Some photographers prefer using ordinary bags with padded inserts to carry their camera gear, both for aesthetic reason and to prevent theft. Instead of buying an insert, you can also make a custom one with some foam, fabric, and velcro. Abi over at vanilla & lace made one to turn her purse into a camera bag after finding that purse-style camera bags can cost up to $300. She also wrote up a helpful tutorial on how you can do the same.
Cut Out + Keep member Myam made this awesome Leica-style messenger bag for a photography-lovin’ friend. Sadly there’s no tutorial for this bag, but she says that the process is identical to what’s seen in this guitar bag tutorial she wrote. A padded insert can also be added to make the bag more suitable for holding cameras. This bag could definitely make for a fun weekend project and photography gift.
If Legolas from Lord of the Rings ever decided to trade his bow for a camera, the new Urban Quiver by the newly formed Blackstone Bags is a camera bag he might use. The quiver shape keeps it from attracting too much attention from would-be thieves, while the compactness allows it to be stored in small spaces like the overhead bins on airplanes. Read more…
Easter is just around the corner, and camera case maker ZKIN is selling these limited edition bunny-style Micro Four Thirds camera cases for a good cause. Only 101 of them were made, and proceeds of the sales will be donated to the Society for Abandoned Animals. They’re available from DCFever for 620 HKD (~$80).
Have an unloved camera strap lying around? You can repurpose it as a strap for a shoulder bag! This could be a good upgrade for a bag that doesn’t fit very nicely over your shoulder, or could be a fun gift idea for your photography-lovin’ girlfriend or wife. You can find a tutorial on how to do this over on Photojojo.
Rather than using more expensive bags or cases for moving around your lighting gear, you can buy a bass guitar bag for $30 or $40 to get the job done. The length allows you to store light stands, the velcro straps inside help secure them, and the multiple handles and straps on the outside give you a number of options for carrying the bag.
Think your camera gear is safe in your zippered bag just because you have have sliders locked up? Think again. This video shows how easy it is to break into a zippered bag without leaving a trace.
Yet another reason you should try and keep your gear in sight at all times.
Fancy camera bags and backpacks are nice, but they’re often thief magnets that broadcast the fact that they contain pricey gear. If you use a messenger bag and would like to use it as a camera bag as well, Tenba sells a nifty insert that transforms it into a stealth camera bag. The insert fits a DSLR body, 2-3 lenses, a flash, and has space for magazines or documents. They’re priced at $23 and are available from the Tenba website.
We’re not exactly sure how practical this bag is, but it’s definitely among the more unique camera bags we’ve come across. The Leopard Print Camera Bag by fashion webzine Luxirare is a camera bag/purse hybrid that houses a Nikon D90, a cell phone, and some credit cards, and allows you to shoot without removing the camera from the bag. Read more…
The Kata ABS-HD is a new kind of bag that starts out the size of a book, and can be inflated to become a carry-on bag for protecting full size camcorders. What’s nifty about this idea is that when not in use, the bag is extremely compact and can be stowed away with your other luggage. The bag is designed specifically for stowing expensive equipment safely in the overhead bins on planes, so the bag doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles.
Inflating is done with a built-in tube and takes about a minute, and the bag can be carried using either the handle or an included shoulder strap. Though the price hasn’t been announced yet, the bag should hit the market in the near future.
