What's sad is that a friend of mine from here in shoreline, that has never heard of you or FM showed me this (not sure where he got it though), and I knew it was you...
Serious. I got first-hand look at that video prior to his post and I said "Dude, your're like the David Blaine of sports shooters..." Then I gasped as he threw his L glass around...I know they can take a beating, but it was like watching someone key up a new porsche. hehehe.
**Note to Self, never buy used L glass from Max.....**
Seriously...I love my Kata gear, but the Rucksack wont carry all of it, and there are times I do not want to hook my torso pack and waste pack to it for the extra gear....I actually like not doing that because I have my torso pack and waste pack designated for specific uses..So, after watching Max's video, I started looking at my Mini Trekker Classic....Do not know if I would toss my gear in like Max does, but, by golly, I just might start investing in some of those wraps and utilize the outer pockets more than I do now. It is also nice to see the 300 on body fits. Although, as soon as I get a long lens like that, Think Tank gear will probably replace every bag I have.
Max, what do you do with your extra gear you take in the bag to the arena? Up here the media room at the main stadium is unsecure. The laptops are usually chained to tables, but there is no place to leave extra gear or big bags with out them walking off. I usually pack as light as possible and if I decide not to utilize the closet they call a media room (thank god for wireless internet) I pop my laptop in my backpack and keep it on or right next to me. I think free lockers would help.
Extra gear stays behind me during NBA games, as most everyone does. During football games, everyone leaves theres on a certain wall that fans cant get to.
And I will take anything else on my back, no problems. I covered my first NFL game that way. Of course I was exhausted afterwards, but that was fine.
I know all the security people at AWA, they keep a watchful eye on my bag if need be. AWA is my 'hood.
As for laptops, I don't need one. I don't transmit on site (but I can). I have fit a laptop in that bag too (though I have to take out a lens or 2).
think about not mounting the 300 on a body when transporting. the stuff is tough, but the weakest link is the lens/body. i always break everything down before subjecting it to travel.
Ya, I think that because it's at the top of the bag, the weight is on the bottom of the lens, but I see your point. If I can find a divider, I'll start seperating them
Other than that though, you gotta admit, that's a pretty decent job of packing.
Sometimes I get crap from the airline folk, but I tell them that I'll go in the cargo area before my bag does...
This has reinforced my belief that photo equipment isn't nearly as delicate as we assume. I've been smacking my gear around since I got it and I have a lot of cheap crap. ! I dropped the stupid kit lens so hard it got the UV filter stuck tight on it. I had to pry it off with my teeth. The lens still works as crappy as it ever did! Ha.
Anyway, I don't stuff my cheapo $40 canon backpack (which I love) as full, but only because I don't have enough stuff. I do regularly fit everything in my lineup in the bag and easily have room for much more, plus I carry around my giotto rocket, every filter I have (about 8), tripod heads and manuals. And I haved picked up my backpack unzipped and dumped my gear more than I care to admit.
But still, that was amazing. I need more stuff to haul around! The 1DS and five l-series! Ha
you are a champ at packing--undisputed. i only carry:
Black electrical tape, pens, evelopes if I am on top of it.
clear plastic bags/aquatech when i know it is going to rain--I'm always wrong-so is the weather report
swiss army knife when not flying
cards/credents/extra memory
2 mkll
16-35
70-200
400
1.4x
gitz mono
light meter but don't know why
that covers all the sports i do unless i need lighting--couple profoto hds etc. football--add
the knee pads and small radio to keep track of what is going on. also PC -- set-up to transmit.
all goes in 1 roller lowepro for carry-on or heavy duty bags for check in. I NEVER leave gear unattended for even a second, so if I won't be using a lens it stays at home. same goes for sun glasses--they disappear so quick.
! I dropped the stupid kit lens so hard it got the UV filter stuck tight on it. I had to pry it off with my teeth. The lens still works as crappy as it ever did! Ha.