Need solution for carrying lens/camera whilst hiking with big backpack

[jkgal]

Hi,

It's a hassle to remove the backpack whenever I want to change lenses. Can anyone recommend a system (maybe a belt bag/vest) for carrying 3 x small M43 lenses + OMD body for easy access?

Thanks
(also posted in Landscape forum)

 

[Skeeterbytes]

I have successfully used a Clik Elite chest pack that attaches to the main pack's shoulder straps. It can be a little challenging putting on, because the camera pack has to be unclipped on one side to don the main pack, then reclipped. But the camera is right there, ready to pull and use. Definitely take more pics with this rig.

I am not sure they're still in business, but Cotton Carrier made something similar, so there may be other options.

Dangling from the hip belt seems better suited to smaller cameras and the clip mounts for shoulder straps leave the camera out, and I sweat too much backpacking for that solution.

Good sleuthing!

Rick

 

[alcelc]

My first preference, a messenger bag style shoulder bag, has a flip up top cover, use velcro tape for quick lock & unlock (better has a draw string inner cover for further security yet easy open/close).

The bag can be carried over my shoulder, or actually across my body most of the time. For usual shooting, bag at my back. For added stability or for security purpose, bag in my front. To swap lens, bag at my side, or in my front as a table top surface...

I have a setting of no. of standby lenses + 1 empty partition for my lenses. All front and back lens caps will be removed before every shooting session, also lens hoods be mounted in advance. Unmount the lens, put it in the empty slot, take out the new lens, mount it. A matter of few seconds max.

My 2nd preference is a sling bag.

Backpack, will only be used when I need spaces to carry a lot of non photo gear only.

 

[Gray Drake]

I have two sizes of Lowepro Slingshot shoulder bags. I have rearranged the internal dividers making access to lenses possible without removing the bag. I use the smallest bag that will hold the lens package I decide to use on the shoot. There has been some redesign of current models - mine are a few years old.

 

[Gary from Seattle]

Hi,

It's a hassle to remove the backpack whenever I want to change lenses. Can anyone recommend a system (maybe a belt bag/vest) for carrying 3 x small M43 lenses + OMD body for easy access?

Thanks
(also posted in Landscape forum)

A single zoom is likely to take the place of three primes and eliminate a lot of lens changing.

I keep my primary zoom lens on my chest in a Lowe Toploader when I anticipate shooting. If I don't, I keep the camera also in the pack. Anything on your body will be needlessly uncomfortable when there are not really good shots available.

The other consideration is making your body too warm. The more of you you cover, the warmer you will be. In hot weather anything on your chest or body will not be pleasant.

 

[meow]

There's a load balanced pack system that seems ideal for this. Take a look.

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www.aarnpacks.com

I've heard a lot about it, not from photographers, but ordinary backpackers/hikers. Rumor has it that if you try it you like it. I haven't tried or seen this pack system IRL, but it makes sense this is a better way to carry for your body.

There's even front pockets especially for photographers. Again, I haven't seen them.

Loading…

www.aarnpacks.com

 

[april fox]

I bought a cheap sling bag from aliexpress, did some designing and got a fiend to make the bag from light but durable leather. I exchanged it for working on her internet site plus material cost

ps I made it so it only fits over my left shoulder and doubles up as a sling over the back shoulder making it easy to twist to the front


k


l

 

[alcelc]

Hi,

It's a hassle to remove the backpack whenever I want to change lenses. Can anyone recommend a system (maybe a belt bag/vest) for carrying 3 x small M43 lenses + OMD body for easy access?

Thanks
(also posted in Landscape forum)

A single zoom is likely to take the place of three primes and eliminate a lot of lens changing.

I keep my primary zoom lens on my chest in a Lowe Toploader when I anticipate shooting. If I don't, I keep the camera also in the pack. Anything on your body will be needlessly uncomfortable when there are not really good shots available.

The other consideration is making your body too warm. The more of you you cover, the warmer you will be. In hot weather anything on your chest or body will not be pleasant.

IIRC it was close to high 20 ~ low 30°C while I started my journey in early morning and while on our way back, it should be around 35+°C.

I carried my camera shoulder bag, 1 camera (GX7 for that trip), 4 lenses (7-14 f/4, 12-35 f/2.8, 45-150 & 15 f/1.7), plus an ultra light backpack for 3 bottles of 500ml water, snacks etc for me and my wife for that 5+ hours foot journey under a baking sun.



I suppose for such a lifetime journey (my 2nd visit to Petra), it could be the minimum to carry. Touching wood, it had not yet affected my movability, allowed me to enjoy my visit and still had the gear to bring back the precious memory home (I think I would not visit there for a 3rd time).

A compromise on comfit vs my needs. No difference from my choice on using M43, just another compromise to make.

As a matter of fact, under the global warming, even in my home town it can reach as hot as 37°C for >6 months a year. As I shall not wear my hiking/travelling gear when shopping in downtown, it is always more difficult for me to moving around even with empty hands... :-(

--
Albert
** Please feel free to download the original image I posted here and edit it as you like **

 

[mchnz]

There's a load balanced pack system that seems ideal for this. Take a look.

https://www.aarnpacks.com/

I've heard a lot about it, not from photographers, but ordinary backpackers/hikers. Rumor has it that if you try it you like it. I haven't tried or seen this pack system IRL, but it makes sense this is a better way to carry for your body.

There's even front pockets especially for photographers. Again, I haven't seen them.
https://www.aarnpacks.com/collections/all/products/balance-pockets-photo-regular

There was an older threads here discussing aarn packs. For example, "NZ Scott" walked the length of New Zealand using an aarn pack: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59598686

Search the forum for aarn if you're interested.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitaltrails/

 

[OldGuy-Yuri]

Hi,

It's a hassle to remove the backpack whenever I want to change lenses. Can anyone recommend a system (maybe a belt bag/vest) for carrying 3 x small M43 lenses + OMD body for easy access?

Thanks
(also posted in Landscape forum)

Hi,
My solution is 'minimal'. I use zooms, primary is the Oly 14-150mm and have recently decided to also carry my 75-300mm.

I've adapted a lens pouch to attach to the right side shoulder strap of my Baltoro. I ordered a 4 pack of neoprene lens pouches on ebay - US seller. Then picked one size which nicely holds the 75-300 and would also hold the 14-150 with the lens hood in place, when I swap out. I imagine 2 primes could be stacked in one sleeve with a foam separator.



Camera hangs off the left shoulder strap with a carrier I fashioned.
You can see exactly what I bought by doing a search in ebay for "4 Pack Soft Neoprene Camera Lens Bag Pouch" $11.99 + ca tax.
Pack is currently not accessible - is in my attic space and covered with stuff while the house is going thru a re-roofing...
Have done one wkend pack, and it all worked fine.
Have not considered 'water-proofing' yet, Climate here is all Sun for the coming months.
I often don;t even carry the fly for my tent on short 2 & 3 day packs.
I'll prolly come up with a waterproof sleeve for 'weather' or just put it in the brain.
Thx
Yuri

 

[Gary from Seattle]

For me that would be woefully awful. The key in hiking/backpacking/scrambling/skiing is stability. Anything that swings or limits one's ability to use one's arms is something I would avoid. When some think hiking, they think of walking on level ground. I don't. Hiking can be on or off trail. It may involve using the hands on rocks for stability or ascent or to bypass an obstacle. Brushy trails would be another example.

This is hiking.



So is this:


All hiking terrain between this summit and the distant col.

If I am going to use my hands more extensively, am on a bushy trail, or travel in say less than spectacular woods, you don't need or want the camera. Put it in your pack.


Stability is key in wearing a camera while skiing.

So, it all depends on how you define "hiking". If the OP is talking about mountain or desert trails and sometimes off trail, something like the Lowepro Toploader makes the most sense. When the good shooting is over put everything in your pack.

This would fit the EM-1II and 12-40 lens. There are other models. My bag also has a stabilizing waist strap. Tenbo I think makes something similar. https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/toploader-zoom-45-aw-ii-black-lp36700-0ww/

 

[larsbc]

I use a waist pack to carry my gear but that's two bodies plus a bunch of lenses, some of them rather large (eg: 100-400). For a compact kit, perhaps a backpacker's front pack would work, especially in conjunction with a Peak Design Capture Clip to hold the camera itself to your main backpack's shoulder strap?

When I'm riding my dirt bike, I usually have a hydration pack on my back along with a jacket, food, and tools. To carry my drone, smart phone, action cam stuff, batteries, and GPS emergency locator/messenger, I wear a lightweight chestpack made by Ribzwear:
https://ribzwear.com/

It's surprisingly comfortable and because the pack is divided into two compartments on either side of the chest, it doesn't block too much of my visibility when I look down, which is something that might be appreciated when hiking difficult terrain. It could easily swallow some lenses and an m43 body but it has no padding whatsoever. Some neoprene cases or wraps would be useful for padding.

 

[meow]

For me that would be woefully awful. The key in hiking/backpacking/scrambling/skiing is stability. Anything that swings or limits one's ability to use one's arms is something I would avoid. When some think hiking, they think of walking on level ground. I don't. Hiking can be on or off trail. It may involve using the hands on rocks for stability or ascent or to bypass an obstacle. Brushy trails would be another example.

This is hiking.



So is this:


All hiking terrain between this summit and the distant col.

If I am going to use my hands more extensively, am on a bushy trail, or travel in say less than spectacular woods, you don't need or want the camera. Put it in your pack.


Stability is key in wearing a camera while skiing.

So, it all depends on how you define "hiking". If the OP is talking about mountain or desert trails and sometimes off trail, something like the Lowepro Toploader makes the most sense. When the good shooting is over put everything in your pack.

This would fit the EM-1II and 12-40 lens. There are other models. My bag also has a stabilizing waist strap. Tenbo I think makes something similar. https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/toploader-zoom-45-aw-ii-black-lp36700-0ww/

The whole purpose of the system is balance, stability and allowing free movements. As said, I haven't tried it myself, but from what I hear it works.

 

[skysurfer5]

Cotton Carrier is still in business. I just bought a Skout (https://www.cottoncarrier.com/products/grey-skout-camera) to use in conjunction with my Camelbak Fourteener 26.

Fred

 

[john isaacs]

Hi,

It's a hassle to remove the backpack whenever I want to change lenses. Can anyone recommend a system (maybe a belt bag/vest) for carrying 3 x small M43 lenses + OMD body for easy access?

Thanks
(also posted in Landscape forum)

I used a large fanny pack, rotated to the front. The buckle was in the back, above the hip belt, so I never felt it. I would keep camera, hat, gloves, sunglasses and snacks.

 

[Phocal]

Hi,

It's a hassle to remove the backpack whenever I want to change lenses. Can anyone recommend a system (maybe a belt bag/vest) for carrying 3 x small M43 lenses + OMD body for easy access?

Thanks
(also posted in Landscape forum)

I use the BlackRapid Backpack Camera Sling but attach top and bottom on the same side, they demonstrate it going cross body. I can get my gripped EM1 with the 300/4 or 150/2 to tuck up out of the way so I can use my trekking poles. Really love this setup because it gives me fast access to the camera and the ability to use my trekking poles.

For your lenses that is a tough one. With my Mystery Ranch pack it's easy because the waist belt is all molle and I can put whatever size pouch I want on it. My normal setup is using these grenade or flash bang pouches (3 of them), and my bear spray holder. They hold spare batteries or any of the teleconverters perfectly. My Gregory has pouches on the waist belt that are about useless. You could get small neoprene pouches to clip onto the backpack with a carabiner for easy access. I have one that fits my fisheye lens perfectly (which will also fit in the grenade pouch) that I hang from one of the loops on my shoulder strap (other strap has my GPS unit on it). If I want to take a landscape I can pop the camera off the 300/4 (which stays hanging on the BlackRapid strap), attach the fisheye.


We had to cross (just under 1 mile) this nasty boulder field on trip this week. I had my EM1 and 300/4 on the BlackRapid strap for the entire trip without any problem.



my two copper pieces,

Phocal

 

[mchnz]

For me that would be woefully awful. The key in hiking/backpacking/scrambling/skiing is stability. Anything that swings or limits one's ability to use one's arms is something I would avoid. When some think hiking, they think of walking on level ground. I don't. Hiking can be on or off trail. It may involve using the hands on rocks for stability or ascent or to bypass an obstacle. Brushy trails would be another example.

This is hiking.



So is this:


All hiking terrain between this summit and the distant col.

If I am going to use my hands more extensively, am on a bushy trail, or travel in say less than spectacular woods, you don't need or want the camera. Put it in your pack.


Stability is key in wearing a camera while skiing.

So, it all depends on how you define "hiking". If the OP is talking about mountain or desert trails and sometimes off trail, something like the Lowepro Toploader makes the most sense. When the good shooting is over put everything in your pack.

This would fit the EM-1II and 12-40 lens. There are other models. My bag also has a stabilizing waist strap. Tenbo I think makes something similar. https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/toploader-zoom-45-aw-ii-black-lp36700-0ww/

Aarn's frame and harness system does keep the combined rig from flopping about. Even without balance pockets the u-flow and v-flow harness system allows for far more arm movement than a normal pack and therefore might be appropriate for skiing (but I'm not a skier).

Most of the packs you've illustrated are smaller day/overnight packs. With an aarn pack of a similar size with matching sized balance pockets, the pockets would be smaller than the multi-day versions.

I've used the smaller aarn packs for bush bashing and scrambling in NZ hill and alpine terrain without any issues. On several occasions I've day hiked 25-30 km with all the photography gear, water and food up front, and only bothered taking the pack off for long breaks such as lunch (I typically carry about 8-11 kg gross depending on water and safety gear requirements).

Two weeks ago I was scrambling up and down slippery densely bushed slopes, including steeper sections with ropes (non technical knotted ropes). The aarn balance pockets were chock full of bags of mouse-bait to be dispensed along bait lines. The compact balance pockets made the job quite easy, no need to take the pack off at all.

You're correct the pack needs to be appropriate for the job. I wouldn't use balance pockets for a local walk in the park. I'm not sure the OP's stated requirements rule aarn in or out. It's also not clear whether we're talking day hikes or something longer.

--

digitaltrails

Explore digitaltrails’s 805 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Rohith Thumati]

What’s best depends on what else you’re carrying on your hike, but there are some good bags that make changing gear a lot easier than a typical top loader. I’ve had a Mindshift Rotation Panorama for a number of years, and it’s a good, comfortable hiking backpack, with great camera gear access. The only really negatives are that it’s a bit heavy and it’s a bit bulky for the capacity (it needs a lot of structure to enable the rotation functionality, I guess).

Lowepro makes a Photo Sport line and a Photo Active line that have pretty convenient swing the bag to one shoulder to access gear set ups.

 

[Yar1971]

I currently returned to my well proven solution from compact camera era, with one modification.

Take a normal, small shoulder camera bag/pouch to fit just Your camera with main lens on. Fit asmall carabiner to the shoulder strap regulation loop. It must travel freely up and down. At the camera side, ditch the neck strap and fit at just one side a loop of strong cord (15-20 cm aka 6-8" long). Catch it into the carabiner. At the opposite side of camera body You mount a small wrist strap. Now Your camera sits in a stable, well fit bag. When You open it, You can pick it up imediately to Your eye level and shoot. If You accidentally drop it, it is still tethered to Your carrying system and it can't hit the ground (unless You are just scrambling through steep boulders or so).

Modification of that system is that I currently don't pack the whole equipment to the bag - it's going too big and heavy with a system camera. Extra lenses, filters etc. sit in a separate waist belt pouch. There's only the camera itself slinging. The extras do not hang on Your shoulder and You may put them to the main backpack on the occasions when You know for sure they aren't necessary or You need more freedom of movement in difficult terrain (dense bush, scrambling boulders, squeezing into the holes etc.)

The bag/pouch for camera should be fast access type : no zipper, just a clip closure or even Velcro. The whole system is practically DIY using standard, non-sophisticated elements (bag/pouch etc.)

Regards

-J.

 

[meow]

Aarn's frame and harness system does keep the combined rig from flopping about. Even without balance pockets the u-flow and v-flow harness system allows for far more arm movement than a normal pack and therefore might be appropriate for skiing (but I'm not a skier).

Most of the packs you've illustrated are smaller day/overnight packs. With an aarn pack of a similar size with matching sized balance pockets, the pockets would be smaller than the multi-day versions.

I've used the smaller aarn packs for bush bashing and scrambling in NZ hill and alpine terrain without any issues. On several occasions I've day hiked 25-30 km with all the photography gear, water and food up front, and only bothered taking the pack off for long breaks such as lunch (I typically carry about 8-11 kg gross depending on water and safety gear requirements).

Two weeks ago I was scrambling up and down slippery densely bushed slopes, including steeper sections with ropes (non technical knotted ropes). The aarn balance pockets were chock full of bags of mouse-bait to be dispensed along bait lines. The compact balance pockets made the job quite easy, no need to take the pack off at all.

You're correct the pack needs to be appropriate for the job. I wouldn't use balance pockets for a local walk in the park. I'm not sure the OP's stated requirements rule aarn in or out. It's also not clear whether we're talking day hikes or something longer.

Thanks for an in depth review. I've contemplated the smaller setup myself. I seldom hike for more than a day. For longer trips i bike, or trike really, which brings other issues.

You've convinced me to try to find a place where I can try this system.

One question for you - do you use the camera pockets and if so are they worth it or are the standard pockets just as good for camera gear?