Camera Backpack for Hiking

syzygy.sounds wrote:
On Feb 7, 4:37 am, Charlie Choc
wrote:

FWIW, I have a couple of LowePro bags (Rover AW II, and Photo
Trekker AW II), and they are OK as packs and OK as camera bags,
but not great at either. That's why I opted for the North Face for
long hikes since it is much more comfortable to carry. Pretty much
any bag large enough for day hiking will need to be taken off to
access camera and lenses, anyway. LowePro has quite a line of
bags, though, so you may be able to find one that is comfortable
enough.

Maybe it's hard to describe, but why do you find the Solaris 40 more
comfortable? (If it's just an answer of the sort "it's just feels
better on my back," then fair enough.) One of my concerns is that
I'll see some wildlife and want to switch to a telephoto lense.
Currently, my lenses are in a pile (protected with cases) in my
backpack and it takes a bit of time scrambling through them. On the
surface, the compartments/partitions I see in some the LowePro bags
looks appealing from that standpoint. However, if it doesn't feel
right, then it's probably not a great idea for a series of 20 mile
hikes.

Domke made (or at least sold) this "Outpack" for a short while.
http://www.fototime.com/inv/21DA7B14175D55D

It is a marvel that works just as described in its literature. I guess
it wasn't a big hit, since it's now only available after a
considerable search, if at all. I got it from a New York firm who have
apparently closed or assumed another identity. The list price was $350
or so; the "outlet" Outpack price was like $150.

I like it for its various ways of accessing the storage areas without
diving through several layers of paraphernalia, and for its
adjustability as an appliance to load equipment on an erect pack
animal.

I've only done a few one- or two-hour walks as practice and
test-and-tune episodes, but it started comfortable and got better from
there.

If you are not alone, you can impose on your partner and never have to
doff it to change equipment.

--
Frank ess

In article
,
"syzygy.sounds" wrote:

On Feb 5, 4:40 am, Shawn Hirn wrote:
Where you you live? I am fortunate enough to live within a reasonable
driving distance of B&H Camera and Video in NYC, so when I was shopping
for abackpackstyle camera bag, that's where I went. I have a Lowepro
bag that serves me well. I have worn it all day walking around NYC and
not had any problems. Selecting a camera bag is a personal decision
though, especially one that you wear so google for camera stores in your
area and see what you can find there.

You're right about it being a particularly personal decision. I live
in Los Angeles, which has a number of good camera shops with large
selections (most notably, Samy's). I've ordered most of my equipment
through B&H, though I probably need to "try out" any bag or backpack
that I plan to carry for 10 hours at a time. Do you find that your
can access lenses out of your Lowepro fairly quickly?

I have to take my backpack off before I can get anything out of it, but
that's fine with me. There are several types of camera backpacks that
are designed so you can quickly access lenses through a side flap
without taking the backpack off.