I'm still using a dedicated hiking backpack, a Deuter with an ICU, I just don't see the point in dropping $400+ on a photo/hiking pack. I still carry my camera out with a next strap and I only put it in the pack if it starts to rain, like @binaryvisions I like to shoot along the way on my hikes.
I looked for the perfect bag, but still found I did not like having to set the bag down every 10 min to pull out my camera. I then looked for the perfect strap, but still found it was uncomfortable after 3 miles or so. Ultimately I tried the peak design clip but didn't like the feeling of my camera suspended by a single point as it was prone to flopping, stress on the bag, or prone to getting hit with branches.
Finally I came onto the f-stop gatekeeper straps and Navin pouch. I am not a rep or anything so this isn't an affiliated link I just like their gear (If they want to pay me I will take it though!). You can strap it onto any bag you currently use. It creates a more even weight distribution for hiking, and is sturdy and accessible. My friends I hike with call it a nerd pouch or a kangaroo Pouch, but for carrying anything other than a super-tele its my favorite item. There is not a lot of reviews out there so its not a well known item. I personally use 2-sets of gatekeepers so the pouch is secure on all 4 sides.
thedruid wrote:
I'm still using a dedicated hiking backpack, a Deuter with an ICU, I just don't see the point in dropping $400+ on a photo/hiking pack. I still carry my camera out with a next strap and I only put it in the pack if it starts to rain, like @binaryvisions@ I like to shoot along the way on my hikes.
I use mine as a regular pack and a travel pack not just a “photographic” pack and i have a "few" packs. the fact is way too many
Foztography wrote:
I looked for the perfect bag, but still found I did not like having to set the bag down every 10 min to pull out my camera. I then looked for the perfect strap, but still found it was uncomfortable after 3 miles or so. Ultimately I tried the peak design clip but didn't like the feeling of my camera suspended by a single point as it was prone to flopping, stress on the bag, or prone to getting hit with branches.
Finally I came onto the f-stop gatekeeper straps and Navin pouch. I am not a rep or anything so this isn't an affiliated link I just like their gear (If they want to pay me I will take it though!). You can strap it onto any bag you currently use. It creates a more even weight distribution for hiking, and is sturdy and accessible. My friends I hike with call it a nerd pouch or a kangaroo Pouch, but for carrying anything other than a super-tele its my favorite item. There is not a lot of reviews out there so its not a well known item. I personally use 2-sets of gatekeepers so the pouch is secure on all 4 sides.
I use a Think Tank "Change Up" bag that has a belt strap. Super convenient. Fits a DSLR without grip and lens mounted plus another lens. It is easy to add a belt component for a third lens, or for a water bottle, or for both.
I just looked at their website and it seems they do not do it anymore. I fail to understand why, it is one of the very best bags I saw ever.
I am with you there.. and with all my shoulder bags either daily carrying my laptop from car to work, through airports, and when using a backpack not well centered on hikes... or shoulder bags with camera gear when not really on a long hike. Been getting steroid injections in my shoulder... of course tennis does not help
SSO-Images wrote:
As I get older, I can no longer tolerate any imbalanced gear carrying methods over my neck or shoulders. .
binary visions wrote:
Sure, I understand what some people are doing. It just doesn't work in my brain - my inclination is to collect photos as I go, even if they're not the epic landscape I came for. Like I said, I'm not judging, just observing how differently people approach photography.
My phone takes wonderful photos compared to the phones of old, but it's still nowhere near the quality of my camera, and I'm almost inevitably disappointed when I see them side-by-side with photos out of my camera.
I'm usually hiking in when it's dark or hiking out when it's dark so there is not much to shoot. When I do go during daylight, I have a destination and a vision of the shot I want and I try to get to that destination with enough time to scout around a bit, look at different composition possibilities and have some relax time before the light turns good. I'm happy and call it a successful outing if I get one image that I decide to print. For me it's about quality, not quantity.
Camera in my hiking pack along with everything I need to survive a night if I have to. Many times the terrain requires using both hands to climb over boulders or through trees so having any gear out of the pack just endangers both the gear and meself.
Foztography wrote:
Finally I came onto the f-stop gatekeeper straps and Navin pouch.
I use the mini version of f-stop's Navin pouch the f-stop Hiniyana if I'm going somewhere really interesting. It can take two Sony a7C bodies; the one at the bottom with a very light and compact Samyang f2.8 / 35mm prime, and the other one above it with the a7C kit lens f4-5.6 / 28-60mm. If it's urban I use a wasted Safrotto (Domke knock-off) sling bag which has more room.
chez wrote:
I'm usually hiking in when it's dark or hiking out when it's dark so there is not much to shoot. When I do go during daylight, I have a destination and a vision of the shot I want and I try to get to that destination with enough time to scout around a bit, look at different composition possibilities and have some relax time before the light turns good. I'm happy and call it a successful outing if I get one image that I decide to print. For me it's about quality, not quantity.
Camera in my hiking pack along with everything I need to survive a night if I have to. Many times the terrain requires using both hands to climb over boulders or through trees so having any gear out of the pack just endangers both the gear and meself....Show more →
I can certainly appreciate leaving the camera in the pack, but I'm more like binary visions on this. If I'm out to photograph, I do like to capture things that catch my eye. Yes, most of it end up being crap I delete, but I'm there to enjoy myself.
Chez, I'm with you. I'm most frequently trying to get out before sunrise, which means the hike out is in the dark, I don't much mind keeping everything in the pack then. Unfortunately, where I'm at there is not too much terrain that requires hands to navigate.
I did try try the Peak Designs capture clip recently, I really liked it. I wasn't traveling with a tripod though, so no L-bracket. I'm not sure how I will like it then with the capture plate on the L-bracket. The Peak Design clutch gets a thumbs down though, too restrictive with my A7R3.
Superb protection and very very sturdy. Big DSLR like D850 and 24-70 fits inside the main module. Lens bin is able to contain for example Canon 90mm TS-E AND 17mm TS-E at once.
Forward Observer camera bag and lens bin by Hazard4. I attach them to whatever backpack I need depending on how long the hike will be. These use standard molle system. During hot days in the summer on short trips I use mostly Source backpacks with their hydration system which is far more important than any camera gear ever. Harazd's modules attach to those as well.
I abandoned all hippie bling-blong camera bag manufacturer products long time ago. Not only they suck at ergonomics but also do not take accidental abuse very well. Military gear is made to last.
i still have my favorite hippie blong camera pack (fstop ajna) and had it for years of traveling and hiking. then i have a Mystery Ranch pack that is similar. both allow modular build multi function and carry well.
Mystery Ranch (owned by the people who started Dana Designs) makes some really serious Fire and Mil packs and have extremely well designed frame systems. something that's neat but i have little need for.
in my basement i have a collection of packs from various US makers.
I use the Think Tank belt system with 1-2 bags attzvhed to it. I like the horizontal one for a camera and up to two lenses and a tall bag for telephotos.
Besides my Backpack I use a Lumbar pack from Mountain Smith which I wear in the front, which makes for a fast grab. I am able to keep a camera and lens safe in there, if anything interesting arises on the trail.
I have often thought about how stupid I am to haul 4kg of camera & lenses along with 2-3kg of tripods to the wilderness. Having 5kg of dry meat or some fancy candy would be much better and allow super long hikes.
My next hike will be with Mate 40 Pro+, 1kg travel tripod, DIY 3D printed arca-swiss filter holder and lots of chocolate etc. funky goods.
I use an Osprey Atmos for most of my hikes where I need my camera gear. I am typically carrying a 60+ lbs load out between camera gear, sleeping pad and bag, clothes, food, water, first aide, and other things.
My camera stuff goes inside Peak Design. travel inserts which is enough for my Z6 body, star tracker, pano head, 70-200, 35 1.8S, 50 1.8S, 14-24, ball head, remote, batteries, cards, dew heater, and some cables. The insert is placed in the center of my load for some good weight distribution, and my tripod goes on the outside in one of the side pockets.
I really do not think I would able to carry all these items if it were not for the Osprey. When packed properly, it certainly is heavy, but the anti-gravity frame works well and can sustain these loads. It is also super durable. I beat this thing around and it still looks brand new.
Depends on length and type of hike, and what I'm anticipating shooting, ie wildlife or landscapes. Longer, destination/peak hikes, mostly in the pack and pull out as needed. I try to keep it easy to retrieve. If it's for wildlife, probably carry either by tripod mount, or on Peak Designs strap. But that can depend on bow tough the hike is.
