How does a backpack work for you, practically? Do you carry those lenses and two cameras around on longer hikes? Where does the water, food, rain jacket etc. go, or do you only take one camera and 1-2 lenses and use the rest of the space for camera gear? When walking, do you keep one camera in hand/around your neck so it's there when you need it?
I'm wondering out of curiosity because it all seems so different from how I like to move about. When we hike, the emphasis on being out there, enjoying the landscape etc. I generally carry one camera and one or two lenses. Most of the time only a single lens is used. The camera is on my shoulder so it's there when I need it and I don't have to stop to take off the backpack, rummage around in it, take the shot, pack it all up again etc. I also hate having to lug around dead weight that isn't essential to hiking as such; camera gear for me is an add-on; the essentials are water, food, shelter/clothes.
On shorter walks of one-two hours I generally carry a shoulder bag, again 1 camera with 1-2 lenses, bottle of water, maybe an apple. No backpack.
Yes, as D points out, most folks, and certainly myself at times find the best use for this pack as a transportation/travel bag. Walking is certainly that, as is hiking, but so is packing a car, taking overnight to a hotel, or to a shoot, and most definitely traveling abroad.
Now, the pack is small enough to serve as a half day hiking bag. And it need not be full to the rim.
An important lesson I could share with others is that is often if not always auspicious and prudent to travel with bags empty, so that necessary or desirable items may be added as needed. It’s always good to bring something back from any travel.
But to your question, I consider backpacks the premier packing option for me. The fact that this one is specialized for photography, and is the right size, and that is smaller than normal, as photo gear is generally heavy to begin with, is spectacular. All in one place. All well protected. All easily carried. And in case of danger, all can be transported fast!!!
I often placed stuff in various other bags and packs. But things would get misplaced and lost, scratched, dented, …. This way is better, for me.
Aluminum cases are way over the top. Pelican cases are great for airplane checked in, but are not ergonomic, and often are too big. Especially trains and metros overseas.
And the ever popular rolling case, is quite useful and versatile, in city environments, airports and cars, but I wouldn’t want to be dragging one in a 3million inhabitant city thru the streets.
The backpack rules.
It can also be attached quite well to a Surly Disctrucker, placed on a chicken bus rack, or airplane overhead.
In foreign settings of dubious safety, it sits well on the chest, as a front bag, while your main backpack rides back.
I tend to be a multi-camarist. I prefer to have and shoot three cameras at a time. Or with me. Two if I have to.
One is with me at all times, generally a Nikonos with 35mm or an FTn both with film.
I like to shoot phone first, for perspective. Digital to nail down the image. And lastly film, if it’s a great image and I want to save it for posterity.
My D850 shoots impressively, but I still consider slide and B&W film the perfect mediums. I’m talking about quality and resolution. I’m starting to shoot slide B&W film too, for convenience.
So having a backpack that carries two, while I handle the main camera is good for me.
Anyhow, for hikes, one or two cameras are about right, one one me, the other on a slinged fanny pack. Both with respective lenses, small.
If I need a travel tripod, the backpack comes with me.
And a huge advantage of the bp, is not necessarily more lenses, but more flashes. There’s an SB700 and a tiny Goddox there. But a 285HV with trigger and a Yongnuo manual/commander could replace them.
Light is the most important aspect in photography, imho.
Wanna make a good image, better? Bombard it with light. Make it explode, but do it naturally.
Great question K.
It took me back a bit. I’ve traveled far and wide with cameras. The stories are as important to me as the images I took.
Kind regards.
Happy hiking!
