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What is a good ideal think tank photo bag for wildlife photography?


marc_felber1

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<p>Alas, you've got to get more specific about what you mean by "lots" and "heavy" ... and, are you looking for a backpack, or a rolling case, or a waist rig/combo...? What sort of configuration suits? But the main thing is getting a better sense of whether we're talking about two bodies and two big lenses, or a body and a handful of primes, or ... well, you get the idea.</p>
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<p>Most TT backpacks and rollers are for transporting the gear from point A to point B. Only their belt/modular system, UD, Shape Shifter and Street Walker backpacks are meant to be used while shooting. Oh, and then there is the Glass Taxi (I have just ordered one after using my friend's GT on a recent trip) but that bag takes only one long lens or just a few shorter lenses in a "shoot out of" configuration. In my experience the TT backpacks are awesome to carry your gear from the rental car to the gate but not for much else (nor they are meant to be) and certainly not for any hiking or even prolonged walking. My Airport Acceleration backpack weights a ton (well, 45 lbs) in my typical configuration (2x1D series bodies, 70-200/2.8, 24-105/4 or 24-70/2.8, 24 TS, 35 or 24 L, 2x580 flash, cables, chargers, batteries, filters, cleaning supplies and assorted crap, attached tripod and/or monopd, etc.) so much in fact that even walking from gate 5 to gate 99 in Atlanta makes me wish I'd bought a roller instead (but a roller with the same capacity won't fit into the overahed on smaller planes...) And how are you going to avoid the weight issue? Even Glass Taxi with the 400/2.8 IS L checks in at 15 lbs...<br>

I have a multi-bag solution: TT backpack to transport the gear, a leather bag with padded inserts to shout out of in civilization and a regular hiking backpack (Osprey in my case) with padded inserts and soft cases for longer hikes/treks. You may also check out the Kiboko backpack; some people like it better than anything else both for shooting out of and transporting the gear but to me it gets as uncomfortable after a short hike as TT or any other photo backpack (weight distribution sucks, unlike with a "real" backpack.)</p>

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<p>I'm a big fan of the Think Tank Photo Streetwalker HardDrive. I've flown with it without issue. (Even on the smaller regional jets.) I did a full on review and rundown of it <a href="http://www.photographybay.com/2009/03/16/think-tank-photo-streetwalker-harddrive-review/">here</a> .</p>

<p>I've also been using the Rotation360 and Airport Addicted v 2.0. Both of which are awesome bags, though I have yet to fly with either of them. I can easily drop 40lbs in the Airport Addicted though.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>I've got a closet full of "ideal bags"....</p>

<p>Photography is like marriage. It's all about compromises.</p>

<p>;~))</p>

<p>If it was me, I would better define my requirements before I spent money on a bag.</p>

<p>For example (just off the top of my head):</p>

<p>- What are you going put in this bag?</p>

<p>- How much does your kit weigh - altogether (not counting the bag you want to buy - which could add several pounds to the all-up weight)? This is Very Important to bag selection since weight should be a top criterion in selecting an appropriate carry system (I'm talkin back-pack harness and pack frame type).</p>

<p>- Do you need to factor-in other required hiking items (like food, water, shelter, emergency and navigation kit and weather clothing)? Even if you're just day-hiking you'll need water...water is heavy and you need to carry it somehow.</p>

<p>- Airlines have size as well as weight constraints...would this be a carry-on or checked bag?</p>

<p>- Since "wildlife" is often...er...um...wild -</p>

<p>- How far will you hike?</p>

<p>- What sort of terrain?</p>

<p>- Do you need a waterproof bag or just a bag with a rain cover?</p>

<p>- Do you carry a tri-pod?</p>

<p>- Do you really need all that kit every time you venture out?</p>

<p>This is not a complete list of considerations...and...I'm not trying to discourage you. It just seemed to me that your original post lacked a lot of information.</p>

<p>Cheers! Jay</p>

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<p>Marc,<br>

I do a far amount of hiking with my gear. I usually have 2 bodies 3-4 lenses a tripod, a litre or two of water and some safety gear as I'm hiking alone. I use an older version of the Lowepro super trekker. The packs are rubbed and well padded. I found their customer service to be excellent. My pack is heavy and for me there's no way around it but I've tried a few other backpacks and just couldn't organize my gear as well as I can with this setup. Comfort is reasonable for that amount of weight. Plus I like the fact that I can add smaller bags to it and find it very modular. I haven't used think tank before but I'm just sharing what I use. Good luck...<br>

Dan</p>

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<p>Marc,<br>

I do a far amount of hiking with my gear. I usually have 2 bodies 3-4 lenses a tripod, a litre or two of water and some safety gear as I'm hiking alone. I use an older version of the Lowepro super trekker. The packs are rugged and well padded. I found their customer service to be excellent. My pack is heavy and for me there's no way around it but I've tried a few other backpacks and just couldn't organize my gear as well as I can with this setup. Comfort is reasonable for that amount of weight. Plus I like the fact that I can add smaller bags to it and find it very modular. I haven't used think tank before but I'm just sharing what I use. Good luck...<br>

Dan</p>

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<p>Marc,<br />I do a far amount of hiking with my gear. I usually have 2 bodies 3-4 lenses a tripod, a litre or two of water and some safety gear as I'm hiking alone. I use an older version of the Lowepro super trekker. The packs are rugged and well padded. I found their customer service to be excellent. My pack is heavy and for me there's no way around it but I've tried a few other backpacks and just couldn't organize my gear as well as I can with this setup. Comfort is reasonable for that amount of weight. Plus I like the fact that I can add smaller bags to it and find it very modular. I haven't used think tank before but I'm just sharing what I use. Good luck...<br />Dan</p>
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<p>Sorry about the triple post folks, something was hanging up and I tried to submit 3 times before I saw it posted, then of course there were 3 of them. WT I agree with you totally about packing heavy. I wish someone would make an external frame pack for photographers. Actually, now that you mention it I might try to mount my Lowepro to my Kelty external frame.....</p>
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