How do you carry your 8x10 holders?

[Andrew O'Neill]

I have a LowePro SuperTrekker (I think that's the model) that takes my Canham 8x10 Wood Field, three-ish lenses, light meter and dark cloth. I have a separate bag that has a shoulder strap that can swallow up to 10 holders, or say 5 holders, my meter, and dark cloth. I found the bag for the holders on Ebay IIRC. Either that or Amazon. It wasn't marketed as a film holder carrier per se and it doesn't have a brand name on it for me to suggest you to look for.

That SuperTrekker is something that I should be using...

 

[DREW WILEY]

mschem - due to demand, neo-Kelty has recently revived the 70's style Tioga external frame pack line. A friend of mine just bought one, and it's a lot like the early ones and heavily built. These things are far more comfortable for carrying heavy loads than internal frame packs, and protect the gear better too. Plus you've got extra storage space for camping gear too.

 

[MTGseattle]

Tertiary question: How many film holders do you all bring on a given shooting session?

For modern external frame packs I've briefly researched some of the outfits making dedicated hunting packs and the prices escalate quickly. I'll have to look up that updated Kelty.

 

[Vaughn]

If I am out all day photographing out of the pack, I might carry 6 to 7 holders -- 8 holders at a rare max load. But usually 5 holders on shorter days or if I can swing by the vehicle later and reload the pack and refuel the body.

I use an internal-frame tour pack for the 8x10. Very comfortable. Has an external back pocket that holds five 8x10 holders, 6 at a pinch, and I can easily fit a couple more in with the camera, two or three lenses, the meter and the various assesories. I use a canoe portage pack for the 11x14 - not as comfortable...and usually three, at the most four, 11x14 holders.

 

[Tom Taylor]

I use a padded MC Photo 8x10 case that holds 5 holders (6 snugly) and slips into the outside pocket on my Lowepro Pro Trekker 600AW backpack. If I will also be using the 5x7 back, I have a Sundog case that will hold several 5x7 holders and fits into the outside pocket and keeps those holders separated from the 8x10's so they don't rub against one another. The Pro Trekker will hold a Toyo 810MII, 4 lenses (1 folded with the camera), tripod, cleaning kit, spot meter, filters...etc.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Lots of vintage frame packs were barely if ever used and turn up here and there, including the web auction site (but be careful of unreasonable shipping costs). I found a wholly unused one from way back in the 70's at a garage sale, which had been wrapped up in someone's closet all that time, and traded a half-empty quart of marine varnish for it. It probably cost $250 when originally purchased, even way back then. I've obtained several high-end vintage packs that manner, more than enough to outlast me. But that allows me to have a fully loaded up photo daypack always loaded up, in contrast to a still bigger long-haul pack with somewhat different contents, plus whatever camera I finally choose to put in there.

When California Kelty sold its rights, the resultant Korean and Chinese bait and switch products were simply awful, and straps would break on the very first outing etc. But my friend tells me this newest design looks like the real deal. He carries up to 110 lb loads, so it better be. My typical load until my late 60's at least was between 75 and 85 lbs, but sometimes up to a hundred.
But at almost 74 yrs of age now, I have to significantly lighten that. Still, a well balanced true backpack is much less strain than even a modest shoulder bag. I use those too, but for quickie convenience outings mostly involving a Fuji 6X9 RF or single lens Pentax 6X7 setups.

 

[MTGseattle]

what the heck do you all do for just the camera? I've been looking at "inserts" today, and nothing seems to fit the bill. For an 8x10 Tachihara it seems I need about 14x14 minimum for a tight-fitting case. There's the "wrap" option which may be a few ounces lighter, but I like the idea of a case/insert better. I've watched a couple of recent videos by 2-3 youtube 8x10 folks, and I'm not going to go and spend $500 on a pack. I'll spend 1-200 on inserts and use a pack that I already own.
The Stone photo gear Deardorf case looks like a decent option and supports a US based small vendor. I'm open to suggestions. Unless I am literally within sight of my vehicle, I will always have an extra layer, some snacks, water and a few hiking "extras" in the pack as well as the camera gear.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

I don't have but about three left, and I keep them in a Photobackpacker, cascading pouch. Works great. Hard to find, though.

 

[Axelwik]

I carry my 5x7 holders in anti-static ziploc bags designed for electronic components, available from electronics stores. If nothing else they keep the dust out and block some light. Then they go wherever I can fit them, depending on the camera bag/backpack I'm using.

 

[MTGseattle]

I ended up with a Lowepro super trekker AW II. It's like an AV receiver box with straps mounted to it, but 8X10 camera, meter, darkcloth, 3 lenses, loupe, some filters and 1 8x10 cascade case holding 3 filters all fit inside. I appear to be missing the waist strap though.

 

[Vaughn]

The waist strap may be hidden away behind the lower back pad...I thought my Lowepro was missing one also.