Backpack suggestion for Chaminox 45N-2

John Wiegerink · Dec 13, 2022

I'm looking for a smallish backpack to use with my Chamonix 45N2. I'd like to be able to carry the camera body with lens mounted, plus two more lenses, six 4X5 film holders Calumet slide-in 120 roll film holder and small Gossen Luna-Star F light meter. Any ideas? Oh, it doesn't have to be new and I know how to search the big auction site. I want as small as I can get away with. Thanks, JohnW

grat · Dec 13, 2022

With lens mounted? They're not really designed to be transported that way-- leaves the bellows extended, and easier to damage, and of course, they take up much more space.

F64 makes a nice 4x5 film holder bag-- holds either 5 or 6. Should also note that a Grafmatic holds 6 sheets-- so two grafmatics would equal 6x dual-sheet holders. I normally carry a grafmatic and one or two fidelity style holders with any "special" film.

I'm currently using a Lowepro "Photo Classic 300W", which works, but has two issues-- the internal dividers needed heavy modification to make it work with a 4x5 camera, and it's not going to hold a 4x5 in the assembled position. It does hold my tripod reasonably well, along with the camera, 4 lenses, a spot meter, a loupe, 3-4 film holders, and a couple small filter carriers. Slightly awkward to put on, but rides pretty well when adjusted.

John Wiegerink · Dec 13, 2022

grat said:
With lens mounted? They're not really designed to be transported that way-- leaves the bellows extended, and easier to damage, and of course, they take up much more space.

F64 makes a nice 4x5 film holder bag-- holds either 5 or 6. Should also note that a Grafmatic holds 6 sheets-- so two grafmatics would equal 6x dual-sheet holders. I normally carry a grafmatic and one or two fidelity style holders with any "special" film.

I'm currently using a Lowepro "Photo Classic 300W", which works, but has two issues-- the internal dividers needed heavy modification to make it work with a 4x5 camera, and it's not going to hold a 4x5 in the assembled position. It does hold my tripod reasonably well, along with the camera, 4 lenses, a spot meter, a loupe, 3-4 film holders, and a couple small filter carriers. Slightly awkward to put on, but rides pretty well when adjusted.

Yes, it would defeat my goal of "smaller size" backpack if I were to find one that would fit the camera partly unfolded with lens attached. I guess I'm used to thinking "lens on" for my Toyo field camera. Just a brain fart I guess. I've always packed my Chamonix folded and don't know what I was thinking.
I was leaning toward a Lowepro Mini-Trekker or maybe the Lowepro Protrekker AW II I did own the Mini-Trekker and unlike its name it had a very large capacity. I'm not looking to hike more than 5 miles (8.05 kilometers) at a time and in terrain that is kind to my 73yr old body. So it doesn't have to meet Mt. Everest specs.

Steven Lee · Dec 13, 2022

@John Wiegerink I was in your shoes about a month ago. The most efficient setup I was able to come up with is built around this Shimoda core unit.

Everything you listed will fit into this unit and it will be a snug fit. If you want, you can do your own measurements and pick another unit, they have many sizes.

Once you do that, the next step is to find the smallest backpack the unit fits into. The nice thing about this approach is that, in theory, you can move the core unit between different backpacks depending on application: small ones for half-day hikes, or larger ones for weekend hikes.

fiddle · Dec 14, 2022

I was going through this last year planning a trip to Colorado.
I ended up getting a 40L pack, REI for me but anything around that size would work. Then I have a F-stop Pro Large Cube that slides into the pack, with some room on top of the pack to spare.
Inside the cube I have a Chamonix 45F2, 3 lenses, 6 holders, Pentax spot meter, filter case, few odds and ends.

Not necessarily small, but as small as I could getting considering the things I have packed inside.

I only use the pack if hiking or walking a while, if not i have a shoulder strap for the fstop cube, throw it over my shoulder and go.

grat · Dec 14, 2022

John Wiegerink said:
I was leaning toward a Lowepro Mini-Trekker or maybe the Lowepro Protrekker AW II I did own the Mini-Trekker and unlike its name it had a very large capacity. I'm not looking to hike more than 5 miles (8.05 kilometers) at a time and in terrain that is kind to my 73yr old body. So it doesn't have to meet Mt. Everest specs.

Apparently, LowePro has discontinued my BP Classic 300 AW, and replaced it with the Adventura BP 300 III, which looks interesting. More modular than my current BP, but lacks the AW designation (not to mention the built-in rain jacket).

Steven Lee · Dec 14, 2022

@fiddle each lens has its own permanently mounted cable release?

Brilliant!

xkaes · Dec 14, 2022

When you write "backpack" to me that means a day or longer hike. The answer to the backpack size depends a lot on what else you are carrying. For most of my day & over-night hikes, I have my 4x5 gear in a large KIWI case (similar to the one above) that I put inside an REI external frame pack.

Get a camera case that fits all your gear -- and then go to REI to see what backpack will accept that camera case.

fiddle · Dec 14, 2022

Steven Lee said:
@fiddle each lens has its own permanently mounted cable release?

Brilliant!

HA!
I thought everyone did that? Im not gonna be fiddling around with cable releases during set up.
Plus a spare or 2 in case one of those break. Ive had no so great experience with cable releases..

John Wiegerink · Dec 14, 2022

I just came back from my cottage and started digging around to find a LowePro backpack that I had bought several years back. I found it! That's a miracle in itself. It's a bit bigger than I wanted, but I think I'll make do with it for now. The model is PhotoTrekker AW and it looks almost big enough for my B&J 8X10. I suppose it's better to have too big than too small. I even have room now for clean underwear. Ha-ha!

John Wiegerink · Dec 14, 2022

Looks like room enough for two pairs of underwear. Makes the 45N-2 look like a Minox. Don't mind the fuzzy pix, didn't use flash. I will see how this pack works out. If it doesn't I'll move to a slightly smaller size.

GregY · Dec 14, 2022

JW...... that does look oversize.... BTW. spellcheck should have helped you out. a Cha-minox would have been much smaller...
That'd be Chamonix......

John Wiegerink · Dec 14, 2022

GregY said:
JW...... that does look oversize.... BTW. spellcheck should have helped you out. a Cha-minox would have been much smaller...
That'd be Chamonix......

Yup, where is spellcheck when you need it. With a pack this big, I can carry my small Oly M4/3 and a 120 film folder along with the 45N-2. If I throw a few rocks in it, the weight might just get me back in shape again. Of course, it could kill me too. I think I'll start out light and slow.

Backpack suggestion for Chaminox 45N-2

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency