How do you carry your gear?

[paul owen]

I'd be interested to know how you carry your LF gear. Do you use one system/bag for every eventuality or do you have a specific bag etc depending on how much you intend carrying. I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out a practical system and eventually bought a Lowepro Super Trekker (VERY big). But I do find that a holdall is easier to work from but not as comfortable to carry!! Any ideas / thoughts ?

 

[BobF]

I store and car carry a linhof and 5 lenses plus some accesories in an aluminiun breifcase style case. It is very protective for banging around in the car but too heavy fully loaded and when opened on the ground I always get dust or foxtails in it. So if I go even a 100 ft from the car I transfer a couple of lenses and accessories to an old over the shoulder expandable laptop case I got at Goodwill. I keep most accesories such as light meter darkcloth and film holders in this bag all the time. I carry camera on tripod over my shoulder. I like working this way but it is not really big enough and won't accept the camera inside in case of drizzle on a longer hike so I have a waterproof stuff sack to put on the camera if needed.

I just this morning found a Lowepro 600 Stealth reporter soft case. Not cheap and not really made for LF but it looks perfect as and over the shoulder bag that has enough room for everything I would carry on short trips. It also has enough room for the linhof and a rain cover for when I get caught in rain. I think it could also be easily hooked up to my old Kelty backpack frame for longer hikes.

For me there seems to be three kinds of carry needs; in or at the car, short carry of 100 yrds or so, and longer multi hour hikes. Woops, add in over night carry though I have never yet done that with 4x5. There doesn't seem to be a real good all purpose solution for all situations, but for me this stealth + hard case may end up being the best combo.

The large Lowepros are great for protection and carry but if you don't want the weight of your entire system then you have to unload something. Without an additional case that means you just put them on the car floor till you come back?

 

[jwrupnorth]

Paul, I also use a Lowe-Pro Super-Trekker AW purchased back in 1997. I believe the model has been modified since then. The original seems to be bombproof, if a bit heavy naked. I shoot with a Cambo 45NX, mounted on a Manfrotto 3263 geared head (also bombproof), set on a Gitzo G1348 carbon-fiber tripod. This leaves room for 3 lenses, a complete Lee filter system for both color and black and white, 8.5"x11" notebook, 8.5"x11 reference notebook, vest with all pockets filled, repair tool kit, and Pentax Digital spotmeter. Film is often hand-carried in a separate padded container, or strapped on the back of the Super-Trekker, as is macro and flash gear, when neccessary.
Depending on my planned shooting subject, the total weight can top out at anywhere from thirty-five to fifty-five pounds. Masochism helps.

 

[Sean]

Has anyone tried tube framed backpacks? Supposedly they put a lot of weight onto your hips instead of your spine. I have a herniated disk in my upper back that gives me serious grief if it gets irritated. I'll need some kind of alternative to a standard pack. I've thought about making a lightweight all terrain hand truck type apparatus that I could strap my gear to. Something like a handtruck but with all terrain tires. I guess I'll look into it more when I actually make my jump to large format. If there are any members with back trouble who have found a good pack solution let me know. Thanks

 

[paul owen]

Ross, I know what you mean about back problems! The Super Trekker and Pro Trekker both feature internal aluminium frames that transfer the load to a MASSIVELY padded waist strap. I must admit that although heavy when empty - it IS comfortable to carry (even when ALMOST ) fully loaded. The problem with regular holdalls is that you put a great deal of weight/strain on one shoulder - not that comfortable for any distance!

 

[BobF]

Paul & Ross

In keeping with my different case for different length carry approach, I also use an old Kelty backpack to stuff my equipment in for long carries. It is one of the original waistbelt backpacks and carries the gear weight quite well but is top loading with no internal gear padding and is hard to work out of. That is part of the reason for the smaller over sholder bag I use, It fits nicely into the backpack for the long carry then comes out for use when I get there.

I have experimented with using a Mountainsmith internal frame backpack for camera and overnight gear but even with the weight on hips it becomes quite a load with only 3 lenses plus overnight gear. I am to old to be a masochist anymore so I haven't actually tried an over nighter yet. I have carried a parred down 35 system or a GSW690 on camping trips using this pack but that weight is a lot less.

BTW I also have back problems that kept me out of Vietnam and am able to carry 30-40 pounds with a suspension backpack all day. Of course we could all get llamas. I tried using my kids but that didn't work out well.

 

[b.e.wilson]

I use a simplistic approach: I have a large shoulder bag to keep my Super Graphic, holders, film, but when I leave the car I carry the camera on a tripod, and use a photo vest for holders, meter, filters, digital camera, maps, headlamp, survival kit, GPA, PDA, and water. I also have a small shoulder bag for the three lenses I always carry.

 

[carlweese]

I routinely travel with four formats: 5x7, 8x10, 7x17, and 12x20. Each "set" of equipment has its own case. Light meter, levels, tape measure, dusting brushes, etc, etc, go into a vest with a lot of pockets, or a belt with several pouches, depending on the weather. The cases, along with two tripods, go in a full size pickup truck with room to spare. I also carry another backpack that can carry either the 5x7 or 8x10 outfits.

 

[Steve Hamley]

Folks,

I use a system that Kerry Thalmann uses and has described in his review of the Toho FC45x. Scroll down to figure 16.

http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm

For extended hiking, I use a Gregory Forester and a Pelican 1525 didvider set for 4x5 and a Pelican 1455 divider set for MF gear. The advantage of using a real backpack is two-fold, one, you can shop until you find one that really fits you and puts the weight on your hips (you can carry more weight comfortably), and two, you have room for raingear, lunch, a parka... The pack needs panel access to work well, but I've been thinking about having Dan McHale make a custom SARC that's split in two so you could slide the divider set out of the pack w/o dragging your lunch and raingear with it. Or one with panel access.

http://www.mchalepacks.com

There's a third plus too, if you want to hike sans cameras, a real pack works well for that too.

If you want to work out of the car, just put the divider set in the floor, or in the corresponding Pelican case, and you don't have to repack your gear. You can also find a smaller pack just for working from the car cheaper than the Pelican case.

Thanks!

Steve

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Sounds like you guys are either muscle men or masochists to carry so much stuff in the field.

My 4x5 folding field along with 4 lightweight lenses (90, 135, 203 and 300mm, one folded up with the camera and 3 in makeshift cardboard boxes) and filters fit inside a medium size fanny pack. The focusing cloth straps on the back and my little Manfrotto tripod straps on to the bottom (although I usually carry it in one hand when not scrambling over rough terrain).

A short fly-fisherman's vest carries a Pentax 1° spot meter, a Voss gel filter holder/barn door lens hood, small flashlight and various other accessories. I used to carry film holders in its side pockets, but now have a little padded pouch that I carry cross-body which holds up to 10 conventional film holders, or many more Ready-loads. On long hikes I usually carry old Mido holders. The pouch holds about 35 of them plus adapter.

When everything is strapped on, both hands are free for rock climbing, scrambling over rough terrain or bushwacking through dense brush. The pack is waterproof and zippered shut so camera and lenses are protected from the elements. A lightweight waterproof windbreaker protects the rest of the stuff in the vest if there is a downpour. The focusing cloth is made from white Gore-Tex and can be strung out to make a little rain fly or worn as a cape if needed. It's also great for protecting the camera on the tripod from that unexpected "sneaker" wave or drizzle when shooting.

When working, the fanny pack unbuckles at the waist and hangs from a shoulder strap so that I can work out of it like a regular shoulder bag. The film pouch hangs on the tripod for easy access and extra stability.

The whole outfit, including water bottle and sandwich, weighs very little and is good for extensive (8-12 hour) day hikes.

If I backpack for several days, the fanny pack buckles on to my backpack. Tripod and vest get stuck somewhere where I can get to them easily.

 

[carlweese]

Something slipped in my earlier post. My second backpack can carry either the 5x7 or 7x17 outfits. My 7x17 Korona set actually weighs less than my 8x10 Deardorff kit. The cameras are similar in weight, the lenses happen to be lighter than the ones I have for 8x10. Means the 7x17 is very "hikable".

 

[avandesande]

I found a soft cooler with shoulder strap at K-mart for ~20$ that I carry my C1 in. I will probably get another smaller one to put my filmholders and lenses in.
--Aaron

 

[Steve Hamley]

Doremus,

I'd like to see a picture of how you do this (a picture is worth a thousand words ;^). What 4x5 camera and lenses do you use and what fanny pack? Probably the region you live in has a lot to do with weight. I live in eastern Tennessee and hike in the Smokies a lot, and it's essential to carry good raingear for you and your gear, and a good parka or insulation for high country hiking. Because of the population density, a water filter is also necessary if you're going to be out long enough to need water.

Thanks for the info!

Steve

 

[Huib]

Paul,

I recently bought a lowe-pro Pro-trekker (tube harnass) and when neede I manage to cram the following into it:

Technikardan + 4 lenses (90 -- 300) + compendium.
MF camera + 3 lenses.
Box of readyloads + holder.
Small stuff like filters, lightmeter, loupe, cable release, etc etc.

The total weight is about 15 to 16 Kg. When you adjust al straps and belts correctly almost the whole weight rests on your hips.

After getting accustomed to the feel of the backpack and it's weight I can say that it is comfortable and a 10km hike should not be much of a problem.

Huib.

 

[John Kasaian]

I shoot 8x10 and the most awkward part of my kit is the tripod. I recently got an Army Surplus ALICE back pack, a large model. It carries my 'dorff, holders and dark cloth with room to spare in the main compartment. The outside pocket fits a 6x6 lensboard with mounted Ektar perfectly and another outside pocket carriers filters, loupe, lens cleaning stuff etc...the exterior frame provides a good place to lash down that tripod. All this for less than 60 bucks and it comfortable, too!

 

[Jon King]

I'll add a vote for the ALICE (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment, really

pack - A framed rucksack, smaller than most camping backpacks(medium size pack at least). I have a medium pack with a frame. It fits a 4x5 field system with film holders, lens boards... just fine. A tripod can easily be attached to the frame. You need to provide whatever padding you want - I like a combination of neoprene, corrigated cardboard and duct tape

Three large external pockets for water bottles, filters, light meter...

A frame is VERY helpful for anything other than a 5 minute walk from the parking lot.

For the price $60-$80 in the U.S., it is hard to beat.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I use a padded knapsack designed for laptop computers and do day hikes with it.

In the large rear compartment goes the Gowland 8x10" folded flat with rail removed, a wide lens in place, and a folded darkcloth.

In the thinner second compartment I put up to 5 filmholders.

In a third smaller compartment I can fit meter, filters, and accessories, one small lens on a board and one smaller lens in shutter without a board.

In the front compartment, smaller than the third, I usually put a 10" WF Ektar on a board in an Ilex #5 shutter and two barrel mounted lenses with an adapter ring to fit them onto the same shutter. Also my notebook and pencils go here.

In the smallest front pocket, I usually put cable releases, level, and a couple of other small items.

The tripod hangs from a strap over my shoulder.

I don't always carry everything, and if I can get back to the car easily, I usually only carry two or three filmholders at a time. Fully packed I can carry 120mm, 168mm, 8-1/4", 10", 12", and 19" lenses this way. The lenses are all in wraps.

 

[George]

I have made several cameras and all of them needed a case. Mine are costume made (homemade) using bought alluminum brief cases, plastic cases or a combination of alluminum and wood that I adapt to my needs. I adapt the interior in such a way that the camera is always immobile regardless of any position of the case. The accessories don't touch the camera. The cases are weather proof. For hiking I put the case on an external backpacking frame. 1 strap is all it needs to be firm and not moving on the frame. George

 

[michaelsalomon]

I shoot with a calumet 4 x 5 monorail (dont have the cash for a field camera yet) I mount the sucker on my giottos tripod and carry it on my shoulder, all my film, meter, filters etc...go in a backpack. its not really fun for long treks, but the giottos has thick foam padding around the legs that make carrying the whole thing on my shoulder somewhat comfortable.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I use a Zone VI 4x5 field camera outfit in the soft camera case it came in 22 years ago. That case gets tossed into an expedition sized packsack that loads from the top *and* has a zipper all the way down one side. (This way I can get at the camera bag without pulling out all the light things that are packed on top of it - heavy gear goes lower in the pack). A fully padded waist belt and adjustable shoulder straps ease the wear and tear on my back.

A large rain poncho gets placed on mucky ground to keep it dry, and when its raining or snowing the poncho gets folded over the pack to protect it from above as well.

Murray

 

[k_jupiter]

While the urge to carry as much as possible is always strong, I usually resist and just carry 1 format. A Speed Graphic for 4x5 or 2x3, A Speed Graphic or Kalart or ZI Trona for 3x4. Pick a camera, load an extra lens, 6 to 10 film holders or Graphmatic, a dark cloth, meter, and loupe.

Not too bad a load considering. Occasionally I throw in a 35mm Retina or 6x6 ZI Nettar for backup and I am done.

So with this light a load, a cushioned backpack with two full size pockets and a small gadget pocket works well. I have done 4 to 5 hour hikes with this setup. You find these packs on every campus utilized as bookbags. Matter of fact, that's where mine came from.

Now in the future, I have my new B&J 5x7 monorail. I might just have to rethink my backpacking process... might look into Alice. If I can just get her to carry my stuff.

tim in san jose

 

[BradS]

I keep my Toyo/Omegaview in its "handy" carry case but try not to hump it too far from the vehicle. For the trail, I carry a stripped down crown graphic in and two or three lenses in a Lowe Pro Mini Trekker. I carry the film holders in a separate six-pack sized cooler.

 

[doughowk]

Florida is flat

Florida, fortunately for older people like me, is flat. I modified a jogging stroller to carry my large format equipment ( 4X5 & 8X10). For the few less accessible areas without decent trails, I can switch formats (Century Graphic) & use an over the shoulder case. I'm considering getting a kayak for those areas more easily accessible by water (about 1/2 of Florida during hurricane season).

 

[jp80874]

Looks like we old boys have stayed in the game, but done it with comfort. At age 65 I also use a baby jogger http://www.babyjogger.com/ with 20” spoked wheels, sealed bearings, shock absorbers and 100# capacity. Having gotten the family sedan stuck in the mountains of WV a few times I compromised on comfort/off road with a Toyota Highlander, all wheel drive, but not low range 4wd. I had a top shop make a tonneau that goes at seat top level from the back of the front seat to the rear door. Out of sight, out of mind. As a back up I carry 150 foot ½” anchor line and a ¼ ton come along.

I use two Tenba backpacks. One for Linhof TK45 and lenses, the other for R H Phillips 8x10 and lenses. I swap meter, dark cloth and loop between them. Wallmart carries a range of small, light, soft coolers with a hard inner shell. This protects 4x5 holders. I’m still looking for a size to carry 8x10 holders well, but have temporarily settled on a small bag that carries ten. The Tenba rides in the child seat, the filmholder bags hang from the jogger. Usually I strap camera with lens on a tripod in front of the bag for balance and quick set up. This gets me over trails and reasonably rough ground. At 65, having once spent six months on crutches from a fall, I don’t do rock faces any more.

Enjoy it while you’ve got it.

John

 

[Dan Fromm]

John, how do you transport all that stuff? I mean, stuff it in a car, not roll it over the ground. The baby jogger is very appealing, but I'm not sure it, my gear, my wife, and our luggage will all fit comfortably in either of our cars. The wife stays. Where I go, she goes.

Me, I carry entirely too much. Century & 2x3 Speed Graphic bodies. Eleven lenses, focal lengths from 1.5" to 12". Two roll holders. Two meters. Cable releases. Flash cables. And a Pelican case full of Nikons and lenses for them.

The 2x3 gear goes in a wheeled tool bag bought for $40 from Home Depot. Useful case for transport by car, not so good on paths. So it goes on a Ruxxac wheeled cart. Tripod straps to Ruxxac, goes on top of tool bag. Pelican case with Nikons goes under tool bag. Gotta have the flashes, which live in the Peli.

Supplementary gear goes in a third bag that goes on top of the tool bag too. The extras include a flash bracket for close-up with a Graphic, another lens for the Nikons, little bellows for the Nikons, etc. etc. Will soon include bracketry to make a long camera from the two short Graphics and at least two long lenses for that rig, 360 and 480 mm respectively.

As I said, I carry much too much equipment. The only positive thing I can say about lugging all that gear around is that in the course of a day I use most of it. And yes, it is constraining.

Cheers,

Dan