Making your own DSLR insert for a messenger bag.

sam_franklin · Jan 10, 2013

Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong forum!
I'm looking to buy my nikon d5100 just before I go on a school trip to Munich! (Is the D5100 good for a beginner camera?)
As I'm spending all my money on the camera I won't have money for a case (might be able to scrounge off my parents!) but I've been looking into making an insert for a messenger bag that I have. I was wondering if you had any good tutorials to look at about making one or a good budget camera bag for me to take with me on an airline.

Thanks in advance

BobSaget · Jan 10, 2013

If you don't have too much equipment, you could just keep it in the box it came in and put the box in the bag. You can buy blocks of foam and make your own cut outs.

flow · Jan 10, 2013

The craft stores here sell big sheets of soft foam in different thicknesses - 1/2 inch up to 2 or 3 inches thick. They'll even cut it down for you if you don't need a sheetrock-size piece. You could cut some to fit, if you're feeling extra crafty you could sew up some fabric covers for them & make it look nice.

jaguaraz · Jan 10, 2013

I recommend one of those inexpensive neoprene slip-over camera skins. You can get it from ebay for about the price of making your own foam inserts. It protects the camera from scuffs in the bag and also protects it while you are carrying it around your neck since it is made for the strap to come out both sides. I used one for my D90 for one month in Guatelmala and it worked very well inside a normal messenger bag.

sam_franklin · Jan 10, 2013

jaguaraz said:
I recommend one of those inexpensive neoprene slip-over camera skins. You can get it from ebay for about the price of making your own foam inserts. It protects the camera from scuffs in the bag and also protects it while you are carrying it around your neck since it is made for the strap to come out both sides. I used one for my D90 for one month in Guatelmala and it worked very well inside a normal messenger bag.

I just had a look and these seem like a good option, my only query is the level of protection because they're soft cases? Or am I just being over-cautious?

jaguaraz · Jan 11, 2013

They won't protect your camera from a drop but are pretty good with the normal bumps and thumps that happen with carry-on luggage. I settled on an Op-tech model from Adorama that was a bit pricier but it did a great job on my camera during some pretty hard bumps against walls, bus seats, little kids, etc. on my travels.

tevo · Jan 11, 2013

In all honesty, keep your lens cap on and keep the LCD cover that comes with the camera on, and nothing will happen to it in your bag.

JClishe · Jan 11, 2013

This: The 'ONA' Any Bag Camera Bag Insert - The Photojojo Store!

nycphotography · Jan 11, 2013

I think you'll end up spending almost as much in materials as you can get a pre-made insert for.

$16 on amazon.

Amazon.com: Camaroo DSLR Camera Insert - Compact: Electronics

gardy · Jan 11, 2013

sam_franklin said:
Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong forum!
I'm looking to buy my nikon d5100 just before I go on a school trip to Munich! (Is the D5100 good for a beginner camera?)
As I'm spending all my money on the camera I won't have money for a case (might be able to scrounge off my parents!) but I've been looking into making an insert for a messenger bag that I have. I was wondering if you had any good tutorials to look at about making one or a good budget camera bag for me to take with me on an airline.

Thanks in advance

or this: Tenba Pro Digital 2 Photo Insert 638-251 B&H Photo Video
not to shabby on price as well