Camera bag add-on for hiking

[Justin]

Hi folks, I'm off to do the overland track in a couple of weeks. I'm taking a 75l hiking pack, but would also like a small pack that can take a D200, 18-200VR, 50mm, 12-24mm Tamron. A couple of batteries is the main addition.

I'm more looking for something that will attach to the waist strap, that will allow easy access to camera + lenses. Any suggestions? I've done some browsing at the camera shops but not found anything that lights my fire...

[Glen]

Justin, I would have a think about this. It might get aggravating walking while having 4-5kg of camera gear banging against your thigh. Good luck whichever way you go

[adame]

Justin there are a couple of members i know here who have THINK TANK belt systems who bought them from the linked store and are very happy with them.

[Justin]

Hi Glen I understand, and I may end up attaching it to the bag itself or somesuch, but it is also a convenience factor as I am not going to take a full on camera backpack

adame, they look great - I can't see if the belt that comes with them is removable tho?

[adame]

Hi Glen I understand, and I may end up attaching it to the bag itself or somesuch, but it is also a convenience factor as I am not going to take a full on camera backpack

adame, they look great - I can't see if the belt that comes with them is removable tho?

I'm pretty sure they are modular i.e can come of the belt.

[robert]

You might also want to look into getting a trekking pole that has a thread/top plate to double as a monopod.
You'll probably need a pole cos its often wet and pretty boggy in some sections- even on the "rasied" walkways.

I think Glen makes a good point about comfort- while its only a medium length walk (edit: 6 nights) you dont want to be out there cursing that bouncing camera bag all day long!!
You might also need to consider its "waterproofness" as there is always the chance of rain there. Thats the reason I just put my gear in a small Lowepro AW70 and put it inside on the top of my rucsak. Its a pain to stop and pull it out to take photos but realistically with 15-25 Kgs of back pack youre going to want to take it off any chance you get!!!


Robert

[Justin]

There was a really nice manfrotto monopod at harveys that I was considering for just that purpose, a tripod is pushing the amount of weight I want to carry.

My search has taken me to http://products.lowepro.com/product/Off ... 1981,7.htm so far, it's basically a camera holster with a couple of lens cases - so I could attach to waist, chest, pack or just stuff in the top perhaps.

[losfp]

To be honest, I would be reconsidering the extra lenses.

I would just pack the D200, 18-200 and a few extra batteries/cards. In that case, I would probably look at one of the Think Tank topload bags, perhaps the very smallest one. They have a loop in the back for slipping it onto a belt that would suit very nicely for your purposes, and it comes with a detatchable rain cover.

Maybe stash a gorillapod or similar in the pack so that you can take some photos of yourself in that great scenery!

[photohiker]

Hi.

New Member, first post

I took a 5D on the Overland this time last year, and I can report it is well worth the effort.

I'd minimise the extra gear. In my case, I only took a 21mm, UL but decent Tripod, and batteries/cards.

Carrying a beltpack is probably going to be difficult on a backpack belt if that is what you're thinking. There is not a lot of spare space on the backpack belt...

I carried the camera in a drybag inside one of the front pockets of my pack (it's one of those fancy balance packs) and this worked well. Not much impact protection for the camera though.

You can get inexpensive chest harnesses for some of the Lowe beltpacks, this is a good option and leaves the camera gear handy without adding to the leverage at your back.

Hope this helps,

Michael

[Ladybird]

From personal experience I would try to avoid a waist belt with all the gear hanging off. I bought a Lowepro belt and had my camera, extra lens and flash attached (plus extra stuff like spare batteries, cards,etc) and went on a 30km hike with this and also my camelbak/survival equip. Although I am quite fit and stretched before the hike, I ended up straining a hip flexor muscle from the weight of the tog equipment on the belt. Kept me tent-bound for 2 days and I still have some problems now 6 months after.

Therefore, the vests are probably a better idea.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[foonji]

get a belt with a H harness so weight is distributed between waist and shoulders/back.

[Justin]

Alrighty, I hit up the camera stores over the lunch break (call it hiking training, but worked out the credit card too...)

I picked up a lowepro off-road

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Off-Road,1979,7.htm

On the principal that I would probably keep it in the pack most of the time, and if I wanted to put it on my belt then I can remove the lens cases and keep them in the pack. And noting the comment above, i'll see about attaching to the chest strap.

(you will think this crazy, but i've gone mountain biking with the D200 / 28-70 in a holster just slipped through the waist strap of a camelback, with a plastic tie to keep the holster to the rear - I just know that when I fall off it's head over heels or to the left). Point being I am used to being a little creative. I may just take the lens holders, ditch the middle bit and take a minimum sized holster.


Nikon D200 ,Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D AF

I also picked up the Gitzo G1560 monotrek, it doesn't seem to weigh any more than a walking stick with the bonus of a small ball-head. I'll be testing the kit out this weekend, the wife and I are doing the Bundeena to Otford walk.

I may also reduce the lenses I take to the 18-200 vr and the 12-24 / or the 50mm 1.4 (for some nighttime fun)

[photohiker]

And noting the comment above, i'll see about attaching to the chest strap

Justin, just in case I've led you astray.

The Lowepro chest strap I'm referring to is not part of your backpack, it's a separate lightweight harness that you wear reverse to a normal backpack. You'd put it on, then put your normal backpack on - camera gear at the front, camping gear at the back

It comes with some Lowe topload bags, but not all of them. Available as an accessory if you can find someone with stock. here's a link (couldn't find it on the Lowepro site):

http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=23_41&products_id=1541

Have a good trip on the Overland. we had 5 out of 8 days of sunshine, the rest rained and was pretty miserable for photography. I wanna go back...

Michael

[who]

I'm still working out what I want when I walk

I recently did Dove Lake circuit on sunset with the D200 round the neck with 18-200VR on, and Tamrac backpack behind with 50 1.8 & Sigma 10-20 in it. Just too annoying for that walk to be putting away and getting out again.

Fine weather of course..... and I think I would walk with it out again. Just need a better way of carrying lenses and extras, that I can get to "ön the go" and then just have a small hydration backpack with a drybag for the DSLR maybe?

Have a read of Thom Hogan's post on camera bags - http://www.bythom.com/bags.htm

[photohiker]

Nice analysis on the link...

Day walks and travel, I use a Kinesis belt system, but I'm not into taking a bunch of lenses everywhere I go, and it's too bulky to wear with any hipbelt backpack. Best setup I've found for a solid day hike, say 10-20kms is the belt with a camera pouch and maybe a lens pouch. I rotate the camera around the back and find it stays outa the way and is very comfortable. Kinesis belts are wide, never had one slip but I do still have a remnant waist I've also used this arrangement for downhill and cross country skiing with no problem.

Once you're doing multiday hikes in Tassie, it's a balancing act between weight, strength and necessities of life. My gear added about 3-4kg to my pack weight on the Overland. - Throw in some nice 2.8 zooms and it could easily head to 8kg. That will feel like 50kg by the end of the trip...

Michael

[Murray Foote]

I walked the overland track in the 80s with a large format system, about 15kg of camera equipment for a 25kg pack. More than most people would be prepared to carry but the key is a really good pack with all the proper adjustments. If you're carrying a tent you might get close to that weight anyway.

The thing about the Overland track is that you can get rain and even snow at any time of year so as others have suggested you need the option of being able to seal your camera equipment away inside your pack safe from the weather, even if it may not be there all the time.The pack I had and still use has a large compartment at the bottom that could fit my large camera bag. This meant I could take out the camera bag without unpacking the pack and also because it was at the bottom of the pack, this aided in the weight distribution.

Regards,
Murray

[Justin]

I loaded up the off-road when I got home last night. The good thing about this is that the two lens holders are removable. So plenty of options on how I configure for walking - I can probably leave the lenses in the pack, and just hook the holster up with the 18-200 lens.

With my usual set of 'out-and-about' lenses, it's going to be too heavy

- 28-70 2.8
- 50 1.4
- 18-200vr
- 12-24

I think I could cut it too the 18-200 and the 50 1.4 (for low-light, something I like doing)

But being lots of big scenery, I am not sure about dropping the 12-24

I can leave the 28-70 behind, although it's a lovely lens I think it's covered.

[who]

With my usual set of 'out-and-about' lenses, it's going to be too heavy
- 28-70 2.8
- 50 1.4
- 18-200vr
- 12-24

I think I could cut it too the 18-200 and the 50 1.4 (for low-light, something I like doing)
But being lots of big scenery, I am not sure about dropping the 12-24
I can leave the 28-70 behind, although it's a lovely lens I think it's covered.

I am actually considering going the other way - I have basically the same lenses to you there (except a 50 1.8 & 10-20 Sigma). And I want to ditch the 18-200 and just have the 10-20, 28-70 & a 70-200 with a TC maybe.

I found that the 18-200VR wasn't getting me the shots I wanted, and I have become a real fan of the 28-70 f2.8 sharpness (in comparison to the 18-200 which isn't bad, but not WOW either).

[Justin]

Hmmm I'll have to borrow a 70-200 to see how it goes

Edit: I've realised why I should take the 35-70. It's got a decent macro mode (1:4) which is really nice for 'flora' shots. I seem to have been calling it the 28-70 above, sorry bout that.

[libertyterran]

I used my Lowepro Compudaypack for everyday carriage (with my laptop). For a day out shooting, Lowepro Slingshot AW200. The only problem i've encountered with the Slingshot bag is that it cannot carry a tripod. Other than that, both are excellent!!!

[Justin]

I have the lowepro AW200, sitting next to me here . Not sure how i'd go with that and a 75l pack

[who]

Hmmm I'll have to borrow a 70-200 to see how it goes

Edit: I've realised why I should take the 35-70. It's got a decent macro mode (1:4) which is really nice for 'flora' shots. I seem to have been calling it the 28-70 above, sorry bout that.

I don't actually have the 70-200 yet, but I feel it is coming one day soon

[Justin]

3kg (5.8lb)

With D200, 18-200, 50mm, 35-70, 12-24

Thats actually not too bad

[photohiker]

It's excellent. Does that include the bag?

No tripod but. Nice little Gitzo Carbon Traveller would do it.

Michael

[Justin]

Yes, that includes the bag. I weighed it on kitchen and bathroom scales, I thought that was pretty good.

I picked up a Gitzo G1560 monotrek, so that weight counts as hiking gear, right, cos it's a walking stick...

[Justin]

Ok, with the D3 I've changed the lenses - 28mm, 50mm 1.4 (for closeup / low light) and the 18-200VR

I suspect I will use the 28 mainly... but I dont feel comfortable without a bit of reach.

I could almost be convinced to leave the 18-200 at home, but I don't feel really comfortable with just wide lenses yet.

[who]

Hmmm - and the 18-200 is a DX lens, so you'd have to use the sensor crop mode.

Even more reason to save the pennies for a future 70-200VR.

I will say that I use all focal ranges a bit when out, at times you just want to get a bird, or maybe just a distant feature on the landscape.