p.1 #1 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
I have a 400-800mm G coming, and I’m looking for a comfortable way to carry it, one body (will be A9 III or A1 II), and probably a monopod.
So far I’m looking at a ThinkTank Glass Limo or a Tenba Solstice 12L, but I’m open to other suggestions. Probably should be a backpack - I’ve never used a backpack version before - always roller or shoulder bag - but this lens is too big for a shoulder bag.
I don’t expect to be hiking tens of miles to get to where I will be taking photographs, but I’ll want it to be comfortable for maybe a mile or two. And I’d prefer it to be not too much bigger than it needs to be.
p.1 #2 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
Assuming you want to carry the lens attached to the body, both of those look like good choices. If you are willing to carry it without the body you could get away with the peak design everyday backpack 30L. That pack will hold my 200-600 attached to my A1 II with the vertical grip which is about 1-1.5 inches shorter then the same body and the 400-800.
p.1 #4 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
When I carry a telephoto lens, I want to use it actively and be ready quickly. Keeping it in a backpack is inconvenient—it takes too long to take it in and out and can be frustrating.
That’s why I carry it comfortably all day, as shown in this video
and I’m ready to shoot within seconds when needed.
In the meantime, I can use the monopod as a walking stick.
p.1 #5 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
Stefan Official wrote:
When I carry a telephoto lens, I want to use it actively and be ready quickly. Keeping it in a backpack is inconvenient—it takes too long to take it in and out and can be frustrating.
That’s why I carry it comfortably all day, as shown in this video
and I’m ready to shoot within seconds when needed.
In the meantime, I can use the monopod as a walking stick.
I carry with monopod fitted, resting on shoulder. For me, time taking to attach monopod would be a problem for that setup.
p.1 #7 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
Stefan Official wrote:
Why wouldn’t a quick-release plate (Arca-Swiss) work in this case? Would it still be too slow or inconvenient for your setup?
Not having to fit monopod will always take much longer than not having to fit it.
I do use an arca system.
It takes less time for me to have camera ready to shoot when the whole kit is resting on my shoulder than it takes using the Mr Jan carrier in the video.
I could see myself using my usual shoulder rest method but with the Mr Jan carrier just for TC swapping.
When using a bag, I don't use a back pack.
Either a Manfrotto padded tripod bag or a padded chainsaw bag.
Both much faster than using a backpack.
p.1 #8 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
Well, that has given me more to think about…
I tend to carry the camera to a location in a bag, then I have handheld it while shooting. Now I may be monopodding while shooting, but still want a bag to carry it to where I start shooting. The bag protects the camera in the car (or other transport), and lets me carry sundries (batteries, memory cards, etc). I think I’ll still want some kind of bag.
p.1 #10 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
I have the Tenba Solstice 24L which I use for the A1 + 200-600 or the 300 + TC
It should fit the 400-800 as well , mounted on a body
It comes with a rain cover and has many compartments for accessories
Highly recommended since it' s served for many years (6 to be exact) without any tears nor issues https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1375347-REG/tenba_636_415_solstice_24l_backpack_black.html
p.1 #11 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
Woohoo! Heading home on the train with my 400-800 after getting a notification from the shop this morning.
I took my chainsaw bag.
All you weirdos that use actual camera bags......☺
p.1 #12 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
deevee wrote:
I have the Tenba Solstice 24L which I use for the A1 + 200-600 or the 300 + TC
It should fit the 400-800 as well , mounted on a body
It comes with a rain cover and has many compartments for accessories
Highly recommended since it' s served for many years (6 to be exact) without any tears nor issues https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1375347-REG/tenba_636_415_solstice_24l_backpack_black.html
I have the 20L version of the Tenba bag. It's a really nice bag and I MANY bags. Tenba 24L's official 18.5" interior length should work very well with the Sony 400-800 (13.6") + A1 (3").
This time for the 400-800 I ordered another 1.5" metal hood that I will keep on all the time. But those metal hoods are not reversible. I am not a fan of those big OEM hoods and I try to avoid putting on/removing hoods often.
The new setup's total length will be 13.6" (lens) + 1.5" (hood) + 3" (A1) =18"+, I would need a bag with interior length around 19"-20". I already have the Think Tank BackLight® 26L that has an interior length of 19.3". It should work well with my setup (including the 1.5" metal hood).
p.1 #13 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
Took me long enough to find an acceptable bag for the 200-600 mounted (settled on a Mindshift Exposure 15) so I'm glad I didn't jump on the 400-800 and have to go through that again
Still, I'll be following this thread with interest because I've no idea how long I'll be able to resist 800mm of temptation.
p.1 #14 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
I bought an Ortlieb Atrack (25L) and made a custom insert from leftover dividers (and a lot of velcro to hold it together). Originally, I meant it for hiking through streams in case I fall. It fits the 200-600 mounted. It should fit the 400-800 mounted too. https://us.ortlieb.com/products/atrack?variant=45082293207218. It has an adjustable torso and it's pretty comfortable. The harness keeps the pack off my back.
This setup will easily fit the 400-800 mounted, but probably not with the hood in shooting position. The insert can fit the tele mounted and a few other lenses on the side depending on their sizes.
As a side note: to make the pack fit me better, I added a Seek Outside lumbar pad (velcro and fabric glue) since the pack has no lumbar support built-in. To fit me even better, I use an Atlas Adventure hipbelt, which fits perfectly in the 50-C. It's a Frankenstein pack now, but it works well for travel (fits the overhead bin in a plane) and hikes decently.
p.1 #16 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
There is an extra large RCI for the NYA-EVO 60-C, for those who don't mind a slightly larger than 50-C solution. It would be a little more turnkey and gives you 21.25 inches of space for the lens mounted to camera.
p.1 #17 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
Found a shop which had a Glass Limo in stock, and bought it - they are not easy to find.
Hoping to see the lens soon, and will be trying it out the moment I get it home. I expect to be able to fit with the lens on camera (will start with A9 III) and hope to fit it with the hood in shooting position (my calculations say it should all fit!).
I like the style of hood they are shipping with the 400-800 - same style as the 300 GM - plastic hood with latch. The 200-600 plastic hood which was notorious for falling off (mine came off two or three times, resulting in scratches and ). The metal hoods for the 400 and 600 GM lenses don’t appeal. I prefer the plastic hoods with a bit of shock protection, and I’d rather buy a new plastic hood than pay for repair to an expensive lens.
p.1 #18 · Suggestions for carrying a 400-800 + one body?
Tony Ross wrote:
Found a shop which had a Glass Limo in stock, and bought it - they are not easy to find.
Hoping to see the lens soon, and will be trying it out the moment I get it home. I expect to be able to fit with the lens on camera (will start with A9 III) and hope to fit it with the hood in shooting position (my calculations say it should all fit!).
I like the style of hood they are shipping with the 400-800 - same style as the 300 GM - plastic hood with latch. The 200-600 plastic hood which was notorious for falling off (mine came off two or three times, resulting in scratches and ). The metal hoods for the 400 and 600 GM lenses don’t appeal. I prefer the plastic hoods with a bit of shock protection, and I’d rather buy a new plastic hood than pay for repair to an expensive lens....Show more →
Tony, I do have a TT Glass Limo. If you put the hood in the storage position, the lens and a body will fit with some room to spare. But if you put the hood in the shooting position though, the fit is very, very tight. It can be done but the bag stretches out all the way. You know the hood for the GM 300mm is basically the same but shorter than that of the G 400-800mm. Now, you can put the hood for the GM 300mm in the shooting position and the zoom lens + camera will fit perfectly in the TT Glass Limo.
