Loose Sleeves on Changing Bag

mehguy · Thursday at 6:28 PM

Hello,
I had just purchased a second hand LPL changing bag, what looks to be maybe from the 70s or 80s, and upon receiving it, I immediately noticed that the sleeves were much looser than any other changing bag I've used (most seem to suffocate your arm and it becomes fatiguing to be in one for too long). And they also only grip your arm at one point as opposed to having another elastic ring within the first one.

I am now cautious about using this bag, maybe the material got loose as it aged? I'm skeptical whether it was an intentional design choice to have them really loose.

Just wondering what your guys' experiences were with changing bags and if anyone has come across ones that were like this and ended up being ok.

F4U · Thursday at 6:41 PM

Yep. BTDT. The rubber in the elastic has gotten old. The only remedy is to use rubber bands on the outside of the sleeves, or do some seamstress work and replace the elastic. The bag is not necessarily no good, but it WILL leak light now. But then I wouldn't trust the best and newest changing bag, trying to use it in the brilliant July sun. When the bag was new I'm sure it was so tight around your wrist as to leave red imprints on your skin after 2 or 3 minutes.

Chrismat · Thursday at 6:42 PM

One of the sleeves on one of my changing bags is has loosened, I usually put on a thicker long sleeved shirt or hoodie and move my arm up a little higher. I haven't had any light leaks, but you may want to purchase a new one if it really concerns you.

Chuck1 · Thursday at 6:42 PM

Rubber bands might help.
do a test roll to check for leaks

Sirius Glass · Friday at 12:00 PM

While rubber band will help, replace the elastic bands or pay to get the elastic bands replace. Life is too short to allow annoyances to get in the way.

reddesert · Saturday at 10:26 PM

Elastic often wears out with age. Sometimes the rubberized material in an old changing bag also starts to break down and flake, so it is a good idea to turn the thing inside out and inspect it. I think it's the inside of the outer bag that is most likely to deteriorate.

The bag I use most often is "newer" meaning that I bought it new in the 1990s I think, and it only haas one set of elastic, the inner and outer bags are joined at the arm holes; but the elastic is still ok. I have slender wrists/forearms compared to a lot of people, and it wouldn't even be very tight around my wrists. I just hike the arm bands further up my arms. I've never noticed a light leak that could be attributed to a changing bag.

koraks · 2025-06-01T08:32:47-0400

Sirius Glass said:
While rubber band will help, replace the elastic bands or pay to get the elastic bands replace. Life is too short to allow annoyances to get in the way.

As the owner of a very rarely used changing bag with loosened-up elastic band sleeves, I can sympathize with what Sirius says here. If the bag is going to be used regularly, I'd just ensure it's in properly working order. Remove the risk factor that you just know is there, even if only to buy you some peace of mind. It's a small monetary or time investment, after all.

Rick A · 2025-06-01T09:54:27-0400

Here's my experience with older changing bags. Many years ago I noticed the sleeves getting loose on mine (it saw a lot of use). I also noted some grit getting on my film. The interior of my bag was deteriorating and crumbling so I tossed it out and never replaced it. Moral of the story, don't buy old used bags, either buy a new one or better yet get a changing tent,, or light proof the room you're working in(preferred).

Sirius Glass · 2025-06-01T11:05:43-0400

Rick A said:
Here's my experience with older changing bags. Many years ago I noticed the sleeves getting loose on mine (it saw a lot of use). I also noted some grit getting on my film. The interior of my bag was deteriorating and crumbling so I tossed it out and never replaced it. Moral of the story, don't buy old used bags, either buy a new one or better yet get a changing tent,, or light proof the room you're working in(preferred).

When the insides of a changing bag are crumbling, it is time to invest in a new changing bag. Besides the fact that changing bags are usually cheaper than a new lens.

pentaxuser · 2025-06-01T15:03:30-0400

F4U said:
. When the bag was new I'm sure it was so tight around your wrist as to leave red imprints on your skin after 2 or 3 minutes.

Mine was so tight that I used to carry a defibrillator kit - just in case

pentaxuser

MattKing · 2025-06-01T15:21:18-0400

pentaxuser said:
Mine was so tight that I used to carry a defibrillator kit - just in case

pentaxuser

Makes me think of a new idea for a "Midsomer Murders" episode.

pentaxuser · 2025-06-01T15:54:43-0400

MattKing said:
Makes me think of a new idea for a "Midsomer Murders" episode.

Have a go. There has been so many episodes of that series over the years that almost every idea under the sun has been thought of. In the early episodes there were even film cameras being used and in one, when Barnaby discovers a film cassette near a murder scene, he has to tell his sidekick to get it developed to see what's on it

pentaxuser

Loose Sleeves on Changing Bag

mehguy

F4U

Chrismat

Chuck1

Sirius Glass

reddesert

koraks

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Rick A

Sirius Glass

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Loose Sleeves on Changing Bag

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