Anybody know anyone who makes backpacks?

[ChallengerHK]

Or anything related?

I'm trying to get an idea of what it would cost me to have a backpack modified to work with my large format camera system. Basically, I need to have some padded compartments sewn in with zippered flaps. I figured this was pretty simple for somebody who actually does the work, however...

I contacted one place that makes backpacks and they didn't seem to be interested. They sent me to another place that makes motorcycle bags. She seemed interested, but only in putting backpack straps on a motorcycle bag, which won't do the trick.

Anybody have any ideas?

[DixieDuo]

A friend of mine has a very nice backpack/camera bag that he got from Roberts Camera in Indianapolis Indiana. It has enough compartments to hold both his cameras, cam-corder,tripod,extra batteries and memory cards. They have a few different ones. You might see if they have a web page .If not let me know and I will ask my friend who makes his and see if I can get you more info.

[ChallengerHK]

Thanks for the info. I've got other bags that work for my 35mm and digital stuff, but my experience with the large format is that I really need something custom or customized.

I was in downtown DC shooting some of the cherry blossoms last weekend. the biggest problem I found is that I had to unpack a lot of extra stuff every time I want to get the camera in and out of the pack (it's about 12x12x3 inches, and wrapped in an old denim jacket tat I use as a darkcloth). I had similar issues with the film holders, which really need to have a compartment by themselves.

There are backpacks made for large format systems, but they typically don't hold enough for a day's worth of wandering and shooting. I think they assume that you're working out of your car, but I'm strapping on a pack and going all day. Even for the DC stuff I was walking around for 6 hours.

[DixieDuo]

His bag is very accomidating. He is able to get to any of his cameras without having to unpack. We went for a daytrip in southern Indiana and he had everything he needed. I too believe they think your car is just steps away.

[ChallengerHK]

Thanks again. I checked out Roberts. Overall, it looks like a good store. A lot more than Ritz Camera, probably more than most local independents. (If your friend does a lot of business, suggest B+H Photo Video to him, in Manhattan. Good prices and good customer service.) They don't even sell large format, so I don't think tey can help me, though.

I've looked at hundreds of bags over the years, and owned probably more than a dozen (mostly cheapies), and I've never seen anything like what I'm describing. That's why I'm pretty sure it's got to be custom. Even the bags I've seen that were designed for large format operate the same as all of the others: basically, you open up a large flap that makes up one side of the bag, from top to bottom. This doesn't work well in many instances, like rain, or wind kicking up a lot of dust.

I really need something that has separate compartments that can be opened and closed individually, and are big enough to hold the 12x12x3 camera and several (say 10-20) 4x5 film holders.