Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: BernardLanguillier on July 03, 2017, 07:54:53 am

Title: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: BernardLanguillier on July 03, 2017, 07:54:53 am
Team,

I was wondering if someone had found a good soft case to pack a tech camera + back + lens that can fit in a larger trekking pack.

I am personally using an Area R3mdi, but I believe Alpas have roughly the same bulk.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: Paul2660 on July 03, 2017, 08:33:13 am
You might consider an ICU from F-stop.  I use their medium ICU with my Rm3di and 2 lenses, back etc. 

www.f-stop.com 

Paul Caldwell
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: BernardLanguillier on July 03, 2017, 08:45:12 am
Thks Paul.

You probably meant http://fstopgear.com?

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: Paul2660 on July 03, 2017, 10:43:33 am
Thks Paul.

You probably meant http://fstopgear.com?

Cheers,
Bernard

Hi Bernard, 

Yes, sorry about the error, I always get that wrong.  They make great stuff however.

Paul Caldwell
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: JJon on July 03, 2017, 11:28:05 am
Maybe good gear but crappy company as I have experienced first hand.
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: Hening Bettermann on July 03, 2017, 04:53:27 pm
Hi Bernard,

Explorercases have soft inserts for their hardshell cases:
http://www.explorer-cases.de/innentaschen.html
http://www.explorercases.com/en/accessories/padded-bags/
The german page is more informative.
I have no tech camera currently, but I use their cases in various sizes. The padding is not overloaded, the dividers can me moved around.

Good light!
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: JoeKitchen on July 03, 2017, 08:27:01 pm
I use a MindShift Backlight 26L.  In it I can fit my RM3Di, an IQ260 on a sliding back, SK 35mm, R 55mm, R 90mm, XF Body with Prism VF, P1 55mm LS, plenty of filters, an iPad, and other misc items. 

I did custom build the interior dividers. 
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: BernardLanguillier on July 03, 2017, 08:48:01 pm
Thanks a lot for your answers.

For various reasons I tend to prefer to use a real pack from Osprey and to store my equipment inside a protecting case I put inside the bag. I have decided to try the F-Stop option proposed by Paul.

I have heard that F-Stop was on a positive trend, let's see.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: gagemanning on July 03, 2017, 09:11:12 pm
I know you already decided but thought I would my 2 cents. I own an older Guru F-stop bag and the Mindshift 38L. The Mindshift is a fantastic bag because you can easily the tech camera fully assembled in the bottom sliding pouch and then store the rest in the remaining bag.

What I like is that you can get to everything without ever having to remove the backpack from you.

Gage


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: BernardLanguillier on July 03, 2017, 09:59:51 pm
I know you already decided but thought I would my 2 cents. I own an older Guru F-stop bag and the Mindshift 38L. The Mindshift is a fantastic bag because you can easily the tech camera fully assembled in the bottom sliding pouch and then store the rest in the remaining bag.

What I like is that you can get to everything without ever having to remove the backpack from you.

Gage

Thanks Gage,

Their packs have been in my radar for some time, they seem very appealing indeed. For photography only short trips, they may be perfect.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: Ken Doo on July 03, 2017, 10:19:07 pm
I like the Fstop gear ICU option---which I find works great for my Cambo WRS 1600 and lenses. Using small ICUs makes it easy to pick and pack the camera system or gear you want to take in your pack.  Here's another manufacturer alternative to Fstop gear for camera case inserts.  Very very very similar to Fstop gear's ICUs, but theses are orange.  See, http://small-order.hktdc.com/small-order-products/camera%2520case%2520insert/  I have both the Fstop gear ICUs and the knock-offs.  Both work great.

ken
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: BernardLanguillier on July 04, 2017, 01:59:59 am
Thanks Ken!

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: gagemanning on July 04, 2017, 11:17:20 am
Sorry for all the typos. That happens when I try to post with my iPhone. Lol.

We are heading to Montana and Banff in a few weeks. Here is my setup. I'll also carry a peloton case to bring a few extra lenses and gear.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170704/68823630da6699de5b4e68118aa14ede.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170704/7a92fc72ac830c6958c6b975a22399b1.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170704/334c187aded46fba06971e1c9bc98848.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170704/1ff70599c4fe89b34ea115ecb0384d33.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170704/cd639ec7cce7095802a6fcb4da1fc9f3.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170704/9530ce261aa3653b309ba1847953a80e.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: dchew on July 04, 2017, 09:46:18 pm
Bernard,
Here is a kit with three lenses in an f-stop small pro ICU. It easily fits at the top of most internal frame packs, even down to something like Patagonia's 30L Ascentionist pack.

Dave

PS: and the removable black lid foam can be used to shade the lens. Lenses are 60xl, 90hrsw, sk150.
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: BernardLanguillier on July 04, 2017, 10:50:47 pm
Bernard,
Here is a kit with three lenses in an f-stop small pro ICU. It easily fits at the top of most internal frame packs, even down to something like Patagonia's 30L Ascentionist pack.

Thanks a lot Dave.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: dchew on July 05, 2017, 06:27:04 am
A few comments about packing this way:

Dave
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: BernardLanguillier on July 05, 2017, 08:29:47 am
A few comments about packing this way:
  • The way mountaineers cram stuff into packs makes a photo-dedicated pack impractical for climbing or overnight outings, in my opinion. Even the largest F-stop bags (or other brands) place too much force on the equipment.
  • Although it is best to place the heavy stuff like a tech camera flat and close against your back, the only position I've found that is practical is right at the top of the pack.
  • In my case, the ICU lid is either facing the sky or facing the back of the pack depending on the internal frame pack's size.
  • For the most part, I ditched the soft lens caps and replaced them with hard caps. I'm worried about the soft caps touching the front element in a tight environment for hours at a time. The front element on the 150 is pretty small so I left that as-is.
  • The system pictured above just fits with three lenses. I think this would work for most "limited" tech cameras like the Factum, RS-400, RS-1200(?) and the STC (pictured here). Larger cameras with more movements would be down to 1 or 2 lenses in this Small Pro ICU.
  • Batteries, card holder, reading glasses, loupe and filters are all in there. I use them to hold the camera tight in place with the lens mounted. It is cradled in there pretty tightly and cannot move.
  • Depending on where I'm going I can bring the 35/60/150, 40/90/150, or 60/90/150 pictured. I don't own the 32hr, but would be cautious taking that lens in a rough packing environment like this.

Dave

Thanks a lot Dave,

I totally share your philosophy.

I would probably pack the 23mm, 90mm and 150mm for now. I have opted for the medium size, perhaps I should have gotten the small one. Future will tell. ;)

Thanks again.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: algrove on July 05, 2017, 05:26:12 pm
A few comments about packing this way:
  • The way mountaineers cram stuff into packs makes a photo-dedicated pack impractical for climbing or overnight outings, in my opinion. Even the largest F-stop bags (or other brands) place too much force on the equipment.
  • Although it is best to place the heavy stuff like a tech camera flat and close against your back, the only position I've found that is practical is right at the top of the pack.
  • In my case, the ICU lid is either facing the sky or facing the back of the pack depending on the internal frame pack's size.
  • For the most part, I ditched the soft lens caps and replaced them with hard caps. I'm worried about the soft caps touching the front element in a tight environment for hours at a time. The front element on the 150 is pretty small so I left that as-is.
  • The system pictured above just fits with three lenses. I think this would work for most "limited" tech cameras like the Factum, RS-400, RS-1200(?) and the STC (pictured here). Larger cameras with more movements would be down to 1 or 2 lenses in this Small Pro ICU.
  • Batteries, card holder, reading glasses, loupe and filters are all in there. I use them to hold the camera tight in place with the lens mounted. It is cradled in there pretty tightly and cannot move.
  • Depending on where I'm going I can bring the 35/60/150, 40/90/150, or 60/90/150 pictured. I don't own the 32hr, but would be cautious taking that lens in a rough packing environment like this.

Dave
Dave

Just a stupid question. I am trying to imagine your using an f-stop backpack-perhaps you yse a very small one. But, if you pack your tech cam in a small Pro ICU AT THE TOP OF YOUR BACKPACK, assuming an f-stop Loka (no longer made-replaced by Ajna) backpack, do you also pack another small Pro ICU at the bottom of the same backpack to fill that void space and pack it with additional tech cam lenses or accessories in it?
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: dchew on July 05, 2017, 07:27:07 pm
Dave

Just a stupid question. I am trying to imagine your using an f-stop backpack-perhaps you yse a very small one. But, if you pack your tech cam in a small Pro ICU AT THE TOP OF YOUR BACKPACK, assuming an f-stop Loka (no longer made-replaced by Ajna) backpack, do you also pack another small Pro ICU at the bottom of the same backpack to fill that void space and pack it with additional tech cam lenses or accessories in it?

I should have qualified my comments: Bernard and I are talking about carrying a camera along on a venture to do something else, like backpacking or mountaineering. So the pack needs to accommodate other things. In fact, most of the pack space is taken up by other things like tent, sleeping bag, climbing rack, clothes, food, crampons, etc. That stuff gets tightly stuffed into the pack to the point of distorting the normal camera-carrying areas of photo backpacks. I tried a variety of photo packs including several F-Stops from Loka to Satori.

I love my Loka for hiking all day. But as soon as it turns into an overnight or something that requires lots of other non-photo equipment, the photo backpack concept falls short. Going with a std backpack with an ICU for the camera is more convenient and safer on the equipment.

Dave
Title: Re: Packing of Tech camera?
Post by: algrove on July 06, 2017, 12:14:27 pm
Thanks Dave

Not my style, however I get camp out for 10 days in the Highlands of Iceland a couple of years ago and every time I turned round I realized I had not packed in the best manner. What got to me more than anything else was sleeping perhaps 3 hours a day.