Hiking with a camera.

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philpaul

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Is there a better way to carry a dslr up and down mountains than in your main rucksack? I have tried a toploading type bag attached to the waist belt of the pack at home but felt that it would get in the way when going up/down rocky terrain. I am thinking of buying a 45L sack for winter so as I can get the camera in with all the extra gear, as the 30L is fine in summer but a tight squeeze in winter. I am also thinking just going with a polariser and trying to bracket exposure to help with skys etc when back home, but can't decide if to move over to one of the small Benro type of travel tripods over the jollypod that I use at present.

Any ideas

Philip
 
I use a toploader with my babycarrier backpack all the time... Admittedly, it's just one lens and no tripod (which normally goes in the backpack) but it does work.

And this is with a dirty great big BushBaby...

Appreciate it's not what you're looking for, but I don't have much experience beyond day tripping and carrying the camera around in a day sack when spending the day snowboarding...
 
I use a mountain bike lumbar pack and it's handy as I don't have to get my rucksack down to get to my camera. It's a bit like a bum bag :lol: only bigger. Not the best look but does the job!
 
i hang my camera round my neck in a camera pouch and hold it with the breast straps on my rucksack to stop swinging around...and with a short strap length
mind you that is only for trekking and hill walking
 
There's been a thread recently called "Walking with a camera" it might be worth a look.

Generally I walk in with my camera in my bag, then if I want to keep it out I have it over my shoulder.

Have you had a look at the FStop Gear range of bags, they're great for hiking with and carry extremely well. They have also got a product in development that attached to the sternum strap and holds your camera in a toploading type camera bag on your chest.
 
philpaul said:
Is there a better way to carry a dslr up and down mountains than in your main rucksack? I have tried a toploading type bag attached to the waist belt of the pack at home but felt that it would get in the way when going up/down rocky terrain. I am thinking of buying a 45L sack for winter so as I can get the camera in with all the extra gear, as the 30L is fine in summer but a tight squeeze in winter. I am also thinking just going with a polariser and trying to bracket exposure to help with skys etc when back home, but can't decide if to move over to one of the small Benro type of travel tripods over the jollypod that I use at present.

Any ideas

Philip
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I use a Dakine Mission Photo Backpack. Photo Backpacks are the way to go (but that's only my opinion). It's padded, the inside is very solid, it can be strapped around your waist, can carry water and such in it, and it has a waterproof rain cover that you can take out. I have walked many many 8 to 12 hour days with this photo backpack on my back, with 3 different lenses, ALWAYS have a tripod (mini or full size depends on where I am going), and much much more equipment in it. All I can say is that it's great to have all your equipment with you, and even though you walk all day with that much weight, the straps are so comfortable, it does not hurt your shoulders, or dig into your back. From walking the city, to hiking the trails, IMO I think this is most definitely the way to go. And I don't mean the Dakine brand pack specifically, but any photo backpack in general.
 
I've had a look at the other post and the strap idea my be worth a try using the tripod plate, mind this would only work in good fine weather, which we have been getting a lot of lately.:shake: For me the photo backpacks just don't have the room for your hiking gear, especially in winter and don;t look all that comfy. I agree that I should really be taking a tripod and will look into the Benro type, as it will attach to the ice axe loops on a normal rucksack.
 
Seriously, look at FStop gear range. Photo pack WITH room for other gear.

They also carry much better than normal photo packs (even the dakine, I have both ;) )
 
Craikeybaby said:
There's been a thread recently called "Walking with a camera" it might be worth a look.

Generally I walk in with my camera in my bag, then if I want to keep it out I have it over my shoulder.

Have you had a look at the FStop Gear range of bags, they're great for hiking with and carry extremely well. They have also got a product in development that attached to the sternum strap and holds your camera in a toploading type camera bag on your chest.
Click to expand...

Sturnum pouch sounds cool
 
Craikeybaby said:
Seriously, look at FStop gear range. Photo pack WITH room for other gear.

They also carry much better than normal photo packs (even the dakine, I have both ;) )
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Craikeybaby, check out this link. My friend has the Ape Case ACPRO2000 and its huge. On top of that, you could load 50 lbs to it, and the straps are so padded, its very comfortable. It puts my Dakine to shame :D
 
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I take my dslr on all manner of walking/climbing/mountaineering trips. I simply put the camera and any extra lenses in a neoprene pouch and then pack each pouch in a waterproof stuff sack. This ensures all the bits of kit are protected from my other kit and remain dry without taking up unnecessary space. Its a bit fidly to dig the slr out sometimes but that's hardly a showstopper.

Matin make good neoprene lens pouches and Op/tech make excellent slr covers.
 
TySharp said:
Craikeybaby, check out this link. My friend has the Ape Case ACPRO2000 and its huge. On top of that, you could load 50 lbs to it, and the straps are so padded, its very comfortable. It puts my Dakine to shame :D
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Does it have waist straps? It doesn't look like it from the pictures.

I'm already sorted with camera bags, with a 60L Satori EXP ordered for more serious trips.

It isn't hard to put dakine bags to shame, I used their sequence for 3 years, so know it pretty well. Having said that, their normal packs are great, I've been using heli pros for snowboarding sans camera for over 10 years am a big fan of their other luggage, but from my experience the camera bags don't carry well at all.
 
Really? I'm sorry to head you didn't like your Dakine bags, a I LOVE mine. But thats just my opinion. As far as a waist strap, yeah it does have a waist strap. It is a very very nice bag. Check em out on amazon. They have all different sizes. IMO, I would never use anything else beside a photo backpack. :cool:
 
A Lowepro Primus AW is the best solution I've found so far - unfortunately it's still no match for a good quality hiking rucksac when it comes to backflow system/straps/load carrying, I use an Osprey Atmos as my main mountain hiking rucksac and despite the Primus being ok I still wouldn't take it on a serious hike in place of the Opsrey - camera rucksac manufacturers still have some catching up to do when it comes to designing decent photo/hiking rucksacs

Simon
 
TySharp said:
Really? I'm sorry to head you didn't like your Dakine bags, a I LOVE mine. But thats just my opinion. As far as a waist strap, yeah it does have a waist strap. It is a very very nice bag. Check em out on amazon. They have all different sizes. IMO, I would never use anything else beside a photo backpack. :cool:
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Can't find the Ape Cases on Amazon. I agree, about proper photo backpacks, it is just a case of finding one that meets your needs. I'm lucky that I have!
 
simonkit said:
camera rucksac manufacturers still have some catching up to do when it comes to designing decent photo/hiking rucksacs
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I agree, FStop Gear are the only company that have managed to get decent outdoor rucksack support systems onto a photo pack.
 
Simon, I agree with you in that the good hiking packs are still a better bet considering I normally take the bare minimum photo gear and would probably not fill all the compartments in a photo pack, which would then just be wasted space. I have been using a Lowe Alpine pack which has been super to carry, but it is a wee bit difficult to get everything in when going into autumn and winter when taking the camera. It's a 35L and I think a extra 10L would make all the difference. I have been using Exped bags to keep everything waterproof, and so far I had no issues in this front. Andy, that a good idea about the neoprene cases, and one which I will investigate, as it will add a bit of protection and another bit of waterproofing which is very welcome in this neck of the woods:D.
 
Ah yes, I didn't notice that. They do look very camera bag like - i.e. padded box with straps though.
 
FStop Tilopa BC or if you don't mind waiting for a few a bit, the Satori EXP is even bigger (advanced preview).

I'm putting together a review of their smallest pack, the Guru, to put on here, I'll add a bit vs the Dakine Sequence too.
 
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