Hiking bag advice
Discussion
Hi, I have a couple of camera bags already messenger style for carrying my camera about but I have a holiday to Peru including Macchu picchu. Obviously I'm taking my camera but it presents a bit of a challenge packing. I'm walking the Inca trail or at least 27 miles of it. There is a sherpa to carry most of the stuff but we need to carry a day sack so water jacket and the like but I will want to pack all my kit into it for the trip so need a camera day sack combo.
I'm thinking of taking a handful of filters; grads polariser, flash, 11-16 tokina, 24-105 canon, tripod and the usual odds and sods batteries, remote and that. I'm going to leave the long lense at home and hope the 105 will do even if it is a bit soft at that end. I anticipate wanting something longer for wildlife but if I can't walk with it I have to prioritize. Last time I was carrying that lot I think it was about 6kg so with day stuff it will be a fair bit of weight. I only mention this lot as I'm hoping on a few recommendations on kit too.
I'm sure the landscape guys have a few bag solutions as its not really too different from any landscape hikes except maybe that I need it to be waterproof. I'm finding it hard to find a camera day sack combo especially at a reasonable price.
I'm thinking of taking a handful of filters; grads polariser, flash, 11-16 tokina, 24-105 canon, tripod and the usual odds and sods batteries, remote and that. I'm going to leave the long lense at home and hope the 105 will do even if it is a bit soft at that end. I anticipate wanting something longer for wildlife but if I can't walk with it I have to prioritize. Last time I was carrying that lot I think it was about 6kg so with day stuff it will be a fair bit of weight. I only mention this lot as I'm hoping on a few recommendations on kit too.
I'm sure the landscape guys have a few bag solutions as its not really too different from any landscape hikes except maybe that I need it to be waterproof. I'm finding it hard to find a camera day sack combo especially at a reasonable price.
I'm a big fan of the FStop Gear range, not the cheapest, but they are designed like proper hiking rucksacks, with frames etc, so carry really well. You buy a combination of bag and inner so you can tailor it depending on how much camera kit/daysack kit you need. They aren't the cheapest, but as always it is a case of getting what you pay for.
If you can track one down used a Domke Armadillo, a proper rucksack harness system and belt and aluminium bracing to hold it all together. It is an unusual approach with individual drawers for gear. I've just picked one up again, it's ideal for me as I can put different systems (medium format, large format and 35mm) in different levels and still be secure for scrambling down cliffs etc.
I've heard good things about F-stop gear - in fact it's the only company that gets consistently good reviews in the hiking-meets-photography market. It's pricey though, and particularly for one main trip.
I couldn't afford F-stop so I started looking at 'proper' hiking brands for a ruck - it's easy enough to package a couple of lenses, flash and filters safely with relatively cheap lens cases. For a daysack with room for your normal hiking gear (waterproofs, water bladder, food etc) plus room for a camera, 2 lenses and filters I'd look at something in the 35-45L range - not least because the associated back length will be enough that a tripod won't be sticking out the top. I ended up with the ruck below but it's very much down to fit and feel.
http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id...
Get down to your nearest Go Outdoors and try on a few Lowe Alpine, Osprey and Deuter rucks. Most should have a good airflow back system which will be useful in the climate you're going to and all will take a water bladder. Keep an eye out for rucks with an outer elastic stowage area - ideal for the tripod.
Something else worth considering (and which has worked nicely for me) is a Lowe Pro lens case like this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-11-14cm-Lens-Case/...
The velcro straps are perfectly sized to go over the hip straps of a ruck or day sack.
I couldn't afford F-stop so I started looking at 'proper' hiking brands for a ruck - it's easy enough to package a couple of lenses, flash and filters safely with relatively cheap lens cases. For a daysack with room for your normal hiking gear (waterproofs, water bladder, food etc) plus room for a camera, 2 lenses and filters I'd look at something in the 35-45L range - not least because the associated back length will be enough that a tripod won't be sticking out the top. I ended up with the ruck below but it's very much down to fit and feel.
http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id...
Get down to your nearest Go Outdoors and try on a few Lowe Alpine, Osprey and Deuter rucks. Most should have a good airflow back system which will be useful in the climate you're going to and all will take a water bladder. Keep an eye out for rucks with an outer elastic stowage area - ideal for the tripod.
Something else worth considering (and which has worked nicely for me) is a Lowe Pro lens case like this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-11-14cm-Lens-Case/...
The velcro straps are perfectly sized to go over the hip straps of a ruck or day sack.
Cheers guys the F-stop gear does look very nice but it charges accordingly I'm not sure I can justify that really. It does look great though top hiking tech and great camera practicality.
There is a place in the US selling the armadillo but it would probably be in the same price bracket landed.
I like the idea of using a normal hiking bad and maybe a filler on price terms. Do you not find it annoying digging through all your stuff to get to the camera though? Most of the specialist stuff has a zip open back so you have to take the bag off but at least it is separate to stop emptying the bag out all the time.
I found the Lowepro Photo Hatchback 22l AW which is right in terms of price but no real tripod holder seems you have to spend twice that for weather proofing and a tripod.
There is a place in the US selling the armadillo but it would probably be in the same price bracket landed.
I like the idea of using a normal hiking bad and maybe a filler on price terms. Do you not find it annoying digging through all your stuff to get to the camera though? Most of the specialist stuff has a zip open back so you have to take the bag off but at least it is separate to stop emptying the bag out all the time.
I found the Lowepro Photo Hatchback 22l AW which is right in terms of price but no real tripod holder seems you have to spend twice that for weather proofing and a tripod.
My experience with a lower end Lowe Pro stuff is that it tends to be a padded camera box with straps added.
Back opening isn't essential, but it is good to keep the heaviest things at the bottom of the bag, especially if you will be walking on uneven terrain. Which could be a problem with a normal bag - it's worth looking to see if any have extra openings...
Back opening isn't essential, but it is good to keep the heaviest things at the bottom of the bag, especially if you will be walking on uneven terrain. Which could be a problem with a normal bag - it's worth looking to see if any have extra openings...
Buzz word said:
Do you not find it annoying digging through all your stuff to get to the camera though?
My ruck has a side zip opening so I can reach straight in. But I pack according to how often I'll need stuff, with camera gear generally being near the top (prior to getting a side zip ruck anyway.)And I think Craikeybaby hit the nail on the head about Lowepro bags. I own two and love them but they have their limitations. Their sister company knows how to carry weight comfortably over long distances however.
I use the Hama Daytour, which ticks all the boxes incl built- in rain cover and tripod holder, but there are a few others, as well:
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/05/23/best-...
Nice hike, BTW- enjoy!
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/05/23/best-...
Nice hike, BTW- enjoy!
I have looked at the hama and the photosport. I know its silly but I wasn't much of a fan of the hama look but may come round to that.
I just went to the local camera place for some advice too and saw a older tenba shootout on sale at £80 which seemed a bargain. I asked the guy at the counter if it was water proof and he went all nerd on me about legal definitions. In the end he came to the point he would use it to get caught in rain but not out for hours at a time. Something that is out of my control and said those rubberised sacs like the lowe pro dryzone were the only true waterproof bags.
A workmate said the same so I'm thinking now much like the good idea of using a camping bag use a yachting bag like this...
http://www.over-board.co.uk/backpacks/waterproof-b...
Then a filler bag in it. That way I have to be bullet proof and cheaper than a propper camera bag.
I just went to the local camera place for some advice too and saw a older tenba shootout on sale at £80 which seemed a bargain. I asked the guy at the counter if it was water proof and he went all nerd on me about legal definitions. In the end he came to the point he would use it to get caught in rain but not out for hours at a time. Something that is out of my control and said those rubberised sacs like the lowe pro dryzone were the only true waterproof bags.
A workmate said the same so I'm thinking now much like the good idea of using a camping bag use a yachting bag like this...
http://www.over-board.co.uk/backpacks/waterproof-b...
Then a filler bag in it. That way I have to be bullet proof and cheaper than a propper camera bag.
Buzz word said:
I have looked at the hama and the photosport. I know its silly but I wasn't much of a fan of the hama look but may come round to that.
I just went to the local camera place for some advice too and saw a older tenba shootout on sale at £80 which seemed a bargain. I asked the guy at the counter if it was water proof and he went all nerd on me about legal definitions. In the end he came to the point he would use it to get caught in rain but not out for hours at a time. Something that is out of my control and said those rubberised sacs like the lowe pro dryzone were the only true waterproof bags.
A workmate said the same so I'm thinking now much like the good idea of using a camping bag use a yachting bag like this...
http://www.over-board.co.uk/backpacks/waterproof-b...
Then a filler bag in it. That way I have to be bullet proof and cheaper than a propper camera bag.
Lectures about legal definitions on that "waterproof" subject by a sales guy who probably spent too much time inside the dry camera shop are always great I just went to the local camera place for some advice too and saw a older tenba shootout on sale at £80 which seemed a bargain. I asked the guy at the counter if it was water proof and he went all nerd on me about legal definitions. In the end he came to the point he would use it to get caught in rain but not out for hours at a time. Something that is out of my control and said those rubberised sacs like the lowe pro dryzone were the only true waterproof bags.
A workmate said the same so I'm thinking now much like the good idea of using a camping bag use a yachting bag like this...
http://www.over-board.co.uk/backpacks/waterproof-b...
Then a filler bag in it. That way I have to be bullet proof and cheaper than a propper camera bag.
10 hours non- stop downpour test with built- in rain cover; no problems other than the urge for a stiff drink in a dry warm tent. Have to agree with the waterproof limitations, though, if compared to a dive computer
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