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DIY Custom Case for Your Digital Back

DIY: ON-LOCATION DIGITAL BACK CASE
[ DIY: ON-LOCATION DIGITAL BACK CASE ]

I’ve assembled a collection of photography-related items, such as lens cases, equipment bags, and backpacks. While some of these cases are passed on with gear I’ve sold, I’ve retained a specific type of Tamrac lens case due to its durable and lightweight design, featuring a convenient top handle. The centrally located top handle in lens cases proves highly practical, facilitating easy access when reaching into a backpack from above. In this DIY article, I’ll guide you through how I created a custom case for carrying my digital back and backup batteries on location, using readily available materials. Typically, I store my digital back and batteries in a Pelican case when not shooting. Still, I occasionally leave my gear in its bag after a shoot and leave the digital back and batteries in the DIY case, as it offers excellent protection within my camera bag.

DIY DIGITAL BACK CASE: MATERIALS, SEWING & UNDERSIDE OF DIVIDER

[ DIY DIGITAL BACK CASE: MATERIALS, SEWING & UNDERSIDE OF DIVIDER ]

Materials

Below is what I used, plus a thimble for pushing the needle through the dividers. A sewing machine would be quicker, so if you have access to one, it would be a simple job over in a few minutes. For small jobs, I tend to hand-stitch. Feel free to substitute with similar items:

Tamrac Lens Case #5341
ALPA protection cover #Mk II (a plastic/cardboard box would work too)
(2) identical small backpack dividers
(1) small piece of black Foamcore
sewing needle & thread
black cloth tape
scissors
white marker (if you choose to label it)

DIY DIGITAL BACK CASE: FINISHED DIVIDER, BATTERIES IN BOX & DIVIDER ON TOP THEN DIGITAL BACK

[ DIY DIGITAL BACK CASE: FINISHED DIVIDER, BATTERIES IN BOX & DIVIDER ON TOP THEN DIGITAL BACK ]

How Its Made

  1. Make sure lens case will hold digital back and batteries snuggly but not too snug.
  2. Measure the area between the folding flaps (usually has velcro attached) on the dividers.
  3. Cut a piece of Foamcore or similar to almost the same size, leaving about ¼” less all around.
  4. Take divider #1, fold its flaps down, secure it with stitches, and tape over with cloth tape.
  5. Take divider #2, flaps down; place divider #1 on top flaps facing up and opposite #2 flap side.
  6. Sew divider #1 on top of divider #2’s flap side, creating a pass-through underneath.
  7. Slide Foamcore into pass-through, creating a cushion for use between batteries & digital back.
DIY DIGITAL BACK CASE: LENS CLOTH ON SCREEN, ID WRITTEN ON CLOTH TAPE & FINISHED!

[ DIY DIGITAL BACK CASE: LENS CLOTH ON SCREEN, ID WRITTEN ON CLOTH TAPE & FINISHED! ]

Putting It Together

  1. Place your backup batteries in the box.
  2. Place the batteries into the bottom of the lens case.
  3. Place the divider cushion on top with the black cloth tape side down on top of the batteries.
  4. Place your digital back on top of the divider cushion.
  5. Place a lens cloth on the digital back screen, zip the case up, and be ready to go.
  6. Optional: write on black cloth tape your digital back ID and place it on top of the case.
  7. Go shoot and have fun!

03/27/2019