I’ve got a Canon XH-A1 HD video camera that I use for shooting concerts. But all the cases that I’ve seen for it were too big and bulky, or inefficient in using space, or not rugged enough to protect my baby.
I’ve got a good friend who is a very talented bag maker. Years ago, he did leather work, but he’s moved over into nylon as he’s gotten into sea kayaking in a big way. Apart from his kayak and tent, everything he takes with him is custom made or heavily customized, and he can go in a two week ocean kayaking trip with checked baggage under the airline weight limit - it’s really something to see.
I’ve been helping him with his computer and home theater system and he volunteered to make a bag for my camera. The result is amazing. Constructed out of ballistic nylon for the shell, pigskin for the lining (“Cloth wears out, this is what they use to make footballs!”), a zipper that he claims is the best on the market and corrugated plastic for rigidness.
There is a space for everything I need to carry, and not one cubic inch of wasted space inside. It is a thing of beauty.
I honestly have no idea what a custom case like this would cost, let alone one made of superior materials like this.
Sweet deal. The lining doesn’t look quite how I would picture pigskin though. Guess I’m not used to seeing it dyed black. There’s actually a leather/animal hide shop right next to my apartment that I’ve never gone inside. Now I’m curious as to what kind of nifty stuff they could make.
I have a Canon camera and two lenses. I have a backpack that holds it all, various accessories, and a laptop, and my lunch. It holds two water bottles. It has a waist strap.
But it is DORKY. I look like a dweeb wearing it. I guess what matters is that it’s very functional, but, crikey, is a little style too much to ask?
I showed this to my wife back home (I’m travelling on business) and she said “You didn’t include a picture from right above. You mentioned how perfectly everything fits together, but didn’t show it.” She’s right. Now updated with an image with everything fitted in, from right above.
You can see in this photo that the mount for the built-in microphone broke - due to an poor case. Now that I have this new one, I can order a replacement microphone.
I will pass along the compliments to my friend. Thank you.