Ideas/suggestions for DSLR holster?

Zack, I commend you for trying, but I have doubts that you will get anything reliable built. I use a similar camera with a similar Lowepro holster. I don't think that you can build anything nearly as reliable as the commercial products, especially considering the expensive nature of the camera. Most of the Think Tank and Lowepro holsters have just the right amount of padding and structure. Good luck.

–B.G.–

So you wouldn't risk damage to the gear by using a lightweight holster that is effectively just a dust/rain guard? I admit it does worry me, yet those Think Tank holsters are much heavier and full featured than they need to be for hiking. I can't in good conscience start cutting things off of it because of the cost, and I do use it around town when shooting.

I was even thinking I could use bubble wrap inserts like those mailer envelopes you can pick up. I could make a silnylon pouch to hold the bubble wrap and insert it into the holster. I could use plastic connectors instead of the heavy metal ones that they provide with the Think Tank product. I wouldn't need the zip extension or the included rain cover, or the extra side pocket, etc.

As I stated, most Think Tank and Lowepro cases have just the right amount of padding needed (for an expensive camera). I agree that you could eliminate some of the padding and substitute bubble wrap, but then you would get into some durability issues. A lot of what the case is for is a "bump guard." Some of these cases have semi-rigid panels inside to protect the camera. These panels are equivalent to a piece of plastic like in a gallon milk jug. So, you could take the basic form of a Think Tank or Lowepro, eliminate the heavy padding, substitute your own bubble wrap and milk jug panels, and then hope that you keep your expensive camera protected. Good luck.

–B.G.–

I'm definitely going to give it a shot to see what I can come up with.

What is the best material to use? Dyneema? Where would I buy it? What do I use to stitch it/bond it?

I'm thinking I may not worry about making the holster waterproof because it might be easier, cheaper, lighter to just make a small showercap style waterproof cover for it that I can slip on if it starts to rain.

What do you think? Where could I buy lightweight plastic snap in connectors and webbing for the shoulder straps?

Hi Zack

Don't think that you need to worry a real lot about stuff like Dyneema. Much too fancy. Any coated 410 denier synthetic fabric would be a fine start.

A very good trick is to line the holster with some 1.5 – 2 mm foam for padding. You can glue this in, or even tack it in – but I think it should be held in place somehow. Then I would line the foam with some silnylon so it is really easy to get the camera in and out. That too needs to be tacked in place!

Making the holster fully waterproof is possible, but these days I question the need. If it is hung around your neck it is highly likely that it will be protected by your parka or poncho. On a pack shoulder strap it is exposed with a parka but protected with a poncho.

The really important operational detail is to make sure the camera fits rather loosely, so you can get it in and out with one hand without hassle. I did make one with a 'snug' fit which proved impossible to use in the field. 'Snug' was a mistake.

Supplies: Seattle, OWFINC, several others.

Cheers

I agree totally with Roger. Dyneema is unnecessary. Model yours after a Think Tank, but where they use a 2-oz fabric, you use a 1-oz fabric. Where they use 2 oz of padding, you use 1 oz. Where they use several zippers, you forget the zippers completely and use just a few velcro tabs.

I found that the main zipper on my Lowepro holster was unnecessary and too slow. So, I just close the padded top flap and have an added velcro strap to hold the flap down. Much faster, and I can operate it with one hand.

Forget the shower cap.

–B.G.–

An alternative to Velcro which would still be light is a buckle like those on the Tamrac Velocity 7 series both old and new style. That was my rig in China and the advantage is you can operate it silently if you are shooting wildlife or Street.