walking/hiking with photo kit
Discussion
I've been struggling with this one since I started really.
Initially, bought a small bag just to fit the camera and lens in, however I then started buying more stuff so bought myself a Lowepro slingshot 200AW as shown below:
Its not too bad for storing stuff and carrying it to events/in the car etc but its no good for walking.
I usually go for some kind of rucksack with an air system 25-30L and had a Berghaus Freeflow up until recently however, it wasnt big enough to accommodate the camera safely as well as walking kit.
I've now seen the likes of the Osprey or Deuter putting out daypacks with separate lower compartments e.g
I thought about combining this with a padded top loading bag at the bottom so I can just unzip the compartment and access the camera kit. Not sure on what is available - perhaps a video camera bag with compartments?
Anyone got any other ideas or combinations which you use? I tend to find the likes of Lowepro are very expensive and not overly technical when it comes to walking/camera kit. I love taking photos but also love the outdoors so dont want to compromise on comfort.
Initially, bought a small bag just to fit the camera and lens in, however I then started buying more stuff so bought myself a Lowepro slingshot 200AW as shown below:
Its not too bad for storing stuff and carrying it to events/in the car etc but its no good for walking.
I usually go for some kind of rucksack with an air system 25-30L and had a Berghaus Freeflow up until recently however, it wasnt big enough to accommodate the camera safely as well as walking kit.
I've now seen the likes of the Osprey or Deuter putting out daypacks with separate lower compartments e.g
I thought about combining this with a padded top loading bag at the bottom so I can just unzip the compartment and access the camera kit. Not sure on what is available - perhaps a video camera bag with compartments?
Anyone got any other ideas or combinations which you use? I tend to find the likes of Lowepro are very expensive and not overly technical when it comes to walking/camera kit. I love taking photos but also love the outdoors so dont want to compromise on comfort.
I'm rather keen to give one of these a go when there out:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/97103764/captu...
When I'm proper hiking I take 7d and 17-55 and just have it either round my neck or in a dry bag top of my pack.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/97103764/captu...
When I'm proper hiking I take 7d and 17-55 and just have it either round my neck or in a dry bag top of my pack.
I currently have a Lowepro 300 and a Tamrac expedition.
I only bought the Tamrac because it's far easier for storing my gear when at home and it is the correct size for hand luggage on flights. The Lowepro is the better one for walking though if I'm not carrying all my gear (after all why do you need a camera, 5 lenses, flash etc) as I tend to take what I need whilst leaving room for food and water for the walk.
I only bought the Tamrac because it's far easier for storing my gear when at home and it is the correct size for hand luggage on flights. The Lowepro is the better one for walking though if I'm not carrying all my gear (after all why do you need a camera, 5 lenses, flash etc) as I tend to take what I need whilst leaving room for food and water for the walk.
Wasn't purchased specifically for walking hiking, but I reckon this would suit your needs.
http://www.worldofbags.co.uk/crumpler-italian-conn...
I have that slingshot as well, and it did my nut in as its main use was for going on holiday. It's a lovely wee bag for just walking about with the camera, but no use for squeezing netbook, flight reading and the rest of the stuff you'd want in your hand luggage going away on holiday.
My solution had been to cram the slingshot inside a North Face Modem day bag, but after one hungover "let's get on the move quickly" session to many, I'd had it.
I was going to South America for 4 weeks at the tail end of last year, and there was going to be A LOT of moving from place to place, and I couldn't face my existing compromise.
Hence the purchase of the crumpler. It's essentially a laptop/camera bag, but there's enough space in it for other goodies as well.
When I went to Paris for the rugby this year it was the only bag I took, so you can get clothes for a few days in it, and also as part of the South America trip when we left our big bags in Cusco to do the Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu over a few days I could cram what I needed into it.
I can comfortably carry a D5000 with 10-20mm on it, as well as 50mm, 70-300mm, 18-55mm and lensbaby muse, as well as a Samsung NC10, a book, my holiday paperwork, a 1L Sigg water bottle, a jumper and a waterproof in it.
(As well as all your chargers etc)
If you get inventive then you can squeeze changes of socks/underwear etc round the lenses in their wee compartments.
The bag is well padded, after going from Scotland to South America, various trips around the country, and off to Paris, there has been zero damage, either to contents or the bag.
IMO it's a bit less functional (read geeky) looking than the efforts from Lowe etc, which is one of the reasons I went for it. It's also less obviously containing expensive camera gear, which is a consideration when travelling in my view.
It does meet the cabin baggage dimensions pretty much perfectly, but can be a tight squeeze on smaller planes. (Yet to be foiled cramming it in though).
I went for the mahogany and orange one, and it's pretty good at not showing up dust/muck when dumped down in the Atacama desert for a glug of water.
Only downside is that it is pretty big, but then if you're carrying a large camera about, what do you expect?!
http://www.worldofbags.co.uk/crumpler-italian-conn...
I have that slingshot as well, and it did my nut in as its main use was for going on holiday. It's a lovely wee bag for just walking about with the camera, but no use for squeezing netbook, flight reading and the rest of the stuff you'd want in your hand luggage going away on holiday.
My solution had been to cram the slingshot inside a North Face Modem day bag, but after one hungover "let's get on the move quickly" session to many, I'd had it.
I was going to South America for 4 weeks at the tail end of last year, and there was going to be A LOT of moving from place to place, and I couldn't face my existing compromise.
Hence the purchase of the crumpler. It's essentially a laptop/camera bag, but there's enough space in it for other goodies as well.
When I went to Paris for the rugby this year it was the only bag I took, so you can get clothes for a few days in it, and also as part of the South America trip when we left our big bags in Cusco to do the Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu over a few days I could cram what I needed into it.
I can comfortably carry a D5000 with 10-20mm on it, as well as 50mm, 70-300mm, 18-55mm and lensbaby muse, as well as a Samsung NC10, a book, my holiday paperwork, a 1L Sigg water bottle, a jumper and a waterproof in it.
(As well as all your chargers etc)
If you get inventive then you can squeeze changes of socks/underwear etc round the lenses in their wee compartments.
The bag is well padded, after going from Scotland to South America, various trips around the country, and off to Paris, there has been zero damage, either to contents or the bag.
IMO it's a bit less functional (read geeky) looking than the efforts from Lowe etc, which is one of the reasons I went for it. It's also less obviously containing expensive camera gear, which is a consideration when travelling in my view.
It does meet the cabin baggage dimensions pretty much perfectly, but can be a tight squeeze on smaller planes. (Yet to be foiled cramming it in though).
I went for the mahogany and orange one, and it's pretty good at not showing up dust/muck when dumped down in the Atacama desert for a glug of water.
Only downside is that it is pretty big, but then if you're carrying a large camera about, what do you expect?!
This is a bit of a thread resurection, but I do a lot of walking with my camera gear and use FStop Gear bags, they are prett decent mountain bags in their own right, but with a removable camera section that fits into the bottom of the bag, there are various sizes of bags and inserts, which almost all interchangable (you can't use the massive insert in the smallest bag) so I have 30L and 60L bags depending on if I am overnighting etc and small and medium camera inserts depending on how much camera gear I need to take.
The key thing is how well they carry though, they have an interal frame so spread the weight much better than the normal camera bags which tend to be a well padded box with straps. The downside is the price, but as they always seem to sell out each production run in advance, I can't see that coming down...
The key thing is how well they carry though, they have an interal frame so spread the weight much better than the normal camera bags which tend to be a well padded box with straps. The downside is the price, but as they always seem to sell out each production run in advance, I can't see that coming down...
If you want to get a proper backback that has a camera compartment (removeable) look no further than http://fstopgear.com/
Amazing stuff, great quality, it can take my full winter kit (crampons, shovel etc) plus camera and a few lenses. However I only ever take 2 lenses with me.
Amazing stuff, great quality, it can take my full winter kit (crampons, shovel etc) plus camera and a few lenses. However I only ever take 2 lenses with me.
Has anyone tried the Hama Daytour 230?
http://www.hama.co.uk/product-showcases/daytour-23...
This seems a good alternative, can be had for £90. I've been using a crumpler ROyal Court for a few years. http://www.laptopstuff.co.uk/p/Crumpler_Royal_Cour...
Been ok on the whole for travel, but when I'm going to Silverstone, I'm cycling all day and carry some clothing, some food, a DLSR, Nikon 18-200mm and a Sigma 150-500mm and a Tablet to view pics on. I can just about squeeze it all in, but only just. Hence why the Daytour looks a much better proposition.
Bag wise it's well padded, comfortable but no hydration system (I did try to add one in from my cycling bags but 2l bag is quite bulbous)
http://www.hama.co.uk/product-showcases/daytour-23...
This seems a good alternative, can be had for £90. I've been using a crumpler ROyal Court for a few years. http://www.laptopstuff.co.uk/p/Crumpler_Royal_Cour...
Been ok on the whole for travel, but when I'm going to Silverstone, I'm cycling all day and carry some clothing, some food, a DLSR, Nikon 18-200mm and a Sigma 150-500mm and a Tablet to view pics on. I can just about squeeze it all in, but only just. Hence why the Daytour looks a much better proposition.
Bag wise it's well padded, comfortable but no hydration system (I did try to add one in from my cycling bags but 2l bag is quite bulbous)
S47 said:
Why do you need to carry so much stuff with you??
Easyest solution is to just carry your favourite lens, and maybe a 1.4x convertor in your pocket.
I've hiked up & over Wales's best peaks with just my favourite lens [400 F2.8] and a 1.4x convertor
Try it - it works for me
Wide, mid range and telephoto lenses, 2x bodies, filters etc and then all the normal gear you would take onto the mountain, ranging from waterproof & lunch to overnight gear/ice axe & crampons.Easyest solution is to just carry your favourite lens, and maybe a 1.4x convertor in your pocket.
I've hiked up & over Wales's best peaks with just my favourite lens [400 F2.8] and a 1.4x convertor
Try it - it works for me
I would definitely recommend Lowepro's Primus AW for hiking.
Check it out somewhere
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Primus-AW,1995...
Check it out somewhere
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Primus-AW,1995...
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