New Good Quality Camera bag For Mountain Use

[Wee Cammy]

Hi all, I’ve checked back about a year and don’t see any other posts addressing my issue.

I’m looking for some help in sourcing a new camera bag/rucksack combo. I’ve had a good look online and not really finding what I’m looking for, the best solution I’ve come up with so far is the f-stopper range which I’m aware has a very good reputation but not sure even that covers the bases I’m looking for.

What I’m looking for:
1. A fully waterproof bag, not something which relies on a separate rain cover because once the rain cover is in use the tripod carrying systems can’t be used.
2. A bag that can be used in a mountain environment, so has a good load carrying system.
3. A bag with enough space in the camera section to carry (at least) one professional (DSLR), around four lenses (though nothing super long), three speedlights complete with radio triggers, the usual array of NDs, Grads, Polariser etc, laptop would be a bonus but I can certainly live without it.
4. A bag with enough space in the non-camera section to carry enough kit for a full winters day on the hill / possibly overnight camping kit.
5. Externally ice axe attachment points as well as the ability to carry a full sized tripod would be very nice but not holding my breath for that.

I suspect the answer may be that my bag just doesn’t exist (I don’t know why because I can’t be the only one willing to spend money on this) but I thought I’d give a couple of forums a try before settling on something which doesn’t quite do the job.

Cheers,
Cameron.

 

[walls]

some ideas http://www.mountainphotographer.com/panel-loader-backpacks-for-hiking-photographers/

I think if you're staying out in the hills, then number one priority is a good pack that can carry a decent load and is a perfect fit for you. You can always put lenses and camera in another smaller bag or cheap neoprene pouches.

 

[ivandobski]

I'd agree with Walls, as someone who spends a lot of time in the outdoors with various packs most of the camera specific "outdoors" packs are fairly poor or massively overpriced. But generally both. Get a good pack and a separate carrier for the camera kit and you'll be much better off. You've then got the added advantage of being able to drop the carrier into packs of various sizes such as 15l summer daypacks or 80lwinter trekking packs etc.

 

[Jannyfox]

I'm only talking for proper rucksacks, rather than something designed for camera gear, but I don't think any of them are fully waterproof. They're intended to be used either with a rain cover (horrible things!) or with waterproof liners, which is what I use.

 

[tijuana taxi]

I think the bag you are looking for is in moon on a stick territory, proper rucksack with pouches for kit is a more realistic solution.

Lowepro did make a watertight bag, from what I recall it was only a camera type bag though, think it was named dryzone

 

[sirch]

I agree with the comments above, when in the hills I use a normal walking rucksack with a camera insert in it. As for a "fully waterproof bag" the problem is the toss-up between comfort/ease of access and waterproof. Ortlieb make fully waterproof bags (not camera bags) but if you give them any significant use/abuse the edges wear and they start to leak eventually.

I'm intruiged byt the mix of gear, a pro body should be weather sealed anyway, but three speedlights? Mine/cave/urbex?

 

[Diving Pete]

What I’m looking for:
1. A fully waterproof bag, not something which relies on a separate rain cover because once the rain cover is in use the tripod carrying systems can’t be used.

Put a sling around the tripod - it then doesnt hit everything

2. A bag that can be used in a mountain environment, so has a good load carrying system.

Lots of camera bags do that but NOT once you ask them to carry full winter camping gear.

3. A bag with enough space in the camera section to carry (at least) one professional (DSLR), around four lenses (though nothing super long), three speedlights complete with radio triggers, the usual array of NDs, Grads, Polariser etc, laptop would be a bonus but I can certainly live without it.

Thats easy, lots of bags do that

4. A bag with enough space in the non-camera section to carry enough kit for a full winters day on the hill / possibly overnight camping kit.

as said before 80-100 litre - Rucksack

5. Externally ice axe attachment points as well as the ability to carry a full sized tripod would be very nice but not holding my breath for that.

Is this UK winter or Scotland >? If it can carry an ice axe then it can carry a tripod - however, you are not looking for a camera bag - you are looking for a rucksack.

 

[HoppyUK]

F-Stop are pretty much unique as rain-proof backpacks for photographers and have a strong fan base among serious hikers. All the other mainstream alternatives need a rain cover to match them. F-Stop are less convenient though, as well as pricey. And buyers should be aware of the recent controversy surrounding the company, resulting in an abandoned KickStarter campaign, product shortages and long delays in supply. Lots about that on't web, eg here https://www.dpreview.com/news/80121...try-kickstarter-doesn-t-offer-backers-refunds UK distributor is Paramo http://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-range/?attributes=17D4FE8C-0219-482A-8FE2-BC352BFD6734

TAN is a new brand appealing to this market sector with good weather protection, if not quite properly rain-proof https://www.dpreview.com/news/17597...kard-t-a-n-camera-series-bags-for-adventurers And other backpacks with water-resistant zips and rain flaps should cope with the odd downpour, if not sustained rain. Most photographers head for cover on days like that, or pack their gear in plastic bags inside.