Pack mule?

[KennyG]

I have a shoot coming up this weekend with a race team that have asked me to do some on and off track shots for them. So, as is my way, the weekend just past I went through all the gear I would need and checked it all out.

For this shoot I will need virtually everything listed in my sig except for the 500L. I have never found a way of carrying the 300L 2.8IS along with everything else and feel comfortable and balanced. Well, you know how it is, that rectangle of plastic in your wallet starts whispering to you and the next thing you know you are browsing the LowePro and Tamrac sites looking for yet another bag.

So, my LensTrecker 600AW turned up today in a huge box. Now this baby can take up to a 500L with hood and camera attached and ready to shoot, so it is no tiny ladies purse. In fact it is a heavy beast and looks like it was designed for an Everest ascent or a marine invasion. My 300L IS has never been so well looked after.

You have to try it all out just to see how everything fits, don't you? No problem with getting the 300L + 1D in the bag along with TC's and some odds and ends. With my Manfrotto 449 CF monopod strapped to the side I certainly knew there was quite some weight on on my back. Sling my Tamrac 614 Pro with the rest of my gear over my shoulder ready to go, and this feeling of "was I a pack mule in an earlier life" suddenly came over me. Ah but, no pain, no gain is the motto of all sports and wildlife photogs, so I'll just have to get used to it (excuse me while I lie down for a while).

My conclusions are the LensTrekker is the best solution for the person (sorry, strong person) with a big prime that needs to haul it ready-to-go. My load is better balanced, although I won't be carrying this much too often. You could batter your way into a Sherman tank with the bag empty it is so solid and well made.

Oh, and one last thing. The next person posting that his 300D with a 28-135 is too heavy to carry around I will respond to by calling them a wimp. :lol:

Anyone got a spare pack mule?

[iwatkins]

Kenny,

I'm at a loose end this weekend so I'll come and carry your bags for you if I can bring my 10D with my Sigma 50-500, which is really, really heavy by the way, so I man enough. :wink: :wink:

Edit - Do you cover British GT much ? I'm hoping to follow that this year, so may see you about.

Cheers

Ian

[IanD]

Kenny,
I am looking for a Jenny to start a breeding program with Gizto. Hopefully they will produce normal off spring. Unfortunately, they would not be ready for the weekend. However I will put your name on the wait list :lol: :mrgreen:

[mjordan]

Pack mules are so bla-zay anymore, Kenny. A couple of years ago (before I went digital) I ran into the same problem with all the dog shows I shoot at and had to come up with a better idea for hauling my stuff around. Since my wife always has her service dog with her, I slipped him a few extra cookies and talked him into doing double duty. Not only does he do a good job at carrying my stuff, but because he's a Bouvier and super smart, he can meter, set my camera, hold reflectors, bark to let me know someone is about to walk in front of my camera (if he can't herd him around us to begin with) and generally do what 3 human assistances can do. You just can't beat a Bouvier des Flandres. :lol:

http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/scan961.jpg

Mike

[cgratti]

Pack mules are so bla-zay anymore, Kenny. A couple of years ago (before I went digital) I ran into the same problem with all the dog shows I shoot at and had to come up with a better idea for hauling my stuff around. Since my wife always has her service dog with her, I slipped him a few extra cookies and talked him into doing double duty. Not only does he do a good job at carrying my stuff, but because he's a Bouvier and super smart, he can meter, set my camera, hold reflectors, bark to let me know someone is about to walk in front of my camera (if he can't herd him around us to begin with) and generally do what 3 human assistances can do. You just can't beat a Bouvier des Flandres. :lol:

http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/scan961.jpg

Mike


hahahahaha

PRICELESS!

[Cadwell]

:lol: I'll be at Silverstone for the Britcar/Britsports meeting this Saturday, Kenny, struggling under the weight of my racing survival gear so I know how you feel ;)

[KennyG]

Kenny,

I'm at a loose end this weekend so I'll come and carry your bags for you if I can bring my 10D with my Sigma 50-500, which is really, really heavy by the way, so I man enough. :wink: :wink:

Edit - Do you cover British GT much ? I'm hoping to follow that this year, so may see you about.

Cheers

Ian

Ian, I would be pleased to see you, as a load carrier or just someone to chat to and share some photography with.

This year I have a wide brief, too wide me thinks. I'll be covering nearly all the BRSCC and BARC club events at Oulton Park, Croft and Donington in the main, with a couple of raiding trips up to Knockhill (BTCC back this year) and Silverstone.

I addition I will be covering the BTCC and the F3/GT series at the same circuits plus Snetterton. I even have a couple of BARC hill climbs scheduled in. I think I might even be asked to do something for the Formual PA series as well. It looks like a busy (possibly over-booked) season.

I missed the BTCC pre-season launch at Donington this Tuesday due to other commitments, so I didn't get a chance to preview some of the new cars. Ah well, I can't be everywhere.

I had better start on my fitness routine now (or maybe tomorrow, or next week, or when I feel up to it). :wink:

Mike, we had two Yorkies (who I miss dearly after their passing) but I don't think they would have been good load carriers. Stealers of my circuit snacks maybe and certainly not camera shy.

Cadwell, looks like rain for the weekend so your pack will have to carry the waterproofs. I have an Op/Tech weatherproof camera+lens cover if you get desperate (one more item to boost the load).

After a couple of days playing around with the LensTrekker, I can genuinely say for anyone with a big prime to carry it is the business. The acid test is this weekend when it will be used in anger.

[Cadwell]

Cadwell, looks like rain for the weekend so your pack will have to carry the waterproofs. I have an Op/Tech weatherproof camera+lens cover if you get desperate (one more item to boost the load).

It sure does :cry: I already have a cover for the camera, it got tested last weekend at the SUNBAC meeting where it was by turns sunny and then biblical. :roll: All that we missed was the rain of frogs, I think :?

Ah well... if all else fails I can go and hide in one of the Woodcote grandstands ;) You just have to avoid the pigeons there.

Glad to hear the bag is working out, good luck with the shoot!

[Whaler]

Ian,

Give Jesse a message from me. . . . . . . RUN!

[TeraGram93013]

Pack mules are so bla-zay anymore, Kenny (snip) Since my wife always has her service dog with her, I slipped him a few extra cookies and talked him into doing double duty. (snip) Mike

OMG that is too funny.

I have to tell you that I have a Great Dane/Yellow Lab mix.

http://www.silcom.com/~teragram/pets/Regalkin_o.jpg

(This image was shot quite a few years ago. She is now 12 going on 13, and quite aged.)

She used to wear backpacks all the time. I even sort of started to trust her. Then, one day, she saw ducks on the water.

oy.

[Whaler]

LMAO Yup, Labs and ducks :lol: Ians' lab just sleeps though. The poor animal is weak from hunger. Ian buys all this L glass and cannot afford food so when the dog is asleep he munches on the dogs kible. Tera where's Carpenteria?

[mjordan]

Heading for the water. I can see the splash heard around the world. :lol:

We do a lot of carting with our dogs (we have 7 like the one with the pack) and one day my wife was out carting around one of the ponds in our area that has a nice wide sidewalk all around. I believe she had 2 dogs hooked up when one of them saw the ducks paddeling in the water. Our dogs are also herding dogs and they herd ducks for fun (well, fun for the dogs) and for some reason she got the idea that these ducks needed herding. So off she headed towards the pond, her and the other dog pulling the cart. Luckily my wife had the male (the one wearing the pack) attached as well and he is very well trained and finally got the cart stopped. It could have been real interesting had they actually got it off the grass and into the pond... and me not there with my camera either. :lol:

Mike