Re-purposed Bags Thread

[PatrickONeill]

When I am carrying a light load, I use a freebie bag from the National Wildlife Federation, and I stuff in an insert from a Naneu Pro bag, and I'm ready to go.





I can carry one small camera, a lens, notebooks, pens, a few rolls of film. and I found that I can even get my netbook in there as well.

Its nice, though, the material is a bit light, and the wear is really starting to show. but its pretty low key, and I take that bag with me everywhere I go.

[Genxr65]

I didn't get rid of my Lowepro Slingshot 200AW when I outgrew it. I still use it for traveling light when I don't want to wrestle with around the big bag. Sometimes I take out all the dividers, pad the sides (not shown), put the wide lens in the top compartment, while putting in the 70-200 attached to my camera in the main compartment. Works great for ballgames where space is a premium, especially if they have a bag size limit.


IMG_0650_small by mrksts, on Flickr

[photopam]

What a fun thread! Thanks for sharing everyone! :)

[auddii]

Just bought a bag from the army surplus (although it's a new bag), some felt, foam and velcro. I'll take pictures as I go along, but I need to borrow a sewing machine first.

[cooltouch]

This is an interesting thread, and I wish I had some photos to contribute, but you've caught me in the early planning stages so I don't have anything to show.

It's been a long time since I actually bought a new camera bag -- like over 20 years? And I can't believe what camera shops are asking for bags these days, so I've decided to make a few of my own. This isn't to say I don't have bags -- actually I have a lot of camera bags, but they are all over-the-shoulder style, and I want something a bit easier on my back.

So, I'm working on plans for three different ones: one is a backpack style bag, another is a bag that will be made out of a small airline carry-on, and the third will be made out of a large airline carry-on. All three will be reversible.

For padding and separators I have decided to used closed foam and styro insulation board. You can buy sheets of closed foam -- usually 24" x 72" x about 3/8" thick -- that are used by hikers to put under their sleeping bags as insulation. And you can buy the styro insulation board in 4'x8' sheets for maybe $10 or less at a big box store. The styro insulation is about 1/2" thick and is very firm and sturdy. It works great as separators where the closed foam might be too floppy. To cut the closed foam, a large pair of scissors works fine. To cut the styro board, a box cutter and a straight edge is the way I do it. Obviously, the old carpenter's maxim will be applicable here: measure twice, cut once. To come up with accurate measurements for things that don't exist yet, the best way for me to proceed is to draw out what I want, then take a tape measure to the bag and come up with a set of measurements based on my drawings. That usually works well enough.

Anyway, I plan to line the backpack with closed foam and to make the larger compartments with the styro board. For the smaller ones, the closed foam should be stiff enough. To glue everything together, I'll use contact cement. Contact cement is great stuff. It dries quickly but never hardens. It remains flexible.

For the small carry on, it has plenty of good padding already, so I won't need to line it. I'll just build inserts for it out of the styro board and use the closed foam for things like covers or padding, or even small compartments.

For the large carry on, the task will be essentially the same as for the small one. It doesn't have the padding, though, so I'll need to use the closed foam to pad things. I'll need to build a framework out of the styro board that will be sturdy enough to stand alone, plus support the weight of the gear. Closed foam will be added to areas for any additional padding or smaller compartments as needed.

By the way, this isn't my first rodeo, as the expression goes. I've done this before, and it's served me well.

[auddii]

Woohoo, I've completed my camera bag!

I wanted a bag that was small enough to carry everyday, hold my camera and a lens or two, and fit all of the stuff I normally carry in my purse (luckily I carry a small purse).

Here is the starting point: bag, foam, and felt for covering the foam.

IMG_9199 by auddii, on Flickr

Making sure the foam fits into bag:

IMG_9205 by auddii, on Flickr

Felt covered foam sides for the insert (notice the beautiful hand stitching...):

IMG_9207 by auddii, on Flickr

Dividers for the insert (I have no idea what the spot on the bottom of my lens is):

IMG_9718 by auddii, on Flickr

Completed bag, along with dog hair:

IMG_9720 by auddii, on Flickr

[MT Stringer]

I did re-purpose a couple of bags, but not for toting cameras or equipment. I had a couple of hand bags, just simple denim type bags with two handles. One was new my wife had bought at Hobby Lobby. Well, I put a 10 pound barbell weight in each one and secured the opening with a tie wrap. Now I have two "sand bags" for the light stands - no expense outlay since those things were already in my possession.

[Canonopathy]

Large Tumi bag with a DIY divider set (from my Think Tank bags)

[d2creative]

Good stuff everyone!

[contributor_M]

Originally Posted by Canonopathy

Large Tumi bag with a DIY divider set (from my Think Tank bags)

Now this is very cool!

[contributor_M]

Originally Posted by auddii

Completed bag, along with dog hair:

IMG_9720 by auddii, on Flickr

That's great Audrey. The dog hair adds that special touch

[s2krobert]

I actually did the exact same thing a while back except I used the Tenba insert. Holds quite a bit surprisingly. Actually looking to tell it now because I made a newer bag out of a tactical backpack. I'll post some pics in a bit.

Originally Posted by Canonopathy

Large Tumi bag with a DIY divider set (from my Think Tank bags)