Backpack for camping/photo trip

[bobmcg]

I need advice on a backpack to be used for a three day camping trip. Will be bringing two DSLRs, a 500mm F4G, 24-70, 15-30, tripod plus camping equipment (two-person tent, sleeping bag, food, etc.). I've heard good things about the Gregory Baltoro 75. Any advice or suggestions appreciated.

 

[bleirer]

That is a big ask to carry your camera gear and camping gear and personal gear all in one. Will you want access to the camera gear while hiking? In general the heavier the load the more you want a frame to put the weight on your hips rather than your back.

 

[DRwyoming]

Any advice or suggestions appreciated.

Gotta agree with the post above. I've carried a modest camera kit on multi-day backpacking trips but wouldn't think of two DSLR bodies plus a 500mm f/4 along with camping gear. You might get away with most of that gear if you adopt a very fast and light camping kit approach (e.g. go light style simple shelter instead of a tent) but personally I'd trim the camera kit to the basics.

That said, the Baltoro 75 is a good pack as are some similar sized packs from Osprey or others but even in my huge Dana designs pack I used to hump loads on Denali and other expeditions I wouldn't dream of carrying a 500mm f/4, dual DSLRs, other lenses along with my camping gear. Have you considered renting or otherwise getting a hold of a 500mm f/5.6 PF lens, that's my go-to for deep backcountry wildlife work where I've got to carry everything along with camping gear, food, water, etc. for multiple days.

If you do decide to go deep in the backcountry with your full kit and 500mm G lens then I'd highly recommend packing the full kit including food and water and doing some test hikes before your actual trip.

 

[SandyW]

Take a look at F-stop modular backpacks. I love mine!

 

[bobmcg]

Gotta agree with the post above. I've carried a modest camera kit on multi-day backpacking trips but wouldn't think of two DSLR bodies plus a 500mm f/4 along with camping gear. You might get away with most of that gear if you adopt a very fast and light camping kit approach (e.g. go light style simple shelter instead of a tent) but personally I'd trim the camera kit to the basics.

That said, the Baltoro 75 is a good pack as are some similar sized packs from Osprey or others but even in my huge Dana designs pack I used to hump loads on Denali and other expeditions I wouldn't dream of carrying a 500mm f/4, dual DSLRs, other lenses along with my camping gear. Have you considered renting or otherwise getting a hold of a 500mm f/5.6 PF lens, that's my go-to for deep backcountry wildlife work where I've got to carry everything along with camping gear, food, water, etc. for multiple days.

If you do decide to go deep in the backcountry with your full kit and 500mm G lens then I'd highly recommend packing the full kit including food and water and doing some test hikes before your actual trip.

Here is what I was planning -- at most I would hike on day one for six-seven miles to find and establish a base camp. Then, I would wander around looking for the wild horses over the two days I was there. I could take my 200-500mm 5.6 along with my 300mm pf. I'm not concerned about humping a heavy pack for a couple of hours. I'm more concerned with whether I can fit it all in in one pack. Also, my daughter might be going with me so she might take the tent, etc.

 

[DRwyoming]

Also, my daughter might be going with me so she might take the tent, etc.

That will certainly help.

Given that you own the 200-500mm, that's the lens I'd take not only is it smaller and lighter to pack, it's more versatile for subjects like wild horses that may be close, far away, in groups or alone.

 

[Hermann]

When it comes to hiking backpacks, three factors are important: They need to fit you right and be comfortable when loaded with the maximum weight you'll ever want to carry, they need to be large enough for your gear, and they need be reasonably lightweight and sturdy enough for what you want to do. A backpack with all the bells and whistles that weighs by itself more than 1.5 kg just doesn't cut it for me. Hiking or mountaineering backpacks are IME always better than the packs made by LowePro and the like. To protect the camera gear in my backpack I just wrap it in my sleeping bag. That's at least as safe as a padded camera backpack.

What I'd also do is cut down on the camera gear. I'd take two lenses+one body, and that's it. Hiking, especially in more difficult terrain, becomes hard work with a pack that's too heavy. It may even be dangerous to carry heavy camera gear if you cut down on your safety gear to lighten the load.