p.1 #1 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
Hopefully if is okay to post this here.
Canon R5, 100-500, 1.4x, 35mm, 17-34, etc kit and lenses, batteries, storage cards, misc cleaning stuff, tripod.
Sorting the "best" way to carry it all.
Currently trying a big-ish backpack that converts to sling mode.
But also thinking about a vest with big pockets for some of the stuff. Seems it's probably an either / or.
(i.e. a vest with stuff in the pockets probably not easy to strap on a backpack / sling it around.
Also binoculars - happy with a pouch that front mounts.
When I use that I can use my shoulder-sling camera carry system at the same time.
So, thoughts on backpack / vest etc?
Thanks!
--Peter
p.1 #3 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
What sort of shooting? I'm assuming this is out and about, but for me, what kind of bag I carry depends a lot on my use case. If I'm shooting around the city, or for short shoots, I much prefer using a shoulder bag, as it affords much faster access to my gear. If I'm going on long hikes, I use a backpack, and simply remove it when I get to the location where I want to shoot, as a shoulder bag will start hurting my back after a while.
p.1 #4 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
I've got 3 set ups. for a body and single lens, I have a small over the shoulder camera bag. It has a pouch that can carry an extra battery or two, some memory cards and small things like that.
For a slighly larger load out, I have a backpack that has a camera section on the bottom, can carry a body with lens, and two or three more lenses depending on what exactly they are. The top has a pouch for regular stuff, and there is a laptop compartment. This is often the setup up I use for vacations where I need to carry some regular stuff and some photo gear. It gets heavy though.
Finally, if I'm going to do some heavy shooting I have a canon photo specific backpack that can carry a lot of stuff. Not super huge, but a body and 4 lenses can be done, or two bodies . A second compartment holds flashes, remotes, whatever else I need. This is too heavy to pack around hiking, obviously. But it carries the gear.
I never have done the vest thing. I don't think I'd want lenses in vest pockets, and batteries and cards are small enough as to easily pack in to whatever other bag you are using.
p.1 #5 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
I have similar gear, and much depends upon physical condition, and ability to access gear quickly when required.
A Vest, or Back-pack can distributes weight evenly, VS a Shoulder bag concentrating it in one place, and a Vest is handy for "smaller" items, but if the temp. go's up you'll want it off, and when it's cold you have an over / under coat decision, so I have since opted for a shoulder harness + belt, with pouches for attaching TC's Water bottles, etc.
p.1 #6 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
There's getting your gear to a shoot and actually holding all the stuff when you shoot. Like I use a LowePro backpack to bring my 300mm f2.8 and 7D2 down to the lake to shoot sailing, but once I get to the launch, I leave my camera in a custom made wooden crib which sits on the boat deck.
I carry my 400mm in a wooden box in my trunk, but just sling the setup on a CarrySpeed strap when walking around.
Sometimes the thing you use to get to the location and what you use while shooting is the same thing, like when you travel to another country, but sometimes it isn't, when you're in your own neighbourhood. Everybody has their own preference.
p.1 #7 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
outlawrock wrote:
Hopefully if is okay to post this here.
Canon R5, 100-500, 1.4x, 35mm, 17-34, etc kit and lenses, batteries, storage cards, misc cleaning stuff, tripod.
Sorting the "best" way to carry it all.
--Peter
I know what I do - what I chose not to, and what a few others have done. It may help before saying much to ask a bit more. But one thing that comes to mind, I prefer backpacks because they work with a T-shirt or coat, whereas a vest may be limited in warm weather. But it depends on what you do.
Do you go out in the rain much, or mostly fair weather?
Do you want something that carries one body or two bodies?
My own personal preference is a LOWEPRO VERTEX 200 AW bought years ago and discontinued. I liked it so much I found an "open box" extra last year on Ebay for $70 and stashed it for the future because my configuration matches it.
p.1 #8 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
Thanks all. Sorry should have provided more details.
Amateur bird watcher, now getting in to bird / nature photography.
So not much worry about bad weather, although when I retire I might do more trips -> could be mixed weather.
One 1 body (R5)
p.1 #9 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
Depends greatly one how far, for how long, and what I am hoping to accomplish.
If you are hiking a great distance to get photos of birds, its worth getting a rigid frame hiking backpack and just putting your gear in cases in the bag (or wrapping it in clothing). 35 liters should be big enough for what you have. For these day hikes I use my osprey hiking bag with emergency supplies in case I run into trouble (knife, matches, first aid kit, combat tourniquet) in the back country with no cell service. These are usually hikes to summit mountains or 7+ miles. Its really nice to have a dedicated hiking bag for these, they are a little heavier but far more comfortable and ergonomic than any hiking bag I have found for cameras. (osprey stratos)
If you are hiking but not a tremendous distance, a regular nonsuspended camera backpack is great. These often are setup for camera gear and easier to use. I use a discontinued lowepro bag that I love for these hikes. It holds a water bladder and has a dedicated tripod holder. It still has lashing points for ice axe/hiking poles too. (lowepro flipside sport 20L)
If I am literally just getting out of my car and walking less than 100ft then I often just throw stuff into whatever bag is closest.
p.1 #11 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
outlawrock wrote:
Hopefully if is okay to post this here.
Canon R5, 100-500, 1.4x, 35mm, 17-34, etc kit and lenses, batteries, storage cards, misc cleaning stuff, tripod.
Sorting the "best" way to carry it all.
Currently trying a big-ish backpack that converts to sling mode.
But also thinking about a vest with big pockets for some of the stuff. Seems it's probably an either / or.
(i.e. a vest with stuff in the pockets probably not easy to strap on a backpack / sling it around.
Also binoculars - happy with a pouch that front mounts.
When I use that I can use my shoulder-sling camera carry system at the same time.
So, thoughts on backpack / vest etc?
Thanks!
--Peter...Show more →
This doesn't seem like that much stuff to me. A small backpack should work fine. A shoulder bag IMO is uncomfortable, and I only use them for vehicle transport.
I am always pimping the Billingham 25 Rucksack – It will easily carry the equipment you mentioned and is deep enough to accommodate the addition of a vertical grip if needed. Overall footprint of the bag is incredibly small for what it carries, and it is super comfortable.
My 15-35 arrives in a few days, and this is what I'll be carrying in it:
EOS R + 100-500
RF 50 1.2
RF 15-35 2.8
1.4x
or
EOS R + 70-200 2.8
RF 50 1.2
RF 15-35 2.8
I can leave out the RF 50 or swap in the RF 35 1.8 if I want to go even lighter.
With your R5 and IBIS, I would leave the tripod at home unless you're doing 4+ second moving water shots or focus stacking.
Keep in mind that when the 1.4x is on the 100-500, you will have to go up to a VERY large (long) bag to fit it back in with the TC attached. And it's not like using a TC on a big white where you can get really fast at swapping the TC in and out – since the 100-500 has to be extended past 300mm to attach, it makes it quite a big more awkward to do quickly.
p.1 #13 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
bobbytan wrote:
I have been looking at this inexpensive small backpack that will fit the R5 with 100-500L mounted + a couple of other lenses and accessories:
One of the longest lasting gear I own is a camera pack in that same price range. The basic CANON backpack available online and has been at Best Buy, etc..
I remember some photographers talking about how it may be a risk for gear if a strap got broken, sort of down-playing it even though they never owned it. Commenting just off price.
But no straps or zippers have broken after 10 years of heavy bushwhacking in Redwood National Park. It''s not waterproof though.
This has worked well for me with a 5d series and a 100-400f5.6. Room for camera with lens attached and lens hood on. Plus room for a few small lenses. It's well thought out, Camera gear is accessed from the side that rests on your back. It fits on a plane as carry on item. Comfy to wear. Not cheap but you get what you pay for. JP
p.1 #15 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
I did have one before. Didn’t like it as the construction is pretty weak and the padding is rather thin.
mdvaden wrote:
One of the longest lasting gear I own is a camera pack in that same price range. The basic CANON backpack available online and has been at Best Buy, etc..
I remember some photographers talking about how it may be a risk for gear if a strap got broken, sort of down-playing it even though they never owned it. Commenting just off price.
But no straps or zippers have broken after 10 years of heavy bushwhacking in Redwood National Park. It''s not waterproof though.
p.1 #16 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
I probably would use a backpack. Problem with many backpacks is they’re only meant to carry gear, so you have no space for any extras. I just bought a f-stop lotus because it also has space for a jacket and other stuff. Selling my Atlas Athlete, which has the same kind of setup, but its camera space is a bit tight for a Canon with a grip.
p.1 #17 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
How I carry my gear depends on the stuff I will need and where I'm going. My go-to gear is a 6D and 24-105L. It fits neatly into an insulated 'lunch bag' pack that is easily carried and doen't look like a camera bag. This works well when travelling on public transport. For my bigger lenses I carry these in a Lowepro bag that sits on the front seat of my car. I can change lenses before leaving the drivers seat. I try not to carry the Lowepro away from the car. I am fortunate that in most areas in Australia theft from cars is rare but if I am going out of sight from the car I can put the Lowepro down in a footwell where it is out of sight.
One of my pet hates is having too much stuff when I'm photographing. This means back packs and carting heavy lenses about isn't pleasant for me. With the system I have I find I'm rarely wishing I had a full kit on hand, a little forethought goes a long way.
p.1 #18 · A bit off topic - how to carry my photo gear
This backpack is my new attempt to solve the problem. It converts into a sling, so my theory is backpack when on the move and then sling if I'm in a photo-rich environment. Will try it out this weekend and report back if anyone is interested. Seems to fit the gear I plan to bring. Only lack is a water bottle pocket but I can attach a water bag so should be ok.
