I use the older version of this model. My two are extremely rugged to the point I'm amazed that they still function. My original was used with my 4x5 for all location work ( including a lot of hiking ) for about 10 solid years. I got one as a replacement on eBay a few years ago only because I occasionally want a spiffy looking newer one to bring on some jobs. The original one still works fine.
Peter
Architectural Photography by Peter Montanti, www.mountainphotographics.com
rubberband wrote:
When I say serious, I mean several hours at a time
Several hours at a time? A whole foods green bag oughta work. rubberband wrote:
-Needs to be ergonomic enough for a 6-8 hour hike over difficult terrain.
-Needs to have a *seperate* compartment for lots (ie 4L or more) of water, first aid, food, jacket, tools and other important non-photo stuff.
6-8 hours with full gear? Now we're talking. I'm partial to Think Tank bags even though they are designed for air travel. IMO they are very comfortable for all day hiking but YMMV. dave
JohnJ80 wrote:
I agree with this and with the notion that you should get a real backpack and adapt it for photography. To this, depending on the camera strap you have, you can get tails that will clip into the daisy chain on your backpack harness. This is what I would recommend and what I do. It's very comfortable and works very well.
Think Tank Photo has some clips that work with almost any camera strap and backpack. You can see them here:
Additionally, if you keep your camera in a holster inside the pack (I also use TT's for this) then you can mount the entire holster to the harness here too.
Just go to a decent outdoor store like REI and have them fit you for a pack. You will be wa-a-a-ay better off using a pack in this method than any of the photo packs. You will get the max enjoyment out of your hiking.
I'm familiar with where you are going. The terrain can be very rugged and there are *a lot* of rocks to climb up and over. It's a beautiful place. The weather can change rapidly on the Lake - since the water is an average temp of 38F below the thermocline, if the wind kicks up the temps can drop from the 90's to the 50's in an incredibly short time. Carrying an extra layer is very important.
do you think i can use the thinktank straps and have a topload zoom case attach to them? that might be the ticket for my needs. keep the camera up on the chest which will be much better balanced and have straps attached to the pack rather than an entirely seperate chest harness--which i can't imagine being comfortable when also wearing a full backpack as i will be...i wonder if these straps will fit some of the smaller zoom bags like lowepro...probably.
Without trying it, you could probably get two sets of them, one to hold it to the harness from the top and one to hold it against your body from the bottom (there are attachment points in both places). You could clip it to the adjustable part of the strap of your harness pack or to some part of the waist belt. Like I said, I haven't tried it but it should work. You could also do the same thing with a piece of bungee cord on the bottom and a slider.
I use a Deuter Futura Zero 40 (as mentioned in several other threads and now hitting three years). Often I'll load it with about 30-35 pounds of gear for a day hike. My camera is a 4X5 field camera, which with lenses, film, filters, darkcloth, meter, tips the scales at 20 pounds. Then I add a backcountry first aid kit, map for the area I'm hiking, 2 liters of water, lunch and a snack and at least a goretex jacket. I carry this pack ALOT for dayhikes typically between 6 and 10 miles (pretty much every other weekend from April to October). The downside to a top load rucksack is getting to your gear. The plus side is that the bag is very light and durable with no zippers to break. My wife has the Osprey Stratos 24 and while I like the zip body, I find the Deuter frame a little more comfortable.
If I'm hiking with 35mm gear, I use those Thinktank Camera Support Straps. Best accessory ever.
Typical hike - upper Ice Lake Basin - Silverton, CO - started at the distant meadow seen in this shot. 7mi RT, 2400 ft vertical.
Pack Harness
Pack Body
For backpacking, my setup is a Gregory Palisade like so.
Cabela's currently has Kelty Redwing 3100s for sale in their "Bargain Cave" for $40. I heard great things about this bag so I ordered one from ebags earlier in the week (for around $90) before I saw the deal at Cabela's.
Don't feel bad about missing the 'deal' at Cabela's. Most that you see in bargain coves are an older model, not the current model. Generally not a big deal, but for me I specifically wanted the current model because of the zippered pockets that it has. The 2008 just had flaps. Probably not a big deal to most folks though.
That holster looks like a huge waste. It must weigh at least a pound. Just wear the camera around your neck, and have a strap so it doesn't bang around. Simpler is better.
"This just seems awkward though, and if I bail down a rocky hill I'm going to impale myself on my camera."
greeneggs wrote:
That holster looks like a huge waste. It must weigh at least a pound. Just wear the camera around your neck, and have a strap so it doesn't bang around. Simpler is better.
"This just seems awkward though, and if I bail down a rocky hill I'm going to impale myself on my camera."
Don't fall.
Don't fall? That's crazy advice.
I use a toploader, attached to a Lowepro belt & also velcro'ed around my thigh. I keep my 5D and 300/4 in it, ready to go in case an animal or bird happens by. I've fallen quite a few times. Without that holster my gear would be toast.
Also, my rig is very comfortable there. I didn't like it strapped to my chest, where it feels hot & heavy. I'd love to see greeneggs actually hike 10 miles in the summer, with his rig around his neck & strapped-down. I doubt he's actually tried it. - Unless he's just an animal!
BTW- I keep most of my other gear in a small camera-backpack, and THAT goes into my main (Gregory Palisade) pack. I used to keep a few smaller lenses on my chest (in lowepro cases) but found it to be hot, plus I didn't really need them there. It's only the 300mm that I need to get to fast. Once I make camp, I wear the small pack as I fish / explore, so I still have all my lenses.
that's another idea, to wear the holster on my belt, which in my case will be just a normal leather belt. i'm giong to get the holster (think tank 20 or m-rock probably) and the think tank straps and try both configurations (strapped to the pack on the chest and worn on my belt) to see which i prefer. i'm going to keep the heavy camera stuff in the pack, which may not be ideal for wildlife but i don't think i can take the weight down low. we'll see. this is not so easy to get right!
if you are wearing the toploader on your belt it becomes just like a 'real' holster...but instead of gun slinging you are canon toting!!
Cableaddict wrote:
Also, my rig is very comfortable there. I didn't like it strapped to my chest, where it feels hot & heavy. I'd love to see greeneggs actually hike 10 miles in the summer, with his rig around his neck & strapped-down. I doubt he's actually tried it. - Unless he's just an animal!
Of course I have tried it, and much more than 10 miles. If you are climbing and you fall, you are pretty much dead. And if you are only hurt, then how will you get out. I think don't fall is great advice, and packing light is probably helpful for it.
greeneggs wrote:
Of course I have tried it, and much more than 10 miles. If you are climbing and you fall, you are pretty much dead. And if you are only hurt, then how will you get out. I think don't fall is great advice, and packing light is probably helpful for it.
That statement alone tells me you have not done much hiking. Personally, I put all my gear into the pack when I hike in dangerous terrain. Going up steep slopes or where there is loose rock is no place to be thinking about photography.
I seriously don't get what is up with the jerks in this forum. Why do you feel the need to challenge what I have said, and then repeated?
You can take photographs when climbing or hiking in exposed terrain if you do it safely and carefully. There are just so many situations where have a blanket rule to put away your camera makes zero sense. Say you going up some class 3+ with plenty of places to stop easily. I think having a camera strapped so it doesn't swing and yet is easily accessible to shoot your friends is fine (depending on your experience). Going up a couloir, watch your stance and the conditions. There are many, many cases where the risk fluctuates as you go along.
I like to keep my camera accessible around my neck because I go on long trips with friends, and time matters. I find that wearing a shirt with the collar turned up protects my neck from rubbing and also blocks more sun.
greeneggs wrote: I seriously don't get what is up with the jerks in this forum. Why do you feel the need to challenge what I have said, and then repeated?
You can take photographs when climbing or hiking in exposed terrain if you do it safely and carefully. There are just so many situations where have a blanket rule to put away your camera makes zero sense. Say you going up some class 3+ with plenty of places to stop easily. I think having a camera strapped so it doesn't swing and yet is easily accessible to shoot your friends is fine (depending on your experience). Going up a couloir, watch your stance and the conditions. There are many, many cases where the risk fluctuates as you go along.
I like to keep my camera accessible around my neck because I go on long trips with friends, and time matters. I find that wearing a shirt with the collar turned up protects my neck from rubbing and also blocks more sun. ...Show more →
I don't think you need to call anyone names.
The truth is, you've made some general and far-fetched statements. Whether you fall, trip or slip, it doesn't mean you will die most of the time. But you can easily damage gear that is not well protected, and that is what he was saying.
And saying "don't fall" is a ridiculous statement. No one intends to fall while hiking or backpacking, but it happens. Some people just don't have a good sense of balance, or aren't in their element in the outdoors.
greeneggs wrote:
Of course I have tried it, and much more than 10 miles. If you are climbing and you fall, you are pretty much dead. And if you are only hurt, then how will you get out. I think don't fall is great advice, and packing light is probably helpful for it.
Wrong kind of hiking. I'm not a climber, and I'm not going to plummet to my doom off a climbing route. I'm much more likely to get a boot wedged under a root going downhill or slip on wet and muddy rocks uphill, for example. Especially if I've been working hard for hours and hours and my attention is starting to drift away. It does happen, and while I'm relatively young and likely won't be hurt doing a faceplant is embarassing. Doing it and landing on a bare camera - even worse, and probably expensive, too.
So yeah - don't label people as jerks. Don't fall is good advice for climbers. Pretty irrelevent for the less vertically inclined.
I'm hoping to go kick the tires on some packs tonight and try out whatever I come up with tomorrow. Will post pictures later this week if I have some success!
