Camera bag for technical view camera?

[pcox]

Hi folks -
I'm in the market for a new camera bag for my Arca-Swiss Rm3d/P45+ system. Three lenses (with a possible fourth in the future), laser rangefinder, binocular viewer and other sundries.

Anyone using such a system have a recommendation? Needs to be a backpack design as I hike a bit with it. Space for a laptop, too.

Cheers,
Peter

[vandevanterSH]

Hi folks -
I'm in the market for a new camera bag for my Arca-Swiss Rm3d/P45+ system. Three lenses (with a possible fourth in the future), laser rangefinder, binocular viewer and other sundries.

Anyone using such a system have a recommendation? Needs to be a backpack design as I hike a bit with it. Space for a laptop, too.

Cheers,
Peter

Can't give a specific recommendation re:Arca-/Swiss but I have been looking for awhile for a pack with a "real" suspension system
to carry ~15 kg of MF gear.  I just received an F-stop Tilopa and XL ICU case.  This is the best solution that I have seen for packing heavy gear.

http://fstopgear.com/

Steve

[JeffKohn]

Can't give a specific recommendation re:Arca-/Swiss but I have been looking for awhile for a pack with a "real" suspension system
to carry ~15 kg of MF gear.  I just received an F-stop Tilopa and XL ICU case.  This is the best solution that I have seen for packing heavy gear.

http://fstopgear.com/

Steve

Looks nice. I've seen people using regular internal frame packs with some sort of insert for the camera gear; but the problem is that access on the trail is tedious going through the top. The back-panel access to your camera gear is by far the best way to go.

[cgoss]

Hi folks -
I'm in the market for a new camera bag for my Arca-Swiss Rm3d/P45+ system. Three lenses (with a possible fourth in the future), laser rangefinder, binocular viewer and other sundries.

Anyone using such a system have a recommendation? Needs to be a backpack design as I hike a bit with it. Space for a laptop, too.

My gear is more or less the same as yours sans bino viewer and laptop.  Bruce at http://www.photobackpacker.com is building a pack for me now.  First he's done for an Rm3d, it should be here in the next couple of weeks.

[hubell]

Can't give a specific recommendation re:Arca-/Swiss but I have been looking for awhile for a pack with a "real" suspension system
to carry ~15 kg of MF gear.  I just received an F-stop Tilopa and XL ICU case.  This is the best solution that I have seen for packing heavy gear.

http://fstopgear.com/

Steve

I have one. It has easily the best suspension system of any camera back pack I have used. Not even close. It is also VERY light. The one drawback is that it is difficult to gain access to the ICU insert when you unzip the back panel. The opening of the back panel is smaller than the ICU so the back panel overlaps the ICU even after you unzip the back panel.

[vandevanterSH]

I have one. It has easily the best suspension system of any camera back pack I have used. Not even close. It is also VERY light. The one drawback is that it is difficult to gain access to the ICU insert when you unzip the back panel. The opening of the back panel is smaller than the ICU so the back panel overlaps the ICU even after you unzip the back panel.

At first I thought the panel overlaps would be a problem but now I appreciate the design that requires a little effort to remove the gear....it won't fall out by accident.  With more use of the Tilopa my opinion may change but for now,  not having the camera falling out of the unzipped back access seems to be a plus.  So far, the only modification that I might make is to add some padding to the lower edge of the frame.

Steve

[Dick Roadnight]

Hi folks -
I'm in the market for a new camera bag for my Arca-Swiss Rm3d/P45+ system. Three lenses (with a possible fourth in the future), laser rangefinder, binocular viewer and other sundries.

Anyone using such a system have a recommendation? Needs to be a backpack design as I hike a bit with it. Space for a laptop, too.

Cheers,
Peter

I have been thinking of using a rigid plastic case with cut-out polystyrene on a ruck sack frame,,, using the same case for mountain, concrete jungle and studio.

[vandevanterSH]

I have been thinking of using a rigid plastic case with cut-out polystyrene on a ruck sack frame,,, using the same case for mountain, concrete jungle and studio.

Take a look at the F-stop, it is the only "camera"pack that I am aware of that has an internal, rigid metal frame and rear access.   When I ordered mine, I thought that if the suspension system wasn't adequate that I would return the backpack and keep the internal ICU.  I would then use the ICU in one of my "real" frame-suspension systems.  The downside to that approach is the top-load/access.  The Tilopa pack has rear access.  I posted a few pictures of my old Hassey stuff loaded in the Tilopa, about 2/3 of the way down in this post.  http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/903672

Steve

[JeffT]

My gear is more or less the same as yours sans bino viewer and laptop.  Bruce at http://www.photobackpacker.com is building a pack for me now.  First he's done for an Rm3d, it should be here in the next couple of weeks.

I agree, go with Photobackpacker.com. As a hiker/mountaineer/photographer, there is no substitute for a real backpack with a well designed suspension. I have yet to find a camera backpack with excellent suspension that can carry enough gear.

Go to a mountaineering store and try packs on with a load in them. Have one of the staff fit you. This will insure a far better fit than most of the backpacks designed for camera gear. I believe that Photobackpacker will custom design their system for any pack. For a technical camera, look at panel loading packs around 3000 cu. in. Several manufacturers make them from Gregory to Osprey. Photobackpacker sells Kelty Redwings and Granite Gear pack. I tried the Redwing but it didn't fit my body very well. I ended up with an Osprey pack Atmos 35 that is around 3800 cu. in for an Alpa system. By far one of the most comfortable packs I have tried.

Cheers, Jeff

[Dick Roadnight]

I posted a few pictures of my old Hassey stuff loaded in the Tilopa, about 2/3 of the way down in this post.  http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/903672

Steve

I have my stuff in a bad similar to that, and I am not happy about it.