Camera bag/ Gear

<p>I am planning an extended trip to the Himalayan countries (Nepal/ Sikkim/ Bhutan, etc) and will do a lot of trekking. Any suggestion on the best equipment to take a D7000 + 3 lenses (10-16, 18-55, 70-300) in (bag/ harness/ belt clips?) also any other suggestions for gear to take would be greatly appreciated.</p>

Get one of those expensive canvas British bags that will make you look like Indiana Jones and get all your equipment

soaked when it rains. You can look rich, roguish, and foolish all at the same time.

 

If it were me, I would keep it in a pelican case or something like that. Just in case one of my $2

a day porters drops it or something.

<p>A lot depends on your style of trekking. If you will have a guide with either a porter, horse, yak, mule etc. you will be hiking with a day pack and (I would recommend) trekking poles (2). </p>

<p>What you will find is that you will see something to photo, go through the motions of pulling out camera, pack it away, hike around the corner and do it all over again and it will drive you crazy. Some bags allow easy access to a camera but even then it can be a pain. Look into 'Cotton Carrier' for a way to have the camera accessible. I keep a small dry bag around for when it is slightly wet or blowing sand etc.</p>

<p>I personally find that one camera and lens is all I want to carry during the day - you will have water, a little food, jackets etc. and it all adds up day after day. I pack an additional lens with the bag being hauled around - carefully wrapped and not crammed against the sidewall - a yak is not shy about smacking a bag against the rocks while navigating a narrow trail. </p>

<p>I take many, many batteries and cards. Wrapping them all in zip lock bags to keep out dust and moisture - your bag will either get snowed or rained on at least once on a long trip.</p>

<p>Once in camp I may switch lens (within the tent if possible) to walk around for specific shots. A polarizer is a good idea. The sun at altitude is harsh.</p>

<p>Enjoy</p>

<p>If you want a bag that you can grab stuff out of easily and keep it secured look at Think tank belt packs that can also be used as a shoulder belt. they have three models <a href="http://www.thinktankphoto.com/categories/camera-beltpacks/speed-convertibles-beltpacks.aspx">http://www.thinktankphoto.com/categories/camera-beltpacks/speed-convertibles-beltpacks.aspx</a></p>

<p>If you want a backpack to carry the stuff to your destination but will keep the camera a main lens out get the Shapshifter. Its phenomenal. <a href="http://www.thinktankphoto.com/categories/camera-backpacks/shape-shifter-backpacks.aspx">http://www.thinktankphoto.com/categories/camera-backpacks/shape-shifter-backpacks.aspx</a><br>

The beauty of this bag is that it integrates with the speed convertible belt packs. The bags are pricey but well worth every penny and they all come with rain covers. The zippers compartments can be locked as well.<br>

At least take a look.</p>

<p>If this is a once in a lifetime trip you need a backup of some kind, I think. Take lots of cards and pack the finished ones seperately. Take an extra battery charger and more batteries. What about varying electricity are your chargers compatible. I have an NEX 5N that takes up very little room in my bag with my Canon gear. I use a backpack. It is great in airports but not so great while shooting because you have to take it off to change lenses. You may want to take something to download you pictures in but I also would keep them on cards; at least those you think important. If you are going to do a lot of trekking I would use my NEX 5N and two zooms. That bag weighs less than four pounds and the 5N uses a 1.5 crop Sony sensor. </p>

<p>I second the recommendation to bring trekking poles.<br>

As for carrying your camera gear - I use a small backpack where ever I go. My cameras with lens attached are contained in Zing neoprene wraps and larger lenses are stored in Sundog padded lens bags. Often I have a windbreaker or Gore-Tex rain jacket inside the compartment to provide additional padding. I keep spare cards and spare batteries in external pockets of the backpack inside of Ziploc bags. The pack pack is somewhat water resistant on it's own and does have a rain cover. The camera wraps and lens bags provide additional water resistance and shock protection. I carry a large plastic garbage bag and additional plastic bags. I want to be as comfortable and stable as possible walking so I look first for a well built and designed backpack which I can adapt to my photography needs. A typical backpack is also less glaring that you are a photographer with expensive gear. If the weather is too much for this set up I consider it to be too much for me to be out in. Some of my most pleasant encounters have been waiting under some shelter with local people waiting for the heavy rains to stop.</p>

<p>I have spent a great deal of time trekking with camera gear, both at home and abroad. There are several key things that any good day-hiking pack needs (at least for me):</p>

<ul>

<li>it has to carry my camera gear (duh)</li>

<li>it has to be able to hold water for a day-hike (you can't believe how often this is overlooked)</li>

<li>it has to be able to hold my other essentials (food, extra clothing, etc)</li>

<li>the ability to lash a tripod and hiking poles to the outside</li>

</ul>

<p>Nice to haves:</p>

<ul>

<li>a waist strap (this is almost a necessity for me, maybe not for you)</li>

<li>waterproof or have a rain cover</li>

</ul>

<p>Currently, I use a Mountainsmith Borealis AT pack, which satisfies all of my needs. The trick is that I use the laptop sleeve as storage for a hydration bladder. This works surprisingly well. It's also a great airline carry-on bag. <br>

Personally, I would NEVER attempt to hike any serious distance with a shoulderbag/slingbag. Yes, you get convenient access to your gear. But after 4-5 miles while carrying water, food, and other hiking essentials? Forget about it. </p>

 

<p>"D7000 + 3 lenses (10-16, 18-55, 70-300)" To make your hiking load a bit lighter: the D7000 body; a AF-S VR 16-85mm DX Nikkor; and the AF-S VR 55-300mm ED DX Nikkor would cover most of your needs. Fewer lenses to haul... [And to be like a Boy Scout, a second camera body might be good to have. Your plan for shooting is _____? -- should your D7000 decide to give up on the trek.]</p>

<p>You might consider a trip to B&H Photo or a large camera store, and see what might fit your camera bag needs better.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>In my opinion the photo backpacks are quite inferior to proper backpacking/hiking backpacks if you have to carry a noticeable weight on your back for many miles. I wouldn't go to B&H to pick a backpack -- I'd go to REI or EMS or Campmor and get myself a "real" backpack -- good stores will have weights to load into the backpack and will allow you to spend time walking from a corner to a corner :-) to see how a particular pack fits you.</p>

<p>I'd also get a basic toploader holster and clip it to the backpack straps in front. That's where the camera will live -- it will be very easy to get to and it will balance the backpack a little bit. The remaining two lenses I'd just wrap in spare fleece/tshirts and put on top of main pack. If you want to be more sophisticated, you can buy one of protective inserts, basically a padded mini-bag that will hold you gear and go inside your regular bag.</p>

<p>Need a camera backpack?</p>

<p>I used a Lowepro Mini Trekker Classic for 5+ years but the main bag zipper died badly and I didn't bother repairing it - now use it at home as a lens vault. </p>

<p>I recently replaced it with a Crumpler "Sinking Barge" pack and what a change for the better. The Crumpler pack is so more ergonomic and sculptured to your body. The shoulder straps are contoured so they sit on your body and not cut into you like the Lowepro did. I have carried a D700 with battery grip + 70-200/2.8, 17-35/2.8 and a 35-70/2.8 + fisheye/3.5 and a small C/F tripod and head and also minor photo accessories on my back over 22km of undulating ground with plenty of room left over for lunch/drinks/snacks in the pack.</p>

<p>The Crumpler storage system takes a bit of getting used to but the space is there inside once you set it up and the carry-ability is superb. I have a smaller Crumpler camera hip pouch/bag and it's lasted over 10 years - the new pack I have is made of same material and the zippers and velcro parts are first class.</p>

<p>I do a lot of trekking in the Himalayas and a lot of travel in Asia been continuously traveling here for the last 5 years. I've got a 17-50 mm 2.8, 100 mm f2, and 70-200 f4, and canon 50d. I find for traveling I like a sling bag which I can swing around to the front or side when I'm in a crowded area or if I want quick access. For treking I pack this bag in my pack at the top. I generally carry all my own gear. In any case you will be wanting to carry your camera gear even if you do hire a porter because he won't be by your side the whole time. I also have a shoulder strap bag that fits the camera with one or two lenses which I use while I trek so I can have quick access to my camera, with the rest of my gear in my sling bag inside my pack. What ever system you use you want to be able to easily access your camera while you are trekking.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who posted a response. I carefully read them all and am reviewing my options. I already have a set of Leki poles, but want to get quick access to my camera. Considering multipurpose backpack with holster for camera and primary/ most frequently used lens. Since the trek is at altitude (3-5,000 meters), wieght is a serious consideration. Figuring out how to minimize</p>

<p>I wouldn't mind hearing about what you end up deciding to do and most importantly how well it worked out for you along with what you would recommend based upon your experience. I am also hoping that you share some of your photos. Best of luck to you.</p>