Product Idea: Avery Camo Camera Cover

[Aaron Hitchins]

I have seen a lot of photographers have come up with a lot of different ways to hide and protect their DSLR cameras. None of them really seem efficient, and if they are, there is still room for improvement. I think Avery should develop a camoflauge sleeve that covers the lense of a camera and fastens around the camera body, covering the entire front portion of the camera from the subject that is being photographed.If the fabric was tight over the lense it would be easier to operate the zoom and focus, and if that didn't work a hole could be cut in the sleeve to allow for easier access.

Thoughts?

Aaron

[Ben Cade]

I agree. I'd be surprised if somebody hasn't already looked into it, unless there just isn't enough demand. Something similar to what they use in the Zink videos. I'm in need of something like that!

[Eric Larsgaard]

Rob!!!!!!! Where is yours????

[Doug Steinke]

Exactly - Mr. Jepson the floor is yours.

[Rob Jepson]

Aaron...I am reminded of the adage about great minds thinking alike...

Last season I created a cover along the lines of your thoughts. It is a very rough first proto-type and while I need to address my design and construction methods (velcro needs to be stitched as opposed to just relying on adhesive backing, etc) it actually worked out pretty well. I plan on tweaking the design and making a second one this year possibly incorporating some short camo straps and other bells and whistles.

I first cut a piece of camo nylon, roughly allowing enough length to cover the camera body and telephoto lens (fully extended) across its horizontal axis and enough to wrap around the diameter of same. Then I created an anchor point on the lens hood (on the indent where the hood mounts flush to the camera) using velcro. The velcro mate to that strip was attached to the inside of the nylon camo. A smaller velcro tack point was put on the bottom of the material just aft of the lens grip allowing me to insert my hand inside the cover and work the lens while keeping the cover still secured around both lens and body. Working the lens back and forth was easy as the material just collapsed on itself like an accordion.

The back is left with excess material that drapes over the viewfinder and LCD and easily moves aside/out of the way for use.

Here are a few photos:

Camera, lens and hood ready to go:


Lens hood showing velcro anchor:


Lens hood and interior of nylon camo showing velcro strip:


Cover attached with telephoto lens retracted:


Cover attached with lens fully extended:

[Robert Watson]

Rob,

That looks great, I have been thinking about doing something like that for mine. I like the idea of the bottom being open to work the lens as well enough material in the back to cover your head.

Hope to get mine finished in a couple of weeks and will post up.

Oh ps if you had a Nikon you wouldn't have to worry about that white lens!

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Rob- Awesome idea! I like that.
Mark

[Jason Mears]

Great idea guys, I think that could take off!

[Zach Meyer]

That looks good. I think there are many people out there that would pick one up. Good job Rob.

[Aaron Hitchins]

Rob that looks like a great design, one thing I would like to have is the fabric anchored to the camera body in some fashion, as if you were shooting downwards the camoflauge material could fall in front of the lense ruining your photo.

Aaron