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DIY everyday camera bag
The primary disadvantage of DSLR cameras is the inconvenience of trying to carry them everywhere. In searching for the perfect everyday camera bag, I found that bags for cameras are designed to carry only camera equipment. Some backpacks will fit a laptop and a few personal items, but if you prefer a messenger bag, there really isn’t any middle ground.
But it turns out that Timbuk2’s new Commute 2.0 bag is just the right size for adding a single insert to carry a DSLR. Two inserts that seem to be the right size are the Billingham 12-21 Superflex insert and the Domke FA-211 insert. I didn’t really feel like paying $30 for this experiment, so I constructed one myself from some foam and duct tape, then attached it to the inside of the bag with industrial strength Velcro. I’ve been using it for a couple of months now, and it has held up nicely.
As you can see, there is plenty of room for my camera, along with the other items that I like to carry with me. If i need to bring my laptop, there’s a zipper compartment on the outside of the bag so that the laptop doesn’t take up interior space.
13 comments posted
Posted by Battra92 - 10/08/2009
I’m not a heavy DSLR shooter (I’m still using film SLRs and rangefinders) and I find a cheap gas mask bag from your local Army/Navy Surplus store will have just what you need.
I actually find that as I gradually switch to rangefinders over SLRs I have less to carry and I can concentrate on my photography better.
Posted by Scott W - 10/08/2009
Great DIY on the compartment. I would love to do something like this for my needs. What size Commute 2.0 bag do you have? The link lists a small, medium, and large; but I can’t tell the size from your pictures.
Posted by Anita - 10/08/2009
I don’t usually carry a lot of extra stuff with me, so a regular camera bag (in my case, the Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW: http://products.lowepro.com/pr.....2035,4.htm) works well for me, with my few personal items going in the top pocket.
Your design is excellent, and I’d definitely consider it if I needed to carry more with me! The only thing I’d add is a cloth “flap” to prevent LCD scratches etc.
Posted by Lori Paximadis - 10/08/2009
I’m eagerly awaiting the launch of this line:
http://shuttersisters.com/home.....a-bag.html
Not for guys, certainly, unless they have a thing for stylish handbags, but a potentially good solution for women who don’t want to be bogged down with too many bags but still want something fun. No relation; just an intrigued potential customer.
Posted by Anita - 10/08/2009
@Lori — very cool! I want the red one
Thanks for sharing this, I’ll definitely keep an eye out now!
Posted by Kelly - 10/08/2009
@Lori — Add my thanks to Anitas! I signed up for their newsletter so I’d know when they were available.
Posted by Amanda Smith - 10/08/2009
Could you add one more shot with the bag next to a person for perspective?
(I love magazines that make wallets look as spacious as laptop bags – you can tell I have scale issues.)
Posted by Cherry - 10/08/2009
71 year old woman buried under 8 feet of trash in home
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33.....eird_news/
Posted by Brian Kieffer - 10/08/2009
Scott W,
It’s the medium size Commute 2.0.
Posted by Brian Kieffer - 10/08/2009
Amanda Smith,
Here’s a picture on Timbuk2′s site of a person holding the bag.
http://www.timbuk2.com/static/.....lorway.jpg
Posted by Gary - 10/08/2009
Tenba also sells the same removable insert from their messager camera bags, separately.
Posted by Dawn F. - 10/08/2009
Duct tape rocks.
Posted by UIGuy - 04/02/2010
Nice.
Actually, this is the direction I have decided to go after standing in a local (very well stocked) camera shop for an hour looking at 20 some bags.
My problem? I really don’t like my camera bag to look like a camera bag.
I have an older Timbuktu bag I used in graduate school but have shunned in my current job as I dislike the damage it does to legal sized folder. Meh. But for this? Awesome.
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