After researching, buying, trying and returning multiple "photo backpacks" I have decided to make my own frankenbag of sorts. Its odd how out of all the companies out there no one has really produced a reasonable backpack that would work well for day hikes and photo gear. Or maybe I just haven't looked hard enough. Anyway, I have decided to use a typical daypack since they are much better packs and have all the technical features I want, but then fashion a tripod holder and padded camera case to fit this pack. I was excited when I found F stop Gear's ICU http://fstopgear.com/en/icu but unfortunately the medium is out of stock for the near term. So, after that long introduction, does anyone know of any other company that produces a product like F Stop's ICU? I can't seem to find anything. I am so close to having a decent pack I can smell it!
Andy, it may be worth while waiting for the F-Stop ICU's to come in stock. If you already have a pack and that is all you need, then I wouldn't spend the money on another pack. The ICU's are fantastic, and exactly what you need. I actually have one of the F-Stop packs that I use for all my day shoots. The sweet thing is on a weekend camping trip, I bring out my larger Detour pack and throw my ICU from my F-Stop pack with all my gear in it right into the larger hiking pack. My camera gear is safe, protected and easily transferable.
Anyhow, I recently had some communications with the guys over at F-Stop as they constantly take feedback from owners of their products and make changes. They are re-designing a number of things with the ICU and expect the medium ones to be out this month or next.
If you can't wait that long or don't have another pack already, then the Naneu packs John posted seem really nice too. I really like that pod option and wish I had that option myself.
Any regular 'ol daypack/backpack is fine. I have something like 9, none of which are "photo packs." Strap the tripod to the side or whereever with compression straps and/or the side pocket (if there). I've never had a pack that I was unable to strap a tripod to securely using built in features.
To answer your insert question, wait for the ICU if you want an internal foam protection system. I hear it's pretty darn nice.
Edit: Removed things not relevant to your question.
John, interestingly the Mountainsmith and K4L both made my short list. Unfortunately the K4L was balanced very poorly (on me at least) and I didn't much like the tripod holder. I like the idea a lot, but it slanted out too much which no doubt contributed to the unbalanced feeling. I liked everything I read about the Mountainsmith (didn't see it in person) but my main concern was the camera compartment size. Out of the 3 I narrowed it down to the Mountainsmith had the smallest camera compartment. I have a really bad habit of taking most of my camera gear on day hikes and I was concerned that it wouldn't fit all my stuff. I have a normal Mountainsmith daypack and love it, I just wish the Borealis was a tad larger.
Ill probably give the guys at F Stop a call or shoot a email their way. From what I have looked at so far they are my first choice I just don't want to get caught in the waiting game.
Thanks all for your comments.
Andy
Posted by Kalin Wilson on June 14, 2010 at 1:47 AM
I bought a compact lowe pro for air travel but I'm not sure I'd want to back pack with it (besides the fact that it won't cay much more than the camera gear). My main day pack is a Kelty Redwing with Photobackpacker.com back board and cases. These hold both my large format gear as well as the digital kit. You can get a set of dividers and set up the cases however you want. When I backpack, the case with the digital gear fits nicely in my Osprey Cresent 85 as well as my Osprey daylight, which I use for day hikes while back packing. I've been very happy with the Photobackpacker stuff for three years now.
Discussion
6 repliesThanks so much,
Andy
Mountainsmith Borealis. This is the one I own and the tripod straps right to the back.
NaneuPro K4L & K5.
Anyhow, I recently had some communications with the guys over at F-Stop as they constantly take feedback from owners of their products and make changes. They are re-designing a number of things with the ICU and expect the medium ones to be out this month or next.
If you can't wait that long or don't have another pack already, then the Naneu packs John posted seem really nice too. I really like that pod option and wish I had that option myself.
To answer your insert question, wait for the ICU if you want an internal foam protection system. I hear it's pretty darn nice.
Edit: Removed things not relevant to your question.
Joe Rogers
John, interestingly the Mountainsmith and K4L both made my short list. Unfortunately the K4L was balanced very poorly (on me at least) and I didn't much like the tripod holder. I like the idea a lot, but it slanted out too much which no doubt contributed to the unbalanced feeling. I liked everything I read about the Mountainsmith (didn't see it in person) but my main concern was the camera compartment size. Out of the 3 I narrowed it down to the Mountainsmith had the smallest camera compartment. I have a really bad habit of taking most of my camera gear on day hikes and I was concerned that it wouldn't fit all my stuff. I have a normal Mountainsmith daypack and love it, I just wish the Borealis was a tad larger.
Ill probably give the guys at F Stop a call or shoot a email their way. From what I have looked at so far they are my first choice I just don't want to get caught in the waiting game.
Thanks all for your comments.
Andy