What does your pack weigh?

MurrayMinchin · Jan 26, 2007

Not including my tripod, and with enough gear to survive a night out in the winter woods (in an emergency), mine lumbers in at 25lbs or about 10kg.

That's for a Wista 4x5, eight holders, two Schneiders and other assorted must-have items in a camera bag which is then stuffed into an expedition sized pack. The pack has a zipper running down its side from top to bottom as well as the usual opening at the top. Just the camera bag and focusing cloth account for about 50% of the weight, or 12lbs.

What does your kit weigh? Got any weight shaving tips?

Murray

Monophoto · Jan 26, 2007

My LowePro Trekker bag, packed with my Zone VI Lightweight, two lenses, 7-8 holders, a meter, a few Cokin filters, a focusing cloth and my Tiltall tripod comes in at 27 pounds.

The spousal unit and I took a day trip today over to Great Barrington and Stockbridge. Walked around with the pack on my back for an hour or so. Weight was not the issue. The 20mph breeze, combined with single-digit temperatures was a issue that easily discouraged trying to do any photography outdoors. Another issue was the bulk of the pack on my back - made it a bit tricky to stroll through the shops my wife wanted to visit, and I noticed that some of the shopkeepers also looked a bit nervous.

Haven't weighed the components, but in my case the tripod adds quite a bit of weight. But I agree that the tare weight of the bag is considerable.

rootberry · Jan 26, 2007

Yikes, I just got back into shooting 8x10, and boy am I glad I didnt spend any of my off time thinking about how heavy my pack is. It's at least 33 pounds! I use a big 'ol columbia rolling pack that is easy to roll around.

John McCallum · Jan 26, 2007

Camera gear only. Incl 4x5, 3 lenses, change tent & film, 4 holders - 16.5kgs or 36lbs.
I know this because there is a 20 kg weight limit on Great Barrier Island Airline. Leaves 2.5kg/8lbs for sleeping gear and the less important stuff like ... cloths and food.

Yours, Murray, is looking pretty good from my perspective. I know this isn't much help. But really it seems to me you've got a good kit coming in at 25lbs. I think to squeeze more weight out unfortunately requires spending money on technology. Light weight but effective sleeping bag, jacket etc do cost.

fwiw I've shaved quite a lot of weight just by carrying the pack.

dphphoto · Jan 27, 2007

I have to give up 8X10; I have arthritis in my back. I haven't weighed the kit, but an 8X10 'dorff, one lens and accessories, 7 holders and a Gitzo tripod are more than I can take.
I have a 4X5 Wista, 3 lenses, accessories and a light Burlebach pod. I carry a dozen holders in a seperate bag, which makes hauling it all a little easier.
I'm hanging on to my Mamiya 645 Pro, just in case it comes to that.
Dean

Lopaka · Jan 27, 2007

Mine, with several lenses, extra film magazines, etc including tripod comes in at about 28 pounds. RZ lenses are heavier than a lot of LF lenses, and I find it interesting to note that a MF pack isn't any lighter than 4 x 5.

Bob

raucousimages · Jan 27, 2007

Toyo 45 AII, 65, 150, 210, 120 macro, meter, Quick Loads and holder. Plus food and kit for two days-about 25 to 30 lbs with out water. I will take up to two gallons (15 lbs) of water in the heat. I live in a desert and can be 20 miles from any water. I will drop one gallon half way between the truck and where I am going so I can come back to it on my way out. Add another 30 lbs in the winter for tent, bag, fuel... but i drag it in a sled with snow shoes.

Andy K · Jan 27, 2007

Thats a bit personal isn't it Murray?

Ok, I'll go away again now.

Tom Hoskinson · Jan 27, 2007

MurrayMinchin said:
Not including my tripod, and with enough gear to survive a night out in the winter woods (in an emergency), mine lumbers in at 25lbs or about 10kg.

That's for a Wista 4x5, eight holders, two Schneiders and other assorted must-have items in a camera bag which is then stuffed into an expedition sized pack. The pack has a zipper running down its side from top to bottom as well as the usual opening at the top. Just the camera bag and focusing cloth account for about 50% of the weight, or 12lbs.

What does your kit weigh? Got any weight shaving tips?

Murray

Dead Link Removed
Pounds Ounces
Gregory G Pack 2.875 46
Pentax Spotmeter 1.1 17.6
300mm Apo Germinar lens 0.8 12.8
110mm SA XLS lens 1.4 22.4
150mm SA XLS lens 2 32
8x10 filmholder 1.3 20.8
8x10 filmholder 1.3 20.8
8x10 filmholder 1.3 20.8
8x10 filmholder 1.3 20.8
Blackjacket 0.4 6.4
Wehman 8x10 Field Camera 8.7 139.2
Gitzo,BallHead & Tripod bag 6 96
Total Weight 28.475 455.6
minus 150mm lens 26.475 423.6
minus 110mm lens 25.075 401.2

MurrayMinchin · Jan 27, 2007

Sorry Andy, but this is a case where bigger isn't better. Mine appears to be on the heavy end of things, because I didn't include the tripod. Me-thinks my legs aren't like they were in my twenties and it's time to think about shaving some weight.

Murray

resummerfield · Jan 27, 2007

I usually work within a mile or so of the road. So while I may really load up the truck, when it comes time to walk I sort through it all and only pack exactly what I need. Usually 1 or 2 lenses, lens hood, a small bag of miscellaneous items, and maybe 3 holders, all packed in an older surveyors padded backpack. Probably around 25 lbs. The wooden surveyor tripod with adapter and head weighs another 20 lbs or so. All together that adds up to around 45 lbs.

One weight saving tipbring a friend or your significant other along. Ive been very fortunate in that my wife enjoys coming along, and she usually packs the tripod (and sometimes lunch). Its much more enjoyable with 2 people, and were seldom out more than a few hours.

glbeas · Jan 27, 2007

I dropped my 4x5 pack on the scales today, 31 lbs with the tripod. I hate to think what the 8x10 pack weighs with it's tripod.

JLP · Jan 27, 2007

Must be doing something wrong. My 4x5 backpac including tripod is about 30 pound and that does not even include anything for an overnighter.
Must admit that i bring 6 lenses around and maybe 12 holders. The pack itself is to heavy, it is a Shimano fishing pack, soon to be replaced with something more refined for Photography.

jan

Tom Hoskinson · Jan 27, 2007

glbeas said:
I dropped my 4x5 pack on the scales today, 31 lbs with the tripod. I hate to think what the 8x10 pack weighs with it's tripod.

Check out my previous post in this thread, glbeas.

My fully loaded 8x10 pack comlete with 3 lenses in shutters (on lens boards) weighs 28.5 pounds. This weight includes my Gitzo tripod and Arca-Swiss Ballhead plus the (padded nylon)tripod case .

If I only take one lens (My Docter Optics 300mm Apo Germinar in Copal shutter) My total pack weight is then 25.5 pounds.

If I put the 4x5 back on my Wehman, leave the 8x10 back at home, and replace the 8x10 film holders with 4x5 film holders, My total pack weight is then between 21 and 22 pounds.

pgomena · Jan 28, 2007

It all weighs too much. Sold the 8x10 (old Korona), now only pack what I think I need for a few shots with the Zone VI 4x5 when I want to lug it and the big wooden tripod. Main camera now is a Hasselblad, and I'm gathering the cash to lighten my other tripod load from a metal Gitzo to a carbon or basalt fiber thing. I'm now over 50 and arthritis is setting in with a vengeance. I love LF, but MF gains favor daily. Ain't it fun though? The d****** shooters just don't know what they're missing.

Peter Gomena

Tom Hoskinson · Jan 28, 2007

I'm over 70 and I fortunately I can still pack my 28.5 pound 8x10 kit without any problems.

I switched to a carbon fiber Gitzo tripod a few years ago.

DannL · Jan 28, 2007

After weighing the parts separately on the wife's kitchen scale it comes to about 26.7 lbs. Please don't tell her I'm the one that broke the scale.

B&J Grover 4x5 (field type similar to the Commercial View) ~ 8 lbs
11 Holders and Carrying Cases ~ 5 lbs
Soligor Husky Quick-Set (Hi-Boy) and Base Board ~10-12 Lbs
Film/meter/changing bag/darkcloth/loupe/notebook/etc ~ 2.5 Lbs

It took me forever to find something besides a backpack, to carry the gear in a compact method. I finally settled on one of those shoulder bags used to carry and oxygen gear like those carried by folks with breathing trouble. So far, so good. I simply lined it on the inside with a cardboard insert to add strength to the bottom and sides. I sling the tripod over the other shoulder in it's own bag.

coriana6jp · Jan 28, 2007

I just checked, my 4x5 set weighs in at 23lbs with a CF tripod, that includes film holders, four lenses and necessary accessories. Though the weight varies a few pounds depending upon which lenses I carry.

My 8x10 set is about 30lbs with 4 film holders, tripod, 2 lenses and necessary accessories.

I am looking for a new backpack, the current one I have is great but heavy. I am currently looking at the APUG sponsor Photobackpacker(sp?). Something slightly lighter would be helpful.

Gary

gr82bart · Jan 28, 2007

Which one? Typically any one of my packs weigh from 5-15 kg. My lighting pack alone probably weighs 20 kg.

Regards, Art.

Robert Hall · Jan 28, 2007

What does your kit weigh?
8x10, 6 pieces of glass, tripod, sundry other stuff, and a pack 45lbs. Add on film holders depending on what I am shooting, how far to walk, what shape I am in, say 50 to 65 lbs.

12x20, 2 film holders, film, film bag, 2 pieces of glass, tripod, pack and frame, about 48 lbs.

Got any weight shaving tips?

Sherpa.

glbeas · Jan 28, 2007

Tom Hoskinson said:
Check out my previous post in this thread, glbeas.

My fully loaded 8x10 pack comlete with 3 lenses in shutters (on lens boards) weighs 28.5 pounds. This weight includes my Gitzo tripod and Arca-Swiss Ballhead plus the (padded nylon)tripod case .

If I only take one lens (My Docter Optics 300mm Apo Germinar in Copal shutter) My total pack weight is then 25.5 pounds.

If I put the 4x5 back on my Wehman, leave the 8x10 back at home, and replace the 8x10 film holders with 4x5 film holders, My total pack weight is then between 21 and 22 pounds.

And what kind of 8x10 camera is it? I have a Korona field camera, a heavy beast by itself, with a 5.6 Symmar 300mm which is big enough I used a Jif peanut butter lid for a lenscap. Add a wide angle lens of indeterminate focal length, an extension rail, 5 or 6 filmholders and the darkcloth, meter and loupe and it's a strain for my arthritic knees to handle. I like the 4x5 much better, I hardly notice the weight and it has 4 lenses and up to 9 grafmatics at a time.

dphphoto · Jan 28, 2007

After saying yesterday that I was giving up 8X10, I went out this morning with my 8X10. But I didn't go far from the car.
I'm going to start hunting on the internet for a wheeled case.
Dean

Tom Hoskinson · Jan 28, 2007

glbeas said:
And what kind of 8x10 camera is it? I have a Korona field camera, a heavy beast by itself, with a 5.6 Symmar 300mm which is big enough I used a Jif peanut butter lid for a lenscap. Add a wide angle lens of indeterminate focal length, an extension rail, 5 or 6 filmholders and the darkcloth, meter and loupe and it's a strain for my arthritic knees to handle. I like the 4x5 much better, I hardly notice the weight and it has 4 lenses and up to 9 grafmatics at a time.

Gary, my 8x10 camera is a 2005 Wehmann and it weighs 8.7 pounds. My favorite 300mm lens is the Docter Optics Apo Germinar, it weighs 0.8 pounds and it covers the 8x10 format with movements.

My wide angle for 8x10 is a 150mm Schneider Super Angulon XLS, it is a big beast and weighs 2 pounds, it also covers the 8x10 format with movements.

glbeas · Jan 28, 2007

Tom Hoskinson said:
Gary, my 8x10 camera is a 2005 Wehmann and it weighs 8.7 pounds. My favorite 300mm lens is the Docter Optics Apo Germinar, it weighs 0.8 pounds and it covers the 8x10 format with movements.

My wide angle for 8x10 is a 150mm Schneider Super Angulon XLS, it is a big beast and weighs 2 pounds, it also covers the 8x10 format with movements.

Heh! I'd trade with you in a heartbeat! I'd love a 150 that could cover 4x5 with extreme movements, but that XLS sounds like i'd be overkill for that job.

Tom Hoskinson · Jan 28, 2007

glbeas said:
Heh! I'd trade with you in a heartbeat! I'd love a 150 that could cover 4x5 with extreme movements, but that XLS sounds like i'd be overkill for that job.

Oh Yeah! For 4x5, the 150mm I like is the light, compact Docter

Optics Apo Germinar W that I bought from Kerry Thalman a while back.

What does your pack weigh?

MurrayMinchin

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