Better, slimmer photo bag inserts?

[nightfly]

Does anyone make a better quality and slimmer insert than Domke?

I've used a single Domke insert with a cut up mousepad on the bottom for padding as a way of turning any bag into a photo bag for years. However the insert falls apart pretty easily and is actually pretty wide for a Leica with a small wide angle lens on it. Takes up excess space in the bag.

Does anyone make a slimmer insert that holds up better? Or has anyone hacked one together from something else (no sewing please)?

 

[bmattock]

I have used Zing brand lens bags as inserts for some time. Work well for me.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Lens-Pouches/ci/4455/N/4294593457

They are inexpensive, thin, made of high-grade rubber neoprene like a wetsuit, and tend to stay where put inside a similarly-sized canvas bag pouch. I do not use the drawstrings, I leave them open and tuck the drawstrings down the outside of the pouch. However, if they truly got in my way, I'd cut them off entirely. And the pouches have bottoms to them, which is nice.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Neoprene is good; I mostly use OpTech instead of Zing.

Remember that the insert should protect against vibration as well as knocks, which is why a mouse pad may be too dense. The rule is high density foam against knocks, and low density against vibration.

Letting the stuff 'jostle' inside the bag, inside protective sleeves/bags, may also offer extra protection beause kinetic energy is used up in the jostling whe the bag is knocked.

(Frances covers bags for Shutterbug...)

Cheers,

R.

 

[Bruin]

I use a 3/4" thick pad of closed-cell foam on the bottom of my messenger bags. You can get it at outdoors retailers (REI, etc.) as a cheap sleeping pad or sitting cushion. I put the camera itself in a medium Domke wrap, which is thin open-cell foam but provides enough protection from other stuff in the bag. I don't need much padding on the sides, just the bottom.

It's cheap, light, doesn't take much space, and customizable for your camera. Works great for a single body w/ lens, not so well for multiple bodies. You have to stow your extra lenses somewhere else, but my bags have plenty of inside pockets for that.

 

[back alley]

closed cell foam, a pair of sissors and some duct tape and you can customize to your heart's content.

 

[nightfly]

Those pouches look perfect.

he Op/Tech Snoot Boot Lens Pouch looks like it would stay open in the bag no problem.

Got to cruise by B&H before they close for the holidays and check these out.

Thanks for the ideas. You guys rock.

 

[nksyoon]

Not cheap, but what about something like this from Artisan & Artist? The dividers are movable.

http://www.monochrom.com/cc/monoc/shop/rmiArt003.asp?artnum=00032575
http://photovillage.com/product.php?productid=2858&cat=0&page=5

 

[nightfly]

As nice as their stuff may be I'm looking for the cheap, anti-Artist and Artisans solution and those lens pouches are perfect.

One body thrown in a messenger bag with a bit of protection that I can grab quickly and a lens stuffed in a pocket in the bag.

 

[MikeAUS]

Custom inserts with Closed Cell Foam

Custom inserts with Closed Cell Foam

closed cell foam, a pair of sissors and some duct tape and you can customize to your heart's content.

Has anyone got any tips/examples of what they have put together? Thanks.

 

[nksyoon]

Here are some I came across:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/11/make-it-stealth/
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/12/make-a-cheap-le/
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/03/gadget-lab-read/