Backpack for an 8 x10 field?

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a easy to buy backpack that will fit an 8 x 10 field camera and a couple of film holders. There are a few that look promising at B&H but would prefer to go with the recommendation of a LF user.

After trying a few backpacks a north face 60 liter backpack also the photo packer but I carry this now. Lowepro Pro Trekker 550 for my Cambo Legend 8x10. Fits great, the laptop sleeve fits a couple film holders.
And has tons of padding and extra pockets for all the extras. Highly recommended

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1505399-REG/lowepro_lp37270_pro_trekker_bp_550.html

This is what I have:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/91694-REG/f_64_BPXB_BPX_Extra_Large_Backpack.html

This works well for my Philips Compact II


and is comfortable to carry with the optional Pro Speed Belt


I placed the divider that pictures in the link show as running top-to-bottom horizontally over the camera instead, then used smaller dividers vertically to separate lenses, meter, etc. above that. Two film holders fit perfectly in the laptop pocket.

It's been a few years but iirc, I used a LowePro PhotoTrekker AW to carry the 8x10 Kodak 2D and a few related necessities.

"Just wondering if anyone can recommend a easy to buy backpack that will fit an 8 x 10 field camera and a couple of film holders."

That's the wrong question to ask. You need to know the dimensions of your camera (LxWxH) and then simply shop online for a pack whose internal dimensions will allow for it to fit. None of the pack recommended above will fit my Toyo MII. I use the Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW which is now discontinued.

Thomas

I've been using the F.64 extra large backpack for several years now and have been pretty happy with it. My Deardorff 8x10 and Eastman View 2D both fit in the main compartment (not at the same time) along with the darkcloth, while lenses and other accessories go in the top compartment. I can fit a couple of film holders in the front pocket, but carry a separate bag for any more than that. The detachable side 4x5 film holders can be used for extra gear, food, clothing, etc. Plenty of strap loops on the side for attaching a tripod. The waist belt is detachable if you're walking a short distance and it makes storing the bag a bit easier. It's lighter than many other bags of the same size and is really no-frills, which is what I needed. The big thing I would change is to make the front pocket expandable so more film holders can fit inside. It would also be nice if F.64 made different size accessory pouches to attach to the outside, but there's plenty of other brands that can probably work just as well.

I have an Atlas Athlete and it's the best camera worthy pack I've ever had.

Easy access to camera, hiking backpack heritage, expands so you can carry winter/storm gear or camping stuff for overnighters: https://atlaspacks.com

I could recommend what not to buy.
An extra large surplus A.L.I.C.E. pack!
What might work or you:
My old Kelty Redwing could handle the 'dorff and a couple of film holders, but my son ran off with it one summer for Boy Scout camp
OTOH if you've got a messed up back like me, get one of these:

I used those for ten seasons...I prefer a more relaxing camp.

This is what I have in the larger Trekker II model (3 inches taller). https://meipacks.myshopify.com/products/trekker-i

I would contact the company and see if they are still up and running.

I have been using mine hard for 25 years (including once as check-in baggage). The detatchable daypack holds five 8x10 holders, saving room inside the pack for camera, lenses, meter and darkcloth...and a couple more holders if needed. Notebook and misc in the pocket of the daypack. Has fold-out side pockets big enough for two waterbottles, food, and other non-photo items for the day. A very comfortable pack on the back. I usually have about 45 pounds in it.

After 25 years, the zipper that holds the detachable daypack onto the main pack has failed (my fault, also). I've never used it as a daypack, so I'll remove the shoulder straps, etc and sew it onto the pack permanently. The daypack is also held on by two straps, so one would never lose it in the field (see photo).

A photo of me with the pack on my back -- one of my boys slepping the tripod as we climb towards a Yosemite Valley wall.

I don't use camera packs at all, but classic older external frame backpacking packs - more comfortable, will carry way more, no extra weight from redundant foam packing (just use bubble wrap). One of them is a 70's vintage US made Kelty Tioga (not to be confused with the inferior imported products under that brand name today). Turned up totally unused in someone's closet. I use simple fomeboard (Gatorboard) lightwt dividers in the top compartment to separate the 8x10 folder, holders, darkcloth, etc. Side pouches accept lenses, filters, meter, etc. Bottom compartment for jacket, food, water bottles, etc. A solid CF tripod will fit under the top flap, or else I can attach a big Ries wooden tripod to the back using bunji cords. Also works great for my Sinar monorail 4x5 system, medium format gear, etc.

GKC - Oh my. For sake of the routine rite of passage as a mountain kid, I worked for the pack station at Badger Flat above Huntington Lk when I was 16. Fun, but I figured out quickly that mule and horse packing wasn't for me personally. So I've been my own mule ever since, which probably means mules are smarter than me, since they don't do it by choice. I did have a pet donkey at one point, given to us by Wilbur Plaugher of rodeo fame, back when walking into Clovis and calling it Fresno was grounds for justifiable lynching. He lived in Morgan Canyon, yet had a ranch so enormous it reached almost to Sanger. I grew up with his son.

Yeah, Alice Packs ... those are a pile of bricks. One afternoon I was car camping at Sonora Pass having a sandwich sitting on a rock. The Marines use that area for mountain warfare training, and form competing teams assigned to sneak up on each other and "kill" the other team with a laser shot from their specially modified combat rifles, with those hits instantly recorded and transmitted on special vests. So one of those teams of four asked if they could hide behind the rock I was sitting on.
And sure enough, an opposing team saw me there, assumed no one else was around, and just started jogging down the road (against the mock combat rules - they're not allowed to use the road). So they got laser tagged. And the next day, instead of Saturday off, their punishment was to put on fully loaded 90lbs Alice packs and hike the whole distance back up that road from the Marine Mtn Warfare Training Center down below to the top of Sorora Pass and back, about a 16 mi round trip with a 3000 ft elevation gain. Amusing, at least for me.

Thanks to everyone for you helpful replies. After considering many things I've decided to not go ahead with a backpack purchase and reserve my 8 x 10 for studio work as I've just purchased a shift lens for my 67 camera which should do for movements for the type of photos I take.

I'm bumping an old thread since I didn't want to clutter up the site with another thread of which things have already been discussed. My other failing is that there are few pictures of people's kit "in situ." I admit to bumping a thread without adding pictures. Sorry.

As we enter 2024, here are what I see as the current off-the-shelf options for most 8x10 field cameras in no particular order:



Shane Dignum has a video where he actually shows(unloads)his kit from his pack. He uses a Canham traditional 8x10. He has also carried a Toyo 810 in it.


The f64 is the old standard I guess. Lots of user reports and experience out there for it.


Many of us have sourced or already had the older Lowepro 600 AW (trekker? Pro trekker?) or AW II version. It works, but it's like carrying an extra large box on your back.

I can't find the old official spec sheet, but to me the interior dimensions for the above link do not look promising for 8x10. I'm curious how they change from a "600" to a "650" but make it smaller?

Last weekend, I loaded my old "600" version up with; Camera, 3 lenses, light meter, rocket blower, dark cloth and 6 film holders. (6 film holders seemed to strain the zipper I'm not sure I will try that again. With that load, there is no extra room in the main compartment for hardly anything that isn't very compact and compressible (socks, shirt, stocking cap). I'm not sure a hydration bladder would still fit either.
There are still 2 tube style side pockets where one could cram a water bottle (narrow type) and/or some basic rain gear.
My pack weight was just at 40 pounds.


This is where I'm leaning now. It's expensive yes. It will still mean having camera gear in segregated bags, but I can sandwich camera and film holders between the frame and the main pack bag. (Hunters that pack in/out do this).
The suspension system is quite adjustable and customizable. I thought about trying to adapt my Lowepro to their pack frame since one can buy just the pack frame. but that seems like a lot of fuss.

So, my other question is what is the minimum any of you protect your cameras out in the field? Bubble wrap and a dry bag?

I welcome any other 8x10 backpackers to chime in. I'm fortunate to have 2 local stores that stock a lot of bags. I've tried almost all of them, and not much works well. 8x10 forces one into the largest inserts from both F-stop and Shimoda. The largest inserts force one into the largest packs. It's a viscous cycle.

A vintage external frame pack makes a lot of sense financially, but the straps on almost all of them look like my junior high book bag straps, and I question the age and condition of fabrics and zippers.

DREW WILEY said:

I don't use camera packs at all, but classic older external frame backpacking packs - more comfortable, will carry way more, no extra weight from redundant foam packing (just use bubble wrap).

Click to expand...

Let's not forget about sweat. The external packs create some air space between your back and the pack to keep you from drowning in sweat. At least that's been my limited experience.

For sure. That's where most modern suspension systems excell whether internal or external framed, they keep the pack off of your back a bit. Some are more successful than others.

Here are some pics of my current setup; Lowepro pro Trekker 600 AW. With missing waist belt which helps a lot.

Amen, Xkaes. And sweat leads to chafing. The whole idea of internal frame packs is that they are cheaper to make. Glorified book bags. In steep climbing applications, a teardrop design has its balance benefits. But external frame ones protect gear better. And I got accustomed to carrying heavy (up to 100 lb) external frame packs on Class 3 rock and ice; and if things got steeper, well, I always had a length or rope along for that kind of issue, and those frames are pretty cooperative in that respect, raising or lowering the pack with a rope.

About a decade ago, me and a friend did a two-weeker in the Wind River Range. My friend brought the biggest and best internal frame pack he could find, but happened to be a bit paranoid about possible grizzly encounters, so wore a canister of bear spray. One afternoon, after taking a lunch break, as he put the pack back on, somehow that spray can got between his back and the pack itself, and discharged. Both his shirt and the pack itself were soaked; and his back was red as heck. I knew there was a lake less than a mile away; and as soon as we got there, he stripped down, dove in, and then spent the afternoon rinsing his gear and clothing. The combination of that internal frame pack rubbing on his back, and the burning of his skin, was evidently torture. Fortunately, we were only a day away from the trailhead by that point. But even on the drive back, the skin of his back was still burning. One more convert to external frame packs.

The other routine complaint on that trip, which involved a lot of elevation up and down, is that internal frame packs are hard to pack and unpack in a manner where there aren't lumps pressing against your back. There isn't that margin of separation like with external frame designs. I realize that dedicated teardrop camera packs per se have lot of extra thick padding - and therefore a lot of redundant extra weight - and might be fine for casual outings; but you just can't carry a whole lot more in them.

Am I looking at the wrong (older) external frame packs? To me, the straps look minimal at best, lumbar padding is usually a custom addition, and keeping the pack bag off of you back is some type of canvas/webbing/straps under tension between the main stays of the frame. I'm not against giving one a try since they pop up used quite cheaply. I simply haven't seen one with a large sized frame pop up for sale lately.

And now, here is a large local one. The view of the harness side just doesn't scream comfort to me, but I could be mistaken..

These were made in multiple sizes and various features. You need to find one with the correct fit. The lumbar support is good. But you need to be aware of any condition issues with the back support mesh, shoulder straps, and waist strap, since replacements are not available unless you cannibalize other similar packs. It would be a good idea to inspect the pack in person for fit (shoulder spacing can be adjusted).

The bigger Kelty pack pictured looks suitable for serious camera usage; the smaller one looks like a child-size pack.

I also replace all the old aluminum clevis pins and their rings with stainless steel equivalents which are far more reliable.

Real vintage Keltys were made in California. Anything from the 70's would be the real deal. Their subsequent import clones fell apart pretty quick, especially the straps. The most recent ones, however, have allegedly gotten much better. But if you can find a clean vintage one, they're often a bargain. It would be hard to go wrong for $50. I'd snatch it up if I didn't already have multiples.

Thanks Drew. It's an old craigslist ad, so I'm not holding my breath for a reply, but for $50 I'm certainly going to give it a shot if the seller contacts me. $50 vs $650 leaves a lot of room for customization.

No need for customization. If you get the big one, just about any system can drop right into the top compartment. I can give you some tips if you manage to acquire it. You can look on EBay too; but just be aware that some of the listers there add on ludicrous shipping prices higher than what they ask for the pack itself - sneaky.

markbau said:

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a easy to buy backpack that will fit an 8 x 10 field camera and a couple of film holders. There are a few that look promising at B&H but would prefer to go with the recommendation of a LF user.

Click to expand...

Mark, I'll give you another point of view. I've been a professional mountain climbing and ski guide for 0ver 35 years. I know Drew loves external frame backpacks but they went out of general use in the mid-70s. Decades of great internal frame packs have been used in technical terrain. They're pretty light, well-constructed and carry extremely well. If you look at the Kelty pack, you'll notice the large empty space at the bottom, designed to attach a sleeping bag.....which means the load above puts the weight up high. You don't necessarily have to buy a purpose-made & expensive photo pack. All the major pack makers make bags big enough for an 8x10 kit....for about $250. (https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/mission-55/also available in 75 litre).
The photo shows just a short trip otherwise i'd attach the tripod horizontally. The pack carried my 8x10 Deardorff kit.

Load higher up is a lot more comfortable to carry - but yes, a little harder to balance on steep terrain. There are exceptions. When my nephew was working for North Face he got one of their first really good internal frame packs, and they later financed several of his expeditions. But early on, when he lived with me in college, we took a pretty strenuous long trip together over high off-trail passes. He complained a lot about the weight of his pack. About midway through the trip he discovered the Duraflame log I had put in the bottom of it. Of course, he put up quite a fuss. So I told him we might need to make a campfire (sitting there in the midst of a little pine grove). He didn't respond.

The next day I lugged my Sinar way up to the top of a nearby peak, and didn't get back till sunset. When I finally climbed into my sleeping bag, it was filled with pitchy little whitebark pine cones. Now it was my turn not to say anything.

The next morning he was sleeping in late. There was a little snowbank nearby. I covered his whole face except his nose with snow, then backed off and started yelling, Avalanche!

A different take is a granite gear flatbed (or a similar less expensive portage pack-designed for carrying a barrel-granite gear used to make these) there are similar hunting packs and army surplus radio packs, or simply a packboard .....
They're adaptable you can carry a pelican case and much much more.

Pelican cases are actually rather fragile (brittle) in very cold weather, and why all that unnecessary extra weight? Yeah, I'm stupid enough to be my own pack mule, but not that stupid. There are far better alternatives to gear cases on the trail.