I've been doing this kind of thing for decades, mostly with view camera gear, but once in awhile with a 6x7 system. I strongly prefer true external frame packs, and among those, vintage well-built ones, like '60 and '70's US mfg Keltys (not the current outsourced models), or old
Camp Trails packs. The funny thing is that people will buy something like this and never even use it, and decades later find it in a closet and
sell it at yard sale for next to nothing. Sometimes the words "vintage pack" will give you a hit on the auction site, but make sure it's a size you can use and in mint shape, cause it's difficult to find replacement straps or backbands for any of this kind of stuff anymore. I gradually picked up enough spare packs to probably last me the duration. The last one I traded a half-empty quart of marine varnish for at a garage sale, and it was probably well over $200 new, way back when, and had never even been used when I got ahold of it. I work out every week
with heavy packs. But a true frame pack not only gives you top access, but protects the gear in general much better than these overpriced
silly camera packs with all their redundant heavy foam padding. I typically wraps my camera inside a goosedown jacket. There are side pouches for the lenses. Of course, other people will have relevant differing opinions. But this has worked well for me, even when carrying
up to hundred pound loads in steep terrain ... But my ultimate goal is to patent a helium-filled bellows... that way, the bigger the camera,
the lighter it will be !
