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Backpack recommendations for D3s and lenses...

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dewu

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Hello dpReview

I was wondering if anyone could recommend me a backpack for hiking that will hold a D3s and a few lenses. I have the 14-24, 24-70, 70-200. I probably wouldnt carry all three on a hike but Im sure I would any of the two depending on what Im shooting. I seen a few of the thinktank bags that had a tripod holder on them which looked great cause I would need that. Their shape shifter looks good but it looks like you cant keep a lens attached to the body. Any help is greatly appreciated
 
I'm interested as well.

I'm gonna be hiking the GC with just my D3s/14-24mm and want a backpack or similar that holds the lens and body attached in a small, easy to carry (on my back or waist, not hands) and access design along with some other items - water, snacks, etc.

I've carried my D2H down before and that was a pain.

--
'I'm Just A Messenger'
 
If you are looking for sturdy and extremely comfortable backpack, to carry your gear and some more safely, great tripod holder, water bottles holders, etc. I recommend Kata HB-205. I am using (bigger) HB-207 for quite long and still think it is the best backpack around.

I also have ThinkTank Streetwalker HardDrive, excellent backpack. But ThinkTanks are more of a reporter / street / sport style, less sturdy, less flexible storage for some important stuff for nature shooting (as filter holders, square filters, clothes, etc.).
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http://www.intopicture.com
 
These may be prefect for my needs. Thanks!!!

The 207 looks nice as well, but BH Photo has a stellar deal going for the 205 and it's half the price. I also think the 205 may work for my needs better as I'm trying to pack lighter when hiking.

Very nice...Thanks the tip.
Jan3x5 said:
If you are looking for sturdy and extremely comfortable backpack, to carry your gear and some more safely, great tripod holder, water bottles holders, etc. I recommend Kata HB-205. I am using (bigger) HB-207 for quite long and still think it is the best backpack around.

I also have ThinkTank Streetwalker HardDrive, excellent backpack. But ThinkTanks are more of a reporter / street / sport style, less sturdy, less flexible storage for some important stuff for nature shooting (as filter holders, square filters, clothes, etc.).
--
http://www.intopicture.com
Click to expand...
--
'I'm Just A Messenger'
 
The tricky part is finding a pack that does two things well: protect your camera gear and also carry hiking essentials (food, water, rain jacket, phone, first-aid). So far I haven't found an ideal combo - but you might look here: http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=274&categoryId=13&subCategoryId=14&subCategory2Id=0

Lowepro also has a daypack called the Orion AW: http://products.lowepro.com/product/Orion-AW,1987,7.htm that also separates the bottom half for camera gear, and the top for other stuff. If it came to a choice between the two, I'd take a closer look at the Mountainsmith pack. Just my 2 cents'.

Whatever you go with, I'd recommend you consider modifying your pack slightly to add snap connector type straps to the shoulder traps - and then hang your D3 off that, rather than carry in your hand(heavy) or around your neck(also heavy). By strapping the camera strap to the shoulder strap, the load (weight of camera+lens) is transferred evenly across your entire pack suspension system. I routinely backpack this way (D3 or D700 + 14-24mm e.g.).
 
Lowepro Versapack, which has two comparment, may be an ideal backpack for day hike. The bottom camera compartment has side access so that you don't have to remove the whole backpack to get the camera. The top compartment is a little bit small though. But if you go down GC on South Kaibab trail and up on Bright Angel trail, you don't need to carry that much water.
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Rick
 
I have the same D3s kit that you do and it all fits in a ThinkTank Streetwalker Pro quite nicely but there isn't room for much else. I think that it is not so much for hiking as simply carrying that much gear comfortably.

Jeff
 
Rich_ [U] K said:
The 207 looks nice as well, but BH Photo has a stellar deal going for the 205 and it's half the price. I also think the 205 may work for my needs better as I'm trying to pack lighter when hiking.
Click to expand...
HB-207 is really big backpack, suited for lot more gear than you have described (see second image of content demo here: http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?Version=photo&p_Id=318 ). I expect that you can put all the listed gear into along with non-photographic stuff as jacket and there is still quite a lot of room in the front flap (includes one big pocket inside, one big outside, two smaller outside). HB-207 is overal bigger and includes one more compartment (under top flap) as well as notebook compartment. Anyway, it is rock solid, very comfortable and surprisingly lightweight for what it is. That discounted BH price is a steal.

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http://www.intopicture.com [/U]
 
Hi,

I have few bags. From Lowepro Computrekker (Plus or no Plus version) to Lowepro Primus, to f-stopgear Tilopa. I also tried Lowepro Toploader 75AW & even the ThinkTank belt solutions. For a serious (tropical) jungle trekking or mountain climbing (to about 3200m high)...I am now settle with the real backpack (in my case Deuter AirContact Pro 60+15L) with Internal Compartment Unit (ICU from f-stopgear) to hold 2 bodies (D3 & D300s), 17-35 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 & 50mm f1.4, SB800 & some filters. Occasionally I bring my 105mm f2.8 macro lens.

I find it more comfortable to use real hiking bag than any computer bag-pack.

I don't shoot when I am hiking unless I came across seriously beautiful scenery or subjects. For snapshots, I just use my P&S.

Regards,

Jamal

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http://www.tembeling.com
 
Thanks so much for the info...Im going to check out all the ones recommended. Id like one to put filters in, tripod mount, and a snack and water. This stuff in the same bag with a D3s and lenses could get rough though..lol. Thanks again
 
I've been meaning to ask. When hanging a heavy pro body and lens off the front of your body, doesn't it swing around when hiking/walking? It just seems like it wouldn't work well, but I don't know either.

Thanks to all for the replies. Man, there are far too many options for gear bags it seems. Now my head is spinning. :-)
Roy Kikuta said:
Whatever you go with, I'd recommend you consider modifying your pack slightly to add snap connector type straps to the shoulder traps - and then hang your D3 off that, rather than carry in your hand(heavy) or around your neck(also heavy). By strapping the camera strap to the shoulder strap, the load (weight of camera+lens) is transferred evenly across your entire pack suspension system. I routinely backpack this way (D3 or D700 + 14-24mm e.g.).
Click to expand...
--
'I'm Just A Messenger'
 
Rich,

Camera straps connected to the backpack (shoulder) straps have a much wide stance than those going around the neck - it tends to swing around a lot less. I've backpacked with a D3+14-24 and it worked well. I use OpTech Pro Loop connectorized straps.
Roy
 
Rich_ [U] K said:
I've been meaning to ask. When hanging a heavy pro body and lens off the front of your body, doesn't it swing around when hiking/walking? It just seems like it wouldn't work well, but I don't know either.
Click to expand...
Besides that, you don't see your feet and that sometimes may present a problem on rough terrain. For day hikers, a camera backpack with separate compartements and with side access is the best solution in my opinion. I have ordered a Lowepro Versapack, which should be here anytime now, for the purpose becasue I stop often take photos on the trails. Versapack has tripod mount, which I will use to carry my hiking poles. :)
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Rick[/U]
 
Sounds like a Loka might be a good bet for you... here is a pretty in depth review of it.

http://dancarrphotography.com/blog/2010/10/14/f-stop-loka-photo-packpack-and-new-icus-photo-satori-tilopa-fstop/

Note: I work for this company.
dewu said:
Hello dpReview

I was wondering if anyone could recommend me a backpack for hiking that will hold a D3s and a few lenses. I have the 14-24, 24-70, 70-200. I probably wouldnt carry all three on a hike but Im sure I would any of the two depending on what Im shooting. I seen a few of the thinktank bags that had a tripod holder on them which looked great cause I would need that. Their shape shifter looks good but it looks like you cant keep a lens attached to the body. Any help is greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
--
http://www.fstopgear.com
Camera gear for adventure photographers.
 
I know it was kinda mentioned above. My recommendation is to go with a regular hiking backpack and adding a holster-type bag such as the ThinkTank Digital Hoster 40.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/digital-holster-40-shoulder-bag.aspx

Camera bag straps that let you hang the bag in front of you using these straps.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/camera-support-straps.aspx

To keep the bag from swinging around you can use a waste strap or something like this:
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/backpack-connection-kit.aspx

I think that is overkill. I just took a carabiner and clipped the bottom of the bag to my pack wastebelt.

For whatever extra lenses, I wrapped them in these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/16161-REG/Domke_722_15Y_15x15_Color_Coded_Protective.html

This provides a very versatile system letting you add whatever camera gear you want to your regular pack and you then have your regular backpack to carry close, food, first-aid kit, etc. Tripod can be strapped to the outside of the regular pack.

You can also use it with any type of backpack so you can use it for day hikes or long backpacking trips.

I used this system recently on the Inca Trail in Peru to Manchu Picchu (26 miles over 4 days). I was concerned that I would trip because of not being able to see my toes. Thousands of steps later on the Inca Trail, I didn't miss a step once.

Enjoy your adventure!

--
http://www.jenfucheng.com
 
Choose from 4 versions with different sizes. Plenty of space for photo stuff and some space for other things. Takes any beating you can throw at it. At least mine can... and we went through Arizona and Utah, then Washington State and Wyoming, from negative 17 Fahrenheit to whatever summers do in Arizona...

I have been using Lowepro's for over 10 years. I looked at Tamracs and Think Tank, but Lowepro felt better. Did not try Kata.

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Regards,

Ovidiu
 
I use a Lowepro Flipside 400 for my D700, 16-35 f4 VR, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 VRII, 105 f2.8 VR, 1.4x TCII, 2x TCIII. It can also fit a monopod or tripod on the back.

The reason I like the Flipside 400 is that when you take it off to access the camera, the part of the bag that goes against your body does not sit on the ground and therefore you don't get a dirty back when you put it back on. When you take the bag from your back, the bag is already facing the right way up to access the camera and lenses compartment. It is also deep enough to take the D3 as there is a removeable pad under my D700 in the photo below.

See videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXCAMU2A2ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKjAlWj1AmI





--
Lance B
http://www.pbase.com/lance_b

 
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