Backpacking + Mamiya RB 67

<p>I'm going on a backpacking trip in late October and I am dying to bring my RB 67 and Nikon F100. I primarily shoot in film and do walk around with that kind of equipment quite a lot, but I'm worried that it'll weigh me down when I go backpacking. Another solution is to shoot digital, but that's definitely at the bottom of my list. I am taking the photography portion of my trip very seriously though, and do want to get quality photos out of the experience. Just need some opinions on whether this is actually a feasible idea or if I'm just insane. Haha.<br>

If I do decide to bring the equipment, can anyone recommend a good camera bag (preferably backpack-style) where I can fit everything in to carry around?</p>

<p>Are you wilderness backpacking...like for 5-6 days carrying your own food, water & shelter, or just daytrip backpacking? Daytrip you should be just fine. Wilderness, or high exertion backpacking, every ounce of weight counts, and feels like an additional pound. When I used to wilderness backpack, I trimmed things down to 1 roll of film/day, 1 camera body, and 2 prime lenses max. I found that I generally used only one lens anyway....that was a 35mm. Several years ago I went on 3 -10 day trips with a digital body. I took 1 wide zoom for when I was in canyons & gorges, and a more normal zoom for more open spaces...it felt like I was carrying an extra 20 lbs., especially on heavy ascents. Whatever you take, most of all have a great time just being outdoors!</p>

<p>I'm with Steven here. Not only weight, but space is at a premium for a real backpack and not just a day hike. When I backpacked when I was younger, I'd take a 35mm body and two zooms (20-35 and 70-300) a few filters and a Gizo 014(?) travel tripod w/a small Kaiser ballhead. So for a real backpack, you want to keep things as light and compact as possible, two words that do not describe an RB 67!</p>

<p>I have a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045XUN3M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0045XUN3M&linkCode=as2&tag=richt00-20">Mountainsmith Borealis AT camera backpack</a> that I like for long hikes, but I'm also of a mind that you might ought to reconsider the RB.</p>

<p>Hi Sarah,<br>

I own an RB and F100 as well. As much as I absolutely love everything about my RB I would not choose it as a backpacking partner. If you become frustrated with its bulk and everything about it during your trip you are likely not going to take the pictures you desire. I am assuming that the reason you would take the RB along would be to take advantage of the lenses and huge real estate provided by the 6x7 negative. If you aren't able to get to where you are going you will have accomplished nothing. I am sure that you have been told about the late great Galen Rowell who used nothing more than a Nikon FE/FM series body and consumer zooms. Your odds of great photography are increased hugely by being happy and content to go where you need to get your subject matter that is important to you. You have a formidable camera in the F100 and literally hundreds of lenses available for your purchase or rent. If you feel you must have a medium format camera, a folder or a Yashicamat (124, or D) TLR would be IMHO an option as they are relatively inexpensive, sturdy, great lenses and lightweight compared to the RB.<br>

I wish you well and have a fabulous trip shooting film!<br>

Mark</p>

<p>Sorry, I may have given the wrong impression. I'm won't be going on a wilderness backpacking trip. I'll be backpacking throughout Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, etc).</p>

<p>My suggestion for you would be to research and find a good backpack that you can put your camera gear in rather than looking for a camera bag that you can use for backpacking. In my travels about the area, I use a carryon bag (wheeled with retractable handle) for clothing and toiletries with a daypack for my camera gear. The carryon remains behind in my room. Personally I would rather lug around a piece of gear that might not be used as much as I thought than to finish a trip of a life time and wish that I had brought a piece of gear that I decided not too.</p>

<p>Sarah, another question. Are you travelling at your own speed or with a group? If you can go at your own speed then the RB67 is possible provided you take a small kit. If you are part of a group then I would forgo the RB67. Otherwise either the 35mm film camera or digital. Personally after many years with film I would take digital these days but if you prefer film and can get hold of more rolls if needed then why not? In all cases you will need to cut the kit down to whatever you feel you are happy carrying and I am assuming you know what that is. Have a great trip!</p>

<p>Traveling in SE Asia with a RB67? Perfect place to hire an elephant to carry that tank along for the ride.<br />It's been done before, but a Mamiya 7II Rangefinder would be a dream camera to use instead of that RB travel nightmare!<br />Good luck. </p>

<p>Yes, I guess it is feasible. You have to ask yourself if photography is the main reason for your trip. Are the sacrifices and inconveniences of carrying an RB worth it? Is the the equipment you will be taking suitable for style of photography you will be doing? You will end up with 20-30 pounds of photographic equipment on your back (RB with 3 lenses, 2 backs, light meter, F100 with 2 lenses, film in 2 formats, filters, lens hoods other necessities, TRIPOD for your RB). An RB will require 10 minutes of set-up before you even start taking photos. It will be hard work in the field not a vacation.</p>

I've done a lot of month-long backpacking trips around SEAsia (and other locations) over the past several years, and it's easy to spot who's done a lot of backpacking and who hasn't. The ones who've done it a lot have a single 35- to 45-litre backpack and aren't trudging around like pack mules. Your backpack is going to feel about 25% heavier for each week you spend traveling. After a month, you'll be hating your big heavy cameras and wondering what possessed you to bring them along.<P>

If I'm taking a serious camera (Canon 5D2 and a couple of primes), I'm generally getting tired of the weight and bulk by the end of the trip, but I figure it's worth it. An RB and a 35mm camera with lenses? No way. That's insane.<P>

Decide what is the very-least amount of gear you can take without feeling totally unprepared for photography, then try to think of ways to reduce that.

<p>Years ago, I carried a Pentax 645 + 2 lenses on a 3 day backpack trip. </p>

<ul>

<li>I have to say it was a pain. </li>

<li>The 2nd backpack trip, I cut it down to two lenses (a wide angle and a 'normal'), even at that it was a lot of weight. </li>

</ul>

<p>Over the years I've read of backpackers shaving down toothbrushes in order to save an ounce. Would I pack it again? NO!!! </p>

<p>These days, I would certainly opt for something lighter weight</p>

<p>I say: go for it! Lightweight is nice, but going heavy is okay too. Besides, aside from your camera you don't need to bring much else.</p>

<p>I disagree with getting a photo backpack. Photo backpacks scream Steal Me. Get padded cases for the body and lenses, and put these inside your scruffy-looking backpack. </p>

<p>When I shot film my system was Pentax 67. You could not pay me enough to put that system on my back again. I absolutely LOVED that camera and format, but even then I never carried it more than a day at a time. Now with RAW digital files I don't think there is anything I did then that I can't replicate now. Right now I"m in the middle of converting my 67 transparencies to high quality digital files. I am amazed how many slides I thought were a lost cause are now recoverable in Photoshop. Are you young? Time to learn Photoshop and switch to digital!</p><div></div>

<p>I am traveling on my own, yes. I'll be going at my own pace, however my itinerary is extremely busy. With the exception of major cities with a week of stay, I'll be passing through smaller towns and will only be staying for around two to three days. Photography is a big part of my trip, though I'm not too meticulous on equipment. So far, I'll be bringing one film back (I only like to shoot color in medium format) and possibly two lenses. I use my phone as a light meter, so that'll be no problem. As for the F100, I will probably carry the equipment that Thomas stated in the previous comment. <br>

I was also thinking of purchasing a Lowepro bag to accommodate all the equipment. Can anyone recommend a certain model (or other brand) that might be suitable?</p>

Sarah, before you leave on your trip, load up your backpack with the amount of weight you intend to carry and your camera bag with the amount of gear you plan to take. Now see if you can do these things: Carry everything for at least a kilometer without taking a break (I've done that when transferring from one bus to another over a partially-washed-out bridge and when searching for hotels on unmarked/poorly-marked roads). Get in and out of a small boat in thigh-deep water without getting your bags soaked. Ride on the back of a scooter while holding all your stuff and still holding on to the bike while swerving through traffic (scooters are the only "taxis" you're likely to find in smaller towns). Race through an airport to catch your next flight.

 

Don't forget that airlines also have somewhat strict limits on the weights of carry-on baggage.

<p>Sorry, I just saw all these other comments on the second page! Thank you for all the responses. As of now, I'm very nervous about bringing my RB, and might just scratch the idea altogether. I think the decision is now whether I'll bring a film or digital 35mm. I'm sure that I'll be carrying the same amount of weight around if I bring either a Nikon F100 or 5D mkII. I suppose it all boils down to my personal preference of medium.</p>

<p>The RB is such a beast that many people consider is suitable only for the studio, not light enough to lug around even at a wedding let alone any version of backpacking. I would stick with Nikon, and better yet a DSLR rather than film for two reasons -- memory cards take up less space than film. And even though people debate the effects of x-ray machines at airports, it sounds like you could be going through multiple flights where your film would get hit with multiple doses of x-rays. X-rays are cumulative.</p>

<p>As much as I love my F100, if a 5d mkii is available as an alternative, would not hesitate to leave the F100 at home....</p>

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<p>An RB will require 10 minutes of set-up before you even start taking photos.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Really? Why?</p>

<p>And even if it was true (which it isn't) why would that matter?</p>