Anyone use a Backpack for their medium format camera system?

mgb74 · Jan 13, 2019

I have 2 sling bags and 2 backpacks. The benefits of a sling bag is that a) you don't have to remove it to access the main camera and lens and b) it's easier to throw over your shoulder than a backpack. But it doesn't handle weight as well. Right now, in one of them, I have a "pared down" ETRS (WL finder, no speedgrip) with 2 lenses and 2 backs. That's as much weight as I would like to carry in a sling bag.

I have no doubt you could find a sling bag large enough for the gear you mentioned, but I don't think it would be comfortable to use.

Note: edited to specify "sling" bag in the last line.

rubbernglue · Jan 13, 2019

I use a F-Stop "kenti" on which I can mount a bigger tripod. I dont think it is meant to mount a tripod this way, but I have done so for several trips. The tripod slides down a little when not on the floor ;-)

It has side-zippers to reach the innerpart of the bag and a foldable top too which I really like!
It also has a pocket intended to carry a water bag, but I use it for anything which needs to be plain - like letters, thin computer, postcards, negative sleeves and whatnot.

phass · Jan 13, 2019

Couple of years ago I bought Manfrotto back pack for my 500 c/m ( https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1177051-REG/manfrotto_mb_ma_trv_gy_advanced_travel_backpack_grey.html )
As you can see my 500 c/m with 50 mm CF FLE is perfectly fit in upper compartment, my dslr is on the bottom and 80 mm C T* in the middle with more space for extra lenses. Unfortunately it is not weather proof but comes with rain cover.
p.s.: you always can disconnect the shoulder straps and attach one diagonally to transform it to sling with easy side access to the gears.

M Carter · Jan 13, 2019

I've got a mid-sized Think Tank - I like that I can reconfigure it for pro/digital shoot days or going out with film (I have a huge box of every velcro divider I've ever gotten). I'll take an RB, 2 backs, 2 lenses, and a spotmeter, filter wallet and ground cloth in it.

Hiking with my wife, took a rest break and she said "Man, you're huffing and puffing, you're getting out of shape". I said "Pick up that f*cking backpack, woman!" She replied, "Holeeeeee sh*tttttttt..."

RB: lots of metal, lots of big glass.

Molli · Jan 13, 2019

He holds my Yashica TLR, Mamiya C3 OR Canon EOS SLR (but not all at once) . A light meter and a few rolls of film fit on either side of the camera and a small notebook slides down the back.
He has never volunteered to hold my tripod for me, though!

While not exactly inconspicuous, he makes friends more easily than I do and a person would have to be a rather shamefully horrible human being to steal him and his belly full of photo gear.

On the downside, you may not be able to pull it off

ozphoto · Jan 14, 2019

I own a Lowepro Minitrekker, since discontinued, however have seen a couple for sale on various sites like Gumtree etc for a very good price.

Have used it with a Canon kit (F1, 28mm, 180mm and a Bronics GS1 w/ 65mm and 250mm with room to spare. It's a great little bag and best of all it fits under an airline seat! They also produced a Trekker, which was larger so would hold more if needed.

DREW WILEY · Jan 14, 2019

I use true external-frame backpacks for all my large format and med format usage, except for casual day use where a shoulder bag is appropriate for limited MF capacity. I'm referring to the same kind of packs I use for real backpacking - vintage high-quality big Kelty and Camp Trails packs, which can often be found barely used at bargain pricing. They hold far more than dedicated camera packs, which are mostly redundant foam packing and dividers - applications done even better yet with less weight using ordinary bubble wrap, fomecore board dividers, wrapping your camera in a soft jacket etc. I've walked over ten thousand miles over the years carrying both large format gear and full camping and mountaineering supplies in the same pack. This system also works better for big med format telephoto work, lenses which can be particularly big and heavy, and the heavy tripod best suited to these kinds of applications.

Eric Rose · Jan 14, 2019

This is what I use as a day pack. https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/taking-the-blad-for-a-walk.57666/

Food, extra clothes etc go in a front pocket. For extended trips I have a Lowe Pro "tub" that I use which fits into my big pack. Extra compartments in the pack are taken up with tent, etc etc.

GLS · Jan 15, 2019

For simple walkabouts I use a Think Tank Retrospective 30 (great bag).

However for more serious photo trips where I need all my gear, I use the Lowepro Whistler BP 450 AW (https://www.lowepro.com/uk-en/whistler-bp-450-aw-lp36897-pww/). Expensive & heavy (even empty it weighs over 3 kg), but extremely well made, rugged and versatile.

Pieter12 · Jan 15, 2019

I take a couple of bags when I go for a short hike or cruise the shore with my MF gear. A ThinkTank Shapeshifter backpack with a couple of lenses, an extra back, filters, battery, film, notebook and sometimes a tripod. Occasionally I'll add a 35mm camera with a 21mm lens. Then over my shoulder or across my chest a smaller ThinkTank Retrospective bag with the camera and a spare film insert. That way I can have my hands free but still reach the camera for a shot without having to get into the backpack. I find it also distributes the weight better, although I am sure I look like pack mule.

cooltouch · Jan 16, 2019

I have a bad back that provides me with chronic back pain, so I would use a backpack only if I were having to transport my medium format gear over broken terrain. And even then, I'd try to avoid it. If the terrain is smooth -- like paved -- then I have a small piece of luggage with four wheels on the bottom and a telescoping handle. I made separators for the interior with pieces of closed foam insulation material. I use this "bag" for my Pentax 67 system, which includes the camera, three lenses and a teleconverter. I have enough room left for a good supply of film. As for a tripod, I have a free hand -- or shoulder -- with this setup, so I just carry it freehand. I used this setup the last time I took my 67 to an air show -- lots and lots of walking at the airshow here and it's almost all on pavement, so it worked perfectly for that application. No aching back syndrome, either.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Oct 9, 2019

Eric Rose said:
This is what I use as a day pack. https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/taking-the-blad-for-a-walk.57666/

Food, extra clothes etc go in a front pocket. For extended trips I have a Lowe Pro "tub" that I use which fits into my big pack. Extra compartments in the pack are taken up with tent, etc etc.

Eric, Which LowePro backpack is this? Looks like a good setup for my 'Blad.

Pieter12 · Oct 9, 2019

Recently I started using a Think Tank Backlight 26L for my Rollei 6008.

rulnacco · Oct 15, 2019

The Think Tank backpacks are pretty nice--I've got one for my Nikon gear, but because of the way it's configured, I don't think it'd be ideal for my Hasselblad stuff.

That gear I actually carry in a Lowepro Mini Trekker. I've got an older version which isn't so great for strapping a tripod to--but the new model allegedly comes with a tripod holder.

I carry a 553ELX, three lenses (50 FLE, 80 and 150), lens hoods for all those, 3-4 extra backs, extension tubes and a prism or chimney finder in mine. And all that fits pretty comfortably.

rulnacco · Oct 15, 2019

Here, by the way, is a snap of my setup in the Lowepro Mini Trekker. That's actually an old Leica 90 Summicron in the upper left, where I normally carry a spare back (or the chimney finder, so I've got both it and the prism handy) and sharing a space with the 50mm on the bottom (I misplaced one of the dividers) is a set of 62mm filters that I use with a bayonet adapter. The extension rings on the left are a 21mm and 10mm, but you can see I could easily fit a longer one in there. There's a couple of compartments in the lid that carry film, tripod coupler and various other bits; the largest compartment will actually hold a 13 inch laptop.

All in all, it's a pretty compact but roomy and easy-to-use bag that's built to a high standard.

Oh, and damn, didn't realize the Mini Trekker had actually been discontinued. Shame, it's a very nice bag as you can see. Luckily, they are available for sale in various places, if no longer at B&H.

AndyH · Oct 15, 2019

I don't like backpacks as a rule (clumsy to get to and require setting down to access, sometimes in wet or dirty locations), but if I'm hiking somewhere I'll carry a full frame pack and stuff whatever photo gear I'm using in a sleeve and into the main compartment. For travelling around town I use an age-appropriate vintage bag with room for my 500C, two lenses, prism finder, sports finder, chimney finder ground-glass back, lens hoods, 51mm and 21mm extension tubes, and my Lunapro with spot attachment. Since I normally carry the camera on its neck strap it's not too heavy a load for the shoulder bag. There is a separate top-opening compartment that holds a large collection of filters and spare film. I have a small Lowepro that holds one lens, my meter, and a couple of other accessories, and the factory "Suitcase" bag, which usually stays at home holding anything I'm not carrying on my expeditions.

I actually have a number of vintage bags targeted toward different outfits and a Billingham large, which holds my entire digital outfit. My Leica L39 outfit sits in a custom Omicron bag with a clip for each lens and a meter.

As you can guess, I'm somewhat of a fanatic about bags, and have different ones suited for different purposes.

Andy

Ariston · Oct 15, 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 agree. OP - I have actually used one of these type bags with a 500cm, and it was not comfortable. I don't think it would be comfortable for any camera, so I have relegated it to shoots with short walks. I do not recommend it as a solution.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 15, 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 bag for my 501c,three lenses ad some small items. it has a tripod strap but my tripod is too heavy for the bag.

Magnus919 · Oct 16, 2019

At this point in my life, I'm very minimalist in what I want to carry. I do have and sometimes use backpacks, but most of the time if I'm heading out with my Mamiya C330, I'm carrying it in a "man purse". For that camera, specifically I use a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack.

For my 35mm gear I really like my Mirrorless Mover 20. So much so that I'll probably invest in a slightly deeper model that can easily fit my C330. I don't tend to carry extra lenses. Just some film, lens cloth, and a Sekonic L-358.

Larger sling bags create a lot of pain in my neck & shoulder. Backpacks certainly allow me to carry more, but make it a lot less accessible and thus I tend to make judgment calls about whether to go into the bag or not to set up the next shot.

With the smallest possible shoulder bag, everything I need is easily at-hand. That works well for me. Your mileage may vary.

Pieter12 · Oct 16, 2019

I know it my seem like overkill, but I will sometimes wear both a medium backpack and a shoulder bag (slung across my chest) for short hikes. That way, I can have a camera at the ready, plus another lens or film magazine, while having other items in the backpack that I can access when I find a convenient place to stop. The Think Tank Backlight packs open on the back side rather than the front, so you can swivel it to your front and access equipment without taking it off--although I find it a bit awkward to use it that way. I'm sure I could get used to doing it and it would be fine.
(from their website)

cramej · Oct 16, 2019

If I really need a backpack, I have a ThinkTank Rotation 360 to use. I carried a RB67 with 50/90/prism/film/Cokin Zpro set and a D200/18-135 and a tripod. I don't believe they make this any longer but it serves its purpose well. ThinkTank makes some very nice gear.

I also have a Tenba Messenger 15 bag with the removable insert. I use it as a general purpose messenger bag most of the time but it's nice to drop in the insert and go.

GLS · Oct 16, 2019

As my Whistler BP 450 AW happens to be laden with Hasselblad gear right now, and inspired by post #40, I took a quick snap and annotated it to give people an idea of what the pack can store. Forgive the low quality, as it's just from a phone camera.

Thusly loaded it's pretty tiring to lug this around all day, but nobody said photography was meant to be easy.

Alan Edward Klein · Oct 16, 2019

My new camera bag carrier. Very convenient. It will even carry me when I'm tired.

Luckless · Oct 16, 2019

Alan Edward Klein said:
My new camera bag carrier. Very convenient. It will even carry me when I'm tired.
View attachment 233004

Seems a tad oversized for just medium format, and probably better suited for large format gear...

However I've sometimes considered looking into a small herd of camels after seeing some "No Horses" signs in a few spots.

Alan Edward Klein · Oct 16, 2019

Luckless said:
Seems a tad oversized for just medium format, and probably better suited for large format gear...

However I've sometimes considered looking into a small herd of camels after seeing some "No Horses" signs in a few spots.

Well, it won't fit into the overhead. On the other hand it will carry me to places a plane can't go.

Anyone use a Backpack for their medium format camera system?

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