- Joined
- Apr 7, 2009
- Messages
- 18
- Format
- 35mm
In reply to previous questions about gear to tote your big-camera stuff on your back, I wanted to show what I made to do this: my own humble custom-made-for-LF-camera-and-stuff pack.
I designed this around my camera (4x5 Crown Graphic) and my big metal tripod (Velbon). Coming up with something to hold camera, film holders, etc., was easy, but I scratched my head for a long time trying to figure out what to do with that damned tripod. Finally I hit on this design (see sketch below), where the tripod lives in its own compartment in the center, held vertically by adjustable straps. As it turned out, it was even halfway comfortable (I won't lie and say that it's a pleasure to carry it, but it is manageable, even while riding a bicycle).
I made the frame out of an old piece of 1/8" paneling I had lying around. After cutting the pieces, I drilled holes along all joining edges and used soft iron wire (baling wire) to "sew" the whole thing together, applying white glue to the joints as well. The resulting carcase was remarkably strong. I then covered all bottom and side surfaces with thin foam rubber.
I wired two adjustable nylon straps to the center "column" to hold the tripod (these would be tucked under the fabric covering later).
For the covering I found some leftover upholstery fabric at a local recycled-goods store, along with a ratty old backpack that had good shoulder straps that I cut off.
The next phase of construction was waaaaay beyond my capability; after a good deal of searching, I found a local seamstress who, after many puzzled looks at my drawings and crazy idea, took my frame, some material, some zippers, and a couple weeks later handed me a beautifully-made backpack. It turned out even nicer than I had hoped, and she only charged $75 for her work.
So the total cost was well under $100, and I have a completely customized pack that carries everything I need, including my solenoid battery pack, dark cloth, even a couple sandwiches.
I designed this around my camera (4x5 Crown Graphic) and my big metal tripod (Velbon). Coming up with something to hold camera, film holders, etc., was easy, but I scratched my head for a long time trying to figure out what to do with that damned tripod. Finally I hit on this design (see sketch below), where the tripod lives in its own compartment in the center, held vertically by adjustable straps. As it turned out, it was even halfway comfortable (I won't lie and say that it's a pleasure to carry it, but it is manageable, even while riding a bicycle).
I made the frame out of an old piece of 1/8" paneling I had lying around. After cutting the pieces, I drilled holes along all joining edges and used soft iron wire (baling wire) to "sew" the whole thing together, applying white glue to the joints as well. The resulting carcase was remarkably strong. I then covered all bottom and side surfaces with thin foam rubber.
I wired two adjustable nylon straps to the center "column" to hold the tripod (these would be tucked under the fabric covering later).
For the covering I found some leftover upholstery fabric at a local recycled-goods store, along with a ratty old backpack that had good shoulder straps that I cut off.
The next phase of construction was waaaaay beyond my capability; after a good deal of searching, I found a local seamstress who, after many puzzled looks at my drawings and crazy idea, took my frame, some material, some zippers, and a couple weeks later handed me a beautifully-made backpack. It turned out even nicer than I had hoped, and she only charged $75 for her work.
So the total cost was well under $100, and I have a completely customized pack that carries everything I need, including my solenoid battery pack, dark cloth, even a couple sandwiches.
