Aug
08
Nikon D90 Camera Bag
It occurred to me recently that I spent a good deal of time thinking about how to make an iPad bag, yet the iPad is a lot less important than my Camera. I’ve been wanting to make a camera bag for a while now, I take my camera out as much as I can….
A photo below of a common problem. Having to carry two bags, a camera bag and my personal bag. This makes it annoying to walk around and shoot, since the whole point of shooting is to capture a moment with speed and ease. If you’re too busy to fussing around with your “things” you might miss a shot. If its not the camera bag, I’m usually holding a camera around my neck. The more you carry around whilst shooting the harder it is to shoot. I also can’t stand stuffing my camera into a big purse with a bunch of other personal items. I can’t explain how annoying it is to have a purse hanging around my body while I’m squatting or moving around, sometimes it dangles in between my legs and I’m always sliding it towards my back.
Instead of making a sketch, I made a rough 3-d draft, or a prototype. The design or pattern was built completely around the structure of my camera.
2nd prototype; this one is a lot more polished but it still wasn’t exactly what I wanted in terms of leather. This leather I used was great because of its durability and thickness, the material holds the stiff rectangular shape of this bag very well. Mainly I wanted to test the strap length, and the metal frames to see how well they would work.
What I wanted to achieve with this camera bag was not only the consolidation of my personal items and my camera, but keeping the camera visibility as hidden as possible, maybe I don’t want people to know that I’m some jerk with a chunky DSLR? . The bag is designed specifically so that the user can shoot whilst the camera is inside the bag, and it is also designed especially for the Nikon D90, each camera has a different design, different shape, and different measurements. I have another camera which has a bigger body but the D90 is easy to use, light, and its the one I like to take with me when I go out.
Each compartment opens.
This little ditch was cut out for a reason, it’s where my finger sits when it hits the shutter button, the reason for the ditch is comfort so my finger isn’t reaching in to press this very important button.
Personal items are kept to a minimum for this bag, but I’ve still considered them for the design. I made two pockets for credit cards, cash, a key, and another pocket to fit my blackberry. That is really all I need, and I don’t want to carry another personal bag along with my camera, this way I only carry one bag. If this was the perfect scenario I would have integrated a little pouch to hold my lipstick but I forgot about that one.
The leopard print for this bag is obviously a huge part of the design, but I’m so excited I found several hides of this leopard print. I’ve been searching about 6 years for this material (since college), every time I came across some BS leopard print fabric it was either faux hide or extremely cheap looking this was exactly what I was looking for.
The flip side of the bag (shown below) is the same design except it doesn’t have any cut outs for the camera, so this camera bag can also be disguised as a purse.
Here is a photo below of the lens, I designed this bag so that you can shoot whilst the camera is inside the bag. In terms of lenses, as I said, the LIGHTER THE BETTER, and I plan to bring only ONE lens when I am walking around. Don’t have time to switch my lens while I am trying to shoot.
****D90 bags are available in my shop. Thanks for reading.
RT @luxirare:
That’s so cute! I have a D90 too and I’ve been debating how I want to store it when I go to NYFW. This would be an amazing option! I wish you could make more of these then sell them! Your works are amazing, and I must admit the kind of work that you do is what inspires me to continue to blog! I hope to be good as you one day at creating pieces!
Tony
Running out of ways to express how fucking brilliant you are.
Love it!
Now make a diaper bag version!
1) May storm in with ninja outfit to steal this and hope my CANON camera works similarly into the fit.
2) Your tripod is white how cool is that
3) You made a leopard camera bag, OMG?
god, i’ve been looking for something like this forever. you should sell them!
What about the lens(es)? Will you carry them around in a separate bag or just have one attached and sticking out of the bag? I have a lot of vintage camera cases like this but they have a part that also covers up the lens.
wow thats ingenius!
you can get the tripod at walmart for 20 dollars. same one i have.
this is incredible. you are so talented!
oooo quite interesting. Seems more like a case than a bag to me. The brown leather prototype is more versatile looking. Great job! Your dedication to the completion of idea is inspiring to me. Anyone can have an idea but only the most awesome of people actually go through with them.
such a beautiful execution. just the essentials! you’ll definitely get a lot of use from that.
if i may ask, where did you buy that skirt? the fit looks perfect.
@ C its actually a maxi dress not a skirt, the fit is good I guess cause its very tight!
amazing!!!
i have just bought a D90 & have been encountering the same problem finding a good bag… they are all too expensive for something so ugly. it looks like you’ve cracked the problem…wish i was as industrious as you! another awesome design courtesy luxirare….
Wow! So functional, so sexy. I have a Canon, but I totally wish I could purchase this!
btw…. i loooove all your branded findings. it must be uber expensive to get them done. i would love to get some manufactured for my own label, but i can’t find anyone to do it cost effective enough for me….any tips?
That camera bag rocks! It gets cumbersome carrying around our Nikon D3S. My boyfriend has a big backpack and I always make fun of him =) Your camera bag is pretty damn hip and reminds me of the Zanotti wedges! xo
@fashion snag Oy I wish I had gotten the D3S
HA! SO chic! Very incognito but also extremely conspicuous with the leopard print! Great balance!
At the rate you are going, you should get the kind of brand recognition that Coach gets – in fact, maybe they can start producing these and you can profit from the design. Or design for other camera models and have a whole line for sale (at a well-deserved premium price, of course).
Now that is amazing! I have the same problem–juggling my camera bag with my everyday purses–and have never been able to find a solution other than shoving my personal items into my ugly camera case. Very nice!
Now this. This I would buy. So good.
Love it
I have a D90 also! Just curious, where do you keep the lens? I noticed when the lens is detached, the camera mount is flush with the wall of the case. Do you just leave the lens on? I suppose a separate lens compartment would be tricky, since different lenses come in different sizes? Thanks for being inspirational and sharing your techniques!
Thats insane!
It looks good until you see the holes. Wow what a fab idea… lets make make a $1000+ camera visable to passers by. This actually, is a very stupid idea. It doesn’t seem to have space for other camera equipment. How about just stick with the two bags? Whilst it looks great side on or on the logo side, it is just a look at me I am holding an expensive camera, come mug me in the street.
How absolutely brilliant! Love the leather bag in particular! I had been trying to find a nice bag for my D90, but hubby ended up getting a Crumpler
Ah well!
@mellie
If a girl is wearing some revealing dress on the street, the same argument could be applied, sure some guys could try and sexually assault her, she’s half naked. She should dress with a black cloak covering her body because some guys might attack her, right?
She just explained that she didn’t want to CARRY extra camera equipment, read the post!
Instead of finding holes in her design why don’t you quit the sarcasm and try to leave constructive criticism. This isn’t some stupid classless blog, respect it!
Genious!! My oh my, I want the cognac leather version.
Absolutely ingenious. Bravo.
I LOVE leopard print, at the same time I am very particular about it otherwise it looks cheap and tacky. You got just the right kind of leopard print!
Spycam! I love that you can use it without taking it out of the bag. In black it would be even more covert, but leopard is great.
@Whereareyoufromoriginally-You’re right, I considered doing black calf hide, really wanted to do a black one but for some reason just never got around to it. It’s true black would definitely be sneakier, especially with an all black outfit!
@pretaporter- I know. As I said, I’ve been searching more than 6 years for this hide and I was just able to find it recently. It is incredibly difficult to find just the right kind, so many of them are close but something about the print is off.
Absolutely gorgeous, brilliant and functional design. You never cease to amaze.
A fashionable bag for girls who takes lots of pictures. Very clever
holy shit i am amazed. i can’t even think straight right now.
totally brilliant and amazing…
Christ, this is perfect!!!!
I love your ideas.
http://lesyeuxsansvisage-lincolntaft.blogspot.com
Hm, I like this concept, but there’s just something about it that seems a little off. The cut-outs in the leopard print one, for example, look a little bit sloppy. I like the way they look more on the 2nd prototype because you can see the stitching around the holes and they look more deliberate. In the finished product, it sort of looks like a bag that was meant to be a bag until you decided you wanted to stick your camera in it and sloppily cut out some holes.
Thats just my opinion. I usually love a lot of what you come up with and that is the only issue I have with this particular design.
You are absolutely brilliant, BRILLIANT I SAY!
I like the leopard bags
Are there holes to see what you’re taking a picture of? If there isn’t a hole on the back side then you can’t see what you’re taking a picture of or if it’s focused or not…
@Willis – http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4873080316_4a5a165077_b.jpg
@melissa – ohhh i must have missed that. thanks for pointing it out
I have the same problem with camera bags! Plus by the time I get my camera out it’d be too late, eugh.
I love the bags and the concept! It’s awesome. My favorite is actually the brown leather one.
I’m curious though, where exactly do you put the lens? Does it fit inside there with the camera? The size of the bag seems pretty compact so it doesn’t seem like you can still fit the lens in there. Thus, my curiousity. Hehe.
Your work always inspires me,
Cassie
I love the time and effort you put into the construction of your bags; it shows too! I loved your iPad bag and your customized camera bag is so neat. The side pockets are ingenious. Perfect for your cash/cards and for your Blackberry. Everything you need to be on-the-go with your camera! Although, I’m curious as to where you’d carry your lens? That aside, I love both the leather and leopard print versions. The colour of the first leather one is gorgeous!
do you carry the lense attatched to the camera or have to carry it in another bag?
either way a very good looking piece, again
This is an incredible idea – I’m so amazed by your brilliance <3
Have you considered making these to sell? I would totally buy one…
I like how you’ve concealed as much of the camera as posible since you don’t want people to think your a jerk with a dslr – but left the nikon sign showing.
You’re a genius! This bag is just perfect! …even if I prefere the one without leopard print
These are completely amazing. And I’m at a loss for words. I would definitely definitely buy this (if I owned that camera).
i love the idea!!!! excellent!
This is just gorgeous! I might try my hand at making one myself, though it’ll probably be abysmal. Are you planning on selling the second prototype?
@caroline-
Possibly, check the store again once its updated. I might load them.
It seems like we all have the same issue and you come and save us!
I find it genius to be able to carry the bag both ways.
But if I understand well, once your lens is on the camera, you can’t carry the bag in “a purse way” anymore and have to stick to the “camera way?
Absolutely fuckin brilliant…..you’ve officially made me want to go out and buy this camera just in hopes that you will sell these….or I could cram my boyfriends D40 in…anywho both designs are lovely!!!
NaughtyBaubles
this is adorable
This is crazy (in a good way)! I truly believe you no longer have the need to buy stuff from shops/malls because you prolly could make them yourself — and make them even better! Two thumbs up
I like the brown!
holy shiiat is that a d3? my insides just puked with jealousy
ur are sooo amazing ^_^
how I wish I’m as creative as U
what I love about it is the great mixture of good design and practical sense
it’s true genious
Wow, love this so much. I have the d40 and could totally use a bag like this.
Where is the leather jacket from?
Keep up the good work.
There must be a reason for the omission of the flap from your finished bag? I really like the style of the leather bag, where the flap can buckle up to hide the cut-outs for the camera. Also, the bag could totally be adjusted to be just a little wider, to make room for one lens (and potentially, a lipstick compartment). Even though lenses are different sizes, if you only mean to carry one with you, it should work. The bag would just need to be large enough to accommodate the largest lens, and then anything smaller would fit (with cloth around to support).
Whether this is just the beginning or the finished product, this is amazing either way. Love the design and materials used. And, as usual, outstanding photography!
@ stylefyles, I wanted to make room for one other lens, but then it would be difficult to shoot whilst the camera is still inside the purse, everything would be so wide. But yes, I think if I could edify this design I would add another compartment for a lens. Thanks for the comment.
You are a BAMF. A bloody brilliant bamf
what do you really do for a living?
speechless. this is incredible
lordy. i seriously love a tan camera bag, with silver trim, no less. perfect combo. well done.
@++f+ I’m surprised more people are goin for the tan!
OMG I want one, I refrain from heading out shooting around Sydney because of the two bag juggling, or having to use a massive bag and digging through it for things.
You could definitely make this a commercially accessible item for all photolog enthusiasts.
I showed this to my boyfriend and he asked me why I haven’t made a sick camera bag for him haha. He was a little concerned that the lens mount would get smashed, though. Have you encountered this problem? I think a flap for the animal print bag would be really great
How about a sleeve on the bottom of the bag to take the lens and a bottom hinged flap latched at the top to cover the camera.
It’s so much easier to design after someone else has done the heavy lifting!
Yo are genius!!!
..my favourite comment is the one that has the boyfriend with a big backpack.
Oh god I love this world …like a ride at the fun park, I hope it never stops.
@exit here
missed that one!
simply brill. i would use that in a heartbeat. you never stop amazing me and i love to watch you work!
http://www.blitzandglitz.com
great job with form and function…love the finger divet!
You are amazing and very talented as you already know I’m sure. Great work. I’m in love with your bag!!!
Cool! Your bags remind me of the old leather camera cases that just hug the camera body. They would also have a cylindrical leather piece that snapped on to protect the lens— something to incorporate in later models? I’m usually more worried about my lenses than my camera body! You could make individual ones for each lens and mix and match them depending on what you’re going to shoot.
- Catherine at Littlehouse of Style
http://littlehouseofstyle.blogspot.com/
It’s amazing! I second the diaper bag idea!
so sexy
I guess I’m going to have to be the bad guy or the “devil’s advocate” at the very least. Unless I’m misunderstanding how it’s used, I don’t think this is going to work very well. I think it’s absolutely brilliant as a carry bag, but it’s not very good as a bag to actually keep the camera in while one is shooting, for the following reasons.
- You can’t hold the bag and press the shutter button and expect the camera to be still, especially on longer exposures. You have to hold the body itself. And if you reach in and only hold the body, the bag is either going to bunch up around your hands or it’s going to slide down.
- Even if you could hold the body, that’s an improper way to hold the camera. One hand should always be under the lens (unless it’s a pancake lens, but Nikon doesn’t make any), with your elbow tugged into your body supporting that hand.
- I think someone holding an animal skin large bag up to their face is going to be a lot more noticeable than someone holding a DSLR to their face. In fact, I think you’re going to get a lot of strange stares. “Why is that lady hiding behind her bag?”
- I think people will still notice the camera and they might be more paranoid that you were trying to hide the camera than if you were more obvious about it.
- With only the control wheel available at the front, you’re hiding all the other top of the camera controls: exposure compensation, flash compensation, auto-focus lock, etc. If your response is, “well I don’t use those controls when I’m shooting,” then I would suggest you don’t need a DSLR. You could simply use a good point and shoot, in which case, you wouldn’t need the bag (or you would need a much smaller one.)
- You can’t use flash while it’s in the bag, either the internal flash or an external flash.
So for all those reasons, I don’t think it’s actually going to be very practical in the field, especially if one is more than a “point and shoot” photographer. IMO, I’d stick to making it a carry bag. I’d make it a drop larger so it can carry one additional lens. If you don’t carry the extra lens, one can store other personal items in there. I currently see room for a few credit cards and a cell phone, but not for medications, makeup, etc. For the women I know, that’s terribly unrealistic. They would wind up carrying two bags.
@Zoet
Thanks for the comment!
-I actually do need the dslr because of the lens I get to use on it, its a macro lens and the quality of this lens FAR exceeds the lens I can use on a regular point and shoot
-I can access all the camera controls after pressing the “info” button on the back end of my camera. ISO and aperture can all be accessed there.
-I don’t shoot with my hand under the lens… unless I am manually focusing. In fact 95% I have never put my hand under the lens and I have shot a lot for this blog.
One more thing: You’re also covering up the AF assist illuminator. That means the camera can’t auto focus when it’s dark.
I am almost speechless.
You are truly incredible.
Where is the leopard sourced from, do you know?
As divine as it is, I hope it’s vintage fur!
Much love hereto.
-Ash
amaaazing.
love love love the 2nd proto type.
would make me want to buy a Nikon D90 just to match the bag. (if I owned the bag, that is)
That is absolutely AMAZING! I have never seen anything like that, or that cool for that matter. What can’t you make!!?? Haha
This is completely brilliant. I was just muttering to myself the other day that a neat bag for my compact digital would be great – slung across my person – room for chewing gum and a hair tie – I could shoot without removing it from its case – even shoot from the hip (ha!) without looking at the image – clickety, click – then see what I was able to capture at the end of the party, for example. Brilliant, just brilliant.
Superbly divine. This is by far my favorite creation of yours. Keep up the excellent work.
Amazing!!!!
hearts,
Melai of Style and Soul
yeah right
many times i think you r good at taking great fotos. or do u hire a specialist?
what a good camera. it deserves a good bag..
ymk- no specialist here. I don’t really think it would be reasonable to hire a “specialist” every time I wanted to blog, would it? I mean that would be unreasonably expensive.
Luxi you’re an absolute genius. Your pieces are made with so much care and consideration down to the most minute detail. I’m sure the quality of your bags trumps anything sold at Barneys or Saks. Designers should be breaking down your door and begging you to work for them. I so enjoy your blog; it’s a breath of fresh air and seeing your creations is so exciting. I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort you put into a piece … you must have the patience of a saint! I’ve had a lot of trouble finding the perfect diaper bag. Everything I’ve seen looks so cheap or just boring. If it’s not boring, it’s too try-hard “cool mom” and I hate that, It would be a dream come true if I could employ you to make me one! Don’t ever stop blogging, all of your posts are beautiful. And anyone who says they don’t eat McDonald’s fries is such a liar. xo
HALCOHOLIC.com
PLEASE MAKE ONE FOR THE CANON G10!! I WOULD BUY A MILLION OF THEM! damn, you’re innovative, it’s insane!
@Nannna, but the G10 is so small! Hahaha, I have a G10 too. =)
i think i’m in love with your bag.
what kind of camera is in the 29th picture?
ji i really hope you work in fashion as a designer bec your ideas are beyond brilliant. that, or some wealthy russian, arabian or chinese needs to back luxirare so yu can make your wares avail to a lot of style/functionality people!!!
This is absolutely amazing, I literally cannot believe your talent, I’d give anything to have even 1% of your talent.
Are you ever going to sell your pieces?
Fashion Stereotype
god, you are insane!
Wow, you really solve the problem, btw how do you make it? Do you ask ppl to do it or you do it by urself?
Love the leather bag, so vintage..
This is brilliant! As a street style fashion photographer I have struggled with the same dilema for years. Now I just have to wait for you to patent this and put it on the market… really though, I am stunned at how spot on your design is for the needs of a street photographer.
http://www.itsmydarlin.com/
amazing idea! i know how it is going around with heavy camera , speacialy with this ugly bags you can buy!
like your blog
come by
http://spela-digitaltraveler.blogspot.com/
You are such an inspiration!
Your work is so well done, and I love that much of what you make is both artistic and practical. And of course, I love that it is minimal and comfortable, but quite sexy.
Good job
I lug around my Canon 350D everywhere I go… and the Camera bag is SO annoying to carry. You definitely need to put this design out there.. I would honestly buy it without thinking twice.
Your work is brilliant, practical and inspirational. Hell, you make food look like its couture!
Love your blog, found it out today, and definitely following up your posts from now on!
xx
@ fatty- Me too, I lug my camera , or at least I try to…to everywhere I go.
The brown one is gorgeous. I now wish I had a Nikon D90. That or that you would make it as a regular bag. Seriously stunning with amazing details. The wide straps, the seams, the hardware… so good it’s mouthwatering.
Really amazing! I think I will make a post on my blog about this bag you made. Portuguese people must know about the quality of your work!
A new spy is born …
that is insanely amaZING! what a wonderful blog too- love it!
xx
would it work with a d3000?
i want this sooo bad!
@Ediot-
I’m sorry, but unfortunately it will not. The design is very specific, made for D90 bodies only.
how brilliant! functional, beautiful design. genius.
I just have to know. What brand is that fabulos leather jacket?
@stine Its a vintage motorcycle jacket
had to post about this! love it!
xoxo
b
uhh… can I have your 2nd prototype?
genuis!!!
Now this would be a camera bag I’d wear with pride. So cool!!
OMG THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!! Can you please make one for canon 550d please ? XD but wow wow wow -you are brilliant!
how clever!
This is a BRILLIANT, chic solution for toting a camera to an important event. I just sold off my camera bag because, at 5’5″, I found the bulk just got in the way. As you, I travel light (is it really necessary to tote around entire medicine bottles?) and it looks like a lip stain/pencil would still fit in there.
Looking forward to your road tests.
BTW, found out about you via the CAUS newsletter and will now be following your RSS.
Awesome!!! really dream have one of those…specialy the leopard one
What kind of lens do you use?
This is amazing idea and implementation. I like the brow leather version better too.
A few notes from engineering point of view on how to make this even better/more practical: First it would improve things greatly if you can incorporate a mounting bolt into the bottom of the bag. This way camera will be affixed to the bag, and if leather is thick enough – you’ll be able to minimize camera movement/shaking when shooting while holding the bag with your left hand. It will also help greatly with alignment against the holes. Something like that can be incorporated into the bottom of the bag:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554347-REG/Manfrotto_208_208_3_8_Head_Mounting.html
2) There is no need the hole for the “Nikon” label. If it the cutout need to be there for fitment reasons – may be you can put a patch with your own label on top of it? That would make it much cleaner and more fun. Pragmatic “Nikon” label is really goes against the whole concept, I think.
3) I think it would be better to replace the two right holes (wheel & sensor) with one bigger round hole. Two round holes on the front of the bag will probably look much more in harmony, and your finger (& glove:) will have much more space to operate.
4) getting a 35 or 50mm prime lens will also improve visual appearance and balance of the whole construction. As they often can be found of very small thickness. So it won’t stick out of the bag much. It’ll also give you a great boken
With all this, I think it really can be made into production model. Things like that (truly beautiful and functional) are rare in this world. I wish I could find a messenger bag kind photo bag of the same style (brown leather). The one that would fit camera with the big lens, few more lenses and a flash. To use instead of backpack for wedding photography-in-style.
Really cool post, love the styling you did for the pictures…
Question: What kind of Chanel bag is that in the first picture?
I’d love to have one!
Will you be making any more of these camera bags? If so let me know. I am dying to own one!!
-vw