Best Bag strategy to carry a full system, and to day trip.

<p>A few more thoughts...</p>

<p>D700 -- Definitely take it.</p>

<p>MBD10 -- Why are you making your camera HEAVIER if you have a bad back? Do you need to shoot Bambi at 8 fps? Leave the grip at home.</p>

<p>2- f2.8 zooms -- Leave at least one of them at home. Two of these monsters is a lot to carry. Given that you have the 70-300VR, you probably don't need the 70-200, correct?</p>

<p>105 macro -- A great choice for nature.</p>

<p>180/2.8 -- Why do you need this if you have the 70-300VR with you?</p>

<p>70-300VR -- Definitely take this lens. Great for fauna.</p>

<p>sb900, sb800 -- How about one or the other? Maybe add a small reflector if you need light to come from more than one direction.</p>

<p>D200 w/ 18-200 - what's the point if you're carrying your D700?</p>

<p>asst 77mm filters -- How many? Polarizer and ... what else do you need? If you're shooting B&W, take the shot in color and adjust the color channels separately in Photoshop when you're converting. No need to carry a red and yellow-green filters if you have t digital camera.</p>

<p>Lee GND 6x4 kit -- Not very heavy. Take it along.</p>

<p>tripod -- If you really need it. A monopod would be a lighter option. Shooting hand-held with VR also works in many cases. Galen Rowell carried as little as he could get away with on his adventures. Propping a camera against a tree or setting it on a rock can work, too.</p>

<p>accessories -- spare batteries and memory cards, cable release, lens cleaning cloth, flashlight, water, survival gear, first-aid gear, clothing for bad weather, maps, GPS unit, phone, car keys, snack, hat, sunglasses, insect repellent. That should do it.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>OK, all the weight on the shoulders discussion - as Ross B points out, most of them are simply not tall enough. The MiniTrekker does not reach my pelvis area at all. Now, with that in mind, I sure do prefer the load on my shoulders rather than pressing it on my back. Since the latter will certainly make my back hurt more.<br>

Agreed, larger backpack should bring the load even across, but most photography backpacks simply are not that size.</p>

<p>And what to bring/what not to bring - isn't that a personal preference where we're all entitled to our own choices? Just because somebody thinks I do not need my primes does not mean I think so too. So please, do not confuse your preferences for anybody elses.</p>

 

<p>"OK, all the weight on the shoulders discussion - as Ross B points out, most of them are simply not tall enough. The MiniTrekker does not reach my pelvis area at all. Now, with that in mind, I sure do prefer the load on my shoulders rather than pressing it on my back. Since the latter will certainly make my back hurt more.<br /> Agreed, larger backpack should bring the load even across, but most photography backpacks simply are not that size.<br>

And what to bring/what not to bring - isn't that a personal preference where we're all entitled to our own choices? Just because somebody thinks I do not need my primes does not mean I think so too. So please, do not confuse your preferences for anybody elses."</p>

<p>Wouter, we are not talking about preferences such as a 35mm v 50mm lens. We are talking about orthopedics. This issue is well documented in the sports medicine world as well as back pain management. Do your back a little favor and google. When you put a heavy load on your shoulders while hiking you will lean forward excessively to balance the load and to carry the weight more comfortably especially as you tire. What is happening is that the lumbar discs are being pinched at the front and expanded at the lower back just as when you bend over and pick up a heavy object without bending your knees. If this is done long enough you may experience a herniated disc.</p>

 

<p>If the backpack style camera bag does not place the weight on your hips then it's too small. Or have you lenghtened the shoulder straps as far as possible? If you buy a backpack in a sports equipment store they will 'fit' it to you but if you buy a photo backpack online you'll have to read the directions. Lowe Alpine is a major manufacturer of serious expedition equipment including NP, SP and Everest. I'm sure their camera backpacks are well thought out.<br>

Putting the weight on your shoulders IS putting the weight on the spine (particularly the lumbar area). Putting the weight on your hips is putting the weight on your legs. Which have the biggest most fit muscles most of us have. Good luck.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Wouter, we are not talking about preferences such as a 35mm v 50mm lens.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Some people are - and that's what I reacted on. I simply do not think it is necessary for anybody to tell others what to bring and what not. That's all.</p>

<p>All the other points, thanks for the good points. Will keep it in mind once I search for a new backpack.</p>

Many large format shooters use a three wheeled jogging baby stroller to carry their heavy cameras...

<p>Thanks to all. Basically the choices for the "back pack have narrowed down to the photo trekker, nature trekker, and vertex 200 from Lowepro, but I'll def look at the other suggestions. For a day pack, Lowepro also recc'ed the Outback 300 AW, a new line they just came out with. It is a modular waist bag, and has a shoulder strap to get the weight off the waist. ( I still can't picture a D700, 24-70, 70-300, (and /or 14-24), and strobe hung on the waist.)<br>

I have used a Slingshot 200 for a D200, + 4 lens (18-200, 60/2.8, 180/2.8, 70-300VR), sb800 for years, and while its great from car to sports arena, or shooting location, it does become uncomfortable if worn for several hours while walking around. The 300 SS would be needed for the D700 and its companion zooms, and was not recced by Lowepro for extended back comfort. That's why I sugg'ed the Kata D3N1-30 over the SS 300, for its "better" harness system. Is anyone using this bag?<br>

Dan: Why the D200: because the second body is always useful, the 1.5DX turns the 70-300 into a 450, and I think it's a bit sharper than a 1.4 TC on that zoom. As the 70-200 vr at nearly 4 lbs is out of the question, the 180/2.8 and 105/2.8 fills in for that range @ f2.8. Yes, The battery pack, & the 18-200VR could stay home, but one of my 3 kids will want to use the later with my D200, or their D90, or their D70.<br>

Did I forget an older F4 era 28-85/ which would be a great walk around lens on the D700? I'd still appreciate suggestions. Thanks again.</p>

 

<p>The think tank bags look interesting! Which one.. the airport accellerator, or rotational 360? Will they hold everything & does the back pack harness / waste band system provide the correct weight distribution to the back?</p>

<p>The think tank airport accelerator V2.0 is a great bag for travel. <br>

Bodies: D200, D700<br>

Five lens: 14-24, 24-70, 70-200mm all f2.8, 105mm macro f2.8 and 50mm f1.4<br>

Two flash: SB900 and SB800<br>

5 camera batteries and 12 AA batteries, Preston 8 battery charger and 1 camera battery charger,<br>

1 card reader, 3 card cases holding 12 cards,<br>

Necessary cords, artic butterfly, one extra back lens cap, one camera cap, grey card, Luminquest softbox modifer, manuals, release cord, extra flash light.<br>

And I place this on top of my Swiss Army wheely bag which holds my computer, more batteries, a back up drive to my computer, 2 TB of Western Digital passport drives, meds, outlet adaptors, misc papers necessary for trip or travel, so I don't need to carry it very much.<br>

The good news is it holds a lot. The bad news, if you travel overseas, make sure you know the weight limits of the airlines. The airport accelerator can hold more weight than you are potentially allowed to carry on the plane. Better have a back up strategy in place.<br>

Steven</p>