p.1 #1 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
Hello I am considering doing a long hike (5 to 6 nights to Mt Kilimanjaro) this summer. I am looking for a recommendation for a camera bag that can
-Be ergonomic for a long hike and easy on ba
-Can hold a dslr body with a long lens attached
-a second body (with normal lens)
-Room for extra lenses and a flash
-a small lap top
- small tripod
-accessories (sd cards etc)
Please recommend something based on your experience After the hike this will be my day to day bag when I shoot events (right now I end up taking multiple bags )
Thanks in advance
ks
May 28, 2012 at 07:00 PM
Jonathan Huynh Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
p.1 #4 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
Try looking at the f-stop bags. These are made like real hiking backs, using an internal frame,. with good belts and shoulder harness. I don't have an f-stop bag. I bought the thinktank airport and i regret it. The thinktank is basically a box strapped to your back. Its OK for travel but not for any serious hiking. I think you will die on Killimanjaro with that bag.
p.1 #5 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
Not on a hike no Just one big bag. At local events in CA may be this plus only if needed Plan is to consolidate number of bags I have to carry now for local event/s Thanks
p.1 #6 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
Multiday self supports with camera gear is a pain in the butt, but here is my setup. Lowepro Toploader AW 70 with a 5dmark II, 24-105 and 50CM in it. Attached to the side of the toploader I've got a large AW lens changer bag with the 100-400 in it. Both of these are attached to a chest harness instead of a backpack, you lose just a touch of mobiility, but it's ALWAYS at your fingertips vs having to dive into a pack every time you want to take a shot. That get's me through about 85% of my candids and wildlife shots. The rest of the gear is in a padded Watershed Drybag strapped to the top of my pack under the lid. Relative easy access, absolutely weatherproof.
p.1 #7 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
One more thing. Have you been at Altitudes above 15000 feet before? Highest I've been is about 17000 in Mexico and i cursed every ounce of camera gear. I had one body, 5 batteries, 10 8 gig cards 4 lenses and a UL tripod. No offense, but your gear list seems just a touch insane.
p.1 #8 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
Chum, are you also carrying your camping and self-support hear, or is that being portered? The answer to that makes a huge difference. I have completely different packs for multi-day backpacking + photography trips, vs. day hikes or single overnights. For multi-day self-supported hikes, the emphasis has to go on your camping an survival gear, and you must pare back you camera gear to to what you can carry safely on top of the essentials; and the pack is one designed for backpacking. But for an overnight (or in your case non-self-supported) then the emphasis can shift back to a camera-oriented set-up, with a bit of extra space for day food, safety gear, and extra layers. For that, the F-stop bags seem to be ideal.
What river rover says about elevation is important too. You don't want to optimistically load up with camera gear at sea level and be faced with the choice of dumping it or bailing on the climb one you get at elevation.
p.1 #9 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
You probably need to be more specific with your gear list.
For example if your taking to two 1-series Canon bodies and a 300f2.8 lens or 2 Rebel bodies and a 70-300 zoom, then there's an obviously huge difference in carrying capacity needed.
Actually having 2 bodies, a laptop and more than 2 lenses seems like too much for Kilimanjaro.
p.1 #10 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
I have the Lowepro Computrekker Plus AW. It holds a 17" laptop, two bodies, one with a 500/4 attached, a 70-200, 24-70, 180 Macro, 90 TS-E, spare batteries, filters cleaning kit, flash, etc. I would NOT recommend it for serious hiking or climbing, although it would work for hiking in a pinch. Kili would probably be okay with this pack, although other options would likely be better. F-stop Satori should probably be on your list to check out. I have never personally seen a purpose built photo pack that carries as well as a purpose built backpacking or climbing pack.
p.1 #12 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
If you DON'T have the need to carry the backpacking gear needed to support a multi-day, self-supported trip, but DO want a photo pack that is well-designed for real backcountry hiking, with the ability to also carry the essentials for a day hike, then the F-stop Gear packs should be at the top of your list to look at. There are several different sizes depending on how much photo gear plus hiking gear you need to carry. But plan ahead, because lead times on most of their packs are very long.
p.1 #13 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
If you've done backpacking trips up to 17,000 ft, I'm sure you have a favorite backpack (or two).
Use your current backpack and just get a insert for the small amount of gear you're taking on Kili. Most camera backpacks aren't optimized for the best backpacking experience (with the F-stop bags looking like one of the exceptions).
Then you can get the best possible event bag for your other needs.
This way you don't have to compromise on performance for two very different endeavors and you save money.
In other words, what's your reason to have one bag for both?
p.1 #14 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
chum94555 wrote:
Hello I am considering doing a long hike (5 to 6 nights to Mt Kilimanjaro) this summer... After the hike this will be my day to day bag when I shoot events (right now I end up taking multiple bags )
The rectangular bags such as those made Think Tank are great for event shooting but not so great for all day hikes. On the other hand, F-Stop type hiking backpacks are great on the trail but not so good for events. Are you sure you want one bag for all? If I was going to Kili, I'd get a proper bag. And get a second for event shooting. Heck, I just sold my Think Tank Acceleration V2.0 on the B&S board for $150 shipped which would have been great for events. dave
p.1 #15 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
Surf Monkey, what inserts do you use? I always end up either sticking my shiz in a fanny pack stuffed inside my backpack or wrapping it in clothes. Looking for a better way...
p.1 #17 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
Another vote for F-stop. TTs, Lowepro, or anything else without a frame are a *total* PITA when you have them on your back the whole day, particularly up-down a hill. Whatever anyone tells you, the waist belt of the popular photo "backpacks" is woefully inadequate to keep the weight off your shoulders for anything more than 15-20 mins. After that everything slouches down and you have to either re-adjust or let your shoulders do the heavy lifting.
For a multi-day trip you have a couple of options:
1) If you have porters/etc to carry most of your camping gear and need only photo gear and hiking basics (rain cover, extra layer, hat, gloves, water, snacks, etc) then a Tilopa with either small or medium ICU will be fine.
2) If you need to carry everything yourself forget about photo backpacks. Buy yourself a nice Osprey or another quality hiking pack, put your gear in a Mountainsmith Cube and pack it near the top of the pack but close to your bag. Not as convenient, but your back will thank you. If there is room I also throw in a light fabric daypack (Jansport Katahdin 20 http://www.jansport.com/js_product_detail.php?pid=T08E) that I use around base camp.
Final disclaimer: if you browse through my post history you will find me grumbling often and loudly about F-stop. None of my criticism of the company has changed, but their products to stand apart, assuming that you are willing to swallow the bitter (price) pill.
p.1 #18 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
ryanpfleger wrote:
Surf Monkey, what inserts do you use? I always end up either sticking my shiz in a fanny pack stuffed inside my backpack or wrapping it in clothes. Looking for a better way...
There are so many, but I found that one that fits in my small backpack and have stuck with it for other purposes as well, including my big multi-day pack.
It's this one from Mountainsmith: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673869-REG/Mountainsmith_10_81064_01_Kit_Cube.html
Same one as Groovygeek!
This one fits my 5D2 with 24-105 or 17-40 mounted and 70-200f4 without hood. That's my typical hiking kit.
The best one will be the one that fits in your bag the most snug. That way it won't move around too much, sense the density of camera gear is on the high side. Check out all the ones from F-Stop, Domke and Tenba for the one that fits your needs.
The reason I went this route:
1) I already have the various backpacks I need for different purposes and one camera pack wouldn't cut it.
2) The backpacks I have are much better than any of the camera specific packs I've tried (but I haven't tried the f-stops because of price).
3) I don't carry too much gear on long trips, so the insert works fine.
p.1 #20 · Camera bag for a long and multi-days hike
One of the major things that sucks about photo packs is the lack of sizing options. Getting one that fits is probably the most important part of how the carry. I have a slightly longer torso than what any of these packs are designed for. I think the insert route is the most promising.
