Captn's Log, 9/21/07 Frankenbag Project initiated..

I like my 6MDH but I want a bag that I can put more than just a camera in sometimes and that's where I think the messenger bag will work well. I would love not to have to pay $60 for the crumpler insert so i look forward to your pics of your setup.

And I think the messenger bag will fit my body better than the 6MDH does. I don't like shoulder bags because they hurt me. I like backpacks but I find it hard to get to my lenses when I want them. And often slinger bags don't work for me because of my *uhm* chest.

So I'll see how this goes and worse case I got a bag for $40 with shipping that I can probably sell on ebay for more.

colleent wrote in post #3980396
I like my 6MDH but I want a bag that I can put more than just a camera in sometimes and that's where I think the messenger bag will work well. I would love not to have to pay $60 for the crumpler insert so i look forward to your pics of your setup.

And I think the messenger bag will fit my body better than the 6MDH does. I don't like shoulder bags because they hurt me. I like backpacks but I find it hard to get to my lenses when I want them. And often slinger bags don't work for me because of my *uhm* chest.

So I'll see how this goes and worse case I got a bag for $40 with shipping that I can probably sell on ebay for more.

can't make any promises on the chest thing working out any better but as for the last comment...right on! you go girl!

Anybody looked at the insert for the Tango messenger bag? It looks like a good alternative to the Domke inserts for "converting" an existing messenger bag, but I'm worried about size...

cebailey wrote in post #3996990
Anybody looked at the insert for the Tango messenger bag? It looks like a good alternative to the Domke inserts for "converting" an existing messenger bag, but I'm worried about size...

Update! Can't believe it but my Barney Rustle arrived already! Woohoo!! Hopefully have the Echo insert in a day or so and can post a pic and "review" of how it's working. On first blush, the BR is not as big as I thought it was going to be (a good thing I think as I feared it would be ridiculously large). I'd put the size somewhere between a SS200 and SS300 in terms of length and width. Girth is yet to be determined but I will say that it seems very well made, is quite adjustable and the third leg will add enough stability that I think I'd be willing to bike with it on (afterall, it is it's intended use, right?) Inside is roomy with a large zip pouch and three smaller pouches inside. Looks like no sweat putting in a cell, Ipod, keys, a few energy bars, & wallet in just the three small internal pockets. Also looks like plnety of room for the insert with some room to spare for other essentials. That still leaves the zippered pocket for whatever.

I'll give a full review of the Frankenbag when the insert arrives but so far, I am very optimistic!

I'm kina marking my spot in this thread, as I just bought a Domke F7 yesterday.
I was wondering if I might be able to do the same thing regarding fanagling the inserts.

We always have to *customize* or personalize our gear .. dont we?

I was looking for somehow the same combination as the OP. I took a Ortlieb WATERPROOF Zip-City and used the insert from a Lowepro Rover AW. This way I have both a shoulderbag for everyday use, and a backpack for travel and trecks with tripod. ... works very well.

olz wrote in post #4003391
I was looking for somehow the same combination as the OP. I took a Ortlieb WATERPROOF Zip-City and used the insert from a Lowepro Rover AW. This way I have both a shoulderbag for everyday use, and a backpack for travel and trecks with tripod. ... works very well.

I like Ortlieb's stuff alot. Used to have one of their packs for hiking and now you got me thinking of getting another and swapping the insert between the messenger bag and the backpack. Mna you guys make this expensive!!

FYI all, Fed Ex says the insert is on the truck so today's the day.

namasste wrote in post #3978731
Then I found a company called NaneuPro. They have some great product but nothing in stock so I simply purchased and insert for $12 to go in the BR.

Where did you order their insert from?

And +1 on customizing gear. I have made my own tripod trap from an optech camera strap that's 100% better than the optech tripod strap itself or the bogen offerings. Just took slicing some spectra onto it. I also am working on a custom bag. I'm using the crumpler famous wine bar as my platform:

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jacobsen1 wrote in post #4004802
My next project is to find someone who can stitch zippers into the material on the bag. I want to have a zipper put in the side so I can leave the bag on one shoulder and swing it under my shoulder.

You live in RI? I've never been there, but if it's anything like Hawaii (my home-state)
there's alotta people who sail .. and well, where there's alotta folks who sail, there's also
alotta places that repair sails ..

Anytime I needed zippers fixed or added to anything, I always took them to my sail repair places.
Cheap .. fast .. creative .. and by all means, stronger then anything OEM in the industry ..

Just a thought .. but, you have to have sail repair places in RI ..

Actually I sail, but the guys I happen to know won't do it because they're too busy... But yes, I know I just need to track down a canvas shop and they'll take care of me. It's more of a finding the time while working m~f 8~6 that makes it so hard....

It's Alive!!!! Frankenbag with pics...

oaky, so the insert arrived today (ordered Friday and it was sent to Ohio from Florida, regular ground that fast!!!) Anyway, my first impression is that the insert is well made and fully customizable.

Now, I'm sure you all are excited about that but what you really want to know is how the whole setup turned out. In a nutshell, I'm stoked. The insert almost seems made for this bag. Plenty of space without moving around inside and still some space for extras. The pics don't show everything but I had it out at lunchtime for a trial run and took with me the following:

Three Internal pockets: Ipod, Cell, Sunglasses, wallet and still had room

Main Bag: 30D with 28-135 and hood, 28-105 w/ hood, 100-300 w/ hood, rocket blower, battery charger, circular filter kit, Cokin holder and two filters, a folder with some photo stuff I refer to, extra CF card, reader and cable Still could have put more on the side or stacked some stuff. I think I could easily have added a few small primes and still thrown a light jacket or something on top of it all.

Large Zip Pocket Under Flap: didn't have anything left to put in here so it's waiting for more stuff.

Ergonomics were very nice. The strap distributed weight well so that the bag actually felt lighter than my old should bag it replaced. The third leg (cracks me up!) worked well although I really wasn't that active with it so more to come on that later. The adjustments were easy to make and could even be done on the fly due to the large buckle. Bag was easily thrown over head and also swung around to the front for access with no issues. It really isn't a huge bag by any stretch, just designed well to accommodate lots of stuff.

Enough yapping, here's a few pics to get you going. Let me know if you'd like more or have questions.

Frankenbag:

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namasste wrote in post #4005507
Let me know if you'd like more or have questions.

Looks great.
Where did you order the insert from?

jacobsen1 wrote in post #4005598
Looks great.
Where did you order the insert from?

namasste wrote in post #3978731
I found a company called NaneuPro. They have some great product but nothing in stock so I simply purchased and insert for $12 to go in the BR.

Heheh .. he never highlighted it, or made it bold in his original post on page one.
Shame shame .. lol .. I been looking at this all day hahaha ..

For the life of me tho .. cant find people (other then where you got yours)
that sell just the inserts ...
Ehh, I'll wait til my F7 arrives .. and go from there .. the Domke is pretty deep tho
and I've been thinking of a 2 *teird* or *stacked* kina thing for that bag ..
but along the same line of your thoughts here Namasste

I know I can get away with a 2 teir concept ....
I just have to find the right inserts .. and a nice soft divider

DigiGrin wrote in post #4005635
Heheh .. he never highlighted it, or made it bold in his original post on page one.
Shame shame .. lol .. I been looking at this all day hahaha ..

I for the life of me tho .. cant find people (other then where you got yours)
that sell just the inserts ...
Ehh, I'll wait til my F7 arrives .. and go from there ..

must be all those years in the witness protection program keepin me on the DL.... got the insert from Michael at www.naneupro.com Great guy and they shipped out same day. The real question is whether Nate now:

a) sells the 7mdh
b) keeps the 7mdh disregards the Frankenbag, or
c) keeps the 7mdh and builds a Frankenbag thus making him the Imelda Marcos of camera bags.

Nate?

DigiGrin wrote in post #4005635
Heheh .. he never highlighted it, or made it bold in his original post on page one.

yeah, I even googled the name and went to their site to see if they listed inserts... They don't (that I could find)...

So did you just call them then?