have this?

i've checked fabric stores and packaging stores around here and no one seems to carry it. i found some onine but i only need a tiny piece, not one that is 3-4 feet in length for $15...didnt know it would cost me the cost of the bag + foam to secure the body in place!

[Sports_Dude]

what about rolling up some cloth to take up the space?

[P51Mstg]

I use bubble wrap........ Wrap it for carrying and when you get to where you are going to shoot, unwrap it..... Great for padding the insides of Pelican cases with dividers too......

Mark H

[ayee007]

haha bubble wrap? will that damage the body or lens in any way with possible static?

actually after thinking about it i dont want to wrap it in bubble wrap and unwrap it each time its in and out...i need something to pad that area of my bag...something that doesnt attract or keep dust and dirt...

[Lowner]

If you cannot locate a DIY upholstery store, camping shops sell closed cell foam sleeping mats. Closed cell foam is tougher, smoother (almost a slimy outside feel) and harder wearing than the open cell sponge stuff you have no doubt seen. If it will absorb water, then its open cell - the individual cells interconnect, unlike closed cell foam where the little air pockets remain seperate (a bit like a tough bubble wrap).

Uncovered it will attract dust etc, so its better to cover it in similar material to the dividers you already have.

[P51Mstg]

There is no static I know of in bubble wrap. Must work fine, they sell a ZILLION tons of it a year.


Mark H

[Wilt]

Go to the camping section of Kmart or Walmart, or go to a dedicated outdoor sports store, and buy yourself an inexpensive ground pad (closed cell foam) used for cushioning a sleeping bag (the person) from the small rocks on the dirt.

[ayee007]

Go to the camping section of Kmart or Walmart, or go to a dedicated outdoor sports store, and buy yourself an inexpensive ground pad (closed cell foam) used for cushioning a sleeping bag (the person) from the small rocks on the dirt.

How much would it cost for a piece just the size for what I need? Can't spend more than maybe 10 on it to make this lowepro worthwhile!

[Wilt]

How much would it cost for a piece just the size for what I need? Can't spend more than maybe 10 on it to make this lowepro worthwhile!

It's been a decade since I bought one to cut up and make dividers for a generic daypack, but a man sized pad was only about $5 back then!

[ayee007]

LOL! have any extra laying around u wanna sell for $5? =)

[Nmura]

Close cell mattress foam pad found at Walmart, bedroom/sheet department.

[ayee007]

haha but how much is the question...i dont need closed cell foam the size of a mattress...just maybe like a 1x1 sheet...

[Ingerson"PCD"]

Get on Ebay and find some Pelican "pick-n-pluck" foam. you can get it fairly cheap and tear it down to fit any shape.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pick-N-pluck-foam-pads-for-Pelican-1640_W0QQitemZ320500587151QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item4a9f52da8f

[ayee007]

ive been lookin on ebay for closed cell foam. what is pelican pick n pluck foam? that listing you showed is local pickup only...

[buaku]

What about a craft store like JoAnne's or Michael's?
They usually have foam stuff for padding.

[ayee007]

already checked there...

[Darkahl]

I am not sure if you have seen what they look like, but here is a link to the foam sleeping pad people have mentioned: http://www.rei.com/product/374053
That pad should be sufficient for what you are wanting to do based on my experience using them. I am sure you can find some variant of that for much less at Walmart, Target, or a local sporting goods store.

You can also purchase foam directly from this site: http://www.foambymail.com/closedcell.html
I have never done business with them, but found their site searching on google.

Here is another site from google: http://www.mcmaster.com/#about-foam/=6ezy1g

[Fstop-Ian]

If you think that velcroing another divider or two on top your existing divider would work(which I think would be the best answer), please send me an email. I should be able to help you out.

ian@fstopgear.com

[ayee007]

If you think that velcroing another divider or two on top your existing divider would work(which I think would be the best answer), please send me an email. I should be able to help you out.

ian@fstopgear.com

im not sure i understand what u mean...can u explain?

[Fstop-Ian]

Excuse the amazing photoshop effort...

Basically place another divider where it is pictured... so it fills the empty space and makes a tight fit.

[ayee007]

Excuse the amazing photoshop effort...

Basically place another divider where it is pictured... so it fills the empty space and makes a tight fit.

haha thanks for the visual...i really just need padding where the handstrap is becuase when the bag is on, the camera will slide in that direction

[Lowner]

Not sure why finding foam is diificult, but why not just rearrange what you already have? It would seem a simple matter to reduce the space you've left for the camera?