Anybody backpack with a DSLR before?

JohnnyQuid

JohnnyQuid

Member
This coming fall/winter/spring I'm going to be backpacking for around 8-9 months. Checking out a lot of really cool places I've always wanted to see since I was just a kid. Since I'm going to be gone so long I'm going to try to pack as light as possible.

When I'm gone I'm going to be building a newer, better portfolio than what I've got right now, and also I'm going to start up a travel/photo blog for my down time on the trip. Hoping all that will help me into the school I want.

Wondering if anyone has experience traveling with a DSLR? I've got a D7000 and as much as I know it would be worth it to bring, I'm wondering if it would also be a hassle. I was thinking if I brought it, I'd bring just one lens, like my 18-105mm, so it would take up as little room as possible. But I've never brought the camera into another country.

I've been thinking a lot about this, and I'm hoping some one has had experience with it. I was even thinking of buying a compact digi camera to use on the trip instead. A smaller camera that I wouldn't be as sketched out bringing around with me everywhere I go. Something like the NEX-3. On top of this ill probably have my macbook in the pack too, to work on the blog/editing.

Anyone have any suggestions?
 
If you are only bringing one lens then it will not take up much space. I was on a trip for 10 days with mine and it was fine. Obviously 8-9 months is completely different.

Are you concerned about theft?
 
That's part of it. My Nikon would probably be the only thing I'm bringing with me that isn't in my pack at all times during the day. I really just don't have enough experience traveling with it. But for my portfolio's sake, it'd be the way to go, I'm sure
 
it may be hard though, because he would prbly want a lens somewhat similar in versatility to his nikon (pretty sure he said 18-105). Just a thing to keep in mind. Also, I'm not sure that I completely understand what the issue is, but anything much bigger than a deck of cards won't fit in your pocket, so even though the body of the nex 3 is small, you will still need to keep it in the pack. Just something that popped into my head.
 
Yeah, I see what you're saying. I guess I just tend to baby the thing. I was mainly seeing if anyone had tips for carrying a bigger, more expensive camera across continents, apposed to a smaller digi camera that you wouldn't care so much if it got broken/worn/exposed to the elements. I'll probably end up going with my Nikon. I really want my photos to stand out. Especially if its going into a portfolio, and probably blown-up over time.
 
Canon S95. Good for skiing too. Seriously, I haven't touched my D700 since I got my S95 6 months ago, it's changed how I do things.
 
So jealous, I've been wanting one for a while now!
To the OP, here's some helpful info about flying with camera gear outside of the U.S. from Erik Seo's blog:http://erikseo.com/blog/2009/everyt...elling-internationally-with-your-camera-gear/
Also, I've heard of guys taping up their cameras/lenses to block the bright white Canon logo, or other markings making it look super nice and expensive. I was in China for 2 weeks (Shanghai region and Hong Kong) this past fall and never went anywhere without my 5D mkII + 24-70 and I never got the sense that I should be worried in regards to my gear getting stolen.
 
I brought a D300 and the 28-80 f3.5-5.6 with me on a backpacking trip. I figured that if I fucked it it was essentially a 60 dollar lens cap.

here's a picture:

Nikkor-28-80G-Big.jpg


it's fully plastic, so it weighs nothing at all. It's really really sharp, really contrasty, very little distortion, almost no aberration. I would try and grab one and use it if you're thinking of bringing your 7000.

Other idea - get a MF pancake 50. It'll be super sharp, fast and won't stick out off your camera. Having to shoot with a single focal length will force you to be creative within limitation, which is always kinda fun.
 
If you have insurance, you can add your DSLR to it like a month or so before you go, then cancel the coverage when you return home. It is pretty inexpensive, like 8-10 dollars a month or some. Just an idea. Have fun on your trip.
 
Thanks for the good responses everyone! Looks like I got some research ahead of me, thank you all for putting me in the right direction. +K
 
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