07 Dec
Giveaway: Ona Roma
Ona Roma. Ona Roma. Ona Roma. Try saying it out loud. Isn’t that fun? Luckily, the product I agreed to review (and giveaway!) is pretty darn awesome as well.
Let’s back up to this summer, when I was trying to figure out how I would transport my camera gear all over Italy on a daily basis. I strongly considered two options, either the Betsy by JoTotes or a camera bag insert that would fit into an existing purse, like the Roma. The Romaseemed much better than anything I was finding on Etsy, but I didn’t think it could fit my body, 50mm 1.2 and 35mm 1.4. Instead I teamed up with a friend who helped me sew a padded camera insert for a new purse I bought for the trip. You can see her tutorial for how we did it here. The insert worked great, and I loved my new purse, but it took us 3 hours to make that bag, and that doesn’t include time spent scheduling the sewing lesson, driving out to a craft store to buy the supplies (and the money), driving over to her house and finding parking, etc.
If I were to do it over, I’d buy the Roma. 
Lucky for one of you, you won’t have to since Ona is giving one away one Roma dSLR camera insert. Think of it as an early Christmas present. Speaking of Christmas, I know a lot of you have dSLRs or new lenses on your wish list. Have you thought about how you’re going to carry them around? Tossing them in your purse with your pens and hand creams and gum is not a good idea (I know this from experience). If you don’t win this giveaway, keep up with their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter. All sorts of bloggers are giving away Ona products right now.
Camera inserts like these are intended to turn any purse into a camera bag. The outside is made of something they call Waxwear, and on the sides are several pockets where you can slip your memory cards, cell phone, lip gloss, etc.
I like the handles on the sides that make it easy to haul the entire thing out of your purse.
I opened this up when my sister was here and she was quick to point out the wrinkling on the back seam. It’s the only negative thing I have to say about the product, and doesn’t affect me much since the insert sits inside my purse so no one really sees it.
For me, this was a winner as soon as I was able to fit both my 5dmarkii with 50mm 1.2 attached AND my 35mm 1.4 inside. With lens hoods attached. And I still found it easy to reach in and grab what I wanted, when I wanted it.
We were headed out to Millennium park with the baby in tow, so I nestled the Roma into my diaper bag and off we went. It sat on the back of the stroller and I reached in and out switching lenses throughout the day.
I wouldn’t use this on shoots or a wedding day, because it doesn’t hold enough lenses and it’s not quite as quick to get things in and out as the Shootsac, but for day-to-day activities it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.
I also used it this last weekend when I went to a holiday party and wanted to take my flash with me. This time I was easily able to fit my 5dmarkii with 35mm 1.4 attached, and my 580ex flash. Tossing something like that into my purse without some sort of protection just isn’t an option. I pulled the camera out during the party and took my pictures, and quickly dismantled and packed up at the end of the night.
If you’re considering purchasing one, make sure you pay attention to the dimensions, as it is really big (it won’t fit in my green purse that I took with me to Italy). I like the size though, as that means it fits the two lenses I love to switch back and forth between.
Enter to win one of your very own below.
Ona provided me with a free camera insert to review in exchange for this blog post and giveaway.
Also:
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
This is seriously something I need! In NY last week I really was just throwing my camera plus a lens or two into my purse, sort of using my scarf and hat as padding. Also, I would love to get the 85 1.2. That lens is dreamy.
1Oh! This is on my Amazon wish list. It would be great to win it because then my husband wouldn’t really have to get me much. I’d just hand him this and say, there’s my gift, dear!
2I don’t own one yet, but have heard from photography friends that Nikons are great!
3Still deciding what camera to buy!
4I’m dreaming of a Canon macro lens!!
5I really want a 50mm/1.4 or even the 35mm/2.0 for my Nikon 5100. This insert would be perfect for when it’s just me and my son, that way I’m now schlepping around my dslr bag AND my diaper bag.
6I wish your blog would go back to being something interesting and insightful about your life and scripture. It seems like a whole lot of product review and money-making lately and I am starting to think I may not want to read it so much anymore.
7I currently am not lusting over any particular lenses for my Nikon D60. Instead, I want a D90 so my 50mm will autofocus, as the D60 doesn’t do it.
8Pretty cool- I could use a camera bag!
9The 35mm is my go-to lens. I’d love, love to have an 85mm as well!
10I could use a camera bag - this seems great!
11I wish I had seen this sooner. I put a Kelly Moore bag as my secret Santa gift, but this was more of what I was looking for. Oh well
12What a genius product! It’s going straight onto my Christmas list. That, and the 35mm 1.4 (Canon) I’ve been coveting. :0)
13I really want the 50mm lens you always talk about! But I only have 2 lenses to begin with (the kit lens and then a zoomy one that I don’t remember the name of) so I really have a ton of lenses that I want. Eep!
14I’ve been wanting one of these ever since I saw Jenny (Geek in Heels) post about it. As for lense: my Canon DSLR is pretty new so I still just have the kit lense; would love to add the 35mm 1.4 as well!
15I didn’t even know these bag inserts were available! I’ve been wrapping my camera in a towel. :\ I’m pretty happy with my 35mm lens right now, but I’d like an 85mm!
16This is amazing (we also have the same diaper bag, which I love). I think I want a zoom lens. Something like the 18-200mm would be a nice addition.
17I’m still using the 1.8 50mm and would love to upgrade to the 1.4 one of these days…this bag would be great for our diaper bag, I feel like I often don’t bring our camera with us just because I don’t have a good way to transport it without adding an extra bag to our already large load.
18I am pining for a Sigma 85mm 1.4 prime. (for pentax)
19Love it!
20I don’t have a dslr yet, but I am saving up for the Nikon D7000. I am planning to start an adventure photography business when I get my camera.
21This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!
22Can you believe I haven’t bought the 35mm yet?! What am I waiting around for?!
23We have a Canon t2i, and have been lusting after a heck of a lot of lenses. But, right now I am really loving a tilt-shift lens, because of your Europe blog posts. It creates such a great perspective, and I am really interested in trying out some new techniques.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
24I have been looking for something like this! My black Canon bag screams “please steal me” but I don’t have lots of $$ in my budget for a cute purse-style camera bag. This would solve my problem!
Katie H Reply:
December 7th, 2011 at 11:20 am
PS - I am dying for a 35mm (for my Canon) but that’s not in the budget now either
I’m so dreaming of a 35mm prime lens. But am SO in need of a bag like this, I’m so guilty of just ‘throwing’ my camera into my purse, backpack etc… not a good scene!
26I’ve been wanting one of these ever since I bought my dSLR. What a great giveaway!
27Thanks for posting the review of the Ona Roma. I’ve been eying it for a while now. I would love to get my hands on the 85mm 1.2. Mmm…
28Next lens is the 35mm 1.4… can’t wait! This bag seems so perfect!
29i’m DREAMING of a 35mm and a 50 1.4. i have a sony dSLR right now and 50 1.8, but am planning on upgrading to a nikon d7000 after the holidays!
30What a neat bag! I love that you can use it with any purse!
31I’m actually fairly happy with the lenses I have right now (not that I have many, but my needs are few
), but could really use a bag like this before something happens and I end up with lenses I’m not so happy with! If I had to pick a lens right now it would probably be a 50mm.
32Oh, I REALLY need the 50mm 1.2. NEED!
33I have a 50mm for my Nikon, but I REALLLLLLY want a 24mm for when I travel. I took my 50mm to Venice, which was a big mistake; I was practically bending backwards over railings to get photos of the canals!
34Definitely guilty of just tossing the DSLR in my purse when we travel. This would be great when we go to France in the spring.
35I seriously wish that I had known about this about a month ago. I just spent $$ on a Kelly Moore and realize that an insert would have been MUCH better suited for my needs.
As for a new lens, I would love either a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 or Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8.
36This is an awedome giveaway!I dont have a dslr yet but I carry my dad’s nikon around! I love it!
37I’m getting a Nikon for Christmas and I can’t wait!! This would be great to carry it around in.
38i am dying to buy Nikkor 50mm for my baby-but is so hard to save when you don’t have a job xd maybe Santa will bring me one haha.
39great giveaway <33
I’d love a bag insert… so practical!
40I’m coveting an 85mm for my D90… f/1.4 if we are dreaming big! also a wide prime… maybe a 24mm 2.8. or a 28-70 /2.8. hmmmm
I would LOVE this! I am hoping to get a new Nikon D7000!
41This is perfect timing, I just got a new DSLR, and I was thinking about looking into something like this.
42I want the 135 2.0!!!
43Ummmmm hmmmm! I’m dying for a whole arsenal of lenses. I do need a good wider angle lens so a 35mm would be great, but I also am lusting after a good telephoto zoom lens like the 70-200EF L series lens. I would also love a new camera, mine is starting to limit me.
44oh man! i totally need this! i’m not really lusting after any lens right now… unless my budget increases substantially. if it did, i’d go for a really pricey professional lens.
45I was just given a dSLR camera a few weeks ago with 3 lenses, but because I’m still such a novice I don’t know what lenses I need. But I don need a camera bag! I would love this insert!!!
46I’m dreaming of a 30mm right now. I like my 50mm, but it’s a bit too tight for my taste. I’m dreaming really really hard.
47I’m not really longing for lenses as I find that not having a Nikon or Canon body excludes me from many cool accessories. So while I save up and research my options for those babies, I’d love a tripod.
48Oh, man. I *love* the Canon 16-35mm on a full frame. I’m a complete sucker for the wide angle shots that have a glorious amount of bright blue sky.
49My dream would be complete if I could get my hands on a 50mm 1.2.. the images are so creamy.
50