Camera bags backpack

[Code Monkey]

I am shortly going on a hiking trip to peru, I will be carrying a day bag and want to carry my D-SLR as well. I have a Nikon D80 with a 18-200 lens, not planning on carrying a second lens as for weight will stick with the one lens and make best as I can.

My question to all on here is what bag options are there? I would like a back pack but I am concerned that most of the ones associated with trekking have the camera located at the bottom of the bag

I want to be able to carry, the camera and lens, spare battery, filters, and plenty of memory, not planning on a tripod, might get a mono pod as a walking stick but probably pack a small bean bag and use that. Plus spare trousers, shirt, dry socks and packed waterproofs. With space for other items such as snacks, drink etc.

Has anyone else been looking in this market? Any suggestions for use?

[tangerine_sedge]

I have a Lowepro waist bag (Orion mini), which is just large enough for a small kit, EOS3, short zoom, and spare prime (50 or 28 depending on journey). I sometimes wear this as intended around my waist and also wear a day bag for the other gubbings. I also occasionally place it inside the day bag when I don't want to advertise my camera.

Before I had kids, I used to carry around a large Lowepro photo rucksack

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Beltpacks/classic/...

[Elderly]

tangerine_sedge said:

I have a Lowepro waist bag (Orion mini), which is just large enough for a small kit, EOS3, short zoom, and spare prime..... I sometimes wear this as intended around my waist and also wear a day bag for the other gubbings. I also occasionally place it inside the day bag when I don't want to advertise my camera.

Good advice that; you want to be able to have your camera at the ready in such a great photogenic country, yet be able to quickly put it away when it tips it down! As somebody who went on a trip to Peru 2 years ago I would advise that you work out a way of carrying around a lot of bottled water ...... and don't forget the 'Immodium Instant'

[Longers]

My advice would be to buy a proper walking style of rucksack as I've yet to find a photo one as comfortable for serious walks. The proper walking ones have a frame that keeps the rucksack off of your back. Mine is a Berghaus one which also has an internal pouch for a hydration pack which and a hole near the shoulder for the pipe. After doing several high treks (including Inca trail and Nepal) I know altitude + walking = thirsty!! You will drink smaller amounts more ferquently therefore feel better than you would if you had to keep taking your pack off to get to a bottle!

The straps for walking poles also take my tripod, although to save weight in Peru & Nepal I used a Leki walking pole where the handle unscrews to reveal a camera mount. The pole also helps the knees when descending!

I've also got a lowepro topload zoom pouch that can attach to your chest or fit into the backpack (still room lunch, waterproofs etc) so it doesn't look like a camera bag at airports but still protects kit.

I'd be wary of hip style packs which fit lower than the chest ones - a guy on my trek in Peru found his kept getting in the way when climbing some of the (steep!) inca steps.

Make sure you get a waterproof bag / backpack - it may not be raining but you will likely be in the clouds at times and get pretty wet very quickly.

Enjoy it and make sure you post some pic's to remind me of what a great place Peru is

Longers

Edited by Longers on Monday 24th September 20:22

[biglepton]

I don't know how you guys carry those heavy DSLR lumps and batteries round when hiking.

I have a 1979 Nikon FE for that kind of use. Solid metal, can drive a bus over it, never breaks and a battery lasts 5 years. Better still, even in the third world it looks so old no-one thinks it's worth mugging me for!

[RobDickinson]

I have a lowepro toploader AW that'll fit a dSLR and 70-200f4L in + a bunch of sundry stuff. Havnt yet got the chest harness but am planning too.

It can strap to your backpack or whatever too.

[looop]

Any thing from here

I have a couple of their backpacks and find them really well made and hold all my camera crap in padded comfort, also they don't look like normal camera bags so hopefully have less chance of being stolen.