Trek Rig for 500 f4 IS and large tripod ??

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Rodney O
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p.1 #1 · Trek Rig for 500 f4 IS and large tripod ??

I could use some examples of what others use for carrying their "big rigs" on moderate length wildlife photo-treks.

I've been looking for a better rig to carry my 500 f4 IS and my Gitzo 1548 tripod on moderate forest treks 2 to 8 miles each way. The "std" photo back packs seem fine for airline travel but have much more padding etc than is needed for these treks. That all of which adds too much weight & bulk for trekking.

The big lens 9.5 # & tripod w gimbal head 10 # make this 19-20#'s to start with. The additional items camera body, batteries, 2 extra lenses, binoculars + snacks & water go on a waist belt. These can go in pouches on a pack waist belt. It all adds up to 25 to 33 #'s total to carry, before the back pack array to carry the tripod and big lens. btw like a lot of us I have a number of different bags including a Tamrac Cyber-8 back pack and a glass taxi. And nothing seems to work really well for these trek photo shoots.

Presently I am considering open frame back packing systems onto which to attach the glass taxi and tripod. And then use a waist system for the other items. Cabelas seems to carry a wide variety, though most back packs seem to be internal frames these days. I will probably need an external frame to lash the tripod to and then lash the Glass Taxi on the other side. I will probably need to trim down the Cabelas packframe to reduce weight and match the equipment I'm carrying.

Cabela's Extreme Alaskan Outfitter Frame
Cabela's Alaskan Guide Model® Frame

So my question is how do others carry this type of setup

Edited on Aug 07, 2008 at 01:54 AM

Aug 07, 2008 at 01:43 AM

godfather
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p.1 #2 · Trek Rig for 500 f4 IS and large tripod ??

I personally use an internal frame pack (osprey) for hikes like that. I put together a fleece cover for the lens or lens/camera and use the divider set that came with my lowepro dryzone rover for the rest of my gear.

Aug 07, 2008 at 02:13 AM

Paul B
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p.1 #3 · Trek Rig for 500 f4 IS and large tripod ??

Just curious if you've ruled out using a Kinesis system. Because of expense? (I don't have one of the super-teles yet but have been considering Kinesis if and when I get one. I do have two of the larger Lowepro packs and like you said, those puppies are heavy though they carry a lot.)

Aug 07, 2008 at 02:14 AM

Rodney O
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p.1 #4 · Trek Rig for 500 f4 IS and large tripod ??

Paul B

Yes I have tried the Kinesis items. I had been counting on the Kinesis to be my main system for this rig. But it didn't work out like I had expected. They are well made, but I could not get the weight where I wanted it even with their pack frame piece. And the pouches didn't fit my gear as well as the TT and Tamrac ones do.

GF

Yes, I like the fleece cover idea. But where do you strap the tripod? It seems that weight-wise I want the Tripod on one side and the lens on the other. That would mean the tripod needs to fit inside the internal frame back pack. And then it would need to be held tightly to the one side and the pack frame supports.

The other thing I've noted about the internal frame packs is that they distribute a high percentage of the weight to your hips. With my waist belt pouches, I will already have a fair percentage of the weight on my hips. So I need a higher percentage of the pack weight up on my shoulders in order to get a reasonably balanced load.

Thanks for these replies.

Aug 07, 2008 at 03:20 AM

Rodney O
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p.1 #5 · Trek Rig for 500 f4 IS and large tripod ??

If anyone is willing, I still need help to figure this carry rig out.

The trip to Cabelas was unfortunately not productive. They're a great store. But the packs both external and internal frame just didn't seem like they would work for this. Even with a lot of modification, they ones I tried there don't seem like they'll work out.

So I still would like to know how others carry their large lens and tripod. Right now it looks like amybe the glass taxi and a shoulder strap for the tripod with a belt system for the other equipment. But that shoulder strap for the tripod seems awkward for the 3-8 mile treks.

Edited on Aug 08, 2008 at 08:13 PM

Aug 08, 2008 at 08:11 PM

Seth Tower
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p.1 #6 · Trek Rig for 500 f4 IS and large tripod ??

Lowepro SuperTrekker II all the way. I've got the ProTrekker II (one size smaller) and have done some pretty gnarly hikes with 40+ pounds of gear and stuff. My shoulders never once got tired.

Aug 08, 2008 at 08:24 PM

Paul B
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p.1 #7 · Trek Rig for 500 f4 IS and large tripod ??

Seth Tower wrote:
Lowepro SuperTrekker II all the way. I've got the ProTrekker II (one size smaller) and have done some pretty gnarly hikes with 40+ pounds of gear and stuff. My shoulders never once got tired.

Well yeh, the Lowe Pros have great waistbelt systems (I've got both those packs.) But how did your hindquarters feel?

Rodney, I think you've defined the universe of solutions and unfortunately, there's no perfect solution. Based on what I've seen here and on other boards from people who transport the super-teles either carry it slung over their shoulder (not a great option for long distances), use a "real" backpack with an internal frame and stow the lense inside (as suggested above), use a Kinesis system or LP 600AW, or one of the big packs which weigh a ton. The only other solution (which I've toyed with at the risk of being called a wuss) is using one of those three-wheeled carts that you see joggers pushing their kids around in, or a 2-wheeled cart towed behind a dirt bike. These would require relatively level ground, I suspect, but I've considered something like this because we have certain National Wildlife Refuges around here where the ground is pretty and you want to get someplace that's a few miles from the entrance. Walking seems a waste of time and energy if you know there aren't any photo opportunities for 1-2 hours.

I have yet to buy one of these beasty lenses (the 600 is on my list for purchase soon, I hope.) I have no trouble handling either that or the 500 and I figure if my upper body has little difficulty then my lower body can be trained/strengthened. So I'll probably just decide how much weight I'm talking about, how long my hikes would be and increase my walks locally wearing a backpack with weights. Shouldn't take that long but I already do quite a bit of exercise and am always looking for excuses to increase the pain.

I also suspect most photogs don't do the types of ambitioius hikes you're talking about with large amounts of gear (with the exception of Seth who is obviously a fellow masochist.

) but perhaps others will chime in.

Sorry, no silver bullet. I'd like to find one also.....

Aug 08, 2008 at 11:14 PM


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