How do you pack your camera gear for backcountry
- Thread starter Pilgore
- Start date
SmartWater
Member
What bags were you looking at or seeing?
I haven’t had to pack for BC and don’t know much about how much touring gear you’d have but I know that a lot of people use and recommend f-stop bags for many mountain activities.
I imagine people that are sledding just take 2 bags if they need to. Depending what you’re taking you could maybe spread your touring gear in to other people’s bags, or your camera gear - though I cant imagine thats very ideal unless you’re skinning up to your one or few shooting spots
**This post was edited on Mar 12th 2021 at 8:34:51pm
I haven’t had to pack for BC and don’t know much about how much touring gear you’d have but I know that a lot of people use and recommend f-stop bags for many mountain activities.
I imagine people that are sledding just take 2 bags if they need to. Depending what you’re taking you could maybe spread your touring gear in to other people’s bags, or your camera gear - though I cant imagine thats very ideal unless you’re skinning up to your one or few shooting spots
**This post was edited on Mar 12th 2021 at 8:34:51pm
I have a pretty small camera insert that I took out of a thule backpack and modified with dakine camera insert pieces, and have that in my line remote pack. It's super compact, and my camera body rests outside of it but I keep it cushioned and secure. kind of a loose operation but it's lighter weight and gets the job done. fits my fish, a 24-70, and my camera with a 70-200 mounted.
i've also heard great things about f-stop, but have found over time and countless packs that taking a somewhat diy approach is the best route.
i've also heard great things about f-stop, but have found over time and countless packs that taking a somewhat diy approach is the best route.
GrapeHunter
Active member
just wear a pack on your front and back, like in elementary school
JAlps
Member
It depends on the day and the gear I need, but most days I use the Lowepro Whistler pack (35L) which is able to carry my camera, 3 lenses, all my avy gear, food, and gear for an overnighter if I need. I would only look into pelican style cases if you are going to put it on the back of a sled honestly. When I'm going run and gun in the resort I put a chest harness inside of my backpack and leave it at the bottom.
GANDALF
Active member
I use Shimoda bags. Pretty much designed for it. I run the Action X30 and I can hold everything I need. Its a roll top and i'll never go back to anything else. Im not packing a huge setup or going too far. I have a larger bag for that. But i can comfortably fit (with some extra room)
GH5 w/smallrig cage
2 lenses
Ninja V + accessories
batteries
sachtler tripod
videomic ntg
skins
food/water
shovel/probe (wearing beacon)
extra layers
libations
GH5 w/smallrig cage
2 lenses
Ninja V + accessories
batteries
sachtler tripod
videomic ntg
skins
food/water
shovel/probe (wearing beacon)
extra layers
libations
I wanted a pack that allowed me to have an airbag in it, so I went with the Dakine Poacher RAS. Its a back loader, so it was very easy to install a camera insert. If I remove the airbag and canister for more space, I have just enough room for a 28-70, a 70-210, and a smaller prime of some sort (usually my 85 or 50) as well as all the ancillary things I need for a backcountry daytrip - Avy gear, a small first aid kit, goggles, shell, warmer gloves, extra layer, water, and a snack.
If I am using the airbag, it requires the air canister which takes the space where my 70-210 goes, so I usually have to go a little more compact. In which case, I will either use a smaller camera insert from an Fstop shoulder bag I own, and store the camera internally, or I use a lowepro camera holster and just strap that to the opposite side of the pack from the air canister and carry it externally. Obviously in this case I dont have all the space for the aformentioned lenses, so sometimes, if the weather isnt too gnarly, Ill bring a much lighter, and cheaper 28-105 f3.5 zoom I own. It weighs like 450g - literally half as much as my weather sealed, all-metal pro-build 28-70 f2.8, and it is rinky dinky plastic but it only cost me 80 bucks.
If I am using the airbag, it requires the air canister which takes the space where my 70-210 goes, so I usually have to go a little more compact. In which case, I will either use a smaller camera insert from an Fstop shoulder bag I own, and store the camera internally, or I use a lowepro camera holster and just strap that to the opposite side of the pack from the air canister and carry it externally. Obviously in this case I dont have all the space for the aformentioned lenses, so sometimes, if the weather isnt too gnarly, Ill bring a much lighter, and cheaper 28-105 f3.5 zoom I own. It weighs like 450g - literally half as much as my weather sealed, all-metal pro-build 28-70 f2.8, and it is rinky dinky plastic but it only cost me 80 bucks.
I've used a Dakine Sequence pack for the past 6+ years now, and it's held up great so far. I've used it in the backcountry (summer & winter), at park shoots, and every single time I've flown, and beyond one broken buckle it has worked perfectly for my needs. I don't think they make it any more, but this proves the point that you don't necessarily need an super expensive/tech backpack to haul your gear. I think I picked mine up on sale for around $80, which in the realm of camera backpacks is quite cheap. I can fit 1-2 DSLR sized bodies in there (or a single larger camera like the BMPCC) and still have room for lenses, accessories, and backcountry gear (or a laptop if you're traveling).
14280880:S.C said:
Oh yea! I have a sequence as well. My 4x5 camera lives in it right now, and Ive used it on a couple of spring missions where the goal was less to ski and more to get so some cool spot 4 miles in that was inaccessible until the weather warmed up.
I got mine for about 60$ used on some used gear website years ago. Id rate it.
14280041:DingoSean said:
Just upgraded the insert to one that fits way better better - a little narrower and taller, and I am beyond stoked to take this out now. Its nice enough that I might just use it for my travel photography bag and use the avy compartment for my laptop.
Along with the full airbag kit and canister, it Fits a FF DSLR with my 28-70 f2.8 with room to spare for something longer, my 70-210 f4, my 20-35 f2.8, my 50 f1.8 (or my 85 f1.8 if I would rather) and my Nikon Film SLR with 35 f2 attached. Still have enough room for a short day trip - Shell, gloves and goggles, as well as water and food in the Avy Gear compartment. Could even strap the tripod to the side if my goal is mostly to hike up to a spot for landscape photography and ski back down.
For bigger missions where I don't need this much, I will just utilize the space where the film camera and extra lenses are for backcountry gear. Or revert to a much smaller insert and go with just a body and a zoom lens.
SkiPigeon123
Member
I have a DVX100B what is a good bag that it will not move around in and also keep it safe it also needs to have waist and chest strap or bag I can put a camera bag inside that will do the same thing.
SkiPigeon123
Member
14301533:DingoSean said:
what insert is this
14326817:SkiPigeon123 said:
honestly its just a cheap neewer insert but the way it fits in this bag is as if it was made for it, and the quality is acceptable.
SkiPigeon123
Member
14327115:DingoSean said:
Do you think a DVX could fit in there?
14327125:SkiPigeon123 said:
I'm not sure actually, but with this kind of pack, Im sure you could find something that could fit a DVX.
SkiPigeon123
Member
14327307:DingoSean said:
Alright thanks a lot of the inserts and stuff I’ve been finding just aren’t deep enough
14327326:SkiPigeon123 said:
Honestly for something like that, You might want to go with an Fstop bag for the depth alone... I dont really require it for what Im doing, as I only need it to be as deep as a DSLR without a grip..
SkiPigeon123
Member
That would be the easiest solution but I want to find something like it that doesn’t cost 300 bucks
SkiPigeon123
Member
14327412:DingoSean said:
And what pack is it btw?
14328165:SkiPigeon123 said:
Fstop makes tons of packs. check out their website.
14329059:animator said:
How big is your drone?
I fit a DJI mini 2 with my camera and an extra lens no problem in the setup I posted above. .
SkiPigeon123
Member
14329160:DingoSean said:
no what dakine bag do you have?
14329246:SkiPigeon123 said:
Poacher R.A.S. 26L
There is also a 36L and a 46L if Im not mistaken - if you needed something longer for carrying more.
swisssteeze
Member
I have been using a Tenba Byob 9 inside of my hiking backpack for three years now. It fits nicely in the backpacks bottom compartement. Super handy when you want to drop your heavy backpack and walk around with just the tripod and that small bag. Fits a d850+50mm and a 70-200mm.
SkiPigeon123
Member
14329310:DingoSean said:
Insert you have dose work with a DVX100B it’s a little snug but it works good
14338350:SkiPigeon123 said:
There you go man.
84west
Member
Finally gave in and got an f-stop backpack after years of wanting one but not being able to justify the cost. So far I am a fan. It actually supports weight unlike most other camera packs I have used and nicely fits everything I need for day to day work. I would probably size down on the ICU for skiing specific stuff, especially for anyone who doesn’t have long glass to carry around. (I can fit my 300 attached to a body in the icu but definitely not a two body kit the 300, and everything else I need for work) Biggest plus for me is that the icu is actually deep enough for a full sized pro body which is crucial.
Here’s how I’m packing it for day to day photo work with 2 bodies, a 24-70, 70-200, 50 1.4, 2 speed lights and a transmitter, my hard drive, card readers/laptop/phone/Ethernet cables and adapters. I carry the 300 in the space above the icu which is not ideal for protecting the lens, but when I bring it somewhere I am probably using it at least 75 percent of the time and carrying it the other 25. Batteries and chargers fit in the top pocket.
Here’s how I’m packing it for day to day photo work with 2 bodies, a 24-70, 70-200, 50 1.4, 2 speed lights and a transmitter, my hard drive, card readers/laptop/phone/Ethernet cables and adapters. I carry the 300 in the space above the icu which is not ideal for protecting the lens, but when I bring it somewhere I am probably using it at least 75 percent of the time and carrying it the other 25. Batteries and chargers fit in the top pocket.