Overnight Photo Backpack

Well, it's time once again to re-consider my photo equipment portability methodology (it's not pretty, folks).

I'd especially like to start getting up into the high country on some longer trips, and it seems impossible to find anything even vaguely resembling a pro 35mm / digital pack for an overnight trip.

How the heck do you get your camera, lenses, and tripod up the hill and away from it all - along with your tent, bag, and supplies and an intact back?

I like using "modular" type bags/cases (Tamrac stuff) inside a regular backpack Ð instead of one big specialized bag. I usually end up with 2 lens cases and a small bag for the body/accessories. Packs nicely inside my regular backpack - an Osprey pack. The tripod usually goes against my back inside this top loading pack, or outside lashed to the bottom. If you have a pack lid that converts to a fanny pack, this modular stuff can simply be attached to the belt for around-camp jaunts.

I also use this system with my daypacks. Pretty versatile. Works well with my typical backcountry setup - SLR + 3 lenses + batteries, cards and a few filters.

Going ultralight on your camping gear also helps.

Hey Les,

I use a traditional Dana large backpack and then pack things individually in bags/case (sounds just like what Jesse does as well). It helps to camp near things you want to photograph

-paul

The best approach I've found is a modular camera daypack (LowePro Orion AW) that can be used separately as a daypack, and also be worn with full-size backpack. You can see my setup here. The top portion has a shoulder harness for wearing the system as a backpack; the lower portion has a waist harness allowing it to be worn separately as a waist pack.

When on a short day trip, the upper and lower portions of pack clip together. Camera setup is in the lower portion (2 SLRs, 3 lenses, filters, etc.); jacket, gloves, hat, lunch, trail goodies go in the top. Tripod attaches underneath. For overnight trips, the top section detaches; the gear stays in the lower portion and can be worn with a backpack. I wear it 'backwards', with the pack facing forward so that I can have access to the camera without having to take my pack off - that's what I like most about the system. I attach the tripod to my backpack.

The system is extremely versatile - during extended trips, I empty the top portion, compress it down and stick it into a side pocket on my backpack so that I can use it if we decide to take some short day-hikes. I liked the 35mm setup so much I bought the same exact bag for my 4x5 system and use it the same way.

Good luck!

For overnights I also use a system of smaller cases and pack them into a large overnight backpack (old Mountainsmith Frostfire) along with the rest of my overnight gear. The Lowepro Omni Traveler series is good for this - especially for 4x5. They are rectangular suitcase style cases of various sizes. And I ALWAYS carry my point-n-shoot in a Lowepro top load zoom type case (currently the TLZ Mini). I thread the chest strap of my backpack through the belt loop of the case, so it carries right in front of me. It makes access really convenient for on-the-trail shots.

Les,
I use an ArcTerx pack with an Osprey Belt (this belt is easier to cinch the belt tightly around my waist than the AcrTerx belt). I then put my photo gear in the guts of a Lowe Pro Omni Traveler. This is a rectangular padded case that fits in a hard shell case like a pelican, however, I do not use the hard case. The soft Traveller fits down in my ArcTerx along with my other gear. I strap the tripod to the outside.

Jim

One of my favorite obesessions.........I was using a Dana Terraplane and generally heavier stuff. Carrying 75+ lbs. just wore me down. Last year I bought a Gregory Makalu pack ( 4 3/4 lbs.) and lightened my pad, sleeping bag, coffee paraphenalia etc. I re-evaluated every piece that goes into the pack.I carry a digital body in a Lowepro zoom bag around my neck and under an arm pit, so it's off to the side a bit with a 12-24 zoom. In my pack, I carry a 28-200 in a OR water bottle parka and a Gitzo 1028 with a small Giotto head (supports up to 8 lbs.) and a polarizer and grad. NDs. In Yellowstone, I added a 80-400 VR lens, which was an unsavory, but necessary addition. This year, I plan to sub a 18-200 VR for the 28-200, increasing overall versatility. The photo gear in my backcountry kit weighs about 7 lbs. My total pack weight is about 45 lbs.

Dave Showalter

I use an Arc'teryx Bora 80 as my main backpack. I have a Lowepro Off Road waistpack that carries all my camera gear. Without the side water bottle/lens holders attached, the fully-loaded Off Road slides easily into the pack. When I'm at camp, I just pull out that Off Road, and I'm ready to go. I will usually carry everything I need for photography in the Off Road, and carry a water bladder on my back. Works great for me.

I use a Works @ Mystery Ranch backpack to lug all my gear into the backcountry. On my chest I wear a LowePro TLZ70 AW, which houses my SLR w/ lens attached for quick access while on the trail. My tripod secures to the outside center on the back of the pack. Inside I carry a single OR Padded Cell that contains an extra lens, flash, and a couple accessories. My sleeping bag goes into a Dana Designs Kompressor pack/stuff sack combo. Upon reaching camp, the Dana becomes a full fledged summit pack capable of carrying the OR Padded Cell, food, water, jacket, etc. So far, this setup has worked wonderfully for me.

A backpacking backpack is probably best, since there are many more options and they are built for lugging heavy loads comfortably. Mine has clicking compression straps on the side which helps to remove the tripod quicker.

If I'm carrying my SLR, I put it in a LowePro topload zoom TLZ1 on my chest. Many backpacks have plastic loops right right at the top on the shoulder straps - I tie my straps to that, with clickers at the end to attach the pouch with. Then I use elastic straps on the waistbelt to secure to the bottom of the pouch - this holds the pouch securely to my chest while allowing flexible movement. The nice thing about the chest pouch is that it balances your pack's weight forward.

With 4x5 I use a LowePro Omni Pro case which holds all my gear, and just stuff it into my pack. I may have to get a larger backpack for this!

Wow, I really like Bret's idea of the Kompressor pack. Going to have to try that out. I was just looking at it online, and if anyone is looking to buy one, be aware that it appears you can still buy them under the Dana Design name, but Dana has been bought by Marmot, and the Kompressor is now available as a Marmot pack. Just wanted to let anyone know, in case they had problems finding this if they were looking for a Dana pack.

I do very similar to Jesse using my LowePro Orion packed at the top of my REI Wilderness Pack which by the way, has a wonderful suspension to it and even if loaded down to 60 lbs, it feels comfortable. I've Hiked in one day with that set up, From Bearlake to The Loch, To Mills and back to Bear Lake up in RMNP.

For Day Hikes I put the same Orion Compartment bag into an Eddie Bauer Ruksack that has a Hydration Pack, Rain Cover and Waste belt suspension. I use bungees to secure my tripod on the bag if i don't feel like carrying it.

Hard to answer because I don't know how much you want to carry. The Osprey Switch+55 seems like nearly an ideal pack. I also like the Kinesis pouches (particularly their improvement on LP's topload Zoom) because you can easily attach them to the waist belt/harness of your pack, so everything is easily accessible, but still protected.

I use Fat Larry, he is a 9 yr old pack mule, works hard doesn't complain and carries his own food.......................J

Just Kidding, thanks for all the good info, I had this same question myself.............J

If nothing else, it looks like most everyone has a variation on one of two themes here. Either (a) just stuff it in your frame pack, or (b) use a frame pack and supplement it with a camera waist or chest pouch. IOW, no-one really makes a setup specifically for overnighting it with a camera.

In a way, that's a Good Thing for me, since I already have a chest strap for my LowePro TLZ Pro AWII (and with the D2X, carrying it on a waist strap or shoulder strap just doesn't do it for long distances...). Fortunately, I went out and bought light and/or ultralight gear for my camping experience back a while ago, so that's not a big issue.

Thanks for all the feedback, and so quickly!

You think your search is tough? I have been looking around for a bag for my trip of six months! I'm going to be travelling for 6 months, and need a backpack that carriesthe essentials, not to mention my photo stuff and tripod! I have yet to find the perfect travel bag yet.

For normal day hiking I use a Kelty Red Cloud to pack either my 645 or 4X5. For overnight backpacking I use a Jansport external frame backpack. I guess it's a personal fit thing, but I've not used an internal frame backpack that I've liked. I put the camera gear in a center compartment of the backpack and attach the Kelty day pack to the outside of the backpack. When I set oup camp I transfer the camera gear to the day pack. I think I'm just about ready to get a digital dslr, which will lighten and simplify things. But what I have not is nothing too elaborate and seems to do the trick.

When in the backcountry I tend more to set up a base camp and do multiple excursions from there. The gear, including the day pack, is a little heavy to lug in, but it sure is nice having a comfortable day pack with a good support system once you are there. I'm not sure a waiste pack would have ample room for medium format camera gear, tripod, a lunch and some rain gear.

Warning: Watch out for those chest straps that hold the zoom bag in the middle of the chest - you can't see your feet when descending.

Dave Showalter

I'll keep that in mind, Dave.