Best way to carry DSLR while backpacking?

[Tim Kostka]

I'm looking for a way to carry my DSLR + lens (~4 lbs total) in front of me while backpacking. I'm sure it would be a lot more comfortable tucked away in my pack, but I'll miss too many pictures that way.

Does anyone have experience with this? I'm thinking a few straps connected to the backpack shoulder straps may work best. I'll have one hand free so I can keep it from moving around too much.

Thanks.

[Tawcan]

Oops double post.

[Tawcan]

My way is probably not the best method but it works for me.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3702296135_3459c77fc2_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3605753224_67dfa15f36_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3605596028_8eb941c9b9_b.jpg

Basically have 2 biners on my camera bag and clip them to my backpack. One clipped to the shoulder strap the other clipped to the waist gear loop. This way the bag doesn't slide at all when I move.

[B-ham Gary]

Tawcan -- exactly what I do. Works perfectly!

I do have to keep the other lenses in my pack, but most of the time the 17-40 is what I want for on-the-go shots.

I use an old LowePro Top Load Zoom 2 (I think it's still made) that has a flip up top that opens away from my body. Couldn't be easier.

Cheers,

Gary

[Tim Kostka]

Thanks guys! And thanks for the pictures Tawcan, very helpful.

I'm still not sure if I want to carry around a whole bag for it. I think I'd rather just have it free.

Any idea how much the LowePro Top Load type bags weigh? I saw one site listed it for 1.9 lbs, which is a bit much.

[DANATTHEROCK]

http://www.adorama.com/TTDHH.html#


http://www.adorama.com/Reviews/pwr/product-reviews/Cases/General-Accessories/Straps-Slings/Trekking/p/CZTSS-Trekking-Safari-Strap-Pressure-Free-Easy-Access-Neck-Strap-for-a-Heavy-DSLR-or-Pair-of-Binoculars.html

[katodog]

Cotton Carrier (http://www.cottoncarrier.com/)


It is designed for the purpose of carrying one or two body/lens combos at the same time, while engaged in activities like climbing, biking, skiing, etc.. I own one and it is very secure, and can hold a lot of weight. I carry a gripped body/Sigma 150-500mm OS and a gripped body/Canon 28-300mm L on mine with no problems. I can barely feel the weight of the gear.


Can't hurt to check into it. It's definitely worth the money.

[joove]

I ordered one of http://www.clikelite.com/shop/medium-slr-chestpack/ from amazon. I want to add it to my big gregory pack. I like that it comes with the straps and clips nicely arranged so all I need to do is to have strap ends stitched to my pack's shoulder straps.

While I think the arrangement of http://www.clikelite.com/shop/large-chest-pack/ is better, the only times I carry stuff on my chest if if I have a big bag on my back and in which case I don't want anything between the bag and my back. I don't even want to think about blisters on my back.

So far I have settled on the Kata torso bags for normal use and hopefully this will be the single lens setup when hiking. Will see how it goes once the bag comes in.

[la canon amateur]

Lowepro makes several toploaders that wil accomadate different camera / lens combos. While skiing I often use my Toploader 75 AW with either a 40d and 100-400 or 70-200 and a 17-40 or 24-105.

I also use it to carry my video camera on the slopes as well. Of course the new ones are getting small enought to carry in one of the inside chest pockets of a ski jacket.

There are copanies with similar products as well Tamron, Think Tank, etc.

Regards, Hall

[firedogg]

The Think Tank Digital Holster works well, get the digital Holster 50 for larger lenses like the 70-200. I've not tried one, but a 100-400 should fit with the pouch extended.

The Cotton Carrier is a good idea, but for heavier lenses it puts too much of the lens weight on the camera mount. They didn't show it configured mounted to the tripod collar which could be done.

[joove]

I am curious if anyone has tried the thinktank holsters while wearing a loaded backpack. The last time I was in Kauai, the hikes were several hours long (longest was an 8 hour round trip) and muddy slopes and all. Wondering if the backpacks grind the straps into the back at all ?

[rang]

The Think Tank Digital Holster works well, get the digital Holster 50 for larger lenses like the 70-200. I've not tried one, but a 100-400 should fit with the pouch extended.

The Cotton Carrier is a good idea, but for heavier lenses it puts too much of the lens weight on the camera mount. They didn't show it configured mounted to the tripod collar which could be done.

I have the TTDH50 and a couple of the TTDH40.
I found the DH50 is much narrower in the lens portion and will fit the Canon 70-200 f/4's just fine but the barrel of the 70-200 f/2.8's are a tight fit...with the lens hood...it's real tight.
The TTDH40 however is a really good fit for gripped XXD body or non-gripped XXD body but more importantly it will extend and the lens portion is much bigger diameter wise. So you can drop a gripped XXD body + 70-200 f/2.8 with lens hood reversed into it just fine.

-rang

[rang]

I have the TTDH50 and a couple of the TTDH40.
I found the DH50 is much narrower in the lens portion and will fit the Canon 70-200 f/4's just fine but the barrel of the 70-200 f/2.8's are a tight fit...with the lens hood...it's real tight.
The TTDH40 however is a really good fit for gripped XXD body or non-gripped XXD body but more importantly it will extend and the lens portion is much bigger diameter wise. So you can drop a gripped XXD body + 70-200 f/2.8 with lens hood reversed into it just fine.

-rang

Forgot to add the TTDH40 fits the 100-400 just fine as well.

[Tim Kostka]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Who knew an online forum could be so helpful? :)

For now, I've just attached the camera strap to my external frame backpack in 2 spots so it hangs near my chest. Obviously I'll have to have one hand on it most of the time. I'm going out this weekend and I'll see how it works. My only real requirement is that the camera has to be very easily accessible. I've hiked long enough to know that sometimes 5 seconds is all you get to turn on, set up and take the shot, at least for wildlife.

My current setup has been a lightweight Feisol tripod with a Vixia camcorder and microphone and I just carry it in my right hand all the time. It might sound uncomfortable but it's not too bad even on multiple day trips. I also carry a P&S in my pocket, but after 3 or so years and thousands of pictures I wanted the versatility of different lenses. For now, that's just the 18-135mm kit lens and the much heavier Sigma 50-500mm.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_clQnKpeO5Q0/SoEceS1Fo7I/AAAAAAAAHWI/fJ3E7AqLzYA/s144/IMG_2831.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/kostka/VogelsangYosemiteNP#5368603537578501042)

[DANATTHEROCK]

Check this out..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccsWPmsHkxc&feature=pyv&ad=3257439124&kw=canon%20eos

[jeremywhays]

I know this thread is a bit old, but this past summer in Alaska I carried mine using a Syncpack Frontpack: http://www.thesyncpack.com/

There were four of us who had them and only one guy could get his adjusted right. If you don't have a belly it would seem to work great, but in my case I have a belly so it would dig into me. I liked how it was easily accessible and I could fit my 70-200 2.8 in the side pocket, I even carried a gun in with the camera in case we ran into grizzly's. It was also nice that it didn't physically touch your chest but kept everything off. But like I said, it was a problem for me having a belly, it would push the hip belt on my pack down and then the connectors would dig into my upper thighs.

The other downside, when it rained I put it on top of my pack and covered with a packcover...DSLR+70-200+gun+water = 12lbs. You really really notice that your pack got a lot heavier all of the sudden when you threw it on top.

I might check out a couple of other solutions in this thread but for you thin guys you might like the syncpack.

[themadman]

Cotton Carrier?

[joove]

^^^ yeah, definitely an option to consider.

Not sure if the OP has decided on something since its been like 5 months since he posted this thread.

I now use the cotton carrier regularly on hikes and am very happy. I remember carrying stuff in Hawaii while hiking in Kauai and camera in the backpack == camera that stays in the backpack. After a few miles, unless you are supremely fit, you start evaluating every scene..

Is it worth it? Will I see it again? Is the ground too muddy ? Do I really need to drop my pack and get the camera out ? I mean, I am here to enjoy the scenes not to capture everything, right ?

Ultimately, the camera rarely comes out. I finally got it out, put it around my neck and jammed it lens down into my raincoats zipper to kinda protect it from the rain etc. But I had to keep one hand free to prevent it from freeing itself and swinging around and could not climb up or down (Kauai hikes can get real muddy as it rains all the time) and it was a total pain.

With the Cotton carrier now, I lose no opportunities and with the camera set up correctly, you can do static, action, bracket instantly and no trying to keep the camera from swinging when you retie your laces and all that. You just need a small pack cover to keep the camera+lens covered when on the CR. Really super way of doing things.

[jcothron]

Best method I've found are the attachment straps Optech makes for attaching a camera to the backpack straps themselves. Works very nicely for me.