My camera insert, is a S-Zone Nylon Camera Insert. (Official Product Page | Amazon)
I like my S-Zone camera insert, but it’s not the best one I’ve used. It does exactly what I need it to and nothing more. If you read my post on camera inserts, you know all the features I look for. This has most of the features I want, but leaves a little to be desired.
Specifications
Weighs about 0.2 pounds/0.1 kg (with all inserts and cover attached).
There are two sizes available, each with/without handles.
- 9” x 7” x 4”
- 12” x 9” x 5” (I own this size without handles.)
What I love about it
- Good size options.
- It’s got a removable top. You can attach it when you travel and leave it in the hotel when out exploring. Personally I wouldn’t fly with my gear inside this, I have other ways I transport my camera and lenses.
- When I travel, I can actually squish this fairly thin and put it in my luggage. This is also a problem which we’ll discuss below.
- Quite decent protection from bumps from the sides and internally from the inserts.
- Really good size options. You can tell real photographers helped design this. Accepts even my largest lenses and bodies.
- Fits inside my Timbuk2 Especial Stash Messenger Bag quite nicely.
- Washable and air dries overnight. (Don’t put it in the dryer!)
What I don’t love about it
- Less padding on the top/bottom than the sides, so not perfect to protect against drops.
- It doesn’t maintain its shape well. It crushes inward and makes it take longer to insert my body or lenses. Honestly somewhat inconvenient.
- No protection from the cover.
- The velcro inserts are a little difficult to position perfectly. It took me longer than any other insert bag to get them where I wanted them. Once in place, they won’t move though. There are also only two cross-strips to attach them to inside to create each chamber… they come off easier than I’d like.
Overall, this is a good camera insert I’ve ever had and I’m OK with it. It’s very durable and I could expect several years of use out of it. If it had better padding on the top and bottom, I’d pack my gear inside this when I fly, but I am not fully confident in it to do that as it stands presently.
This has taught me that I don’t need such a large insert. I could have been very happy with the smaller sized version. I definitely want something that will retain its shape better than this will for better accessibility. Not bad for $16.