Lowe-Pro Nature Trekker backpack

Curtis Nelson · Nov 27, 2004

Does anyone use this bag for carrying a 4x5 field camera? If so, what are your thoughts?

Thanks

Nige · Nov 27, 2004

yeah.. come on out with your opinions.. I'm interested too

Mongo · Nov 27, 2004

Yes, and I love it. I can get my Shen-Hao 4x5, three lenses, six standard film holders, a roll-film back, various filters, brushes, cable releases and other miscellaneous stuff into it. Basically everything I need except for a tripod. (I use a Berlebach tripod that's just too long folded up to carry on the outside of the bag, so I carry it in a shoulder bag that came with one of those metal-and-nylon picnic chairs the unfolds by pushing down on one corner...the bag is just the right size for the tripod.)

The LowePro is incredibly comfortable, and adjusted properly it'll distribute the weight just right.

BarrieB · Nov 27, 2004

Greetings, I usually put all my 4 X 5 gear in a trolly, works O K except for rough country and over rocks.
My mark ii version will have larger pneumatic tyres for some suspension effects and foe sand. Cheers

Graeme Hird · Nov 27, 2004

I saved my money and bought a half decent normal backpack. I made an "inner" for it with a hot glue gun, felt and high density foam. For about US$100, I've got a very capable internal frame pack, fully customised to my requirements.

Nige, if you're interested, the brand is "Great Outdoors" and the model is "Contiki Small". I bought it in Kalgoorlie, so you should be able to get one in Melbourne without difficulty.

(BTW - I carry a Tachihara 5x4, 5 lenses, up to 15 film holders, light meter, change bag, GPS, dark cloth and sundries, with room left over for water, food and extra clothes. And I can strap my tripod to it too.)

Bob F. · Nov 27, 2004

If you have not seen it already, this link on the lfphoto.info site may be useful. There is an image of a Minitrekker with a Shen Hao and several lenses and pics of my Photo Trekker AW II (I wanted a bit more space for the reflex viewer - and my lunch...) are further down the page.

I used to use a standard hiking backpack with a few plastic boxes (padded with sleeping pad foam for the lenses) but being top-loading, it was a bit of a pain to unpack.

Cheers, Bob.

Jeremy · Nov 27, 2004

If anyone is interested in a MiniTrekker I have one for sale. I was going to use it for schlepping my 5x7" camera (thanks Bill!) around, but it's took small to use with more than one lens.

Just jumping in to add this after seeing the MiniTrekker picture on Tuan's site.

Monophoto · Nov 28, 2004

I use that bag with my Zone VI - two lenses, eight holders, and light meter. It's a snug fit, but it works. Carry my Tiltall pod on the outside of the bag.

Peter Schrager · Nov 28, 2004

backpack

Graeme-could you please tell me the approx. cu in. of the bacpack or the internal or external dimensions. I used to have one of those lowepro things and sold it right off! Of course that was after I laid out about $300 smackeroos.
Thanks Peter

roteague · Nov 28, 2004

I have an Omni Trekker, which I use everywhere. It carries all my LF gear, and fits under the seat of an airplane. Mine has been all over the world, never had any problems with it. Plus, I can carry it using the strap, or wear it as a backpack. Here is the URL for this bag: http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Hard_and_Soft_Shell/classic/Omni_Trekker_and_Trekker_Extreme.aspx

Graeme Hird · Nov 28, 2004

peters said:
Graeme-could you please tell me the approx. cu in. of the bacpack or the internal or external dimensions. I used to have one of those lowepro things and sold it right off! Of course that was after I laid out about $300 smackeroos.
Thanks Peter

Peter,

I'll post some details and pics on my web site later in the week. I'm at work now, so I don't have the pack in front of me, but it is approximately 18"x12"x8" in the main compartment. This compartment is front loading, so the zip closes three of the four sides.

There are two other large compartments, one of which can be removed and used as a day pack. The straps on the main pack can be hidden away and it can be carried by handles or by a single shoulder strap (much like Robert's Omni Trekker)

Cheers,

Peter Schrager · Nov 28, 2004

Pack Pics

Graeme-thanks so much. I look foward to seeing the pics on your site. It'll give me an excuse to visit! Have a great day!
Regards Peter

wildbill · Nov 28, 2004

mountainsmith.com

I have the Phototrecker classic and has all the room for gear but no room for food or xtra clothes. I just discovered the mountainsmith paragon, it's new but they have always made good suspension systems on their regular packs. also look at the f64 line.

noseoil · Nov 29, 2004

I use the Lowe AW Nature pack and it has served me well. 4x5 with 4 lenses, filters, meter, film holders, lens shade, cable release, note pad, etc. It took me a while to get the straps right, but all in all I would say it is a decent deal and a good pack for anything I have needed to carry.

My tripod is also too large for the pack, Bogen 3051 and 3047 head (17#). I use a strap I made from parts found at a camping supply, paded shoulder strap, smaller straps to clip in place, snaps and swivels to hold things together.

My friend uses his old internal frame pack, which he has adapted for 4x5 use. He has made compartments for different gear and also uses plastic containers for storage of small or loose parts.

Lee Shively · Nov 29, 2004

I've owned several Lowe-Pro bags over the years--I think I have three right now. I like them. They are well made, very protective bags with only one caution. Watch the zippers. The zipper separated on a Magnum bag I used heavily. The bag never wore out but it just couldn't be zipped closed. One of the tabs on the zipper to my Photo Trekker AW backpack keeps pulling off. It doesn't cause any loss of use but it is annoying. The backpack gets light use since I only use it to store equipment. I hurt my back right after I bought the bag and I've never used it as a backpack.

Jeremy · Dec 9, 2004

Graeme,
I checked your website to see if you had posted any info about your backpack yet, but I couldn't find anything. Please post back here when you get some extra time to post details and pics.

Graeme Hird · Dec 9, 2004

Jeremy,

I haven't forgotten - the images are locked up in the little digi P&S I gave my son. He's lost the cord to connect it to the confuser, so I can't get my pics out of it (bloody digital .....). I'll have to buy another cord now, so a few more days. (Of course, I could always shoot on film and scan the negs, but I'm too tight to spend the money )

I'll let you know when they're up.

Jeremy · Dec 9, 2004

Graeme Hird said:
Jeremy,

I haven't forgotten - the images are locked up in the little digi P&S I gave my son. He's lost the cord to connect it to the confuser, so I can't get my pics out of it (bloody digital .....). I'll have to buy another cord now, so a few more days. (Of course, I could always shoot on film and scan the negs, but I'm too tight to spend the money )

I'll let you know when they're up.

Thanks a bunch, I'm curious as I already have a Kelty framed pack and wanted to use that instead of spending $$$ on a "photo backpack." The Mountainview Paragon photo backpack does look nice, though, but it may not be big enough for 5x7 and there's no one local who stocks them.

Graeme Hird · Dec 12, 2004

Jeremy et al,

As promised, here is the link to the page on my site regarding the back pack I've made for myself:

http://www.scenebyhird.com/BackPack/index.html

Feel free to ask questions.

Cheers,

BarrieB · Dec 12, 2004

Greetings Graeme; Many thanks for all the effort you put into the Photos of that 'Back Pack' I too have a 4X5 field camera, you have been a great help.I will look into making something similar to carry my equipment. Cheers Barrie B Melbourne.

Nige · Dec 12, 2004

me too!

Can't find the same model backpack as yours Graeme in local stores (found it online, but I want to get it before Xmas!) Had a look as various others and they seemed rather large (65L versions) but by the time you add the padded insert as shown in your piccies, the space would soon shrink! Having the daypack for extra non photo junk would be handy too. You pics reminded my I need a new GPS too (mine died and it costs as much to fix it as buy a new one!) Thanks for uploaded int the pics and commentry.

Jeremy · Dec 12, 2004

Graeme, thanks for upload, it doesn't look to be to hard of a job to put one together. I'll head off to the outdoor store sometime this week and drag my camera gear with me so I can find one big enough.

Jeremy

Jeremy · Dec 29, 2004

Had a 20% off coupon for our local Bass Pro Shop (www.basspro.com) that expired at the end of the year so I went backpack shopping tonight and came home with a Kelty Redwing 3100 (http://kelty.com/Kelty/index.cfm?fuseaction=Packs.ShowProduct&type=pack&ID=152) for $86 after tax. Took the 5x7 B&J, 20 film holders and my assorted accessories (extra lenses, light meter and such) and everything fit in with room to grow. The pack fits very nicely on the back loaded up--I loaded all 20 holders and the camera wrapped into the darkcloth and tried it on before I walked around the store for 20 minutes or so.

I figure this is the easy part and the real work with the foam comes next.

Peter Schrager · Dec 30, 2004

Backpack

Graeme-thanks for all the effort. That was a beautiful spread! Now to get of my lazy arse and make my own.
Thanks again Peter

Graeme Hird · Dec 30, 2004

A pleasure! I'm glad you guys got something out of it. I've added even more stuff to carry around in my pack now (a Lee filter Pro kit and some ND grads) and I'm yet to run out of room.

Cheers,

Lowe-Pro Nature Trekker backpack

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