Rucksack needed for 1Ds MkII + 2 lenses + hiking gear! Does this beast exist please?

[james_symington1]

Dear all,

 

I'm off to New Zealand in November and will be doing some hiking

which will involve being out in the wild for 2-3 nights at a time. I

won't need to bring stoves or sleeping bags (staying in comfortable

huts thank you very much) but will need to take clothes, water

bottle and other bits and pieces along with my camera, 2 lenses,

spare battery, filters etc and of course tripod.

 

Does a rucksack exist that can accomodate 15 lbs or so of personal

effects as well as camera equipment? Lowepro looks like they do some

nice rucksacks but I wonder if they are big enough for this dual

role? I have the Trekker Classic that I think would be too small for

my purposes. In fact, although I haven't tried it since buying the

1Ds, I suspect the camera itself wouldn't fit too well...

 

Anybody there with experience of doing this?

 

Suggestions most welcome.

 

Thanks,

 

James

[marymac]

James - Kinesis makes this Journeyman pack for this purpose. I have one of their long lens packs and it's very well made but they're not inexpensive...

 

http://www.kinesisgear.com/p/P450.html

[benjamindbloom]

I've been interested in a similar pack: something to hold some photo gear, though not the be-all end all, but also carry some hiking or (in my case) skiing gear.

 

Mountainsmith has some attractive bags. Specifically the Quantum, but I think it will be a little small for your needs.

 

I remember seeing some other bags in my local outdoor gear shop, but I can't remember what brand... their website is www.gearx.com, however I doubt the photo backpacks will be on the website.

[titrisol]

tamrac used to make one like that for 2 SLR bodies 2 or 3 lenses + trekking stuff

[harris_goldstein]

I think it's difficult to load personal gear into a photo pack. Plus they're expensive.

 

Looking at your list of photo gear ("camera, 2 lenses, spare battery, filters" - will get to the tripod later) it seems that it could fit in a small to medium size over-the-shoulder bag. Some have hip belts.

 

Then, look for a weekend or technical pack with 3,000-4,000 cubic inch capacity. The over-the-shoulder bag would fit inside and also be easily extracted. If you already have the over-the-shoulder bag, all the better. Find one with straps/stays that will allow you to strap on your tripod.

[erin.e]

If the huts you are staying in are Dept of Conservation ones, you will still need to pack a good quality sleeping bag, can still be cold in the mountains at night in November and DOC don't supply bedding.

[james_symington1]

Thanks for your suggestions - I will take a look around.

 

Looking forward to this trip a great deal!