Non-Folding View Camera: Backpack recommendation Please...

cayenne · Mar 10, 2020

Hello all,

First, thank you SO much everyone for the great response on my other threads asking about items for my new view camera.

I have just received the Shen Hao 6x17 view camera and and gearing up to start to play with it.

I have a 90mm Nikkor lens coming in.

This is the Shen-Hao TFC 617-AII model coming in...so, it has all the movements, but at the cost of not folding.

Can someone recommend a good backpack to house and carry this camera while I'm out and about, along with 2-3 lenses with lens boards, dark cloth, loupe...etc.....?

I'd hope for something padded and deep enough to hold the camera securely.

Thank you in advance!!

cayenne

Luckless · Mar 10, 2020

Are you looking for something to simply carry it from the house to the car and for the few hundred feet to where you want to set up, or are you looking for something that lets you lug it up a mountain side on a day hike in more comfort?

cayenne · Mar 10, 2020

Luckless said:
Are you looking for something to simply carry it from the house to the car and for the few hundred feet to where you want to set up, or are you looking for something that lets you lug it up a mountain side on a day hike in more comfort?

Hello and thank you for the reply.

Well, LOL....right now, I'm not in the best shape to do heavy hiking, and I live in the New Orleans area, so any trekking I'd be doing would be more level land and swampy, than up hills and mountains....
I'm guessing starting out, I'd mostly be the former example you gave, from home to car to place to shoot.....however, I like to buy for long term when possible, so, I'd like something fairly rugged I think, to give protection, last a long time...and maybe start trakking down to the beaches, or through some swamp land areas, etc.

I'm open to price range, but if possible I'd like to say in the $200 range or less....? I've found some Lowenpro backpacks that seem possibly the right size with configurable dividers, like the
Lowepro LP37177 ProTactic BP 450 AW II

Just looking for something that would fit the camera that measures about 200mm x 280mm x 140mm...which is roughly I think 7.5" x 9.7" x 4.5"......

I'd appreciate ANY suggestions you might have!!

Thank you in advance,

cayenne

Luckless · Mar 10, 2020

Possibly check out the Manfrotto Pro Light 3N1-36 [They make a smaller version, but it sounds like it might be overly tight.]

It looks like a nice upgrade over the Kata model of the same idea I use as my go-to bag, and the 3n1 strap configuration makes it very flexible for how you lug and use gear. The padding however does not look super protective, but I find the moderate padding in my Kata to be fairly okay if I'm being reasonable careful.

Luis-F-S · Mar 10, 2020

I would not use a non-folding camera for field use. That’s why they make folders. Just my 2 cents worth.

cayenne · Mar 11, 2020

Luis-F-S said:
I would not use a non-folding camera for field use. That’s why they make folders. Just my 2 cents worth.

Well, if I got the folding version of this 6x17 camera....I'd not have all the movements, and I cannot afford to buy more than one (heck, had to save a LONG time for this one due to cost).....so I opted for the non-folder.

I'm still looking for backpack suggestions...the Manfrotto suggested look interesting and thinking still one of the lowepro 450 one.....

Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions.

C

david schaller · Mar 11, 2020

Look into soft-sided coolers. I use one for my Sinar F2. I don’t hike with it, but it can be carried with a shoulder strap a ways from the car.

Luis-F-S · Mar 11, 2020

cayenne said:
Well, if I got the folding version of this 6x17 camera....I'd not have all the movements,

How many movements do you need? What would you have given up by getting the folding version? I amazes me that anyone buys non-folding field cameras!

cayenne · Mar 12, 2020

Luis-F-S said:
How many movements do you need? What would you have given up by getting the folding version? I amazes me that anyone buys non-folding field cameras!

Well, this is my first foray into the view camera world....and I figured I wanted the ability to have as many movements as possible to start with?

I'm supposed to get my lens in today for it from KEH. The camera landed the other day and has been sitting unopened in the box.
Yes, color me paranoid, but it came from Hong Kong, and I've been reading potentially the virus can live on surfaces 5+ days even up to 9 maybe, dependent upon humidity, temperature and surface type.....so, figured since I didn't have a lens, might as well let it sit a bit.

But I'll likely break it open today and try to mount the lens to the board and then put that on the camera and put an arca Swiss plate on it too and see how it all works....

C

locutus · Mar 12, 2020

I use a protactic 450aw for my 5x4 setup. Fits 3 lenses, shen Hao tz45a, 6 holders, filters, meter, accessories, and space for a small lunch box.

Works really nice in the field with the flip open back side.

cayenne · Mar 12, 2020

locutus said:
I use a protactic 450aw for my 5x4 setup. Fits 3 lenses, shen Hao tz45a, 6 holders, filters, meter, accessories, and space for a small lunch box.

Works really nice in the field with the flip open back side.

Thank you for the reply!!!

I went ahead and pulled the trigger last night on that one: Lowepro LP37177 ProTactic BP 450 AW II

It should be here Friday....so will give it a try on packing, etc. I think the shortest length of mine is like 4.5" or so, which should fit the internal measurements of the backpack.

If possible, I'd be very interested if you could post how you arranged the internal padding, etc...to accommodate your camera and lenses....?

Again, thank you and everyone so far for the wonderful input!!!

C

mark · Mar 12, 2020

Luis-F-S · Mar 12, 2020

I guess using half of a 5x7 sheet just isn’t elegant?

cayenne · Mar 12, 2020

mark said:

Yep..that's the guy I got the idea to get the camera from....I've watched ALL his videos with it and I was inspired.

Sadly, as he mentioned in that video, the person that makes HIS backpack for it....went out of business awhile back.

I got mine out of the box today, and my lens came in. THANK GOD the camera came with one lens board....as that the one I'd bought from KEH along with my Nikkor SW 90mm lens that they recommend to me, fit the lens but was WAAAAAY too big for the camera.

I need to find out what size/description the lens board is to fit this camera as that I plan to get 1-2 more lenses for it in the future.

KEH just said to get a "35 hole" lens board.....and sent a link. https://www.keh.com/shop/search?q=35+hole

I picked a Sinar one...it looks brand new, is metal...but WAY too big....

Anyway, whatever size the Shen Hao one is that came with the camera, it will work for me on this first lens.

C

cayenne · Mar 12, 2020

Luis-F-S said:
I guess using half of a 5x7 sheet just isn’t elegant?

LOL...Hi Luis,

Well, right now, I'm sticking with 120 medium format film to work with.

Now, of course, if I had been smart...for less money, I could have gotten a nice large format camera....4x5 and get a 6x17 adapter for it, and actually have given myself more options for shooting later....but I just became enamored with this one...with the flip down view screen, etc.

It just struck me as a cool piece to have and shoot with....

C

John Koehrer · Mar 12, 2020

I guess spec frm dealers(and others) aren't always right.
The good thing is you can just measure the board. You saw there
are both rounded corners and square right?

Luis-F-S · Mar 12, 2020

cayenne said:
LOL...Hi Luis,

Well, right now, I'm sticking with 120 medium format film to work with.

Now, of course, if I had been smart...for less money, I could have gotten a nice large format camera....4x5 and get a 6x17 adapter for it, and actually have given myself more options for shooting later....but I just became enamored with this one...with the flip down view screen, etc.

It just struck me as a cool piece to have and shoot with....

C

A 4x5 won't work with 617. Need at least a 5x7 or 8x10. But that's water under the bridge. I'm sure the adapter is nice, just more stuff to break! L

Luis-F-S · Mar 12, 2020

cayenne said:
I got mine out of the box today, and my lens came in. THANK GOD the camera came with one lens board....as that the one I'd bought from KEH along with my Nikkor SW 90mm lens that they recommend to me, fit the lens but was WAAAAAY too big for the camera.
Anyway, whatever size the Shen Hao one is that came with the camera, it will work for me on this first lens.

What lens did you get? Since you think the 90 is way too big, would suggest that before you get anything else that you speak with someone who knows about view cameras. A lot cheaper not to make mistakes. L

Luckless · Mar 12, 2020

Luis-F-S said:
What lens did you get? Since you think the 90 is way too big, would suggest that before you get anything else that you speak with someone who knows about view cameras. A lot cheaper not to make mistakes. L

They're not 'mistakes', they're pre-buying for future camera setups...

jwd722 · Mar 12, 2020

An idea to help transport your equipment/backpack would be a folding handtruck. They can be had quite reasonably (Harbor Freight) and with some customization could definitely help with transporting "heavy" camera gear.
Larger air filled tires would help immensely on rough terrain, plywood, aluminum stock and bungees can all be fitted to make a very workable transport system.
I have a "stock" folding handtruck and have used it many times for medium format (2 Mamiya RB67's, 4 lenses, film backs, meter, filters plus a 35mm outfit with a few lenses, etc.) and have come up with several ideas I plan to implement to improve it.
Just a thought.

reddesert · Mar 12, 2020

A lens board for an LF camera needs to both have the right hole for the lens (the hole size is what KEH was telling you), and it needs to fit the camera.

http://www.shen-hao.com/PRODUCTSabout.aspx?i=939&id=n3

Assuming they haven't changed anything, the Shen Hao TFC 617 is likely to use a Linhof Technika style board, which is pretty common for field cameras. A Sinar board is for Sinar monorail cameras and much too large to fit. You can look up information about lensboard sizes on the skgrimes.com website.

What backpack or carrying system you might want to use depends on both how much you want to carry, and how far you plan to walk. If you'll be using the camera 100 yards from the car, many things will work. If you plan to walk 5 miles up a trail, then a backpack with a good suspension will save your back and shoulders. Most "photo" backpacks have lots of dividers for stuff and lousy suspensions, like a padded box with straps. A hiking backpack will carry a lot better, but then the trick is finding one that zips open wide enough to accommodate a rather bulky camera in a padded sleeve.

Luis-F-S · Mar 12, 2020

Luckless said:
They're not 'mistakes', they're pre-buying for future camera setups...

Yup, the blind leading.......... L

cayenne · Mar 13, 2020

Luis-F-S said:
What lens did you get? Since you think the 90 is way too big, would suggest that before you get anything else that you speak with someone who knows about view cameras. A lot cheaper not to make mistakes. L

No...it's not the 90mm lens that is too large..it is the lens board I bought to hold it that was too large.

I got it to work with the one supplied (thankfully) with the camera.

C

mark · Mar 13, 2020

cayenne said:
Yep..that's the guy I got the idea to get the camera from....I've watched ALL his videos with it and I was inspired.

Sadly, as he mentioned in that video, the person that makes HIS backpack for it....went out of business awhile back.

C

Just get a modular pack. I have a manfrotto pack that I use for everything up to 5x7. It is deep enough to hold the Shen Hao you have you just have to move the paddes dividers around.

Here is what I use.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._3n1_26_pro_light_3n1_26_camera_backpack.html

mark · Mar 13, 2020

Luis-F-S said:
How many movements do you need? What would you have given up by getting the folding version? I amazes me that anyone buys non-folding field cameras!

What amazes me is you made this comment.

Non-Folding View Camera: Backpack recommendation Please...

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