Backpack for rangefinder

[tribal.snake]

Hi,

Does any one use a backpack for their rangefinder when they travel? Currently, I am using a Blackhawk Phoenix pack with a Hadley small tucked inside. I am looking for a more intelligent solution to this. If one has experience in this, much appreciated for sharing. Many thanks

 

[B.J.Scharp]

I use one or two Chestpacks strapped to the front of my backpack. Everything directly in reach.

 

[Tim Gray]

I've not done this but I've thought about it. I think I'll probably just get a normal backpack that I can fit my camera bag in. Then I can stuff it all in my backpack if and when I want, and when I want a normal camera bag, I've got that covered too.

 

[semordnilap]

I've not done this but I've thought about it. I think I'll probably just get a normal backpack that I can fit my camera bag in. Then I can stuff it all in my backpack if and when I want, and when I want a normal camera bag, I've got that covered too.

I do that sometimes, and I find it often annoying.

I've actually sewn neoprene pouches and slings into a regular backpack, which is a good improvised solution and works for hiking, but I think I need to get a photo backpack in the future, especially for travel–it's annoying carrying one domke for my m8, a small bag for my dslr, and trying to stuff them in and out of my other backpack.

Any suggestions on a backpack that will hold M + 2-3 lenses, plus small dslr and 2 lenses?

 

[Rob-F]

An interesting idea! Google revealed a wide variety of other designs, all called chest packs. Some are available from LL Bean and B&H.

I've been using a Dakine Helipro backback. It's a small pack that I believe is meant for skiers. I found it in an outdoor store. When hiking with an M6, and carrying several extra lenses in a Domke 5XB, I've kept an XPan and lenses inside the Dakine pack, along with other stuff like lunch, water, and first-aid.

I'm going to look into the chest pack.

 

[ryan26]

My m's with lenses on fit in standard lowepro lens pouches. Throw it in your bag and forget about it. Or wear it around your shoulder or neck with the pouch still on. or put it on your belt, or on your backpacks shoulder strap, or waist strap. cheap and easy

 

[Graham Line]

I have a Tamrac Adventure 6 and rarely use it because it's so inaccessible. Nice for hauling stuff to a location, bad for working out of.

You might also consider waist packs, which keep the weight on your hips and are accessible on the move.

Carrying two camera bags, one inside the other, seems like hauling unnecessary weight.

 

[Tim Gray]

I do that sometimes, and I find it often annoying.

I'm mainly thinking of it as a way to transport my camera bag plus a few other things in the airport as one bag. Once at my destination, I figure I'd unload the backpack at the hotel and either leave it there or carry it around pretty much empty with my camera bag at my side. And if I got into a situation where I didn't want the camera bag and cameras ready at my side, they could all go in the backpack and I could forget about it.

I wasn't really approaching it as a backpack I could work out of.

I did look around a bit for a backpack solution. I even started a thread on it here. The only ones I saw that looked vaguely suitable for my uses were the Domke F-2/F-3 backpacks, some by Naneu, and some by Clik Elite. These bags are designed for cameras AND other stuff. You might find something you like there.

 

[fergus]

I use two different sized backpacks from Tamrac... I thought they would not hold up to motorbike rides and bushwalks etc but they've done very well.

I carry a tripod way-too-big on the back and they haven't let go. Waterbottles on the side are good too.

This may not suit your use but they have survived me for a couple of years now.

- used for carrying Mamiya 7II + lenses + accessories

 

[goo0h]

Before my trip to Peru, I was looking for what to do to carry my cameras (I took my ZI, Bessa R3A, ZM 50F2, ZM 35F2, ZM 28F2.8, Metz flash, and tons of film.) I considered a backpack for times when I needed my hands to be free, like when climbing the sometimes steep steps of Machu Picchu. Then my girlfriend spotted the Thank Tank Photo Sling-o-Matic 10. I tried it on, and immediately liked it.

It is really well made, swings to the front for easy access very quickly, had enough space for all my junk, and when the secondary strap is quickly hooked up, makes a very tight and snug backpack where my gear does not slide around, and is very secure on my back. The side pouch for a tripod was also very handy to bring a large water bottle. At times it did get a bit heavy when fully loaded, but the main strap is so well padded that it wasn't really uncomfortable. It also really worked out well in airports when having to handle the larger suitcases.

I've become a big fan of Think Tank Photo. They make really nice gear.


http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/sling-o-matic-10.aspx

 

[semordnilap]

I'm mainly thinking of it as a way to transport my camera bag plus a few other things in the airport as one bag. Once at my destination, I figure I'd unload the backpack at the hotel and either leave it there or carry it around pretty much empty with my camera bag at my side. And if I got into a situation where I didn't want the camera bag and cameras ready at my side, they could all go in the backpack and I could forget about it.

That's what I've done on a couple of trips, but airport security keeps asking me to take out my little domke full of m8 & lenses, which is invariably at the bottom of the backpack, making for more hassle than I'd like.

none of which is as bad as my last flight, where dutch security decided to commandeer my lunch.
"we can't let you take that on the plane."
"why?"
"because it's liquid"
"it's not liquid–it's stew!"
"i'm sorry, but there's a rule"
"against lamb and potatoes? it's not a liquid, it's my lunch!"
"there's liquid in it."
"there's more liquid in my body..."
"sorry... you can write to the eu government if you want."
"thanks. enjoy my lunch..."
🙁

</rant>

and fergus, i'll look into the tamrac bags. i'm thinking i just need to go to new york and take a look at the selection at b&h...

 

[wilonstott]

I have used a few different domke shoulder bags, and I've decided that I like a small backpack better.

I use one by pacsafe because it's somewhat immune to certain kinds of theft.
This one: http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=137

Inside that I use the Clik Elite camera pod. Fits in the bottom half of the bag perfectly, and leaves the top half of the bag from for quick access to a camera.

Here it is: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...e_CE510RE_CE510RE_Camera_Capsule_Compact.html


With this setup I carry 2 leica m bodies with lenses attached, 3 additional lens, a small flash (vivitar 2800), film, light meters, sunglasses, caps, and other odds and ends.

Best thing I've been able to come up with.

Plus, it's tiny and completely bland in appearance. I can anchor it to a chair if I need to, lock it, and it has steel mesh sewn into the fabric, so it can't be cut.

cheers

 

[tribal.snake]

thanks for all the discussion. the chest pack is interesting, will take a look.

i have looked at the clik stuff, honestly i am not impressed.
it was suggested to me to try use the ThinkTank Shapeshifter, but somehow i am not too convinced.

appreciated any more further feeback.

 

[segedi]

I use a small clik capsule as well and put it into a mountain smith lumbar bag. it's a bit of a tight fit, but it's small and have carried a bessa r4a, leica summarit 35mm, bronica RF645 and 45 and 65mm lenses. The two water bottle holders hold lenses nicely. The mountain smith bag doesn't look like a camera bag and it's held up very well for 13 years. I see they make camera bags now too. I also have a LowePro mini trekker which fits an amazing amount of gear. And a Kata 3 in 1 sling which carries a lot, can be worn sling style or backpack style. Not as comfortable for long hauls but has a nice top compartment for stowing a jacket or a thermos of stew.

 

[efirmage]

I originally got the Domke F-5XB and liked it, but it really only fits your cameras and nothing else. I sold it and got the F-5XZ which will fit a notepad/kindle/etc. as well as some more film and accessories without really being any bigger. If I need to carry more than that I throw it in a backpack.

It can be a little redundant at times, but I haven't found a camera-specific backpack that is has the right proportion of camera/other stuff for me. I'm generally pretty happy with it.

Shoulder bag:
http://www.amazon.com/Domke-F-5XZ-S...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305837038&sr=1-1
Backpack:
http://www.rei.com/product/797512/arcteryx-mantis-26-pack