Declaration of discontent with camera packs in general

Ok- I've now tested out every bag I can easily get my hands on in Australia that will hold 2 bodies and 4-5 lenses, and they are ALL CRAP! Lowepro, Tamrac, any other ones I've played with- crap crap. Either straps are insufficiently padded, or the body isn't rigid enough, or the material is toothin, or something is wrong with them. ARGH! In none of them would I trust $10,000 worth of gear in on a rock-hopping adventure in the middle of a Tasmanian Rainforest Stream.

SO- tonight I have come up with a solution!

A Lowepro Omni Pro Attache Case:

http://www.popflash.co​m …p=product&id=54​3&parent=8

Velcro'd into a proper framed hiking pack. Then, I can carry my gear with me on long hikes in an expedition-sized bag, or for a day in a day-and-a-half bag.

Here's a day bag i'm contemplating:

http://www.llbean.com …thod=pp&feat=91​99-tn&np=Y

And how convenient for the back of the car?

Whattya think?

I should say, it will carry a 5D, a 30D, a 24-105, a 17-40, a 100-400, a 50/1.8, and other random stuff.

Have you taken a look at the Lowepro Dryzone Rover...it should carry all of your stuff without any problem, and it also has an upper compartment for a water bladder and other personal items/food/ first aid kit, etc. It also weighs about half that of the LL Bean rig.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Rover_Backpack_​Gray_.html

http://products.lowepr​o.com …DryZone-Rover,1936,18.htm

Yes Argyle- looked at one yesterday. From a dynamic standpoint, it just didn't do it for me. Iguess I'm just used to proper hiking packs, and therefore unforgiving. I'vegot a long trunk and broad chest, and standardized non-adjustable packs just don't cut it for me.

Hi: I do not know if you can get Mountainsmith products in OZ, but here is a review of a Mountainsmith Parallax that will carry your equipment list.

https://photography-on-the.net …8&highlight=mou​ntainsmith

I have and use one of these bags with two bodies, four lens, two flashes and lots of other bits (be careful not to overfill the bag). Mountainsmith makes very high quality climbing and backpacking gear, so it's designed to be carried first. The bag also opens from the inside ( which I like, but you may not) this forces you to take the pack off to get to the equipment (minor pain) and avoids dumping expensive equipment when you forget to close the pack up when putting it on (major plus in my opinion).

Of course, your mileage may vary.

Regards
Rick

I'll have a look at them Rick- I can order them in from the US

Take a look at this pack and the camera equipment case you can get for it...they are great packs, far better then any camera accessory manufactures product. Just another option depending on how much equipment you are wanting to pack. The scabbard perfectly holds a tripod and there are a number of pockets on the pack for gear/accessories. I currently have the J104 model.

Pack:
http://eberlestock.com …_Code=E&Product​_Code=J107

Camera case:
http://eberlestock.com …_Code=E&Product​_Code=J2PD

that's pretty intriguing Harv- more of what I was looking for!

It is a true backpack not one of the "photographer backpacks" that are really not made for any type of backcountry use/extended type of use.

Let me know if you go this route or if you find something else, I would be interested in knowing.

Alright, I just ordered a Mountainsmith Odyssey. We'll see how that goes....

I am certainly not a backpack guru...

I don't do long hikes with a backpack and don't even like carrying a backpack when I am shooting. If I am flying somewhere, I will carry and store my equipment in a backpack. When I am shooting, having the equipment in a backpack is too unhandy for me and I tend to miss photographic opportunities either because they are fleeting such as wildlife or because I am just too darned lazy to get the gear out of the backpack.

That said, have you investigated the Lowepro Vertex 200 or 200 backpacks? They are somewhat different from standard backpacks since they are rectangular in shape rather than becoming narrow towards the top. This allows more room for equipment.

According to some reviews, the strap system of the Vertex model is very ergonomic and the pack carries well.

http://www.amazon.com …ing=UTF8&showVi​ewpoints=1

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rtex_300_AW_Bac​kpack.html

Just a suggestion mate. Like I said... I am no backpack guru!