Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Ghaag on July 09, 2015, 11:25:00 am
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I am about to make a trip to the pacific northwest and am looking for a backpack recommendation. My primary gear would be H4d-40 a couple lenses & tripod. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Greg
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I would look at the Lowe Pro 400 or 600, and the fstop line. Fstop is a different company than Lowe.
Here is a link to fstop.
http://fstopgear.com/mountainseries#.VZ6aMflVhBe (http://fstopgear.com/mountainseries#.VZ6aMflVhBe)
Paul
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I got the F-Stop Tilopa (http://fstopgear.com/mountainseries#.VZ6bVPlVhBe) for my 4x10 kit. It's been great! They have smaller kits too.
(http://i.fstopgear.com/us/media/catalog/product/c/f/cf007851.jpg)
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Take a look at the MindShift gear - the spin out will fit the Hass body with a lens on it, plus depending on the glass, a second lens.
http://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/rotation180-professional
Don't forget rental options for that one time bag use:
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/support/backpacks
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Take a look at the MindShift gear - the spin out will fit the Hass body with a lens on it, plus depending on the glass, a second lens.
http://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/rotation180-professional
Don't forget rental options for that one time bag use:
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/support/backpacks
Hi,
That Mind Shift gear is a great idea ;D
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I've lost count of the backpacks I've owned. My newest one from F-Stop is hands down the best I've ever owned. It's be correctly (I'm 6-9) and carries everything I want without weighing me down. I really like the internal bag (ICU) selection as they can be configured to meet my needs if I want to carry my Cambo WRS or DF.
Don
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I love my F-Stop Satori. Been with me everywhere.
I carry with it; 35mm f1.4, 85 f1.4, 14-24mm f2.8, D800, 70-200mm f2.8 and a 200-400 f4. Along with my filters, tripod with gimbal and sometimes 2 Manfrotto lightstands.
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Bought the F-Stop (Satori IIRC) - very well made - like the idea of rear access ICUs - sent it back.
Why? Simple - no way to adjust the harness - because of the rear entry, the distance between the waist band and the shoulder straps is fixed. So, you have to choose the pack to fit you rather than fit yourself to the pack; which means you may end up with a bigger / smaller pack than you need in order to get the best fit. So, not a great idea - unless you happen to find a pack that fits you correctly - N.B. most folks have no idea where the waist band should grip — i.e. the top of the iliac crest — which is actually kinda level with your elbows — higher than people estimate — more often than not you’ll see a pack sitting on someone’s butt.
Ended up going with a Lowepro Pro Rover 45L. The materials used are decent - not as good as F-Stop’s - however, it has a better way to carry a tripod, the hydration bladder pocket is outside of where your gear is housed, and … the killer feature ... it has - hands down - the best harness system of any cameracentric backpack I have ever used (and like most of you reading this, I've been through a few).
When my number comes up on the Lotto, I’ll have Dan McHale (http://www.mchalepacks.com/history/) make me a custom pack, but until then I’ll stick with the Lowepro.
(I’ve heard that B&H sometimes has it on special for around $100 - which is insane - that’s the same price as a large ICU for an F-Stop pack).
(http://www.wexphotographic.com/webcontent/product_images/large/153/1533743.jpg)
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Think Tank just came out with a new pack pack series. Looked very nice.
http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d02005983c789c487abf77a30&id=98bc71a0bc&e=99e546c4ec
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I second the F-stop backpack; I have owned quite a few packs, and this is my absolute favorite. One of the best features is that you lay the pack down, and the inside zips open, forming a flat working 'table' for changing lenses, etc. I use the Satori for medium format, and it seems perfect for a Phase One camera and a few lenses. The accessory strap-on pouches and cases are quite handy too; very well made and secure. I use the square ones for Lee filters, and a cylindrical one for my 2x tele-extender.
They have a new Suhka pack that is one step larger than my Satori; very tempting at only $299, but my current pack works great for day trips.
I may get the larger pack for when I want to carry two camera systems at once.
The F-stop web site has videos of their packs in use.
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Think Tank just came out with a new pack pack series. Looked very nice.
Looks like a nice pack - but probably one for trips <500ft from the car park - I mean, where do you store your non-photographic stuff ? In with your gear ? No thanks (and why then fit it for a hydration bladder - makes no sense). Another miss.
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Lots of pockets and storage spaces, but I use a waist punch for phone, keys, CF cards etc. Just as I have a number of backpacks, I have many waist pouches in all configurations; Clik, Mountainsmith, Think Tank, etc.
Hiking shorts with secure pockets are helpful too.
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F-Stop Satori or Tilopa backpacks with the appropriate ICU. I stopped looking for backpacks after I got my first F-Stop bag. I have a different pack for each of my systems (different colour packs) and they are supremely comfortable and don't over pack easily so hence always seem to fit aircraft overhead bins.
I don't think I've ever heard an F-Stop mountain series user complain about their choice.
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F-Stop, love all their products
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@OP You don’t say what you intend to do with the pack when you're up north. Short walks ? Long treks ? Overnighting ?
If you only need to move your gear a few feet, you could put it all in a shopping bag I guess ;) … however if you want to move it some distance, you’ll presumably be wearing the pack for hours, and maybe for days - that’s where a well-fitting pack will come into it’s own (even an ill-fitting pack is going to be bearable for an hour or two - but a whole day, and the next, and the next - well, that’s a different story altogether). That’s why - if you are undertaking some serious trekking - I would recommend a pack with an adjustable harness that can be fitted to you, not some average body shape. For example, look at the pack from photobackpacker (http://www.photobackpacker.com) - the hip belt is available in small, medium, large and X-large (for men and women) - there are two sizes of torso frame sheets and two sizes of air back pads. Expensive, yes - but fully adjustable. In contrast, the Lowepro only has an adjustable torso length (but it's the most important adjustment), while the F-Stop doesn’t have anything - it’s a one size fits all, one shot deal.
Putting photography aside for a moment, no one in their right mind would buy a regular pack for trekking with a harness that couldn’t be adjusted ... and yet, when it comes to camera packs we tend to forget about ourselves and basic ergonomics and think about our gear (will my nice new pack get dirty or wet if I put it on the mucky old ground, how quickly can I access it in case Sasquatch appears etc.) Like I said, not a huge problem if you’re only the carrying your gear a short distance or for a short time (as I guess a significant number of F-Stop buyers are; like SUV drivers who’s only notion of going off-road is parking up on the sidewalk) - but if you’re not, you’re just going to make life tough for yourself.
Finally, you also have the option of getting a good technical pack (such as those from Osprey, Deuter etc.) and adapting it to fit an ICU from F-Stop. No better way to get a proper harness, but some cutting and sewing required.
Jim
OT: I’m so fed up with airport carry-on restrictions, for flying I put all my gear in a Peli-case then put that inside a large North Face bag (because the sight of a Peli hard case screams ’steal me’). So much more relaxing flying that way. And yes, it's all insured.
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Another vote for the F-stop Tilopa, it's brilliant.
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I take my F-stop Satori up into the mountains all the time. The shoulder and waist straps can be tensioned and adjusted to my liking. I guess it just fits me right.
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Another F-stop vote. Have the Loka, small enough to fit easily on an airplane and yet takes the large ICU. They've replaced it with the Lotus, very similar in size. Extremely comfortable, and surprisingly, well thought out. Have numerous other backpacks, each of which have their features, but this is the one I keep reaching for.
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Another big F-Stop fan here, but I also agree with buckshot. Once you cross the overnight line, I think you would be better served with an internal frame backpack and an F-Stop ICU. I've hiked all day and x-country skied all day with the F-Stop; no issues with comfort or fit (I'm 6'-5"). But once you start stuffing tent, bag, stove, etc in there, the F-Stop in my opinion doesn't work all that well. It is just not made to be jammed tightly with stuff, or at least I haven't figured out how to use it that way. For multi-day trips I still use the traditional approach: Packs from Osprey/Gregory/Mystery Ranch / Etc with an ICU near the top. I then carry a chest pouch with a smaller camera for quick handheld shots.
Dave
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I am about to make a trip to the pacific northwest and am looking for a backpack recommendation. My primary gear would be H4d-40 a couple lenses & tripod. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Greg
Hi!
Are you planning on using the backpack for day hikes (from the car and back in a few hours) or for backpacking (overnight or more?)?
I use photo backpacks for day hikes but for longer hikes and overnights I use a nice backpack made for hiking/backpacking and just but my photo gear inside Kinesis pouches / small bags as needed and put them inside the large backpack. http://www.kgear.com/
Photo backpacks are generally not as nice to carry for extended periods and are heavy for the size.
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Photobackpacker has officially retired as of one year ago, and presumably is out somewhere with his large format kit. Nice guy. He made a really slick film holder carrier/organizer for 2-slot sheet film holders, too.
I agree with Buckshot. F-stop makes great bags, IF you fit the bag. I have the Satori, it didn't fit well for long carriage or heavy load - I could do it, but it was wearing me out. Turns out that the standard fixed F-stop harness has a torso length of 18" to 19". I didn't know much about fit, not having done camping since I was a kid - turns out that my torso length is 14.5" to 15" . No wonder. For camping, an extra-small women's Osprey pack set to minimal torso length (~14.5"), with wide zipper access to main compartment, does the trick. F-stop is making a fixed 15-16" torso length women's bag based on the Loka, but hasn't got stock yet.
Thanks for the Lowe Pro Rover suggestion (16" to 19").
Mindshift's First Light, a brand new design, has adjustable torso length, but I couldn't get the Mindshift customer service rep to tell me the range.
Even a 16" pack should ride better than a 19" pack. I don't think that there will be photocentric packs with 14.5" torso length made unless I commission one from a custom pack maker like McHale. Big bucks.
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Hi!
Are you planning on using the backpack for day hikes (from the car and back in a few hours) or for backpacking (overnight or more?)?
I use photo backpacks for day hikes but for longer hikes and overnights I use a nice backpack made for hiking/backpacking and just but my photo gear inside Kinesis pouches / small bags as needed and put them inside the large backpack. http://www.kgear.com/
Photo backpacks are generally not as nice to carry for extended periods and are heavy for the size.
This. ^^
I have packs for specific adventures (mountain biking, backpacking, skiing, etc) and trying to use a camera pack in any of those situations would be awkward at best. I wrap my camera and a couple of lenses in Clik neoprene wraps and put those with accessories in a small dry bag in my purpose-built pack. Tripod usually fits under a compression strap on the side with most packs or if I'm going light I just bring the Ultrapod II and shoot mostly handheld.
But if I'm shooting an event or less adventure-based shooting, I have a couple of photo packs I use.
A LowePro Flipside 200 which is pretty good but a little small and the tripod carrier is awkward (but usable). The flipside's rear access feature is nice for urban settings where you want to keep your stuff secure but also accessible. Good for being on the move with a body and a couple of lenses.
A Timbuk2 Scoop which does a good job of carrying my gear when I want to bring a lot but has annoying catchy zippers and could use a few more pockets for small items. Overall it's good but not great. I'd like to replace it but I don't have anything picked out yet.
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Greatly enjoying the F-stop Tilopa, the convenience of storing different kits in the ICU's made me realise I need to sell some cameras.
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Greatly enjoying the F-stop Tilopa, the convenience of storing different kits in the ICU's made me realise I need to sell some cameras.
jajaja yeah.
In places like Glacier National Park where day hikes can be long and strenuous I tend to carry the least amount of gear possible. In GNP I used the Lowepro Flipside Sport 20L. It is awesome to work out of and specially useful when the ground is muddy / snowy and you really can't/shouldn't put your bag down. My RM3Di w/ IQ160 back and the 40mm and the 70mm HR-W lenses fit perfectly inside Even with lens and back mounted, ready to use! plus all the schneider filters, batteries and extras.
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So I got and used the Mindshift 180 Professional for several days of hiking (intense for an average person). I had the deluxe version but I took out the top ICU to make room for actual backpacking stuff.
Camped in a cabin on the top so I didn't get additional stuff such as tent/sleeping bag and pad which would have only room on the outside. Got pretty heavy rain for hours.
Overall verdict is ok.
Comfort is decent although it's not that easy to adjust the waist belt to sit properly and when you adjust it the chest strap sits way too high: it's almost at my neck level and I'm am at 5'9.5", anybody shorter would have issues (unless their torso would be much longer).
Once set up properly with most if not the entire weight on the waist it's quite comfortable, although not as good as my backpacking pack, Osprey Aether 70 (I think). Looking at the padding of the shoulder straps I think they expect to have a lot of weight in the shoulders.
The pack had ~ 30 lbs at most times.
In the lower ICU I had room for a Fuji X-T1 with 5 lenses (largest was the 55-200), some batteries, cards, etc. It is VERY easy to access your camera stuff while the pack is on your back (becomes trickier with it on the ground) and that's where the main advantage is, otherwise the lower ICU takes some extra room. You can also use it as a waistbag (and has it's own rain cover).
Lots of pockets and attachments options, very nice. In the upper compartment you have room for several clothes and a little food, depends how you backpack and on the weather can be enough for 1-2 nights up to several nights. If I recall right the upper compartment has 29 liters.
The rain fly let you access the camera, so so rain resistance - after several hours of heavy rain it did go though a little, particularly between my hardshell and the back, a poncho would help a lot here.
I don't have experience with other big photo oriented backpacks but I didn't see many that can actually function as a backpacking bag also, not only as a way to transport huge amounts of photo gear for extended distances.