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siejones

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Ok I have more or less chosen my next tripod and head. The winners most likely being the manfrotto 190XPROB and he 488RC2.

My next problem in the carrying of such equipment.

Upto yet I have opted to non camera rucksacks and have brought camera and lens cases because I needed more in my backpack than just the camera gear. Up until now this how just about worked as the tripod I was using was small and compact and fitted in both my 45L pack as well and my little 25 litre pack.

With the new tripod setup the big sack may well accomodate cause it has external straps but my main camera bag being the smaller sack won't.

So I am in a dilema. I need a good weather resisitant camera bag that will carry not only camera equipment and tripod but also mountain/treking gear or somekind of straps that will allow my current gear to hold my tripod.

Any recommendations?
 
Hi - Have you had a nosey at www.cambags.com? - There's an AW bag in the Classifieds too maybe that'd suit you?
Paul ;)
 
I have just bought the Lowepro Rover AW 11 as my needs are similar to yours, except I haven't tried it out in the 'field' yet. It carries a fair amount of equipment and a specific external tripod pouch which folds away when not being used. I read a critique of the sack before I bought which warns that some tripods are a little long and hamper trying to put the bag on the floor and keep it upright, but I cant imagine most bags won't have this issue.

Reason for buying was the comfort from proper shoulder straps and waist brace as well as all weather cover. There are two sizes although very similar. Bought mine from Morris Photographic @£75 including delivery.
 
I guess the answer depends on how much non-camera euipment you take and the volume it would occupy? i get the impression that you'd take a body wih lens attached, spare lens (1 or 2) and the tripod? If so, then some heavy duty velcro straps would do the trick to secure your tripod to the outside of your existing rucksack.

If you really want a decent combination ruckie - modify to your own needs type - inc. tripod holder, etc, have a look at Kata who are doing some awesome stuff at the moment

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=260&cid=28&perentId=4&ProdLine=4
 
Mini Trekker AW carries all the camera equipment in my Sig and more!!! Also a nice slot for the tripod there too. Great all weather rucksack.
 
Thanks everyone some good info and links here I need to study :)

Ok heres what I would expect to take on a typical hill walk and yes I do use all of it ;)

1. 350D with 17-40 F4L attached + 2 spare batteries and other bits and bobs.
2. 70-200 F4L
3. 50 F1.8
4. Cokin holder and 2X GND filters and a cokin ploarizer + adapters e.t.c
5. A set of ext tubes.
6. At the moment a relatively light velbon tripod @ 1kg but I am looking at getting a better tripod which would go up 2.6kg with head attached.
7. 2X litres of water/sports drink (suprisingly heavy) + energy food such as energy bars e.t.c.
8. GPS nav equipment which is my PDA with GPS flash attachment. ALong side that a compass and map for backup. Along side this is emergency medical kit and whistle and emergency survival bag and head torch and extra batteries for torch, PDA and mobile phone.
9. Extra clothing can be a fleece and water/wind proof jacket if not wearing already so space is needed for both. Also gloves thin or heavy according to time of year and wooly hat and scarf.

Using lens and camera cases all this just about fills a 45 litre sack to the brim and it's heavy! Considering a normal hill walk will between 3000-5000ft of ascent over 5-12 miles with again 3000-5000ft of decent which as any hill walker will tell can be just as hard as ascent.

This is why I am if'ing and buting about buying a manfrotto tripod. MY current tripod is unsturdy and a pain in the bum but I wonder if I can manage the extra weight.
 
:thinking: Cable car and bergen? :D
 
Mini Trekker AW carries all the camera equipment in my Sig and more!!! Also a nice slot for the tripod there too. Great all weather rucksack.


Wha?? how do you manage that?

any chance of a pic of that packed up? i must be doing something wrong with mine!
 
This I would like to see as well! :O

And me!! I used to have one, and it would take my 20D, 70 -200, 17-40 and my flash, and that was about it - realistically.
 
For my two week stint in India I took a Mini Trekker AW

It comfortably contained

1. 20D with 17-40 F4L attached + 2 spare batteries and other bits and bobs.
2. 70-200 F4L
3. 50 F1.8
4. Cokin holder, a cokin polariser + adapters e.t.c
5. A Manfrotto 714SHB tucked in one of the side loops
6. Sigma 500D Flash and/or Epson P2000 viewer
7. Compass, Swiss Army Knife, Eye Glasses, Two Pens, Blackberry, Small torch, Compass, Remote release cable
8. Wallet and passports occasionally
9. TPf Lens Pen, TPF lens cloth, Giotto Blower
10. Notepad
11. And finally a small stone elephant!

Highly recommended!
 
Oh Yes, and I use a mini trekker with the 055PRO strapped to the front.

Cool...just looked at that though. Where do you put all your fell walking equipment that I listed earlier?
 
I use either a Tamrac Expedition 5 or a Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II.

The Lowepro one has an additional Trekker that fastens to the main backpack and can be used to store extra clothing food etc.

Both can have a tripod strapped to the centre back or down either side and both have the option for additional add ons......water bottles etc.
 
Bear in mind that the mini-trekker's front pocket is MUCH bigger than you think it's going to be too. Once I have the camera and even my regular walkabout lens out of mine I find it will easily carry my waterproof inside the body of the bag and a fleece in the front pocket as well as assorted other bits and pieces.
 
Cool...just looked at that though. Where do you put all your fell walking equipment that I listed earlier?

As witch says the front pocket is a good size.

In terms of your kit ... If I am mega prepared ...

1-5 has plenty of room for all of those. I don't use all of those lenses and sometimes, just take 1.
6 Tripod tied to front
7.Water - I find a 2 squeezy bottle of sports drink enough (pack 2 small in jacket pockets to balanbce me out.) Energy food -loads of room
8 I use a compass and map, no GPS.
9. Penknife, whistle, torch (bright small maglite, take 2 small AA spare) Mobile Phone
10. I take one extra layer of clothing in a bag which fits on top of lenses, bit of squeeze, but enough room for all....just.

Neil
 
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