Backpack For Medium Format

[pentaxuser]

Thanks for the map, Matt. It looks reasonably civilised. Does that apply to the bears as well?

pentaxuser

 

[markjwyatt]

Many photo specific packs have some sort of arrangement to attach a tripod. Some have straps on the side or a pouch and straps to fit a tripod vertically.

The Promaster Cityscape 70 does. I have not tried it yet. I just reworked it for two Mamiya TLR bodies, 4 lenses, etc. I may try adding a tripod.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks for the map, Matt. It looks reasonably civilised. Does that apply to the bears as well?

pentaxuser

That photo I posted was taken on a day when parts of the park were marked out of bounds because of bear activity.
That is intended to protect the bears!
Incredibly stupid and selfish people start feeding the bears, they become human habituated, and end up being put down.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Andy,
Temba is a good choice. I have not had your backpack, but I have two Temba bags purchased over 15 years ago still going strong.
Also, my wheeled carry-on for flying is made by Temba. They make quality products.

Enjoy your new pack!
Darr

Thanks! I've been quite happy with the Tenba messenger bag for my dslr so I figured I'd go with them for my medium format gear. Build quality is quite good.

 

[Pieter12]

Sadly, none I've seen will accept my surveying tripod. It's almost four feet tall at maximum leg retraction with heavy aluminum extrusions for legs. Then again, when I bought it, it was inexpensive compared to others I'd found that would support my plate cameras, and it's VERY sturdy...

I doubt very much you’ll find any pack that it would attach to. At that size it doesn’t seem like something one would be likely to take hiking. More useful for Edward Weston’s rule of thumb: if it’s more than 100 yards from the car, it’s not worth photographing.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Matt,looks like sort of place where you need to leave a trail of donut crumbs to be sure of finding your way out again

pentaxuser

That would only work if Matt puts me at point position, otherwise I'll be popping them in my mouth just as the are hitting the ground.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Nah, there is a map:
View attachment 310689

I really would like to photograph that root tangle again! And... I'll even pose for you so you can retake that shot

 

[reddesert]

I'm wondering how easy/ convenient it is to carry a tripod with this gear.

I'm not sure if this was a question or just an expression of skepticism about carrying a tripod along with a full RB67 kit. Most photo backpacks have some kind of strap or sleeves on the side to carry a tripod, of varying quality, and IMO the tripod attachment is critical to the usability of a backpack. Also, if one is carrying an RB67, I think one should expect to carry a tripod.

Sadly, none I've seen will accept my surveying tripod. It's almost four feet tall at maximum leg retraction with heavy aluminum extrusions for legs. Then again, when I bought it, it was inexpensive compared to others I'd found that would support my plate cameras, and it's VERY sturdy...

Especially for a small pack, it's always possible to come up with a tripod too big for the tripod attachment. However, I and many other people have carried pairs of skis, 6 feet long, on backpacks. It's not always easy and people argue about the best way to do it, but it can be done. This is one application where if you need to carry an awkward load, it helps to have a real backpack, not a small round lump designed only to be filled with photo gear.

 

[Sirius Glass]

That photo I posted was taken on a day when parts of the park were marked out of bounds because of bear activity.
That is intended to protect the bears!
Incredibly stupid and selfish people start feeding the bears, they become human habituated, and end up being put down.

Did they put down the bears or the stupid and selfish people?

 

[MattKing]

Did they put down the bears or the stupid and selfish people?

Sadly, the bears. Once they become habituated, they can't safely be allowed to co-exist with humans. Grrr!
Although some people at least get charged and fined.

 

[MattKing]

I really would like to photograph that root tangle again! And... I'll even pose for you so you can retake that shot

We should talk
They come in colour too!

 

[Donald Qualls]

I didn't mean to say there's a problem with photo packs that can't carry my tripod -- I'm well aware that my next purchase for my RB67 and large format kits needs to be a lighter, but still adequately strong/stiff tripod. Money, money. I need a pack that can carry my RB67, at least one (preferably two) additional lenses, and two or three film backs, plus filters, cable release, grip, maybe prism as well as WLF, and a selection of film -- and that provides for side carry of a much lighter tripod than the one I have, which at least has its own carry strap (can be carried like a suitcase or, if not wearing backpack, slung over a shoulder).

 

[Donald Qualls]

I could probably just extend the existing strap on my existing tripod to get that carry position. Might have to look into that...

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Good idea!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Sadly, the bears. Once they become habituated, they can't safely be allowed to co-exist with humans. Grrr!
Although some people at least get charged and fined.

I would just as soon as euthanize the people, but then as I have pointed out I see things in black & white. I do not need no stinkin' grays!

 

[Chuck1]

Sadly, none I've seen will accept my surveying tripod. It's almost four feet tall at maximum leg retraction with heavy aluminum extrusions for legs. Then again, when I bought it, it was inexpensive compared to others I'd found that would support my plate cameras, and it's VERY sturdy...

How did you deal with the 5/8 thread, (customized a tribrach, it would be cool to return to the same point and orientation) or just got a long 3/8 bolt and some washers

 

[Donald Qualls]

How did you deal with the 5/8 thread, (customized a tribrach, it would be cool to return to the same point and orientation) or just got a long 3/8 bolt and some washers

You mean 3/8 (don't think I've seen one with 5/8)? I know most survey tripods have that size (which would be compatible with my Moskva-5, my Voigtlander Rollfilmkamera, and my 1920s vintage Zeiss plate cameras), but one of my reasons for selecting this Porter Cable model (besides price and an employee discount) was the 1/4" mounting bolt thread. I had to look up "tribrach" -- this tripod didn't include one of those; it was just a flat top plate (to which I mounted a dual-tilt tripod head I got cheaply). Honestly, I think it was mainly aimed at being a stand point for a laser level (those were new tech when I got this tripod, in '02).

 

[GregY]

Black Diamond

 

[Paul Ozzello]

Black Diamond View attachment 311208

Is that you ?

 

[GregY]

Is that you ?

Yes sir complete w 5x7 Deardorff & Ries tripod

 

[Paul Ozzello]

Last year I bought the Peak Design Dufflebag 65L

(not me)

Travel DuffelPack | Peak Design Official Site

A monster gear hauler, the Travel Dufflepack 65L maximizes your carry capacity without compromising comfort or versatility. Ergonomic padded backpack-st...

www.peakdesign.com

It's more of a bare backpack without dividers and you use with Peak design cubes or other camera packs,. It's a great pack.

It's actually 45L with expansion zippers that let it expand to 65. The zip is really nice and is on the opposite side facing your back, which makes it really convenient when you take it off. The back is a heavy duty recycled plastic that is easily cleaned off, and when you put your pack back on, the dirty side stays away from your back. I bought it for it's tall size that allows me to stuff my 617 camera with the tripod still attached (folded I can zip it fully closed). It's very sturdy and I have even used it with touring skis attached to the back.

And it looks pretty good and doesn't make you look like a photo nerd ;-)

 

[GregY]

Last year I bought the Peak Design Dufflebag 65L

(not me)

Travel DuffelPack | Peak Design Official Site

A monster gear hauler, the Travel Dufflepack 65L maximizes your carry capacity without compromising comfort or versatility. Ergonomic padded backpack-st...

www.peakdesign.com

It's more of a bare backpack without dividers and you use with Peak design cubes or other camera packs,. It's a great pack.

It's actually 45L with expansion zippers that let it expand to 65. The zip is really nice and is on the opposite side facing your back, which makes it really convenient when you take it off. The back is a heavy duty recycled plastic that is easily cleaned off, and when you put your pack back on, the dirty side stays away from your back. I bought it for it's tall size that allows me to stuff my 617 camera with the tripod still attached (folded I can zip it fully closed). It's very sturdy and I have even used it with touring skis attached to the back.

And it looks pretty good and doesn't make you look like a photo nerd ;-)

That one looks pretty good Paul. As a mountain guide, I've got a cupboard full of packs. I did have a couple of smaller Tenbas but they were more like luggage for cameras and not really good for activities where you carry a camera. By the way, you do nice work Paul!

 

[Paul Ozzello]

Yes sir complete w 5x7 Deardorff & Ries tripod

Holy crap - that's dedication, how much does your pack weigh ?!

That one looks pretty good Paul. As a mountain guide, I've got a cupboard full of packs. I did have a couple of smaller Tenbas but they were more like luggage for cameras and not really good for activities where you carry a camera. By the way, you do nice work Paul!

Thanks Greg I still haven't found the perfect setup and thinking of making my own backpack. Ideally the top of the pack would have a quick access external compartment for a camera WITH tripod; accessible from the top of the pack the tripod would slide through a tube the length of the pack with a cavity at the top for the attached camera. Then you could quickly setup everything up and move to a new location without having to take everything apart. The bag would also have straps for skis, poles axe etc and loops for tent or sleeping pad...

 

[Donald Qualls]

Well, I found a pack I can afford -- my employer hooked me up for $100 worth of "gear" as part of rewarding me for fifteen years, and I picked a backpack big enough (31 L?) for my RB67 kit. No divider inside, though, so this one might get redesignated for my Graphic View II (should hold the camera and leave room for some foam-packed lens boards and film holders) -- because they also gave me a $300 Visa gift card that will easily cover a proper 25-27 L camera backpack.

So, looks like there might be some camera hiking in my future once this stuff arrives and the weather cools off a little...

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Lucky you Donald. When I hit 15th teaching year, all I got was a school district 43 pin... Made of plastic.
Anyways, I've been on the road for summer a week, with lots of humping up and down in the Badlands. So far this new pack is doing an admirable job. I appreciate it's quick, easy access to gear.