Kuau
Member
This is where the Zemlin hoods are a must have I have one for both my Z400/2.8TC and Z600/4TC
Big Prime - Camera Bags & Backpacks
- Thread starter nmerc_photos
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Kuau
Member
I had the MR Jan gear bag and for me I didn’t lime
It at all I found the shoulder straps very lacking in size and padding and when carrying 2 Z9’s with long primes attached it handled poorly
I have made several international trips with the 600mm. The hood does take up a lot of space. However, using the collapsible LenCoat hood solves that problem. I no longer have a need for it, though.....
Vincent_VdB
Well-known member
Well, I will take indeed a collapsable/foldable hood with me for the first time on this trip to find out how it will hold
It sure saves a lot of space if I can ditch that hood
.
I have a Zemlin 2 piece hood for my 800 pf. When I need to cram gear in a bag, I just use 1 piece. I have a small ditty bag that holds batteries, rocket blower etc, and I place this bag inside the lens hood to utilize that space as well. Sometimes, I have enough room to simply reverse the hood. The 2 piece hood gives a lot of flexibility for travel.
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
The Shimoda 35L is already the biggest bag for International travel that I've found. I have 2 of them that I plan to keep, but the max it can fit is 2x Z9, 400TC, and 100-400.
I'd like to a bigger bag(s) for more wildlife centered trips. The Boris IV fits the bill, but I prefer the more "slick" material'd bags that appear to wick water better.
Wrogu
Active member
Nya Evo, shimoda and new fstops have those slick waterproof fabrics.
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
Looks like the Nya Evo are out of stock for at least another 2 months on the XL RCI - which is what I would need
I finally found a used MS36L and tried it out. It will fit 2x Z9 + 400TC + 800PF - but without hoods. So in this regard my Boris IV wins.
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ajrmd
Well-known member
Good to see what I thought was likely based on size alone. So, your Boris fits with the lens' hoods reversed?
ajrmd
Well-known member
My Rolanpro collapsible hood grips well and stays on when I carry it on a sling arrangement. It's a bit long but does a great job protecting the front element against brush, spray, dirt, etc.Well, I will take indeed a collapsable/foldable hood with me for the first time on this trip to find out how it will hold
It sure saves a lot of space if I can ditch that hood
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
Correct. Boris will fit with bodies and hoods (reversed) attached
Vincent_VdB
Well-known member
I rewatched a YouTube video from Morten Hilmer on his collection of backpacks and interesting insight on his view on backpacks.
My take on it:
- for sure the remark that an item labelled for photography is getting ridiculously expensive. Something I am saying for years already.
- the best backpacks for Morten H are not the brands we use in general but are tactical backpacks that are in general cheaper and yet more rudgidised.
This is a bit like my reply here on page 1 with the insert that will soon hit the market from MrJan Gear for a non-photography branded backpack (Ortlieb - Atracker).
And it makes me wonder, as this forum mainly has US members, if anyone is using 5.11 backpacks with an RCU/ICU.
If somebody else here is using another brand of tactical backpacks with an XL insert do I also look forward in seeing their reply and perhaps joint with a photo.
Thank you already folks.
My take on it:
- for sure the remark that an item labelled for photography is getting ridiculously expensive. Something I am saying for years already.
- the best backpacks for Morten H are not the brands we use in general but are tactical backpacks that are in general cheaper and yet more rudgidised.
This is a bit like my reply here on page 1 with the insert that will soon hit the market from MrJan Gear for a non-photography branded backpack (Ortlieb - Atracker).
And it makes me wonder, as this forum mainly has US members, if anyone is using 5.11 backpacks with an RCU/ICU.
If somebody else here is using another brand of tactical backpacks with an XL insert do I also look forward in seeing their reply and perhaps joint with a photo.
Thank you already folks.
fcotterill
Well-known member
I think this is the video? He's a welcome source of sanity in this materialistic world of yet another photography accessory, which doesn't work well enough. I also learned the hard way where/how almost all backpacks fail for wildlife photography. Finally I realized the best way forward is to focus on the ICUs and fit the optimum bag to the ICU(s) for the specific trip and its gear system.
Morten H learned invaluable lessons in his military service with Danish Special Forces in Greenland. So I was not surprised he prefers a Bergan 130, which were/are among the very best packs for carrying heavy loads. The early models were infamous from service in the southern African bushwars; and notably with C Sqn SAS (Rhodesia) who deployed mostly by nighttime HALO parachuting: with the very heavy Bergan swinging on its D-rings off a lanyard, so it hit the ground first. An ex-army Bergan is a valuable possession for a lifetime of outdoor use.
Morten H learned invaluable lessons in his military service with Danish Special Forces in Greenland. So I was not surprised he prefers a Bergan 130, which were/are among the very best packs for carrying heavy loads. The early models were infamous from service in the southern African bushwars; and notably with C Sqn SAS (Rhodesia) who deployed mostly by nighttime HALO parachuting: with the very heavy Bergan swinging on its D-rings off a lanyard, so it hit the ground first. An ex-army Bergan is a valuable possession for a lifetime of outdoor use.
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Vincent_VdB
Well-known member
Oops, I did indeed not include the link to the video. thx for doing so.
Wrogu
Active member
This is true, and a custom insert can be made within a sane budget. However, I have asked a Polish military backpack supplier - wisport to make an insert for photography for a backpack that already exists. Sadly they were not interested. They are already swarmed by amount of orders ... Sign of bad times.
Dzikie_Kadry
New member
Custom insert might not be that necessery. All quality packs have the ability to compress them to optimal shape (within sane limits). I myself would not look directly into military version of backpack, as those are made primary to withstand heavy loading and a lot of abuse. But you pay a price of comfort and weight for that. There are anyway companies with 'no compromise' attitude. Check gear from Mystery Ranch and CrossFire. Top of the top military backpacks, that also feature opening quite important opening system. I am currently looking for a good expedition backpack that can hold z9 with 600tc and am leaning toward fjallraven kajka 85 as crossfire and mystery ranch are almost impossible to try here in Poland
Vincent_VdB
Well-known member
Indeed valid point on weight but not comfort as many camera bags do not offer the same carrying comfort as those tactical bags out there even so, and I am by no means an expert, I do see a trend that different brands start to put their attention to the carrying comfort of their products but do come with a hefty price.
For me is an insert a necessity as I carry multiple lenses and bodies and like to get these padded in their own compartment of the insert.
Anyway, let's see how this world of backpacks will evolve in the coming years
.
ajrmd
Well-known member
As much as I have considered the utility of my military and "bug-out" packs, they aren't that useful with respect to air travel. What I've been considering is adopting the couple "carry-on" packs that I have to accommodate lenses using my own EVA foam templates. Much less expensive and much more useful than transforming a non-compliant military pack.
Vincent_VdB
Well-known member
Think Tank has 25% off on the popular Backlight backpacks in the US:
www.thinktankphoto.com
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Back-panel access to camera gear without taking the backpack off - allows you to work out of the bag without getting it wet or dirty. Sturdy and comfortable. Three different sizes available to fit your camera kit.
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Wrogu
Active member
But those military packs are pretty much photo-compliant! It is just a matter of right-insert. Be it for a single lens or a complete insert, filling all of the interior. Check out the Tasmaniam Tiger; like many military packs, they have velcro inside and are fully customizable. With a convenient opening as well!
I did not go that route. I decided that I would pay the same as for Shimoda or Nya Evo without tinkering with the backpack. While those photo-specific packs offer several nice-to-have photo features, When I have more time and money to make a personal backpack for fun, I might adapt a military one.
I did not go that route. I decided that I would pay the same as for Shimoda or Nya Evo without tinkering with the backpack. While those photo-specific packs offer several nice-to-have photo features, When I have more time and money to make a personal backpack for fun, I might adapt a military one.
ajrmd
Well-known member
Well, the MS 36L is tempting, on sale. Does anyone know what ICU's will fit a 800 f/6.3 with body attached? The F-stop XL seems ok, the peak design V2 L cube appears iffy. I'm still thinking about crafting my own if I have the time.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Thanks. TT have an interesting product range. At least one of these backpacks are designed for carrying full medical kits, with quick access to modular storage
www.tasmaniantiger.info
www.tasmaniantiger.info
pinesurvey.com
pinesurvey.com
TT Modular Pack 45 Plus IRR - Modular Backpack
TT Modular Pack 45 Plus IRR by Tasmanian Tiger • 45 Liter • Removable lid • Fully retractable front opening • Laser-cut MOLLE • Including 3 pouches
www.tasmaniantiger.info
TT Modular Pack 45 Plus - deployment backpack by Tasmanian Tiger
With its strictly modular design, the deployment backpack allows you a massive amount of options for how you want to use it.
www.tasmaniantiger.info
Review: Tasmanian Tiger Modular 45 plus - Pine Survey
Introduction A few months back I had the opportunity to be one of the first users to get a look at the Tasmanian Tiger Modular 45+ pack. Since I already did a review on the Modular 30, I was curious on the upscaled version and what made it different. After some months of use I […]
pinesurvey.com
Review: Tasmanian Tiger Modular 30 Camera Pack IRR - Pine Survey
For a long time I was looking for a suitable backpack to carry my camera, GoPro and drone equipment simultaneously or separately. Tasmanian Tiger offers something new and interesting here, namely a backpack in the tactical area for camera equipment. I got the opportunity to take a closer look at...
pinesurvey.com
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nmerc_photos
Well-known member
I've never seen anyone use an ICU with MS36L. Yes, an 800 6/3 + Z9 will fit in there WITHOUT ICU.
I think the only ICU out there that has a chance of fitting are the Nya Evo XL which aren't gonna be in stock for another 2+ months
ajrmd
Well-known member
Nah, I wouldn't try to stuff an ICU in the MS36L rather, I was looking to modify a travel backpack with an ICU as an alternative to the MS36L.