Anyone use a Backpack for their medium format camera system?

Ricochetrider · Jan 12, 2019

HI,
been thinking about a way to carry my Hasselblad 500cm, a couple lenses for it, along with ny Olympus M4/3 camera. Seems a backpacker would be best and I've been looking at Chrome Industries' smaller Niko bag with the single cross body strap. I actually think the Niko F Stop Camera Backpack is far more advanced but alas, it is also far bigger.

The downside with the smaller bag is there doesn't appear to be any way to strap a tripod onto it, however.....

What's everyone else use?

WilmarcoImaging · Jan 12, 2019

Yes, I use an older Jansport 33 liter backpack for all camera systems. 35mm, 6x7 and 4x5. The MF rig is one RB67 Pro SD body and 2 lenses, plus light meter, film and other small items. A tripod straps to the side of the backpack. It works well on foot or on bicycle.

AgX · Jan 12, 2019

Ricochetrider said:
The downside with the smaller bag is there doesn't appear to be any way to strap a tripod onto it, however.....

If it is only due to lacking loops/hooks a tinkerer woulk add such to his bag. However the whole shebang then must be sturdy enough from keeping the tripod swinging around when moving. The same time the added weight of the tripod may be beyond the design limits of such small backpack.

Wilmarco got a solution where his tripod is strongly fixed to his backpack but nevertheless protruding vastly at one side. I would not want to stand next to him when he turns around, or when he passes a crowd.

Ricochetrider · Jan 12, 2019

Ha ha, If I were to jury rig something like the, ideally the tripod would hang vertically in line with the pack itself... My reasoning goes like this, however: why buy something inadequate then go to the trouble of making it accommodate gear it's not designed to carry?
Hence my query to see what everyone else is using.

Dan Daniel · Jan 12, 2019

Have you used a single cross-body strap type of bag? They work great for some people. But for me, I ended up with back pain carrying heavier loads such as a medium format kit. And I know other people who had to stop using messenger-type bags and single strap packs for the same reason. Also depends on activity- biking or bushwacking made it worse for me. Just a thought; as said, they work well for many.

Strap the tripod vertical down center back of pack. Attach lashing points yourself if needed. Put a stiffener under the back panel or have interior padded bags for equipment.

jeffreyg · Jan 12, 2019

I have been using a Tamrac backpack ( forgot the model #) the larger one that fits the overhead airline compartment for many years under a variety of conditions. It has remained in excellent condition and easily holds a couple of Hasselblad bodies, lenses, lightmeter, filters, other goodies, film and a Gortex shell. Obviously that is a heavy load so when out and about I remove anything I won't need for that outing. It is a real backpack so it is adjustable for your size. The interior compartments are also adjustable. My feeling is that is better to have more room than not enough. I also take a smaller daypack when traveling so I can walk around with minimal equipment and have it be less conspicuous. They also have additional pieces to go with it but I try to keep it simple

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

Alentejo · Jan 12, 2019

That is my backback for a Mamiya RB67.
Very safe with a slapstock foam.

jeffreyg · Jan 12, 2019

I just located the model # 787 now twenty years in service and it does have straps for a tripod but I carry it separately. I don't know what the current comparable model is but a search should come up with their catalog. It was not cheap but neither are Hasselblads so it has been worth the investment.

Ricochetrider · Jan 12, 2019

Dan Daniel said:
Have you used a single cross-body strap type of bag? They work great for some people. But for me, I ended up with back pain carrying heavier loads such as a medium format kit. And I know other people who had to stop using messenger-type bags and single strap packs for the same reason. Also depends on activity- biking or bushwacking made it worse for me. Just a thought; as said, they work well for many.

Strap the tripod vertical down center back of pack. Attach lashing points yourself if needed. Put a stiffener under the back panel or have interior padded bags for equipment.

No I have not tried one of the single strap backpacks before, but currently have a (size medium) Timbuk2 messenger bag. This has worked well for many years but now I'm carrying more, and it isn't practical. I need to step up and be able to accommodate all my gear. I'll be using if for everything from urban walking, mountain hiking, and possibly skiing, to motorcycling and world travel. So my bag needs to be tough as nails, weather resistant if not waterproof, light enough to use on long days, and small enough to carry onto flights....

I basically need to carry:
one M3/4 camera
2 lenses for said camera
one 500CM
2 extra lenses for that camera
extra film back,
light meter
and tripod

my tripod fits into checked luggage fro flying but then needs to get around with me wherever I go on land.

@jeffreyg, thanks, I'll look at the brand.

Alan9940 · Jan 12, 2019

I use a Guragear backpack for my Pentax 67 outfit and, though you can strap a tripod to it, I've never used it. I use a Slingbag for smaller outfits, but prefer a backpack because I don't find the Slingbag comfortable to carry over large distances.

WilmarcoImaging · Jan 12, 2019

Hello folks, agree on the vertical tripod orientation. The photo above is a "generation 1" setup. I don't have a photo of how I use the backpack today, where it is attached vertically in two places. As always, each person is free to choose from a wide variety of solutions.

I now use a larger leg set, see photo below. Still no detail on the tripod attachment to backpack. It works.

DWThomas · Jan 12, 2019

Years back I picked up a backpack from the Lowepro "Computrekker" series that holds most of my Bronica gear. But I have to say, in the intervening five or six years I have *never* carried it in the field! (With everything I can fit in it, it is likely above twenty pounds.) It keeps the gear organized at home, and I have used it in the car on some motoring excursions. When actually out and about shooting I usually trim the selection down to the camera and one or two lenses (and one of the 3 or 4 viewfinders) in a shoulder bag.

Somewhere along the way I picked up a shoulder strap with fittings to carry a tripod. Again, it hasn't seen a lot of use, (re: Wilmarcoimaging's photo) not sure how well it would work for bike travel. There is an astronomical number of "camera bags" out there ranging from smaller than a cigarette pack to stuff needing two guys to carry, and I still never seem to connect with the "perfect" choice!

Pieter12 · Jan 12, 2019

I use the ThinkTank Shape Shifter because I like the fact that instead of dividers that you have to access by laying the backpack flat on the ground, it has padded pouches that you can reach from the top. It will take a small tripod, too. I have a 3-legged thing tripod that although marginal for medium format doesn't weigh much--nice since my MF gear is quite heavy. https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/shape-shifter/products/shape-shifter-17-v2-0
https://www.3leggedthing.com

Trail Images · Jan 12, 2019

I pack a Mamiya RB67 ProSD with 5 lenses and 3301 Feisol CF tripod in a Tamrac Expedition 8x. Tamrac has newer units unless you can find a decent 8x on EBay.
This is not my pack listed below but it gives a good idea of Expedition 8x space.

slackercrurster · Jan 12, 2019

Yes, but just a cheapy pack and I use skins to wrap cams and lenses in.

Ai Print · Jan 12, 2019

I have 7 different sized backpacks for carrying all formats of gear. My main three are Fstop packs with several different ICU’s as they are light, well made and have room for the even more important stuff like food, clothing, water, climbing and ski gear, etc.

Ricochetrider · Jan 12, 2019

Wow man if I ever end up carrying as much stuff as that stock photo shows (above)... shoot me! LOL, JK.
One thing I do like about the smaller Chrome Niko pack is the ability to rearrange the foam dividers to suit one's needs. Although both the Chrome backpacks also accommodate a laptop or iPad currently that's not part of my intended usage. However, I think it essential to have a little extra room to stash layers of clothing in if one is pursuing active movements, IE walking, hiking, biking, X country & downhill skiing, whatever.

Also, Both Chrome bags are made to be outdoors and are pretty well weather proof, as the so all of their stuff is pretty well bullet proof. The
company comes from an urban bicycle messenger background. Honestly, having an extra rain proof cover seems to me that there is just one more thing to lose or misplace... I'm more about reducing elements in the mix- one thing I didn't like about the company F Stop's "system" backpacks.

Dan Daniel · Jan 12, 2019

Ricochetrider said:
Also, Both Chrome bags are made to be outdoors and are pretty well weather proof, as the so all of their stuff is pretty well bullet proof. The
company comes from an urban bicycle messenger background.

Be sure to poke around about the present quality of Chrome's bags and designs.I remember when they started in SF and watched them grow. As with most companies growing quickly, they had some periods of questionable quality. They may have started 'on the street' but that was long ago. They are now a beholden to venture capital firms, not messengers. So dig into recent user experiences.

wiltw · Jan 12, 2019

Ricochetrider said:
Ha ha, If I were to jury rig something like the, ideally the tripod would hang vertically in line with the pack itself... My reasoning goes like this, however: why buy something inadequate then go to the trouble of making it accommodate gear it's not designed to carry?
Hence my query to see what everyone else is using.

I travelled about Chile for over two weeks, with my Bronica ETRSi and several lenses within a DAYPACK and I had the tripod hanging from my shoulder with a padded shoulder strap.

I was staying in hotels and I had a car, so admittedly I was not hiking about everywhere carrying all my stuff on my back.

Sirius Glass · Jan 12, 2019

I have three backpacks for my Hasselblads.

One holds the 503CX, 903SWC, 50mm, 80mm, 100mm, 150mm, 250mm, Pentax Digital Spot Meter, extension tubes, filters, film backs ...
One holds the 503CX, 50mm, 80mm, 100mm, 150mm, 250mm, 500mm Pentax Digital Spot Meter, extension tubes, filters, film backs ...
[Usually when I fly] One holds the 503CX, 903SWC, 50mm, 80mm, Pentax Digital Spot Meter, filters, film backs or 503CX, 50mm, 80mm, 250mm, Pentax Digital Spot Meter, filters, film backs

I carry the Fisheye in its lens case. I can use #1 and carry the Fisheye and/or 500mm in their own cases.

RalphLambrecht · Jan 13, 2019

Ricochetrider said:
HI,
been thinking about a way to carry my Hasselblad 500cm, a couple lenses for it, along with ny Olympus M4/3 camera. Seems a backpacker would be best and I've been looking at Chrome Industries' smaller Niko bag with the single cross body strap. I actually think the Niko F Stop Camera Backpack is far more advanced but alas, it is also far bigger.

The downside with the smaller bag is there doesn't appear to be any way to strap a tripod onto it, however.....

What's everyone else use?

I use a Tamrac backpack for my Hasselblad501c+three lenses and a few smaller bits; works fine; easy access; good protection; no worries.

guangong · Jan 13, 2019

Fifty years ago I carried a lot of stuff, but gradually realized that most of it was never used. For Hassy I have several bags for different purposes. I have a foam lined and fitted suitcase like container for taking camera, three lenses and incidentals from here to there for a specific task, a leather Hasselblad fitted case for camera, lens, backs, etc with shoulder strap when traveling by car. When roaming about walking I sometimes use the Hassy ever ready case along with a couple extra belt clips for magazines. The Hassy camera case has a great design. On such occasions my non MF camera is a Minox.

wyofilm · Jan 13, 2019

I use a standard day hike back pack with an padded insert camera bag. Tripod strapped to the outside. Check here for examples of inserts:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/inserts-compartments/ci/29736/N/3656173709

pros:
bag doesn't look like it holds expensive cameras!!!
if I'm on a trip the backpack can serve as a general pack pack on non-photog days.
I can buy a back pack optimized for me
can have a separate insert for each system; nice grab and go
probably less expensive

cons:
one more step to get my camera (I haven't found this to be much of a negative)

jvo · Jan 13, 2019

Dan Daniel said:
Have you used a single cross-body strap type of bag? They work great for some people. But for me, I ended up with back pain carrying heavier loads such as a medium format kit. And I know other people who had to stop using messenger-type bags and single strap packs for the same reason. Also depends on activity- biking or bushwacking made it worse for me. Just a thought; as said, they work well for many.

Strap the tripod vertical down center back of pack. Attach lashing points yourself if needed. Put a stiffener under the back panel or have interior padded bags for equipment.

+!

i have one that has pouch/strap on the side for tripod... with the cross body strap works, comfortably, biking, walking, etc. all day, no problem i carry a tripod on it when traveling, leave it in the car, and take when necessary. good weight distribution and equipment is accessible!

1kgcoffee · Jan 13, 2019

Yes, the tripod affixed to the side of the backpack in it's pouch, little packs inside the backpack itself. Some filters on top, variety of lenses and body. There's even room for water. You're better off getting one of the backpacking backpacks for comfort and space.

Anyone use a Backpack for their medium format camera system?

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