Backpacking the 70-200 f/2.8 IS

<p>I've got the 5dMkII, together with a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS and a Canon 24-70 f/2.8. I am also planning on buying the Canon 16-35 f/2.8 in a not-so-distant future. Now, what backpack do you guys recommend me in order to carry all this equipment in a comfortable manner?<br>

I was thinking about the Lowepro Flipside 200, what do you think?<br>

Can anyone tell me how well has that backpack worked for you (if you have it), or another alternative to it?<br>

Thanks a lot!</p><div></div>

<p>I don't have any experience with the model you mention, but since I've recently spent a good couple of hours in a shop comparing different bags/backpacks, I'd say, try them out for yourself if possible.<br>

You'll more than likely find a backpack that will accommodate your gear just fine, but are there other items you'd want to fit in like food, water, clothing etc.?<br>

In the end I decided against a backpack since none of them offered the required storage space for other equipement.</p>

<p>Define "backpack." If you mean "a backpack for real backpacking," get a real backpack (I use Osprey.) If you mean "a bag with straps for transporting photo gear and a sandwich," almost anything that doesn't offend your pocketbook or esthetics will do. (Personally I like ThinkTank products: try the "streetwalker" series.)</p>

 

<p>I'm only interested in transporting the equipment. In other words, I mean "a bag with straps for transporting photo gear" (no sandwich).<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>Erwin, I hiked around Galapagos with a similar set up. What I did was use a normal backpack for non photo gear and I used an Urban disguise 35 for my camera and lenses. At times I would put the entire UD 35 inside the regular backpack and keep my camera around my neck when shooting. The benefit was it provided double protection when needed and I was able to carry a jacket and other items in my backpack. This worked well for me.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Personally, I just (carefully, <em>a la </em>Tetris) pile it all in an old shabby knapsack from college. Rather than saying, ``Mug me! I have thousands of dollars of camera equipment with me!'' it says, ``There's some poor shlub hauling around some stupid crap.''</p>

<p>While one could make an argument for ``protection,'' I have a hard time imagining a real-world dropping or banging-around scenario that the one will protect against that the other won't. Knock either off a picnic table onto concrete and you're just begging for trouble. So don't do that, then!</p>

<p>Cheers,</p>

<p>b&</p>

<p>With all that gear, if you're moving very far, you might find this pdf of an article on managing hernias with trusses (<a href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112199155/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0">link</a> ) to be of some value, I know I have.</p>

<p>Even more seriously, though, this is not a subject where external advice can do much good.<br /> Even if there were a universal standard, individual variations in size, muscle mass, height, and so on would make it hard to identify what would work for YOU. I personally don't like backpacks at all, but put up with far too much mass in a "shoulder bag" just for the convenience of being able to each in for another lens. There are even some bags that purport to be both backpacks and then twist around for side access. I haven't tired them yet....</p>

<p>In my fruitless quest for a "perfect" bag, I've accumulated about a dozen so far. I wish you better luck, but this one is probably something you're going to have to discover for yourself.</p>

<p>I've found this site of great help, when trying to decide what bag will work<br>

http://www.cambags.com/<br>

Reviews and photos of the bags loaded with gear.<br>

I ended up going with the Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW, as it comes with a rain cover, that has been very useful<strong>... </strong> </p>

<p>Hope the site helps you out as well.</p>

 

<p>KATA 3N1-30. I purchased this bag and got rid of two others. This system is unique in that it can be a sling bag, back pack and double cross strap back pack. If you are using it as a cross strap back pack, you can unsnap one of the straps and still sling it around and grab your camera in a hurry. I owned several back packs and really looked a lot around before I found this. I usually carry a 5d or 40d with 70-200L IS attached, 24-105L, 100 macro, 17-40L, 580 EXII, Gary Fong Lightsphere and assorted filters, hoods and stuff. Even have a CB jr in there. It's also great to keep in the floor board of the rear seat in my truck. I can grab the camera in about 5 seconds one handed without looking (if Iload the bag properly). It has "quick draw" type fasteners that will let you unzip and grab the camera quickly.<br>

Now, it's heavy with all that stuff. I keep it all in the bag, but usually take out what I don't think I'll need when on a walk-about.<br>

Do a search, I think you will like it.<br>

Have a wonderful whatever and a happy you know what! (yes, I am politically correct)</p>

<p>M. Scott</p>

<p>I've got a Lowepro Trekker Classic http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Trekker-Classic-Backpack-Black/dp/B00011XCTE for the same set including EF16-35 (though I have original 5D) about two years ago and it serves me well. Plus it has space for EX580, EF50 f1.4 and spare batteries and other small staff.</p>

<p>Erwin, with such expensive gear, I'd want nothing less than a Crumpler <a href="http://images.google.com.my/images?hl=en&q=crumpler+keystone&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=5kFdSoPXEYOVkAWjupTmDA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4">Keystone</a> or <a href="http://images.google.com.my/images?hl=en&q=crumpler%20whickey%20and%20cox&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi">Whickey and Cox</a> . The Crumpler has an unusual design for security. It can only be opened after you remove the backpack from your back and place it on the ground. This design ensures that petty thieves will be frustrated upon sighting of your backpack if you travel often across busy cities. The Crumpler models mentioned here also come with a special laptop holder/case. I'd have to warn you about the weight/mass of the empty backpacks though. They are heavier than the equivalent Kata, Lowepro, Tamrac or Think Thank models. My current backpack is a <a href="http://www.kata-bags.com/Product.asp?Version=Photo&p_Id=401">Kata Digital Rucksack 467</a> , which is about 40% cheaper than the Crumplers street prices from where I'm at, and it is very light (my main purchase criteria at the time). <br>

Selecting a suitable backpack is a very personal choice. Do not let specifications overule what feels good in your hands and on your back.</p>

<p>I carry more-or-less that combo in a Lowepro Stealth Reporter 400AW shoulder bag, for day trips. I invariably wear a small packsack as well. If it's been a long day and I'm really dragging, I've got the option to roll up the 70-200 (in a sweater, towel, etc)and transfer it to the bottom of the packsack.</p>

<p>I got a big Lowepro CompuRover Packsack around the same time as the shoulder bag, but never use it anymore: just too big, and hard to get at your gear.</p>

<p>I use a Canon backpack bag: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Deluxe-Backpack-200EG-Cameras/dp/B00009R6TA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247685664&sr=8-2">Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)</a>.</p>

<p>It is light, cheap, simple and quite durable. I carry the following gear in mine:<br />Canon 40D<br />Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS<br />Canon 100-400mm L IS<br />Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8<br />Sigma 10-22mm<br />Filters, batteries+misc camera gear (no flashes but there is room for them)<br />A bottle of water in a side pocket and a snack in the other<br />.357 Revolver+ammo (for bears and people who want to help me carry my bag) in a holster attached to the backpack strap.</p>

<p>For $36, it is comfortable, protects the gear very well and works well for me. I did remove the Canon emblem to lessen temptation. It looks like any college kids backpack full of books. Of course, it isn't an L series backpack so some might not like it for that reason.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Edit: Ooops, I forgot - there is no room for a laptop in this backpack if that is important. But I use a MP3 player with a 20GB hard drive in it that can download the files off of my CF cards and it fits nicely also.</p>

<p>I treked all across Nepal with a Lowepro drybag 200, 22 lbs of just camera equipment. I had very similar equipment to what you are carrying, including the 70-200. But I also hired a sherpa carry my clothing and other stuff.<br>

For REAL backpacking, you can't possibly carry all of that and be safe. When I have to carry a tent, stove, bear spray, and food for several days, I use a Lowepro chest harness for the camera, and I have a normal zoom on camera and a wide lens clipped to my belt. You may be surprised to see that I do carry a small Gitzo CF tripod with RRS ballhead. A tripod is loads more useful than a long lens, and lighter as well.<br>

Unfortunately that means that the day I saw a wolverine I only had my 16-35, and the animal was a tiny blurry smudge in the landscape, even though it accidentally walked right in front of me. But even if I had carried my 70-200 I would have missed it unless the lens was mounted and ready to go. The 70-200 is not a backpacking lens, I would never have the energy to carry it. Bring it in the car, shoot a few frames at the beginning and end of the trip, and leave that pregnant baby at home.</p>

<p>@ Erwin</p>

<p>I recommend the Lowepro Computrekker. I have used mine for a few years now and I find it really useful. Fully loaded I carry 5D, ID mkIIn, 70-200, 85 1.2, 17-40, 24-105, 15 fish, speedlight, mini-tripod, cable release, mem cards, cloths, cleaning fluid, spare batteries, rocket blower, lens hoods, and there's a inner pouch at the back for a laptop. There room in the front pouch for sandwiches and a drink, and I have when necessary (although not often) strapped a manfrotto 155 tripod on the back.</p>

<p>Now it's certainly not light, but (without the tripod) I have flown to many parts of the world like this with it as carry on luggage, and walked many miles with it on my back.</p>

<p>It also has a very useful waist strap, necessary when fully loaded to spread the pain. When I've got a body round my neck with the 70-200 attached, the tripod attachment on the lens hooks perfectly onto the waist strap, and takes the weight of the camera and lens, which I find really great.</p>

<p>@Ben Goren<br>

Now this lot fully loaded in the lowepro fell off the parcel shelf in the back of my van a few weeks ago onot a concrete road (much to my horror), but there was not a problem at all. As each lens and body has it's own tight hugging enclosed space in the backpack it was very well protected and did it's job perfectly. I do concede however that it is very obviously a camera backpack for those up to no good.</p>

<p>regards<br>

james</p>

<p>here it is fully packed.<br>

regards<br>

james</p><div></div>

<p>No offense James, but walking around with that on your back in many places in the world makes you a target for theives and murderers.</p>

<p>I use a similar backpack for transporting my gear to a country, but then use a well worn backpack or even a carrybag or a small suitcase to carry essential gear to location. I pad it well and just throw it into the transport at the airport. I do not put FRAGILE or other stickers on the item. The less fuss you make about an item, the more likely it is to survive especially in Africa.</p>

<p>Of course, always have insurance that covers the gear - it may not cover consequential loss, but at least it will replace equipment if stolen.</p>

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