rucksack / backpack recomendations please

numnutz · Aug 17, 2007

Hi I am looking for a backpack / rucksack to carry my Wista field camera + 3 lenses, 10 /15 DD slides, Pentax Spotmeter and the various small accesories filters etc. :rolleyes:

Can anyone guide me as to what would be most suitable backpack / rucksack for the above equipment combination. I don't mind fabricating my own foam interior if necessary.

I am personably bending to the Lowepro range specifically the Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW, unfortunately the only place I have seen this item at a reasonable price is online - and it looks to be larger than I require (i don't need to carry clothing etc.) My local suppliers can supply me one to order but cannot give me any sort of demonstration.

I am slightly disabled and can really only carry the equipment any distance as a backpack.

Items to be available in the UK please.

Thanks in advance

nn

TheFlyingCamera · Aug 17, 2007

I have two different Lowepro backpacks that I've carried 4x5 field cameras plus lenses and film holders (double-darks as y'all say over there). I've used a Lowepro Nature Trekker, and a Lowepro Photo Trekker, and both have enough space for all my 4x5 kit (Shen Hao, 5 lenses, meter, darkcloth). I can carry the tripod strapped to the outside, and with the Nature Trekker (mine is an older model that doesn't have attachment points for accessories), I have two Calumet belt pouches to carry my film holders- I can carry 10 holders per pouch, plus a spare box of film. The Photo Trekker II has an accessory system that lets you connect pouches etc to the outside via straps. You could get accessory pouches that connect to the bag that would hold your film holders. You should be able to get these bags through Calumet UK if nowhere else.

Dan Henderson · Aug 17, 2007

I'm about to outgrow the Tamrac backpack that has served me well for a few years. I keep being drawn to the Phototrekker system in the Kelty Redwing backpacks (an apug sponsor). Not to hijack your thread, but I'd like to hear from someone who has this system about how the system works and how comfortable the backpack is to carry.

david b · Aug 17, 2007

I can fit my Toyo 45a, two lenses, loupe, meter, and about 6 holders into my lowepro mini trekker. Then I strap the tripod to the outside.

Nick Zentena · Aug 17, 2007

Why not consider a normal backpack instead? The load most photographers consider heavy some backpackers consider light. Get a good backpackers pack and you'll be more likely to carry the weight with ease. Just make sure things like the pockets are big enough.

KenM · Aug 17, 2007

Dead Link Removed

I have my own pack, but I did purchase a complete set of cases - they're awesome! They can be used to not only store your lenses, but to create structure inside your pack - this was a good thing, since my pack is really nothing more than an empty container with a good frame.

John Kasaian · Aug 17, 2007

My 5x7 speed graphic rides in a Jansport Equinox with half a dozen holders and other gear. Small, light & comfortable (& cheap!)

palewin · Aug 18, 2007

In response to the question about the photobackpacker system & Redwing pack, I just returned from 2 weeks in France & Spain using the system (Canham 4x5, 3 lenses, 6 holders, 2 meters, CF tripod, and minor small items such as tools, flashlight, tape measure, etc.). Nothing but praise - used it everywhere from wandering through towns and cities to hiking up in the Nacional Park of Ordesa. The advantage of a system of cases, versus putting items in an unstructured pack, is speed of use - you just open the lens case and camera case, and everything is easy to find and use. In my case, the Redwing and backpacker cases was lighter and better fitting than my previous Tamrac LF pack, and easier to use than my even older unstructured rucksack, where I had to take out everything before setting up (which is also a bit scary in cities where someone could just grab an item and run). Before settling on the Redwing I tried a number of "more sophisticated" packs, such as Osprey, but the curved backs, which make the packs extremely comfortable, didn't work well with my photo equipment, and the zippers didn't allow the backs to open completely, again making equipment removal more difficult.

MurrayMinchin · Aug 18, 2007

Where I live and with the kind of off trail wandering I do, I need a bigger pack that can hold my 4x5 gear, plus raingear, plus an emergency kit, plus bear spray, plus a fire making kit, and enough warm clothes to spend an unplanned night in the woods in any season.

I recently bought an Asolo packsack, the 'Encounter 70', and it's the best pack for photographing I've ever had. The best feature is the front loading main compartment, accessed by a large inverted U shaped zipper that fits my 10" wide x 15" long x 8" deep camera bag. No more dragging the camera bag out the top of the pack !!!! (If you click on the link, the upsidedown U shaped zipper is behind what looks like a front pouch, but is actually a removeable day pack). This isn't where I bought it, just a link with a picture;

http://www.advguide.com/packs/index.cfm?fuseAction=drillDown&itemID=117

The top compartment is more than large enough for emergency supplies and the bottom compartment easily holds raingear for myself, the camera and a focusing cloth. In winter the main compartment has enough wiggle room to fit in extra warm clothes. At the very bottom of the pack is a small pouch housing a rain cover that fits over the pack...a small feature with huge potential during the fall monsoon.

Can you tell I'm happy?

Murray

numnutz · Aug 20, 2007

Thanks for all the help and information

nn

Mark Sawyer · Aug 20, 2007

I have an f/64 backpack that holds my 8x10 Kodak Master, 4 film holders, 4 lenses (plus one on the camera), dark cloth, meter, filters, etc. I'm quite happy with it.

The big considerations (for me) are how much it will hold, how safely and conveniently things are arranged inside, how comfortable it is on your back, how much it weighs, and how weather-proof it is.

But you really need to pack your gear in it and try it on to tell for sure. A backpack that's perfect for me might be all wrong for your gear and body...

Struan Gray · Aug 21, 2007

A decent hiking or climing pack will be much better for your body than any photo pack, and if necessary can be custom fitted. They also tend to be lighter for any given load capacity, even once you factor in some extra padding. I strongly recommend finding a good outdoor store and trying some of the panel loaders from the better manufacturers.

If you can say whereabouts in the UK you are I'm sure people can give you specific recommendations, but most places that carry good rucksacks will be happy to spend time helping you try on and fit various models.

jeroldharter · Aug 21, 2007

Photobackpacker

I bought one of these packs last year based on the larger Kelty Redwing 3100 pack. It has a modified zipper so that the face of the pack opens completely for full access to the inside of the pack. A stiff backer board add some rigidity and serves as the base for attaching the lens/camera cases with velcro. Very solid. The individual cases for the lenses work well and are no more space hogs than are the configurable foam dividers in conventional bags.

The pack is very comfortable and large. I can carry a Canham 4x5, six lenses, light meter, loupe, filters, darkcloth, small items, Readiload holder with 20 sheets of film and 10 regular film holders in Gnass bags (if I have to). But the pack adapts well to smaller loads also.

Also, very good service. When I bought the pack it arrived with a small problem. I emailed Photobackpacker. He responded promptly and immediately shipped a new pack, no questions asked, and paid for shipping for me to return the original pack. (One compression strap as loose.)

Bob F. · Aug 21, 2007

numnutz said:
Hi I am looking for a backpack / rucksack to carry my Wista field camera + 3 lenses, 10 /15 DD slides, Pentax Spotmeter and the various small accesories filters etc. :rolleyes:

Can anyone guide me as to what would be most suitable backpack / rucksack for the above equipment combination. I don't mind fabricating my own foam interior if necessary.

<snip>

Items to be available in the UK please.

Thanks in advance

nn

This is similar to what I carry in my Photo Trekker AW (a Shen Hao, 3-4 lenses etc). The pack is not particularly lightweight with all the padding etc but it is very adjustable for fit. The previous non-AW version is not nearly as adjustable. Not cheap either unfortunately, but it does a good job.

I have used a normal backpack in the past. I put the lenses etc in a large plastic box (about 350x350mm) with a snap-on lid and used camping sleeping-pad foam & gaffer tape to make compartments. The 10 film holders went in two smaller plastic boxes (which I still use as they help keep the dust out) and the camera was wrapped up in the dark-cloth and popped on top. The only real downside was that the rucksack was top loading so getting the stuff out was a bit of a fiddle. On the plus side, as the lenses were in a plastic box, I could put the box down on wet grass with no worries.

Good luck, Bob.

GeorgesGiralt · Aug 21, 2007

Hi !
A guy I know use a clibing bag (made for carying climbing rope) made (in China) by the French Decathlon sport store. It is the VUARDE 40 bag. He use it to carry a Sinar Norma 8x10 camera and two 8x10 lenses plus extension rail and spotmeter. He has another bag for the film holders (a computer case).
The bag exists in a smaller size called the Vuarde 30 which, I think, will be better suited for a 4x5. This bag is provided with a sheet of waterproof Nylon tissue normally used to pack the rope, which is perfect to put on the grass before unpacking. Cost is 50 Euro for the big 40 and 40 euro for the littel 30.
Have a look here :
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/3955/normawebrz7.jpg
I think you may find such style of bags everywhere climbers go.
Just my 2 cents.

rucksack / backpack recomendations please

numnutz

TheFlyingCamera

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KenM

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MurrayMinchin

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rucksack / backpack recomendations please

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