Backpacks
- This topic has 20 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated Nov 28, 2009 at 1:43 pm by
.
-
Posts
-
I love to get these “what do you recommend” threads started! You guys always have great advice./
I’m looking for a nice camera backpack to carry a DSLR, flash, tripod, a couple smaller lens up to 300 mm and all the assorted junk that goes with this. I need to get more time in the field shooting if I’m ever gonna get better and I’m looking for a way to carry my gear.
I’ve been looking at the Tamrac and LowePro series of bags in $100 – 160 range. Has anyone tried one of the Mountainsmith packs? My old climbing pack is Mountainsmith and is a great piece of gear. Opinions?
In my view no one has made the perfect camera back pack and Dave Anderson and I have taken a look at a hell of a lot of them and are still searching. I’ve ended up using a 60 liter waterproof canyoning backpack and fitted a padded and divided insert from a Lowepro pack into it. It is not brilliant for access but as far as robust and waterproof goes its just brilliant. I’ve had it now for around 3 years and its done countless trips. I did have it modified so it wasn’t quite so deep which has made access easier. There’s no provision for a tripod but it would not be a big issue to glue some straps onto it. In it I can carry a pretty good kit, one body 4 lenses, flash and various attachments.
Total cost in Aussie dollars was around $200 but it is totally waterproof. It even saved my life when I broke through a crust while crossing a river in New Zealand and found myself in quicksand with water coming over the top of my waders – the bag provided enough floatation for me to turn in time to get out, pity about the 5D that was around my neck at the time…….. 😕
Morsie
It’s a tough question..
Morsies right, there’s just not much around at the moment, though there does seem to be some interesting new stuff around the corner.
In Zach’s story on the tackle show there was a new William Joseph that looked interesting as well as an LL BEan sling pack that I’m waiting to try.
Sage also have their new waterproof line and I’m waiting on the boat bag to use as a errr boat bag for my gear.
My pack at the moment is a Lowepro ranger that I’ve put a cheapish waterproof stuff sack into the bottom of (around the padded dived section) that can be rolled up & closed in the rain.
I also have a couple smaller stuff sacks in the top section I can put additional gear into if it gets wet.
It’s not ideal because it’s not a quick thing to work out of in the wet, but my camera is pretty much water proof (not sure about quicksand !www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
I have the Lowepro Vertex 300. Its big enough for my 1D and 500mm if I really needed to, otherwise I can pack a ton of stuff in it.
Pros: about everything including weight distribution
Cons: Like any back pack access can be better. Its weather/water resistant vs “proof”. Ive been in heavy rain with it and it worked, it should offer enough “resistance” to protect versus a quick dip but not a swim.So I basically use 3 things.
The big Lowepro BP, a Pelican (when I want bullet proof protection) and Think Tank modules when Im light and want convenience.As both David and Morsie theres no one answer.
Main slogging/whatever I have is a Lowepro Vertex 200- ( I’m poorer than JB so have less gear) :)))) Cam bodies /300 f2.8/12-24 f4/105 f2.8/flashes /all the other stupid stuff I bought that I thought I would need…….. walking camera flea market.
Good w/resistant pack with decent support for long hauls- I hate top /fancy compartment bags- the Vertex bags – toss on the ground open it up( clamshell design and your stuff is at your mercy)
Downside is – empty the pack is heavy/loaded even more so:)))
I have MEC- Mountain Equipment Co-Op hip bags that I use if I’m doing roaming Macro only stuff- ie lightweight that work well for batteries/bits and pieces/tobacco and pipes.
For specialized stuff ( bellows rigs/IR triggers) I use Pelicans modified to accept shoulder straps.
Like underwear choices – I believe cam storage is based on two things- you know what you are doing- so this choice….. you want to cover all bases then this choice……. there is no simple /universal solution.Sometimes Speedos … Sometimes trap door wool Long johns:)))
Will
I agree with the common theme – no one pack does it all. It’s really a lot like fly fishing – vest vs chest pack vs waist pack vs minimalist, etc.
Like John, I use the LowePro Vertex 300 and for what I do on a regular basis it is perfect. Very rugged pack that holds a ton of gear, has a weather cover, nice zippers, and a waist stabilizing strap. It is great pack for location travel. It is especially good for airplane travel because it fits right under the seat (even the little prop planes, but I often have to argue with the airline attendant, ha).
However, on the water I have been using the Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, Large, which IMHO is the only reliable waterproof bag in its class (notice Pelican class and true waterproofs concealed bags excluded here). It doubles as a great saltwater boat bag, thus money well spent.
I currently use a Sagebrush Dry Goods Hip and Deck Pack with the camera insert
I like it a lot, but need something bigger that will hold more stuff. The Hip and Deck Pack will hold a camera body, a couple of lenses and a flash. I also use the Patagonia Great Divider for a boat bag and love it. I would recommend both.
As for backpacks, Adam Barker’s blog turned me on to ClikElite and they have some new stuff coming out in December that I know will find its way under my XMas tree. In particular there is a smaller version of the Pro Elite that will hold a bunch of gear and a laptop. Perfect for airplanes.
Michael,
Tons of suggestions here – John Michael White from the board suggested this to me and I love it so far.
As Mark stated, the system of a good pack with camera block insert, surrounded by a waterproof bag gets the job done safely and with minimal effort and maximum ease of use. I see David is doing this system as well. Same idea, but I searched around for the pack that had all the features and comfort I wanted, and use a different combo (find what works best for you). I have been using this combination for the last year and a half, and am still really happy with it.
This is the pack and waterproof dry bag system I use: Naneu Pro Alpha Military Ops pack http://naneupro.bagyou.com/ttp/Naneu-Pro-Alpha-Large-Camera-Backpack/products_id/1382/brands_id/42.html
If you look around or do ebay, you can get it cheaper. I got it for about $95 new.I love this pack, as it has tons of padding and suspension support. Also, I really like the way it is designed – pockets, etc. It is super comfortable to wear, and is carry on size, so it works well for airline travel and fits under an airline seat. I can carry a camera body, flash, 50mm lens, 70-300mm, 18 -50mm, and 10-22mm wide angle, plus battery charger, 4 batteries, Omnibounce flash cover, and CF cards all in the camera compartment block. Then in the flat back pocket I carry filters, and manuals enclosed in a ziploc bag. This leaves the top compartment free to put fly boxes, rain shell, snacks, water bottle, etc. etc. It also comes with a stowable rain cover and beefy straps/fold out bottom pouch to securely carry a tripod on the side.
I use the Seattle Sports Latitude dry bag (size small) to enclose the camera equipment block inside the lower camera compartment when on the water http://www.seattlesportsco.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=19&idcategory=11
When not around water, I remove it for easier use, but actually, it is very quick to unzip the camera compartment flap on the pack, then unbuckle the two quick release buckles on the dry bag, and there is your gear ready to grab and shoot.
Total cost of system was about $129.
I love my Dakine Sequence. When my brother asked for a camera backpack last christmas I got him one as well. It’s made for snowboarding or skiing photographers. It opens on the back side, meaning when you take the bag off, the part that is against your back faces up, so it won’t get wet when accessing your gear. It’s got straps to carry a snowboard, which I sometimes use for 2 or 3 lightstands and a tripod. Fair amount of space and fits nicely.
Also check out the F-Stop bags. Nice packs but kind of expensive. I’m not sure if Burton is still making their photo pack, but I know people in the action sports photography world loved it too.http://society6.com/grainfarmer Fly Fishing and Landscape open edition Photography prints.
http://grainfarmer.vsco.co/ iPhone photos
http://instagram.com/chad_simcox InstagramI sent William Joseph an email the other day asking when we could expect to see their new waterproof backpack and the answer was early in the new year..
The one shot I’ve seen of them looks good (thanks Zach) so I look forward to seeing them.
www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
Thanks for the input, guys! Interestingly no one mentioned Tamrac. They appear to be a serious brand and compete with Lowepro.
Case in point:
That’s a good looking backpack-body (way better than most of their others, which tend to be square), but look at the straps!
For camera specific gear I use a Burton Zoom when I hike, etc .. It also opens from the back. Love it and wish it was waterproof. On the river I use a WJ Exodus
I love my Dakine Sequence.
I also have a Sequence that’s worked out great for me.
An added bonus to the zipper configuration – when travelling in sketchy/crowded areas it’s impossible for someone to get into your pack while you have it on.
I love my Dakine Sequence.
I also have a Sequence that’s worked out great for me.
An added bonus to the zipper configuration – when travelling in sketchy/crowded areas it’s impossible for someone to get into your pack while you have it on. A friend had a lens stolen out of a backpack in a crowded bus station a couple of years ago – the thief just unzipped the pack and grabbed what was on top.
The Naneu Pro pack I have also has this feature.
Mark,
How much gear does the Kata DR-467 actually hold? A lot of these packs look like the camera/gear area is limited to a small bottom section.
I am kind of surprised that nobody mentioned the new Sage Typhoon packs that are going to be released in Jan/Feb.
(Here is a Review of the Large Waist Pack)or the Sage Typhoon Backpack
They are expensive, and i do wish they had a roll-top option, but they look intriguing.
–Matt Tucker
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.