Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: OutdoorsLover on June 10, 2015, 02:01:57 pm

Title: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: OutdoorsLover on June 10, 2015, 02:01:57 pm
Hi all,

For the last several months or so, I've been trying to find a new camera backpack to take on 10+ hiking day trips. Most recently I've looked at F-Stop's Ajna (replacement for the Loka), Gura Gear's Bataflae 26L, some of ThinkTanks stuff, Lowe Pro and Tamrac, and nothing is ideal. I don't need to carry a laptop or a water bladder, but I do want to carry a big tripod (Gitzo GT2542LS), maybe a couple bodies, 3-5 lenses (including a 100-400, 16-35, 100 macro), flash, filters, brackets, GPS, cables, cards, rain bags, cleaning cloths, etc. It would also be nice to maybe carry rain clothes and some food.

The problems that I've found with most of the bags is that they either can't store my body & lenses, or they don't have enough pockets for the smaller items.

For walking around during the day, I use a ThinkTank Retrospective or an old Tamrac 5 that holds a good deal of my gear, but not nearly all of it.

Thoughts? Suggestions? What are you all using? Do you like it?

Thanks!

Jeff
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: NancyP on June 10, 2015, 02:40:51 pm
Gosh, that's a lot of gear. Have you hiked with this amount of gear before? And where are you going to put the food, bedding, tent, water bladder, stove, water filter, etc? Or are you going hut-to-hut deluxe style, where your meals and bedding are ready for you at the huts? Have you any preferences in ordinary non-photo trekking packs in the 50L and up category? Are you hard to fit? All that said, there are plenty of tactical / hunting  packs that can be used for 70 to 100 pounds of meat  photo and camping gear.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: OutdoorsLover on June 10, 2015, 02:56:18 pm
Nancy,

I guess I'm a big guy (6'2", 200 lbs), but not particularly hard to fit. I do a good amount of dispersed camping, where we hike in several miles carrying all of our gear, setup camp, do some shooting at sunset/sunrise, pack up and move to the next spot. When I do that, I travel very light, and have that situation all squared away.

What I'm talking about are day hiking trips, that begin and end at my car, in which I might hike 5~15 miles over the course of a day. I might be in a local, State or National park, and have the opportunity to use all (or at least most) of my gear, because I'll be shooting all kinds of subjects. :)

Jeff
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: NancyP on June 10, 2015, 05:12:57 pm
Size helps. I am 115 pounds, so for me to camp along the trail for a long weekend means that I have to be selective about what to bring. Also, my torso size is 14.5" which means that camera packs (one size) are not particularly good fits for long carriage. The f-stop bags (torso length ~18") are well made and have lots of fans.

Attaching a biggish (22" plus head) tripod to a pack - I used slightly modified straps to lash it on to D rings so it rides upright on the midline posterior surface - fashion two rings out of stiff nylon (two yard-size trash bag cinches each for two legs) and duct tape, duct tape or sew plastic rings onto the strap, tie strap onto top set of d rings, insert tripod legs through plastic rings (stiff, so no fuss!). Bungee or quick-tie the bottom (unmodified) strap over the legs near the bottom of the pack. To use, unhook bottom bungee, pull tripod up out of the top strap's rings (don't need to undo top strap though). I think that it should be easy to make a custom rigging for your particular pack.

A tripod "quiver" would be a cool DIY solution.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: OutdoorsLover on June 10, 2015, 05:17:04 pm
Wow Nancy, that sounds like a ton of labor! But if you're able to make it work for you, great! I hope to find something off the shelf, that doesn't need to be modified too much, if at all.

Which backpack are you using?
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: spidermike on June 10, 2015, 05:32:51 pm
Camera backpacks are love-em or hate-em and a lot of them are designed tohold gear, not for comfort. Have you thought of taking a standard backpack (designed for load braring in comfort) and buying padded inserts to hold your stuff? They will also (IME) be better designed to strap a long tripod onto.

Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: dwswager on June 10, 2015, 09:33:01 pm
Hi all,

For the last several months or so, I've been trying to find a new camera backpack to take on 10+ hiking day trips. Most recently I've looked at F-Stop's Ajna (replacement for the Loka), Gura Gear's Bataflae 26L, some of ThinkTanks stuff, Lowe Pro and Tamrac, and nothing is ideal. I don't need to carry a laptop or a water bladder, but I do want to carry a big tripod (Gitzo GT2542LS), maybe a couple bodies, 3-5 lenses (including a 100-400, 16-35, 100 macro), flash, filters, brackets, GPS, cables, cards, rain bags, cleaning cloths, etc. It would also be nice to maybe carry rain clothes and some food.

The problems that I've found with most of the bags is that they either can't store my body & lenses, or they don't have enough pockets for the smaller items.

For walking around during the day, I use a ThinkTank Retrospective or an old Tamrac 5 that holds a good deal of my gear, but not nearly all of it.

Thoughts? Suggestions? What are you all using? Do you like it?

Thanks!

Jeff

I've never seen a decent combo photo gear and normal gear backpack.  I agree with the suggestion to get a regular backpack and hang some lens cases off it.

I have a Thinktank Streetwalker Pro.  It takes the D810 w/ 24-70mm 2.8 attached, D7100 with 70-200mm f/2.8 attached, the 16-35mm f/4, SB-900, RRS Flash Bracket, Nodal Rail, tilt head, and all the cards, batteries and cloths and stuff like that including a rain sleeve.  It also accomodates the RRS 34L tripod with head and panning clamp.  Then it fits a protein bar!

Here is a photo from Jimmy Hudleston Photography

(https://jimmyhuddlestonphotography.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/streetwalker-pro_tripod-pocket.jpg)
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: alan_b on June 10, 2015, 11:00:54 pm
I really like the rear (or is it front?) entry packs like F-Stop and wouldn't go back to other styles.  I resisted "photo" backpacks for a long time because I was used to high-end hiking/climbing packs and didn't find that quality in photo-packs.

I used a Lowe flipside for a year or so, but it was not large enough or sturdy enough, and had some design & construction issues.  

I'm now using a Loka for about 9 months and find it to be an ideal blend of quality construction, access, capacity and comfort.  I have some design nitpicks with it, but it's pretty good.  The small item organization is not so hot, I use a series of small zippered pouches that I can move between bags as needed.  I've overloaded the Loka at times and it's still usable - not as comfortable as a more substantial pack would be. (3 large tripods, motorized timelapse gear, Nikon kit.)

Now that some of the F-Stop bags have been superseded, you might find someone selling the last generation for reasonable prices.

(Edited for clarity)
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: jng on June 10, 2015, 11:54:33 pm
I recently did the 5 day "W" trek through Torres del Paine using the 48L Tilopa pack from f-stop, with the small sized "pro" ICU insert for the camera gear and a 1-series RRS carbon tripod strapped on one of the exterior sides. In retrospect I could have used the extra space of a larger pack but it's just as well that I was forced to leave some stuff (weight) behind. For the amount of gear you'll be carrying it sounds like you may need the "large" ICU which I think will occupy around 2/3 (?) of the Tilopa's main compartment. One reason I opted for the Tilopa was to keep within check-in size limits on the South American airlines. In retrospect I think I *probably* could have gotten away with a larger pack but as I mentioned, it's just as well that I went with the smaller one. YMMV of course but I found the pack to be very comfortable on my medium-sized frame. I can't comment on durability as I haven't yet had a chance to totally abuse it. Over all the design met my needs well.

One nice thing about the f-stop packs is that there are multiple ways to strap and hang equipment to the top, bottom, back and sides (I wound up strapping my sleeping bag to the top - it made a nice head rest.  :) Also access to the pack's main compartment from the side facing your back is convenient, not only to get to your gear but whatever else is buried in the main compartment.

My only (minor) criticism of the Tilopa is that it doesn't have an abundance of exterior pockets - one small one on the top flap and a larger one on the rear that's handy for stowing rain gear and maybe a light sweater. As alan_b mentioned, I just stashed the smaller items in zippered pouches and stuck them in the main compartment.

For short hikes I use the f-stop Guru pack. The modularity of the ICU system is nice - I just insert the ICU into whichever pack is best suited to the task at hand. And I store my gear in the ICU's when I'm not out and about.

John
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: Ronny Nilsen on June 11, 2015, 04:07:41 am
I did som research a few year back, and this is what i found back then:
Backpacks For Photographers (http://www.ronnynilsen.com/Essays/Articles/BackPacks/)

Ronny
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: lelouarn on June 11, 2015, 05:11:55 am
Another option would be to buy just a compartment system (like the ICU of the F-stop bags), and find a proper hiking backpack that can fit it.
Of course, then you have to see how you can access the stuff, but most hiking backpacks have such an access system (designed more to get the sleeping bag out, but a camera can go through too).
That method opens a whole new parameter space, at the cost of having to test how the ICU can be transplanted to another bag.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: OutdoorsLover on June 11, 2015, 03:21:45 pm
I do like the idea of the ICU system, and can probably manage with a medium, as long as I have a place for the smaller stuff (like in zippered pouches). I'll continue to look at F-Stop packs, as you all seem to like them, and they get great reviews.

Thanks, and please keep the posts coming. :)
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: Rainer SLP on June 11, 2015, 05:24:25 pm
Maybe this one ?

http://store.lowepro.com/backpacks/rover-pro-45l-aw
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: Hezu on June 11, 2015, 06:23:33 pm
I do like the idea of the ICU system, and can probably manage with a medium, as long as I have a place for the smaller stuff (like in zippered pouches). I'll continue to look at F-Stop packs, as you all seem to like them, and they get great reviews.

Thanks, and please keep the posts coming. :)
I have to say my opinion of F-Stop bags (or at least the Tilopa BC, which I own) is bit two-sided: I like the fact that the bag is quite suitable to carry also other equipment than just the camera gear with fairly large pockets and several attachment points for external load (or additional pouches etc.) and of course the different sizes of ICUs allow to shift the balance between camera gear and other stuff. However, my #1 problem with this bag is that even with the largest ICU, the space is bit too limited to carry two large cameras with lenses attached (and one of the lenses being a reasonably large telezoom like Sony 70-400G) + few extra lenses. I guess that comes from the fact that before I got Tilopa BC, my primary camera backpack was Gura Gear Kiboko and it easily holds plenty of camera equipment but then it offered limited space for non-camera gear (just two narrow front pockets and open side pockets), but sadly its zippers started to fail. Few other nitpicks have been the crude top handle and that I managed few times to open the rear entry so that the flap hit ground and it got dirty (or snowy). Eventually I got fed up with these issues and bought Gura Gear Bataflae 32L, which is improved version of Kiboko, but yes, it is still not very good for trips where you want to carry also something else than your camera gear. Thus I have kept also the Tilopa BC and if loaded with slightly smaller selection of camera gear I have started to like it bit better than earlier.

I have also noticed that Gura Gear now has a bag that uses concept quite similar to these F-Stop bags, although Uinta seems to have few tricks that F-Stop bags can't do. But since I feel that the camera compartments might be bit small for what I would like to carry, I haven't personally tried this backpack (especially as there doesn't seem to be any dealers nearby where I could see this bag in person). And as I already have two capable big backpacks and old, smaller Lowepro Mini-Trekker AW.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: The Ute on June 11, 2015, 07:05:46 pm
Take a look at the "Clik" brand of backpacks.
They are very well designed and made.
I own one.
I think you will find what you are looking for.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: NancyP on June 11, 2015, 08:11:30 pm
I bought the f/stop Satori, and it didn't fit me, the torso size was too big to be able to compensate even by load lifter straps, etc. .
I have ordinary daypack and ordinary trekking pack (Osprey Ariel, because they have womens' extra-small) and have put lenses inside, assorted batteries - cards - polarizer - pancake lens - shutter release in an outside pocket or "brain" or pants pocket, and wear the camera and most-frequently used lens on a Cotton Carrier vest.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: luong on June 11, 2015, 08:43:11 pm
If you get a f-stop gear, buy the Satori. I used the Tilopa before, but found that if I fill-up the inside with camera gear (as you will, given the gear you listed), there is hardly enough room left for the non-camera gear that you need on long hikes such as clothing, water, etc.. The Satori weights almost the same as the Tilopa and isn't significantly bulkier once the top lid and front pocket are compressed. It is an excellent pack that I've used several times for 15+ miles day hikes. Prior to the f-stop, I used the Think Tank Airport Acceleration. Although they look like travel/urban bags, they work pretty well on the trail too, with more room for camera gear than the Satori. The Satori was a slight improvement, in that in carried a bit better and had more more room and attachment points for non-camera gear.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: rmyers on June 11, 2015, 10:33:52 pm
Look at the Mystery Ranch 3 zip back packs.  Put an F Stop ICU in it.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/Packs/Mountain/Climbing
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: NancyP on June 12, 2015, 04:22:29 pm
Those look pretty cool...I never thought of Dana/Mystery Ranch in terms of ordinary size packs, just packs-to-haul-home-a-bighorn.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: CptZar on June 13, 2015, 06:40:11 am
I am very happy with f-stop. The system carries really nice, as they have aluminium frames. Much better than any Low Pro etc, which are much heavier by the way. Access to the compartment is on the right side, The ICUs are an excellent solution if you use different layout for different jobs. Just change the landscape ICU to the street ICU. Best system around.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: Kerry L on June 13, 2015, 09:53:05 am
I went through this same a couple of years ago looking to replace an original design LowePro. Nothing that I looked at was ideal. My dilemma was resolved when my sons gave me a LowePro AW-400. I, like you, wanted a bag that would work all day while based at either my car or trailer, so no over night hard core camping.

This pack has some irritating design flaws. The pockets on inside of the opening flap are too small for most items unlike the original which had a few large pockets. I find the water bladder to be useless and have discarded it & use that pocket for rain gear, gloves, hats, etc and energy bars depending on the season. There are 6 little flap pockets for CF/SD cards, again useless. I use 16g cards and as a landscape photographer I couldn't imagine needing any others . I wish Lowe had spent the time & energy wasted on the design and sewing of these stupid little pockets for something more useful  or simply eliminated them and dropped the price of the pack.

I do like the tripod pocket on the back, but don't use the two on the sides. Yes there are 3 tripod pockets so that means that those other 2 spaces can't be use for other functions. Or put zippers and/or velcro at the top and bottom so they cold be used for something else.

As far as accommodating camera body lenses and accessories, The bag is OK, but just OK. There is no space for filters. Does any pack designer understand that these days many lenses use big diameter filters, 72mm-77mm-82mm?

Cleaning stuff, the pockets in the lid are too small for a blower brush. Speaking of the pockets.... the translucent plastic is nearing opaque making it difficult to see what is in the actual pocket and the zipper design restricts access to the pocket.

Regardless of what I see as design short comings for photographic equipment, the pack is comfortable and carries a heavy load. I'm just over 6' and am able to adjust the pack to fit over summer to winter clothing.

FWIW - 5 lenses and a pro body, 3x & 10X ND and pol filers in 3 sizes, medium weight tri-pod, remote, headlamp, gps, blower & cleaning stuff. The camera holds 2 cards so I don't carry any spares. If I did I'd use one of the hard wallet types not the stupid little pockets.

And no one I know or have met on the trail has carried a 15" laptop. A couple have carried an iPad; this option needs a serious rethink.

FINALLY,TO ALL PACK MAKERS: , make it truly modular, inside and out. Quit trying to make a "one-style-fits-all" from landscape to sports to travel.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: torger on June 16, 2015, 10:52:10 am
Carrying big tripods is messy. I have a Gitzo 3541XLS with an Arca-Swiss D4 head, the whole package is 3kg. Carrying that on the back of my F-Stop Satori bag sort of works but makes the bag unbalanced and not so comfortable to carry (too much weight far out from the body), and the balance is not good carrying it attached to the side either. So what I usually do is carry the tripod in my hand or over my shoulders.

On hikes when I carry camping gear too I use a Bergans Powerframe 130L+ military backpack with the camera gear in the X-Large F-Stop ICU in the bottom compartment. I really like the concept of fitting all gear into one simple rectangular box that can be moved between backpacks.

The aluminum frame of the large military-style backpack is certainly large and sturdy enough to carry the tripod on side of the bag without balance issues. The whole backpack with camera + camping gear and food is ~28kg / 60 lbs or so, ~12kg of that is camera gear. When on the trails I'm kind of the opposite to the trendy lightweight backpacking, but much of the camping gear is indeed still of the lightweight kind to be able to carry heavy camera gear :)

Anyway, my experience is that once your tripod is heavy enough it can't be carried comfortable on a backpack, unless you have a huge expedition style backpack. Over 2kg it's start becoming problematic. Storing the tripod and head separately helps of course, which I sometimes do for longer walks, but I prefer to have them mounted together to be quicker to set up.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: NancyP on June 16, 2015, 03:48:05 pm
Anyone use an old-fashioned external frame pack?
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: John Koerner on June 17, 2015, 12:38:10 pm
(https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/25366_111192132253360_3989855_n.jpg?oh=14b6003c9196104047acf222a5deae45&oe=55F8D533) (http://static.bhphoto.com/images/multiple_images/images500x500/IMG_25515.jpg)


I've had my Tamrac 777 Summit (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/149857-REG/Tamrac_77701_777_Summit_Photo_Backpack.html) for 7 years, have hiked all through any number of Florida swamp areas, the mountains of Tennessee, Georgia, California, etc. ... carrying a lot of gear ... getting rained on (it's water proof from rains), sand, dirt, etc. ... and not a stitch has come out of it. It literally has zero wear and tear on any aspect of it.

I cannot imagine any other bag being as durable, handy, or as good an investment as this one.

Seriously.

Jack
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: John Koerner on June 17, 2015, 12:46:06 pm
If you don't want a backpack quite this big, or expensive, then look at its little brother that Tamrac 767 Summit (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/149853-REG/Tamrac_76701_767_Photo_Trail_Backpack.html).

No other backpack is as durable as these IMO.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: alan_b on June 17, 2015, 02:53:56 pm
That photo illustrates a major problem with most photo-backpacks: they're usually comically short.

OP, check out Gregory's Targhee packs - available in different torso lengths and have back access like the F-Stop packs.
http://gregorypacks.com/en/GM363_cfg.html (http://gregorypacks.com/en/GM363_cfg.html)
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: John Koerner on June 17, 2015, 04:54:36 pm
That photo illustrates a major problem with most photo-backpacks: they're usually comically short.

OP, check out Gregory's Targhee packs - available in different torso lengths and have back access like the F-Stop packs.
http://gregorypacks.com/en/GM363_cfg.html (http://gregorypacks.com/en/GM363_cfg.html)


Actually, that backback is comically-long (and comically-red).

Who in the world would want to take a 3'-high, bright-red backpack out on a nature trek ???

Maybe if you plan on walking in a perfectly-erect posture the entire hike ... scaring every sentient creature in your path away with your obviousness ... while never actually intending to bend down, get into position, and take photographs ... your vote might be a perfect solution.

But if you plan on actually taking nature photographs whilst wearing your gear ... which involves squatting, changing position, and maneuvering ... I do believe a shorter backpack is the far better choice ... not to mention the matte-black color being far less of an eyesore to everything within a hundred miles :D

Jack
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: NancyP on June 17, 2015, 06:35:48 pm
Why have a bright red or orange pack? So you are identified as a human and not a turkey, duck, or deer. I pay attention to the hunting seasons at the local conservation areas and parks, and always wear some blaze orange. I'd rather be ugly than dead. Note: Some hunters are not safe hunters - they may drink in the field - so it pays to be cautious. Most hunters are responsible. Still, there are stupid accidents every year, usually involving the hunter only (deer treestand falls are #1), but every few years there are friendly fire incidents.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: alan_b on June 17, 2015, 06:37:01 pm

Actually, that backback is comically-long (and comically-red).

Who in the world would want to take a 3'-high, bright-red backpack out on a nature trek ???

Maybe if you plan on walking in a perfectly-erect posture the entire hike ... scaring every sentient creature in your path away with your obviousness ... while never actually intending to bend down, get into position, and take photographs ... your vote might be a perfect solution.

But if you plan on actually taking nature photographs whilst wearing your gear ... which involves squatting, changing position, and maneuvering ... I do believe a shorter backpack is the far better choice ... not to mention the matte-black color being far less of an eyesore to everything within a hundred miles :D

Jack

I know, right?  If only they came in other sizes and colors, like black...

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/911uyvoZSqL._SY606_.jpg)
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: brandtb on June 18, 2015, 03:32:13 pm
Fstop gear packs are the best out there...and very very light....which was important for me.
I use the Satori EXP for overnight, and the Guru for day trips. They are very well designed with all the various ICU options. For most trips I use a sm. pro ICU....and I usually use a pair of their gatekeeper straps with them.. .sm. for tripod on Guru e.g..and lg. for tent or bag on Satori (I've put away all that Lowepro stuff etc for good)
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: John Koerner on June 19, 2015, 01:14:04 am
Why have a bright red or orange pack? So you are identified as a human and not a turkey, duck, or deer. I pay attention to the hunting seasons at the local conservation areas and parks, and always wear some blaze orange. I'd rather be ugly than dead. Note: Some hunters are not safe hunters - they may drink in the field - so it pays to be cautious. Most hunters are responsible. Still, there are stupid accidents every year, usually involving the hunter only (deer treestand falls are #1), but every few years there are friendly fire incidents.

I've managed to make it to 50 years without dying, how about you? (And I have done some crazy $#!^)

And I'd rather not be ugly, either :D

I'd also rather be able to photograph what I'm after, rather than scare everything away ;)

Jack

PS: Like I said, nothing is more durable than the Tamrac. Nothing.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: chez on June 19, 2015, 04:13:19 pm
I've managed to make it to 50 years without dying, how about you? (And I have done some crazy $#!^)

And I'd rather not be ugly, either :D

I'd also rather be able to photograph what I'm after, rather than scare everything away ;)

Jack

PS: Like I said, nothing is more durable than the Tamrac. Nothing.

I had a friend who was just out for a hike shot and killed by a hunter. I would not joke about a real dangerous issue.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: OneSparrow on June 20, 2015, 07:17:14 pm
Will be considering a fstop santori in the near future - but it will have to be real good to make me leave behind my current day hiking pack - a regular arcteryx 40 litre one.  I chose a top loader simple design because fit was of utmost importance (it has taken me through at least 50 20 km + day-hikes in the Rockies.  I am a bit of a minimalist, so the pack is not bristling with photo gear.  I just put the light fluffy stuff on the bottom (coats, first aid kit, emergency tarp), with camera lenses and extra camera (in their pouches) above that.  The key to it all is that I use a waist pouch to carry a go-to camera and lens (readily accessible).  As well, what is quite important is that there are straps and a base cup for your tripod on the side of the pack.  Found it to be real problem to carry any sort of heavyish tripod on the back of your pack, as that magnifies the weight - instead keep that weight close to your body tight on the side of your pack.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: NancyP on June 22, 2015, 01:42:33 pm
I am sorry to hear that, Chez.
If you aren't inside a blind, the birds will see you no matter what you wear - they are sensitive to motion, and they have very good vision, including some UV as well as the entire human visual spectrum. The best bet is to get them used to you or your blind - if you aren't a threat further away for some time, you can creep a bit closer. It is nice if you don't stare at them 100% of the time, but look around a bit.

Deer - they don't have good red color vision, hence the use of blaze orange on hunters, other people, and occupied blinds.
Title: Re: Camera Hiking Backpack
Post by: Gilgamesh on June 22, 2015, 01:56:11 pm
 What's getting mixed up here in this set of replies is that the basic premise is that you are only out for a few hours and that you were back at the car sometime in the evening.

Having done the full Paine National Park circuit and not just the little W in Patagonia,  which really dictates that you take a normal rucksack because you have to take a tent and stove, sleeping bag, clothing,waterproofs, food, and then add your camera gear tripod Etc

 For me I have two Lowe Alpine camera backpacks, one being a cracking day pack, the other, one I rarely use, can accommodate a vast amounts of gear.

 If you took the latter and filled it with all manner of 300 mm lenses and four bodies and motor drives in flash units then yes it would take it and it would take you down with it .  The Lowe day pack however would you split into two relatively small compartments cakes are surprisingly good amount of equipment plus some water and some waterproofs and offer ago and since there is and any more room to take an all-star it doesn't get taken and I am never ever been caught out .

 I suggest that you lay out your equipment you absolutely have to take with you and then that in turn will dictate the size of pack which in turn dictate which manufacturer you end up going with. The Lowe kit is bomb proof.