Sorry forgot about the subscription there. Here's the text from my post there:
Just got back from Zion NP. What a great place for photographers. Quick pic of some wildlife. 200-400mm with TC-17E on monopod.
I've always found it cumbersome to shoot pictures from a car stop by unloading lens from my regular bags or leaving my camera and lens on the seat to roll around and possibly fall.
So went to the craft store and bought some 4” foam. Used a sharpened kitchen knife to cut the camera and lens profiles (you could use a electric knife also). Anyway, below is my solution. No more fumbling with bags (unless on foot) or rolling camera gear as the vehicle moves.
Well, can't say I hit any large craters yet. Just make sure the holes are deep in the foam and the profile in the foam is smaller than the lens or camera. There is probably around 1" of foam at the bottom of each cut out to the other side of the foam (i.e. 3 inch depth cut outs). Lens and cameras are quite snug since the holes are smaller than the lens and cameras. I used a small blanket to cover them while I stepped out of site from the vehicle.
It was nice not to have to go thru bags to find a particular lens.
One possible improvement might be is to hot glue some peg board or 1/4 inch plywood to the bottom. You could load it up and just carry it to the car for those 1 day shoots or to carry up to the Motel.
That would not last five minutes on a rough road. It looks like an invitation for thieves. It also takes up a lot of space. Where does your other gear and travel stuff go?
"Where's the 200-400?"
In the nikon ballistic case - for now.
"That would not last five minutes on a rough road."
They are more snug than you think since the cut outs are smaller. I'm usually not driving all that fast on bumby roads besides. The gear would do just fine.
"It looks like an invitation for thieves."
True, but my intent was just for stopping and shooting shots with in site of the car. I still carry my other camera bags.
"It also takes up a lot of space."
So do the other camera bags even with out this.
"Where does your other gear and travel stuff go?"
Small stuff in a Lowe Pro OMNI PRO bag. Very easy to access those items with that.
