my diy camera bag.

when i went to amarillo recently, i searched for a bag that would hold my tenba insert. i actually had a few at home that worked, but they looked more like computer bags than purses, which is not what i wanted. also, since i'm a cheapskate, i didn't want to spend much. like... less than $30.

luckily, at our last stop (kohl's), i found this cute, shiny red bag that looked to be big enough (i carried a small tape measure just to be sure). it zips down the middle, stands up on it's own and has an opening on either side (so it's more like 3 sections instead of 1) with zipped and open pockets inside those. i think it's supposed to work like a computer bag, but it looks nice and feels sturdy. and more importantly... it keeps my camera gear out of sight. oh, and it was $20. so, total i spend $40 on my camera bag instead of $90+.

so... how much stuff does it hold? i used it this weekend, and i carried with me:

nikon d60 + kit lens attached

telephoto zoom (70-300mm)

prime lens (33mm)

fisheye lens

sb400 speedlight and diffuser

a few memory cards

+ inside the bag

car keys

wallet

cell phone

and, i still had some extra space. i'm telling you, this thing is pretty big. but, if you're only taking the camera and one extra lens, there's plenty of space for a bottle of water or something. and the great thing? i can just take out the insert when i'm ready for a new bag or i've worn this one out.

diy camera bag?

remember when i was lusting after a new camera bag? well, i still hadn't purchased one, even though it was supposed to be my birthday present. i just couldn't make myself spend that much!

but, i bought some new equipment yesterday and decided it was time to figure out the bag situation. i came so close to getting the jo tote in scarlet... but when i saw how much shipping was and the fact that i was about to spend over $90 on a bag... i just couldn't do it. i did a search on 'diy camera bag' and several photographers mentioned this little ditty:

the tenba pro digital photo insert. $20 + free shipping? sold. it has great reviews, and i'm positive i can find a sturdy bag to use this in. and the freedom of being able to switch it out depending on my outfit/needs? that's awesome too.

so, i ordered it this morning. i'll update when it gets in and i find a bag for it. i'm so excited that i'll be carrying around something other than my plain black bag that screams CAMERA!

which bag?

since purchasing my new lenses, i've really felt the need to upgrade my camera bag. it's great for carrying my d60 with a lens attached... but any more than that and it gets a little crowded. i figured since i would probably be spending some cash on a new bag, i might as well get one i like. it would be nice to carry around a bag that doesn't scream 'camera' and goes with my wardrobe.

i came back from my search rather disappointed. there are a few great styles out there, but most are a little more than what i wanted to spend. for someone that's an amateur/enthusiast, i don't want to spend hundreds on a camera bag. my first love? the lola bag from epiphanie. (top photo) while i do have the go ahead from my significant other to order her... i am starting to feel guilty about such a big purchase when i'm certainly no pro. so i kept looking...

this scarlet tote from jo totes is my second favorite. and, it's about half the price! i love that it still looks like a purse, and is not overly trendy looking - a classic style that can be used for years. i'm really leaning towards this one... it will get the job done and won't cost nearly as much.

i also found this cute option from jill-e. their canvas/vinyl bags are still a bit more than i want to spend, but this one is the least costly that i've found. however, it still seems a little juvenile to me, and i'm wanting a more grown-up look.

any thoughts on camera bags for women? there is a huge market for this that someone needs to fill. a few companies are stepping up to the plate (mainly women photographers in need of something stylish to carry their equipment) and i'm sure there are plenty of chicks like me who don't have a ton of cash to spend making their hobby look good.

love. my. new. lens.

although i haven't quite figured out the best settings to use it on (hey, i just got it thursday, okay?), i have realized it will probably be the lens that gets the most use. why? because i can now take pictures indoors with no flash and without worrying about bumping up the iso to ridiculous numbers.

and although many people gave it bad reviews when it came to bokeh, i think it will work well for my needs. and don't worry, the dogs are getting groomed this weekend. see what happens after 2 weeks of nonstop rain?

i told d i wouldn't post any photos of him on the blog, but you won't say anything, right? i was just amazed by this... there are no lights on in the living room, no flash... just the sunlight coming in from the kitchen window.

and then of course, i just had to try it out in the garage... also no lights, just some sun from the windows. do you like the new car?

just in case you're wondering, the lens i got is a nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX AF and i chose it because the built-in autofocus works with my D60.

books. and a new camera...

a few books that i just completed... don't you love the texture on that black book? and i am having way too much fun taking photos of my books with my new fabulous camera! i cannot wait for a little free time to go experiment some more... and learn how to use all the fancy settings.