As I'm going to have a 100-400 and the Sigma 180 Macro and also want to carry some food and water and such into the woods I don't think there is a camera backpack that will work for me.
If I'm wrong please tell me what pack will fit my needs, I was going for the Tamrac Adventure 9 but I don't think that both big lenses will fit in there with my camera body will they??
So I'm thinking that I should maybe get a hiking pack and use it as a camera pack instead. If I get some good lens cases and padding for my camera(haven't figured that one out yet) I think it will work right?
I have seen some packs that have a top pocket that I could put my Camera body in no problem as well, I don't feel I'd need a lot of padding if it were resting on top of the pack.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I want to be able to carry all my camera gear and some extras (food, water, rainjacket, etc.) along with a tripod.
Kyle as I mentioned in another of your threads earlier, I carry my camera with one lens attached in a LowePro TopLoad case, and another lens in a LowePro padded case. I put my rain-jacket at the very bottom of the pack (un-intuitive as it may sound, it takes only 2-3 seconds for me to fling it out in need), which provides added padding. I have enough space inside the pack for food upto 1.5-2 days. I have extra pockets on the top and the sides, which help me carry maps, compass, flashlights, headlights, bear bells, emergency whistles, emergency gloves and toque, etc. etc. I usually sling my bomb-proof Manfrotto 055CL tripod across my shoulders, but when my new carbon fiber tripod arrives, it will hang on the bottom of the daypack.
But a note: I always carry dry food, and certainly no perishable food like tomatoes and such. They can attract organisms ranging from bacteria and fungii to bears and bigger
Posted by Carl Donohue on February 1, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Hey Kyle
I use proper hiking backpacks almost ALL the time .. my ole Lowe Pro is simply for storing an carting gear around in my vehicle. I have a waterbottle case I use for my 70-200mmf2.8 lens .. it also works for a 300mmf4 lens. I have another old lens case or 2 I use for smaller lenses. If I'm hiking or backpacking with the 500mm, I wrap it in a fleece. On backpacking trips I put the camera body and a lens or 2 plus accessories in a LowePro Off-road case .. sans it's straps and all .. it's now just a padded bag. But for day hiking trips, I just toss all the stuff in a hiking pack, and get to walkin'.
Cheers
Carl
Posted by Greg Cope on February 1, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Not sure about the specifics of the pack you're referring to or whether you're stuff will fit. But if you're into adapting a backpack, I've done that a few times and might be able to offer some advice. I've many times trail ran with a 400mm and camera body wrapped up in a couple fleece sweatshirts inside a backpack - works pretty well.
When it comes specifically to padding a good source (other than clothes) is to go buy one of those cheep blue closed cell foam mats for camping. Cut it up to you're desired size(s). If you want solid structure, tape on wire from a coat hanger. If you want to go much further, you can sew in velcro to the side of the pack and ends of the foam (you have to sew some sort of fabric around the foam - then the velcro to the fabric), and in this way make adaptable compartments within the pack. But to go rustic without a lot of work, cut up some foam to size, and make compartments customized in size and shape for you're gear. Just a thought.
When using a conventional pack to make room for more hiking gear, I find regular belt pouches indispensable for my camera gear. Put each in its own case and toss it in the pack. It's well protected yet ready to strap on your belt any time you dump the pack. If you are shooting while hiking, hang the selection of the moment from the packs waist belt for easy access without dismounting the pack. Best of all, no hacking and modification of the pack, so you don't affect its use when not lugging camera gear.
What belt pouches are you talking about Hank? Like lowepro lens pouches and the like?
Ok...is there a pouch/case that I can fit my Rebel with the 100-400 or 180mm macro attached?
Thanks!
Posted by Carl Donohue on February 2, 2008 at 4:15 AM
hey Kyle
I meant to add - Mystery Ranch packs, in Montana, make a KILLER little backpack that would be ideal for dayhikes, etc with camera gear .. the zipper opens in such a way that you have complete access to the whole pack, not a standard top loader. the suspension is awesome, and the construction, as with all their packs, is without par. I wish I could remember the name of it .. but if you contact them, I'm sure they could hook you up with it.
Carl,
I looked at those Mystery Ranch packs...they are really nice!! I already have so many packs though! I think I'm going to convert my Osprey Aether 75 into a camera pack. Well not convert, but use!
I was looking at the Lowepro Toploader Zoom AW to store my camera with 100-400 or 180mm Macro. This bag is large enough for that right?? The dimensions look good. I think I can put that bag along with lens cases for the other big lens and my 18-55mm in the Aether 75 and have some room to spare on the hike for food and such. I could also get that chest harness for the lowepro and mount the camera to my chest if I think I could run into something along the trail and want to be ready for it. The Aether will hold a tripod no problem as well.
Posted by Jim Caffrey on February 2, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Kyle:
I use a Lowepro Photo Trekker. I can easily fit two camera bodies, and all of my lenses into it. It has an external system for carrying a tripod, and a detachable daypack for the goodies. The whole thing is adjustable, and with a hip belt harness system, it is quite comfortable. I used it on a trip to Canyonlands and did some pretty serious hikes without any fatigue. Hope this helps
Posted by Cory Freeman on February 2, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I use a North Face Reacon daypack. It holds my 5d w/ 24-105 lens attached, tripod, 70-200 in a tamrac padded lens case, filters, extra clothes, snowshoes(strapped to sides), 2L water bladder, food, survival tools. Works really well and I've been very happy with it. I gave up with what the photo manuf offered. Too big or too small and very $$. Good luck!
You've got the idea Kyle. Lowepro, ThinkTank and Tamrac all make versions, though I have not been happy with any that accept a body with a mounted lens, whether long or short. They're just too bulky. That hasn't mattered to me cuzz the camera with a lens mounted are always outside the pack rather than in. The only time my camera goes in the pack is on overnight stops. For that I just wrap it in a T-shirt and put it in the top of the pack. For packing a spare body (no lens) into the pack, I've always relied on the large size lens wraps that I also use for large format lenses. The biggest are actually plenty big to completely wrap our collapsed 4x5 field cameras, so they're dandy for 35mm bodies. They close with velcro, so they're really secure. The three at the top of this page are what I'm talking about, though I notice Calumet also has their own line of pouches. You might scroll on through their listings to see if anything tickles your fancy for a camera/lens combo.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 4, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Kyle,
I think you'll do well along the lines of what Hanks is talking. Your pack would make a very nice multi-day hiking pack.
But if you want a day pack, I have another suggestion. Deuter's Futura Vario 40+10 or 50+10 would be an excellent pack for camera + hiking needs. I have the Deuter Futura Zero 40 and its very nice, but limited as a toploader. The Vario version has a divider for the main compartment and a bottom front zipper, so you get a little help in both the organization and access departments. Its also one of the new mesh airspace packs, and is extremely comfortable to carry. At $150, it won't break the bank (but does seem to be a special order item).
I have lenswraps like Hank mentions as well as belt pouches and other bits to carry my gear. I just mix and match for what I'll need on an outing.
My 35 mm gear is all in a Tamrac camera bag. My 4x5 gear is in a clear plastic Rubbermaid container. I put both of these into a Kelty hiking backpack. One leg of my too heavy tripod goes into the side ski slot of the pack, and the pack cinch straps hold it securely. I've never tried a photo backpack, and probably never will because my current setup is comfortable and flexible.
Discussion
12 repliesIf I'm wrong please tell me what pack will fit my needs, I was going for the Tamrac Adventure 9 but I don't think that both big lenses will fit in there with my camera body will they??
So I'm thinking that I should maybe get a hiking pack and use it as a camera pack instead. If I get some good lens cases and padding for my camera(haven't figured that one out yet) I think it will work right?
I have seen some packs that have a top pocket that I could put my Camera body in no problem as well, I don't feel I'd need a lot of padding if it were resting on top of the pack.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I want to be able to carry all my camera gear and some extras (food, water, rainjacket, etc.) along with a tripod.
Thanks!!
But a note: I always carry dry food, and certainly no perishable food like tomatoes and such. They can attract organisms ranging from bacteria and fungii to bears and bigger
I use proper hiking backpacks almost ALL the time .. my ole Lowe Pro is simply for storing an carting gear around in my vehicle. I have a waterbottle case I use for my 70-200mmf2.8 lens .. it also works for a 300mmf4 lens. I have another old lens case or 2 I use for smaller lenses. If I'm hiking or backpacking with the 500mm, I wrap it in a fleece. On backpacking trips I put the camera body and a lens or 2 plus accessories in a LowePro Off-road case .. sans it's straps and all .. it's now just a padded bag. But for day hiking trips, I just toss all the stuff in a hiking pack, and get to walkin'.
Cheers
Carl
When it comes specifically to padding a good source (other than clothes) is to go buy one of those cheep blue closed cell foam mats for camping. Cut it up to you're desired size(s). If you want solid structure, tape on wire from a coat hanger. If you want to go much further, you can sew in velcro to the side of the pack and ends of the foam (you have to sew some sort of fabric around the foam - then the velcro to the fabric), and in this way make adaptable compartments within the pack. But to go rustic without a lot of work, cut up some foam to size, and make compartments customized in size and shape for you're gear. Just a thought.
Ok...is there a pouch/case that I can fit my Rebel with the 100-400 or 180mm macro attached?
Thanks!
I meant to add - Mystery Ranch packs, in Montana, make a KILLER little backpack that would be ideal for dayhikes, etc with camera gear .. the zipper opens in such a way that you have complete access to the whole pack, not a standard top loader. the suspension is awesome, and the construction, as with all their packs, is without par. I wish I could remember the name of it .. but if you contact them, I'm sure they could hook you up with it.
Cheers
Carl
I looked at those Mystery Ranch packs...they are really nice!! I already have so many packs though! I think I'm going to convert my Osprey Aether 75 into a camera pack. Well not convert, but use!
I was looking at the Lowepro Toploader Zoom AW to store my camera with 100-400 or 180mm Macro. This bag is large enough for that right?? The dimensions look good. I think I can put that bag along with lens cases for the other big lens and my 18-55mm in the Aether 75 and have some room to spare on the hike for food and such. I could also get that chest harness for the lowepro and mount the camera to my chest if I think I could run into something along the trail and want to be ready for it. The Aether will hold a tripod no problem as well.
I use a Lowepro Photo Trekker. I can easily fit two camera bodies, and all of my lenses into it. It has an external system for carrying a tripod, and a detachable daypack for the goodies. The whole thing is adjustable, and with a hip belt harness system, it is quite comfortable. I used it on a trip to Canyonlands and did some pretty serious hikes without any fatigue. Hope this helps
I think you'll do well along the lines of what Hanks is talking. Your pack would make a very nice multi-day hiking pack.
But if you want a day pack, I have another suggestion. Deuter's Futura Vario 40+10 or 50+10 would be an excellent pack for camera + hiking needs. I have the Deuter Futura Zero 40 and its very nice, but limited as a toploader. The Vario version has a divider for the main compartment and a bottom front zipper, so you get a little help in both the organization and access departments. Its also one of the new mesh airspace packs, and is extremely comfortable to carry. At $150, it won't break the bank (but does seem to be a special order item).
I have lenswraps like Hank mentions as well as belt pouches and other bits to carry my gear. I just mix and match for what I'll need on an outing.