Who carries several bodies & what backpack do you use? Configuration tips!

Who else may be carrying two or more bodies in a backpack, do you have any tips for configuring to squeeze more in?

I use a Lowepro Vertex 300 aw somewhat similar to the Lowepro Pro Runner BP 450 AW II. Presently, I fit two full frame bodies with lenses mounted, plus several other lenses. I don't use battery grips anymore, and my goal by next spring is 3 or 4 full frame bodies with lenses mounted.

Canon 5DS w/70-200mm 2.8 -- Canon EOS R w/ 50mm 1.2 -- next RF body released w/ 24mm 1.2 -- possible extra DSLR w/ 85mm

Four full frame with lenses attached should leave room for one extra lens in the bag. I use an extra bag for my Flashpoint 360s, several speedlites, batteries, filters, gels, etc..

For me, the greatest gain was removing grips.

Is this for getting to/from locations, or during shoots? Both?

I used to have a giant backpack camera bag (Lowepro) that swallowed everything I needed, but was frankly too heavy for a decrepit photog to lug around.

Nowadays, I haul eveything to the venue in the car, then strap two bodies on using a Black Rapid dual harness. I usually start off with the 5D3 with 24-105, plus the 7D2 with 70-200 attached. I then don a small, lightweight backpack with the 16-35 and (sometimes) the 100-400 as well, plus flash, batteries, etc.

I find this spreads the weight around a bit better, plus I'm not swapping lenses all that often, which minimises the pain and gymnastics required to get the darn backpack off, then on again.

When my arthritis, fibromyalgia and dicky ticker are conspiring against me, I leave the backpack in the car and stuff a couple of batteries doon me troosers, then live with the limitation of only two lenses.

Spencerphoto wrote in post #18902108
Is this for getting to/from locations, or during shoots? Both?

Just interested in what other photographers choose, in general. I recently got a collapsing wagon to roll gear, but 90% of the time I shoot, I have one main backpack that holds most bodies and lenses. If I'm in the forest, I walk with it. Likewise at parks. If I'm at a venue, I put the pack in a wagon with more stuff.

Wonder if the bag you mentioned was the Lowepro Vertex 300 aw I read about this week, probably discontinued now. It would be too much for me, as my 200 aw can be hefty to lift as it is. That's another reason I removed grips, and why I will probably skip getting a Sigma 105mm ..

Otherwise, I enjoy learning how others select their gear and pack their gear.

2 X-T bodies in a F-stop Guru. Lenses depends on what I'm out for. Generel purpose could be 9mm Laowa, 16 or 18mm, 35mm and 55-200mm or 80mm macro, all in a small pro ICU. Changing to my 40'er, the medium slope ICU I can also take my 100-400mm

mdvaden wrote in post #18902640
...

Wonder if the bag you mentioned was the Lowepro Vertex 300 aw I read about this week, probably discontinued now. It would be too much for me, as my 200 aw can be hefty to lift as it is ...

That's the one. I once spent a week in bed with a buggered back after taking a shortcut at a racetrack and trying to climb over a gate with that monster strapped on.

mdvaden wrote in post #18902096
Who else may be carrying two or more bodies in a backpack, do you have any tips for configuring to squeeze more in?

I use a Lowepro Vertex 300 aw somewhat similar to the Lowepro Pro Runner BP 450 AW II. Presently, I fit two full frame bodies with lenses mounted, plus several other lenses. I don't use battery grips anymore, and my goal by next spring is 3 or 4 full frame bodies with lenses mounted.

Canon 5DS w/70-200mm 2.8 -- Canon EOS R w/ 50mm 1.2 -- next RF body released w/ 24mm 1.2 -- possible extra DSLR w/ 85mm

Four full frame with lenses attached should leave room for one extra lens in the bag. I use an extra bag for my Flashpoint 360s, several speedlites, batteries, filters, gels, etc..

For me, the greatest gain was removing grips.

MDVaden.
You are right up my alley.
Just upgraded my bags for different purposes.
Both of my 5D Mark III’s are Gripped not only for better posture shooting in portrait mode, up and down, or extended battery life. It has to do with a body sitting in the palm of my right hand causing pain. It hits that one trigger point and my hand will go numb in no time. Plus it also adds a counterweight for longer heavier lenses. That is just me.
My go to Travel Bag was my ThinkTank Streetwalker Hard Drive. This could swallow up both Gripped Mark III’s. One with a 70-200 attached, f/2.8 L IS or f/4 L IS take your pick. Second Gripped body unattached.
Also the 16-35 f/4 L IS, 24-70 f/4 L IS and the 24 TS-E Tilt/Shift. 2 Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlites with two ST-E3 RT Transmitters. 4 Additional LP-E6 Batteries, AA Eneloop’s CF/SD Card Holders and other little stuff. This bag stays in the hotel and I take what I need to carry all day in my now discontinued ThinkTank Retrospective 40.
The 40 can carry my f/4 Greek Trilogy, the 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200 along with two bodies. One attached, the other just body in one of two front pockets, a room for a flash and transmitter. Heavy as hell, but will hold if absolutely necessary.
I did just upgrade my old Trusty Streetwalker HD to the new Mindshift Gear Backlight 36 L as my go to backpack. Will carry the same load with a very surprising feature. The waist straps do allow most of the weight distributed on your hips, not shoulders. Very comfortable.
As I have been doing more and more location work indoors, I finally bit the bullet on a rolling bag. As I needed to lug around equipment in casinos and hotels, why did I wait so long. Now 56, I should have bought one years ago. Bought the ThinkTank Airport Security. (22x14x9) This US Domestic Carry on will eat up all of my gear above and three more 600 RT’s and more.
Heading to Greece this week, I also decided to acquire the ThinkTank Airport International (21x14x8”) Not needing all 5 Speedlites, I can carry the same amount of gear listed above.
So my Greek Trilogy is ready to go in my Airport International. Taking advantage of the Rolling capabilities compared to backpack option of the Backlight 36 L (14x22.5x 10”) and more robust build quality in case they are adamant about gate checking. Not without a long fight of course......
CYA.

I was obsessed with backpacks last year after projects forced me to fly rather than drive. Those overhead bins and make you downsize whether you want to or not. I settled on a LowePro 450 AWII for those times when I need a full kit including a MBP. I spent too much time configuring it but will attach an image below, hope it helps.

was considering getting either the Lowepro Protactic BP 450 AW II and the Mindshift Backlight 36L....

Ah-keong wrote in post #18917245
was considering getting either the Lowepro Protactic BP 450 AW II and the Mindshift Backlight 36L....

I got the 450 and it is a fantastic bag!
I can carry both 5D with the 70-200 and 7D with 400mm mounted, plus 17-40, 50mm, filters & cables inside.
Also allows Manfrotto Element tripod and water bottle outside.
(Even has a padded slot for a laptop, but I rarely hike with one)
Highly recommended.

I rarely carry equipment in anything that doesn't have wheels.

When I do, it's a Domke F-2 bag, and I don't carry it long between set-downs.

Normally I carry my equipment in a Thinktank airport international to weddings and just strap up with dual spider holsters on a belt and a front pouch for a flash or a lens.

When not shooting weddings, I use a Thinktank streetwalker pro and it fits two gripped 5D3s, 24-70, 16-35, 70-200 and two flashes with a flash trigger.

Both Thinktank products can go carryon with me on a plane.

jimmy_racoon wrote in post #18945876
I got the 450 and it is a fantastic bag!
I can carry both 5D with the 70-200 and 7D with 400mm mounted, plus 17-40, 50mm, filters & cables inside.
Also allows Manfrotto Element tripod and water bottle outside.
(Even has a padded slot for a laptop, but I rarely hike with one)
Highly recommended.

Another vote for the 450.

Similar configuration as above. 5D3+24-70 and 7D2+100-400. Occasionally I'll include a fast prime, speedlites or wedge an XT3 into the remaining space.

It's easy to overload which can put stress on your shoulders and back if not adjusted properly. I'm good for a couple of hours before it becomes noticeable. By the end of a day up and down a mountainside my body hates me.

Almost always two bodies, I never use a back pack, just a Thinktank retrospective messenger bag. In the field it's a dual harness rig from Optech. If I need lots of stuff, I use a vest.

jimmy_racoon wrote in post #18945876
I got the 450 and it is a fantastic bag!
I can carry both 5D with the 70-200 and 7D with 400mm mounted, plus 17-40, 50mm, filters & cables inside.
Also allows Manfrotto Element tripod and water bottle outside.
(Even has a padded slot for a laptop, but I rarely hike with one)
Highly recommended.

Thanks for the recommendation. May I ask if the bag can be carry on instead of check-in for flight at regional airports?

Ah-keong wrote in post #18949552
Thanks for the recommendation. May I ask if the bag can be carry on instead of check-in for flight at regional airports?

yes!
I have traveled with in on multiple airlines without issue
It won't fit under the seat, but has plenty of room for overhead bins
Good luck & safe travels!