Converting backpack to camera bag

Morph3ous

Morph3ous

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Hi,

I've got a lowepro camera backpack which stores all my kit and has room for more, but it gets very little use outside. Mainly because its quite bulky and all it can carry is my camera kit. There's no room elsewhere for anything else. Now this isn't a massive problem when I'm on a dedicated camera trip, but it doesn't suit all occasions. I know I could replace it with another bag that has 'day sack' elements too, but a decent one isn't cheap.

Plus I've got a trusty North Face rucksack which has endless amount of pockets and compartments. It also has a padded laptop compartment, which is useful as I now have a MacBook Pro whereas I didn't when I bought my lowepro. So, I was wondering if I could 'convert' it? Only temporarily when I need it to store camera kit, and I wondered if there was any type of 'padding' or 'system' anyone knows of that offers the protection of a camera bag, but is small enough to go into my rucksack? I thought of the obvious "Buy a small camera bag" but is there any other options?

I've got a trip to Mexico coming up and so I'm looking to take the D750, 24-120 and a speed light along with me. This is the main driver behind using the North Face bag as its an awesome flight carry on bag and adding the kit into one of the compartments would still leave me plenty of space.

Advice appreciated.
 
search on amazon/ebay for camera bag insert, there are loads available of different shapes and sizes
 
Easy as that. Feel daft now. Thank you!
 
I have a couple of f-stop inserts, they are brilliant if I need to carry cameras plus kit.
 
Years ago I converted an old rucksack with foam camping mat and cardboard, it lasted years and even survived a dip in a river when a bridge collapsed with me on it (and kept the kit dry) alas it didn't keep me dry :D
 
For carrying one body and lens? For your flight, carry the camera over your shoulder. It will take up a heap of space in your bag that could be better used to fit a heap of other stuff in. And you're allowed to take a second small item on most flights (think handbags, etc).

For padding if you do want to put the camera in the bag for some reason. Will you not have clothes in there most of the time you're travelling around? I'd just carry the camera on my shoulder (much easier to take photos that way ;) ) failing that, stick a jumper under it in the bag incase you forget and dump the bag down hard. It's not like it needs to be cradled in high density foam all the time.
 
I bought a Lowepro Slingshot 100 from the classifieds for 20 quid, butchered it with some strong scissors and a Stanley knife just leaving the camera storage section
Left the small front pocket attached for bits and bobs and kept the fold away waterproof cover for added weather protection when inside the rucksack
Works a treat as an insert in a normal rucksack and better constructed than most of the inserts I have seen.
 
Just some things you want to consider when your picking up inserts...
Think about the orientation of the insert in the sac, so if you want to pull it out make sure it has a handle on the top edge else you'll be faffing around trying to reach the handle at the side. Make sure it can be fully enclosed, so that kit doesn't fall out when in the sac or when you pull it out.
If your going to be using your sac as a dual purpose, get some waterproof stuff sacs to separate out your gear, so if your bagging wet waterproofs, or foodstuff, liquids there away from your gear.
Just remember it probably wont afford you as much protection as a good camera bag and the access to your gear wont be as easy.
If you are just packing a D750 and the 24-120 and some bits then consider the Lowepro Toploader 75. You could put this in your sac then pull it out and use as a separate lone bag when you just want your camera. I say the 75 (or maybe 55) as this will take a longer lens and if your just using the 24-120 this will give you additional space below the lens where you could keep other bits like your flash perhaps. Just a thought.
Enjoy your trip and look forward to seeing your shots here on TP(y)
 
Thanks to all for the advice [emoji4]
 
Back in the early 80's I used an old Salomon skiing rucksack.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy came to the rescue and I carried a small towel in the bottom of the rucksack.
Camera was wrapped in an old t-shirt. I used this method for the next 10 to 15 years skiing most weekends in the Cairngorms or climbing Munros.
The camera is now being used by Brian and can be seen in this thread (post 7363) :
https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...a-new-film-related-toy-thread.239121/page-185

No special equipment, minimal outlay and still going strong after some 35 years...
 
I hear what your saying but I have a actual camera backpack that looks just like a normal hiking backpack ,I got it off e.bay just for holidays weighs in at around 1kg ,fits my large bulk nicely ,and has lots of room inside ,its called a " s.inpaid sports bag" obviously from the Far East its main material is rip stop nylon but the straps,belts and buckles and interior padding are good quality and it does the job without looking like a camera bag..also includes a full size rain cover worth doing a google of e.bay for Cost me under £20
 
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