600 f/4 VR & Backpacks

Recently acquired the lens, and found a few old threads on this topic, but it seemed like time for a new one given how often new backpacks come out.

Two main options present themselves from around the web. First is Moose Peterson's solution, his un-padded MP-1 which would seem to do everything I need. Gets the gear onto even smallish planes and leaves room for other gear. Only about 8" deep. But, as Thom Hogan describes on his website, these are probably not great for carrying once you reach your destination (not based on real backpacks).

Second option is the Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW, which seems to be the only thing they make that's big enough. I'm sure these are great bags, but they are about 14 to 15" deep, which isn't going to fit into many overhead bins on planes.

I also have a Thinktank streetwalker pro which I absolutely love, but the only thing they make that seems even close is the acceleration V. 2.0. I love the dimensions, but they only advertise it up to a 500/4. I'm thinking the 600 might fit without a body attached, and with my 200/4 micro, D3x, and other gear, but it looks tight.

So, any real world experience out there that might help? Many thanks in advance.

Depends on what you want to put inside ... For 600/4VR, body and accessories, this should be your first choice: http://www.kata-bags.com/productFRM2HS.asp?p_Id=19753&Version=Photo . You can combine it with other bags from Kata EPH.

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http://www.intopicture.com

I have flown many times with a Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW. It has fit in overhead bins on large Airbus and Boeing jets as well as small regional jets.

Cheers,
JB

Telefoto said:

Recently acquired the lens, and found a few old threads on this topic, but it seemed like time for a new one given how often new backpacks come out.

Two main options present themselves from around the web. First is Moose Peterson's solution, his un-padded MP-1 which would seem to do everything I need. Gets the gear onto even smallish planes and leaves room for other gear. Only about 8" deep. But, as Thom Hogan describes on his website, these are probably not great for carrying once you reach your destination (not based on real backpacks).

Second option is the Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW, which seems to be the only thing they make that's big enough. I'm sure these are great bags, but they are about 14 to 15" deep, which isn't going to fit into many overhead bins on planes.

I also have a Thinktank streetwalker pro which I absolutely love, but the only thing they make that seems even close is the acceleration V. 2.0. I love the dimensions, but they only advertise it up to a 500/4. I'm thinking the 600 might fit without a body attached, and with my 200/4 micro, D3x, and other gear, but it looks tight.

So, any real world experience out there that might help? Many thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Jan3x5 said:

Depends on what you want to put inside ... For 600/4VR, body and accessories, this should be your first choice: http://www.kata-bags.com/productFRM2HS.asp?p_Id=19753&Version=Photo . You can combine it with other bags from Kata EPH.

Click to expand...

Thanks very much for the recommendation. I believe I caught site of those options, and they certainly look like very serious, comfortable backpacks for hiking. However, it appears that this pack would be for use with the 600 alone, no other lenses seem to fit? I like that its only 12 inches wide, but this wouldn't seem to be the right choice for the kinds of upcoming trips I have planned (jungle macro and birds)?

jb_va2001 said:

I have flown many times with a Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW. It has fit in overhead bins on large Airbus and Boeing jets as well as small regional jets.

Cheers,
JB

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Thanks for the thoughts. That's pretty hard for me to believe considering I struggled to stuff my tiny street walker pro into the overhead on a recent island hopping trip in the Philippines. Can you elaborate on how this is possible for you? Are you physically compressing or ramming this thing into the overhead, or are you taking most of the gear out?

I'm in a somewhat similar situation looking for a bag for my new 500 F4. While I have no direct experience with any of the bags here are some other possibilities:

http://guragear.com/product.php

http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/l.html

http://www.vertexphoto.com/BigLensBag.aspx

You might also do a search on NatureScapes ( http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/ ) as there have been several threads on the subject.

Marty

It just slid right in each time. No stuffing or unpacking.

Cheers,
JB

Telefoto said:

jb_va2001 said:

I have flown many times with a Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW. It has fit in overhead bins on large Airbus and Boeing jets as well as small regional jets.

Cheers,
JB

Click to expand...

Thanks for the thoughts. That's pretty hard for me to believe considering I struggled to stuff my tiny street walker pro into the overhead on a recent island hopping trip in the Philippines. Can you elaborate on how this is possible for you? Are you physically compressing or ramming this thing into the overhead, or are you taking most of the gear out?

Click to expand...

Jan3x5 said:

Depends on what you want to put inside ... For 600/4VR, body and accessories, this should be your first choice:

Click to expand...

http://www.kata-bags.com/productFRM2HS.asp?p_Id=19753&Version=Photo .

I tried to buy one of those last month but the U.S. distributor of Kata bags does not import them into the USA! I was in e-mail contact with Kata and the U.S. distributor (Manfrotto). Kata suggested I contact their Canadian distributor (Amplis) but so far I have not heard back from them nor can I find any Canadian retailers that list the product on their website.

Help!

--
Mike Mullen

Check out Gura Gear Kiboka bag designed by Photographer Andy Biggs. 600 fits on one side with Lens Hood reversed. Second Hood (which I do not use) can be placed in other luggage. I have not had any issues checking this bag.

I have had a kata ltb 600 since they came out,its perfect for my 200-400 f4 on a D2X. If you want one you could try buying abroad ,I live in the UK and purchased from Cameraking.













--
Mike

I appreciate the input. Again, from what I can tell, these are not general purpose photo gear bags but are good only to carry the single big lens with body attached, right? In other words, this is a day pack, not a travel pack?

RGT5 said:

Check out Gura Gear Kiboka bag designed by Photographer Andy Biggs. 600 fits on one side with Lens Hood reversed. Second Hood (which I do not use) can be placed in other luggage. I have not had any issues checking this bag.

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Thanks, I'm very interested in this bag. But, it's very expensive, and without being able to see one, I'm interested in maximum real world feedback. How comfortable would wearing this pack be for someone over 6'2"?

I've also read conflicting opinions, some saying the 600 fits with body, some only without, and some say with single hood reversed, others say without any hood?

Also, could you stuff this bag under the seat in front in a pinch?

cosmicnode said:

I have had a kata ltb 600 since they came out,its perfect for my 200-400 f4 on a D2X. If you want one you could try buying abroad ,I live in the UK and purchased from Cameraking.

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I appreciate your help but I just looked at this resellers review site:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews106180.html

And Cameraking UK only has a 2 star rating (of 5) and only 24% of people recommend them. It doesn't sound like the kind of place I would place an international order!

--
Mike Mullen

Telefoto said:

Thanks, I'm very interested in this bag. But, it's very expensive, and without being able to see one, I'm interested in maximum real world feedback. How comfortable would wearing this pack be for someone over 6'2"?

Click to expand...

I don't know about the Kaboka bag but the Kata has an adjustable harness. I'm 6'4" and hoping it will work for me but I would be pretty confident it work for 6'-02".

The Canadian distributor for Kata (Amplis) still has not returned my email inquiry.

I don't know how they can sell many of these things when I have this much trouble just trying to find someone willing to sell one to me. I'm trying to buy a Kata TLB-600.

--
Mike Mullen

Gura Gear Kiboka bag is well built and the straps system is good enough for normal short photo hiking. It is the max upper limit in size but I have talked my way onto several smaller jets with it and managed to get it under the seat. Fit fine in larger planes overhead. Use seatguru.com when booking as storage varies both by plane and seat location. I use it for 500mm F4, two bodies, etc....

My real complaint with the bag is a personal preference in that I do not like double side-by-side flap designs to work out of. All to easy to forget to zip one side or the other, begin to pick it up, and start to throw the straps over your shoulder. :-( Maybe it is just me but for this reason I use my Think Tanks most of the time.

brentwayne said:

Gura Gear Kiboka bag is well built and the straps system is good enough for normal short photo hiking.

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Thanks, great feedback. Does this mean that you would consider it inferior to your think tank in terms of comfort and ability to hike longer with the pack on?

brentwayne said:

It is the max upper limit in size but I have talked my way onto several smaller jets with it and managed to get it under the seat.

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This is a key observation, thanks. Will it go under the seat fully packed? As I consider this, I'm thinking the under the seat option would be the ultimate safety valve to keep from checking in a bag with a so much gear in it, but I really struggle to imagine how I would get it under the seat.

brentwayne said:

My real complaint with the bag is a personal preference in that I do not like double side-by-side flap designs to work out of. All to easy to forget to zip one side or the other, begin to pick it up, and start to throw the straps over your shoulder. :-( Maybe it is just me but for this reason I use my Think Tanks most of the time.

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Which think tanks are you using? I absolutely love my TT streetwalker pro for my macro set up, but as far as I can tell TT doesn't offer anything to fit the 600.

Telefoto wrote:

Maybe a bit better than TT Airport Addicted V2 depending on preference. Great for lets say a few miles and or even a few hours but not intended for full/multi-day hikes fully loaded. These are multi-use photo backpacks as opposed to serious hiking backpacks.

Telefoto said:

Will it go under the seat fully packed? As I consider this, I'm thinking the under the seat option would be the ultimate safety valve to keep from checking in a bag with a so much gear in it, but I really struggle to imagine how I would get it under the seat.

Click to expand...

I have managed to get it either under the seat or in an overhead on several smaller RJs. I usually fly out of a smaller airport. Had my feet on top of it once or twice but I got it under there. Do not care about comfort as long as I can keep my gear close. I have a photo vest that I can put major stuff in to reduce weight of back pack at check-in if needed. (This is my fall back if I ever HAVE to check. Fill my vest with lenses and bodies, grab the 500 for a carry on, and check a near empty bag.) On all large bags be careful about putting to much stuff in the top pockets as the bags can expand oversize. Be careful of seat assignment as under-seat clearance varies by seat location sometimes.

Telefoto said:

Which think tanks are you using? I absolutely love my TT streetwalker pro for my macro set up, but as far as I can tell TT doesn't offer anything to fit the 600.

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I have a lot of TT stuff. Backpacks are Airport Addicted V2, Airport Acceleration V1, and Airport Ultralight V1. Airport Addicted V2 also says it will hold 600mm but as I suffer with only the 500 I have never checked it out. A dealer that carries both bags is http://www.outdoorphotogear.com and they could likely discuss fit with the 600mm with you.