Cheap camera bag for 8x10.

[mark]

My 8x10 will not fit in any of my camera bags. What do you folks carry your 8x10s in? I don't want to break the bank. This would mainly be for packing in the car.

 

[Dave Parker]

I use a padded roll around cooler that I got from my bank free for opening an account, didn't cost me anything, but I have seen them at the second hand stores as well for only a couple of dollars.

You might also check with Kjsphoto, I have heard from a lot of people that his gear is top notch and very reasonable..

Dave

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I use a padded knapsack made for laptop computers for my 8x10" Gowland PocketView with 5 or 6 lenses, darkcloth and the usual accessories, and up to 5 filmholders.

 

[Pinholemaster]

Second David's knapsack recommendation. An inexpensive daypack with some old towels for padding.

 

[John Kasaian]

A cheap plastic cooler---no ice of course. Thermal protection plus it dosen't look like a camera bag which contains-----valuable camera gear. I like to tie it to my bumper, drag it for a few blocks and put decals and duct tape on it before using to make it look even worse to out-fox the thieves. Don't use it in bear country however(they can read "Coleman" and "Igloo")

 

[donbga]

My 8x10 will not fit in any of my camera bags. What do you folks carry your 8x10s in? I don't want to break the bank. This would mainly be for packing in the car.

Satan Snows suggestion is certainly a good idea. Also think about the large storage bins with a snap on palstic lid.

Though I have some very expensive LowePro back packs, I will sometimes use a Jan Sport back pack that I picked up very cheap. This has an external frame and can hold a lot. Use foam for padding.

In short just use your imagination. One nice thing about using these non camera specific carriers and such is they are not recognized by potential thieves like a normal camera bag might.

And congratulation on getting your 8x10. I know you have been wanting one for awhile.

 

[rbarker]

Depending how large your 8x10 is when folded up (I'm assuming that style is what you have), various canvas bags intended for other purposes might do. I use give-away bags from conferences for film holders and such. Only a couple of the larger ones would suffice for the camera, though.

 

[agGNOME]

A canvass briefcase-style, or laptop type bag with a shoulder strap and ample padding can be had at your local *#@-mart for under 20.00. This is assuming your camera folds small enough. I found one under 15.00 that fits a crown with room to spare in one compartment. In the other main compartment I can fit about 4-6 holders; there's a padded divider (for a laptop) in this compartment so it's easy to separate used and unused holders. For security, and certainly for adding character I like John's suggestion. Duct tape beautifies!

 

[donbga]

I use give-away bags from conferences for film holders and such. Only a couple of the larger ones would suffice for the camera, though.

That's exactly what I do for 5x7 and 8x10 holders. Great minds think alike!

 

[Ted Harris]

Cabela's makes a hunting gear bag that handles most 8x10 fields, a reducing back, some holders and a few other odd bits. Cost is around 60 bucks and it is well padded, fleece lined and reasonably waterproof.

I'm testing this bag (well Hany is testing this one for me right now) as well as some 6 or 8 others for an article on bags (read cheaper alternatives to the purpose built ones. The concentration is on shoulder bags and carryon size that will fit in a plane overhead or under the seat. Article will be in the July-August "View Camera."

 

[User Removed]

The bags made by fellow APUG'er, Kevin Saitta, are very nice. "Saitta bags" they are called, and you can find a link here on APUG because they are a sponser.

You may find something to cram your stuff into, but Kevin can make a bag that is perfectly fitted for your camera, holders, or whatever else you want to throw in there. The quality of his bags are very good and like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Invest in a good bag, and that will be all you need for many years.

Ryan McIntosh
www.RyanMcIntosh.net

 

[mark]

Satan Snows suggestion is certainly a good idea. Also think about the large storage bins with a snap on palstic lid.

Though I have some very expensive LowePro back packs, I will sometimes use a Jan Sport back pack that I picked up very cheap. This has an external frame and can hold a lot. Use foam for padding.

In short just use your imagination. One nice thing about using these non camera specific carriers and such is they are not recognized by potential thieves like a normal camera bag might.

And congratulation on getting your 8x10. I know you have been wanting one for awhile.

SATAN snow. My goodness, is his gg that tempting?

I have been wanting one and this one tempted my wallet at the right time. Now I have to sell some unused camera equipment to appease She Who Must Be Obeyed

Everyone
I like the idea of something that is not recognizable as a photobag but I always thought the tripod was a really big give away.

I have looked at Kevin's bags but I think I will wait. I am not even sure i will like this format.

Cooler...huh...I'll have to look into that.

 

[matt miller]

I carried an 8x10 in an old hard sided suitcase for a while. I cut up some cheap foam for padding.

 

[raucousimages]

I found a heavy aluminum box made by Boeing at a metal recycler that was for some sort of aircraft test gages. I cut the existing foam to fit my camera. It is air and water tight and strong but very heavy. Look for used tool and equipment cases or a suitecase with wheels like a large cary on works good.

 

[Aggie]

An old padded diaper bag works well.

 

[Dave Miller]

An old padded diaper bag works well.

Is that with, or without the old diapers?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The idea of using an old diaper bag as a "stealth" camera bag has been around for a while, but someone on the Rangefinder Forum said if they were a thief in a place like Hong Kong or Tokyo, they would be looking for non-Asian tourists not of child-bearing age carrying diaper bags, because they'd be sure to find a couple of Leicas or Hassies inside.

 

[rbarker]

Mark - if She Who Must Be Obeyed goes with you, you might be able to use one of her old, over-sized purses (Mervyn's sale-size). Just look very obedient, and walk a step or two behind her.

 

[chiller]

The logic some exhibit is interesting.

Hundreds, even thousands on a camera and more on some lenses and you are too tight to spend on a decent bag to keep it all secure.

False economy.

 

[donbga]

The logic some exhibit is interesting.

Hundreds, even thousands on a camera and more on some lenses and you are too tight to spend on a decent bag to keep it all secure.

False economy.

Chiller,

No doubt that we all would love to own the Mercedes of carrying cases but I don't think anyone here is suggesting an inadequate camera tote to Mark. The fact is that often a little inovation and imagination can save money (if only temporarily) for the essential camera gear such as film.

I can appreciate Mark wishing to scrimp, I do even in the best of times. Time will provide him with a better solution but now the most import thing is to get out and make photos.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

My laptop knapsack wasn't very costly, but I use it because it seems to be the best thing for the task with my particular kit. It's padded, so it protects the camera, and I can carry it easily around the city on the subway without attracting too much attention, or for a day hike in the wilderness, and it fits under the seat on a plane--no questions asked. In all these regards, its better than any of the backpacks from the camera companies, or a large internal or external frame pack, or a hard sided case. It also happened to cost around $30.

 

[mark]

Thanks Don.

CHiller, Kiss my backside. I do what I can being on a very limited budget.

Ralph, She uses a fanny pack. But that whole walking three steps behind is a step in the right direction

 

[bob01721]

The logic some exhibit is interesting.

Hundreds, even thousands on a camera and more on some lenses and you are too tight to spend on a decent bag to keep it all secure.

False economy.

Huh? He's talking about a camera case to use in his car. How "secure" does it have to be?

In that context, I think most of the suggestions posted here have a lot of merit.

 

[df cardwell]

Sail bag.

Available from LL Bean.

Stock up next time you go through Freeport at the outlet store,
seconds are dead cheap if you don't mind one embroidered with
a pink poodle that says " SPIKE "
.

 

[JBrunner]

I'm going on a trip to Europe. If not a diaper bag, what would be a good steath bag for a camera? Or should I wear my camera all the time, and just look as menacing as possible? (Not hard at 6,3, 300lbs, long hair and a beard)