Making a quick-change lens bag.

Jolyon Ralph

Jolyon Ralph

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I had a bit of a Blue Peter moment yesterday and made myself a quick-change bag to switch lenses more easily when out and about. I can't imagine i'm the first to ever come up with this idea, but I figured it would be good to document it for others who might like the idea too.

The article is about an EF lens bag but will clearly work with whatever type of lenses you use.

http://www.everyothershot.com/make-your-own-quick-change-ef-lens-bag/
 
Jolyon, awesome Idea and ive just seen your post about wanting people to be free to use and make it themselves (re: patents)

BRAVO ;)
 
Very inventive. Does it work, in practice, as well as it would seem to do in theory?
 
Great idea! I've got a suitable bag somewhere so might make up a couple of inserts for it - one for Fuji and one for Nikon. My lens kit is rather smaller though so 4 slots for each system should do nicely. Thanks for sharing the idea.
 
As always - it's the simplest of things that make you think - 'why didn't I think of that'

What a great idea - is the cardboard strong enough to stop the lenses moving and hitting each other ?
 
andyred said:
is the cardboard strong enough to stop the lenses moving and hitting each other ?
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In my bag the lenses are quite snug together (or at least they are with the particular combination i've chosen now) which limits the opportunities for the lenses to move about and cause damage. I certainly wouldn't suggest throwing the bag around with lenses in it, it's not a substitute for a padded backpack, but it's secure enough for going out for a walk with a few lenses.

I'm wondering now if I'm brave enough to go out without any lens caps on the lenses just relying on the bag and the lens filters instead.
 
Be very careful gluing rear lens caps.. the sometimes warp with the glue over a period of a week or two.

I know from experience.. .. ;)


Edit: I'd also leave it at least a fortnight with the caps exposed to good ventilation before using the bag to be absolutely certain there are no CA fumes from the super glue, again from experience (although not with lenses). CA fumes condensing on a rear element would be an extremely bad thing.
 
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I always found working with prime lenses too much like hard work. Never underestimate the power of laziness in triggering innovation :)
 
Couldn't you also put some padding between the lenses to support them? Ie use an existing camera bag that has removable velcro padding, put the cardboard under it and then put the padding back on top of it?
 
I have a quick change bag but i bought it have all lenses in it and my camera body its a very tight and compact bag...but one thing about it is i kept putting my body in one compartment and its ruined the view finder rubber piece so will have to get one. So I have switch it around now have the camera on the top pocket, seems to be better.
 
mike_6480 said:
Couldn't you also put some padding between the lenses to support them? Ie use an existing camera bag that has removable velcro padding, put the cardboard under it and then put the padding back on top of it?
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I'm sure you could. maybe a simple square of cardboard with a single base cap stuck in the bottom of each one. Another possibility I considered was even cutting out the locking strips on the base caps so that they fit lose to use in exactly this way with an existing bag. just pop the lens in and out, but just make sure you never invert the bag! (this is why I decided against it!)
 
I more meant having the cardboard the same as you have now ie one whole piece covering the bottom and then the padding over the top. There are lowepro and Crumpler bags like this. This would give it yet more stability and also provide padding
 
Really good idea. I imagine the cardboard would degrade over time but you could either replace it when it happens or maybe use a thing piece of perspex instead?
 
mike_6480 said:
I more meant having the cardboard the same as you have now ie one whole piece covering the bottom and then the padding over the top. There are lowepro and Crumpler bags like this. This would give it yet more stability and also provide padding
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Yes. It's a good idea. I can't do it with the bag I have handy but there's no reason not to try this.


psybear said:
Really good idea. I imagine the cardboard would degrade over time but you could either replace it when it happens or maybe use a thing piece of perspex instead?
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If I had some perspex I would have done exactly this. I refer you to my my earlier comment about laziness
 
psybear said:
Really good idea. I imagine the cardboard would degrade over time but you could either replace it when it happens or maybe use a thing piece of perspex instead?
Click to expand...

I might have to try this as some point. Definitely like your idea of using perspex
 
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