Andi_77 Posted October 22, 2013 Share #1 Posted October 22, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Since my camera, lenses and bags have been stolen, I'm gradually purchasing some "replacements". My bag was an Ona Brixton, it was really beautiful and well made, but since I'm trying to optimize my budget, and since there's no such thing as a "perfect bag", as we all know, I decided to buy a 40€ Eastpak Stanly messenger bag because 1) it's cheap, 2) it has a laptop compartment, 3) it's really "stealth" and there's no way anyone could guess it contains camera and lenses. What I need to do now is to create a functional and well-padded compartment for a camera and 3 or 4 lenses in the main compartment. All the rest (filters, accessories) can be placed in other pockets. I've bought in the past some Domke padded inserts for another bag, but they're not padded enough in my opinion. Do you have any suggestion on a modular and well padded system of inserts? Thanks a lot! A. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted October 22, 2013 Share #2 Posted October 22, 2013 Crumpler Haven in small, medium, or large may suit you. Camera Bags Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andi_77 Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted October 22, 2013 Wow, I didn't know about that product! Thanks a lot, it looks perfect! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted October 22, 2013 Share #4 Posted October 22, 2013 The trouble with the waxed canvas, gentleman photographer bags is that they communicate "expensive bag containing expensive camera", and not "Bruce Chatwin brooding in Tangier, waiting for the last ferry", or similar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andi_77 Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted October 22, 2013 The trouble with the waxed canvas, gentleman photographer bags is that they communicate "expensive bag containing expensive camera", and not "Bruce Chatwin brooding in Tangier, waiting for the last ferry", or similar. Exactly. And honestly, even if it won't win the "Aesthetics Award 2013", the Eastpak Stanly is a decently nice bag, it's practical and full of pockets, and it communicates "I contain random and probably useless stuff, definitely not a camera". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 22, 2013 Share #6 Posted October 22, 2013 Wow, I didn't know about that product! You apparently haven't hung around here long enough, or tried the search box, where you'll find out that bag threads (including inserts) are among THE most frequent and repetitive subjects on the forum. The same dozen or so companies are repeated ad nauseam. You'll also find that Billingham inserts are commonly suggested. And you'll find endless commentary about bag appearance and theft, with many rejecting the notion, instead emphasizing photographer demeanor, common sense and insurance (as already discussed). FWIW, I bought a new bag for the first time in many years, only because I needed a bigger one to accommodate a laptop for travel. I compared the Ona Brixton to the Billingham Hadley Pro (all black synthetic), and opted for the latter due to better weather protection (including back pocket), size and utility...for me. But everyone has an opinion. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andi_77 Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted October 22, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) You apparently haven't hung around here long enough, or tried the search box, where you'll find out that bag threads (including inserts) are among THE most frequent and repetitive subjects on the forum. The same dozen or so companies are repeated ad nauseam. You are absolutely right and I apologize. Actually I DID try using the search tool, but I guess I must have misspelled something because I didn't find anything... Now I did, lots of threads, so... sorry! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted October 23, 2013 Share #8 Posted October 23, 2013 andi_77 I often use generic backpacks (or any generic bag for matter of fact) with the Artisan & Artist red insert sections. They come in 2 sizes (width 11" and 9") that I am aware of and have 2 moveable inserts in each that accommodate M lenses and bodies very nicely. I often stack the inserts for the longer shallow look or if the backpack suits I stack them side by side at the bottom, but the latter protrusion is often more than I want. Many times I have mentioned that for smaller M lenses, just for the flying/train/rough part of the trip I use the small Lensbaby black hard shell cases with zipper for each lens. Once on location I throw those aside in the suitcase and carry lenses ready for use. These stack within one section of the A&A inserts two high. They are very handy and weigh about nothing, but have saved me more than once. The 50/1.4 fits in one as well as 35 FLE, 50/2, 90/4. You get the idea. If you need an exact measurement of anything I mentioned, just let me know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted October 24, 2013 Share #9 Posted October 24, 2013 I won't mention bags since you're asking about inserts, but I go to the fabric store and pick out my fabric of choice (and some strips of sew-on velcro depending on the type of bag I'm going to use the inserts in.) Then over to the hardware shop for some EVA foam (lots of thickness choices, etc..) I go home and pattern it all out depending on the layout/sizes I need. Final stop is the local tailor who sews it all up within 20 minutes on their industrial sewing machine. I get my own custom inserts to perfectly fit inside whatever container of choice for a fraction of the cost of retail camera inserts (and in any color or fabric I desire ) Anyway, just another option....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KanzaKruzer Posted October 24, 2013 Share #10 Posted October 24, 2013 Crumpler Haven in small, medium, or large may suit you. Camera Bags I have all three sizes! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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