transport option 800 pf and 600 pf with tripod and gimbal

[wotan1]

I just received my 800 pf and I am trying to figure out transport options.

My concern is hiking from the car to a photo shoot location. I am not looking at a solution for flying. I anticipate a hike of up to 5-6 miles round trip.

I really like the case that comes with the 800 pf. It will hold the 800 with z9 attached while in the vehicle..

I anticipate a backpack to carry everything else which might include:

-600mm pf and lens hood
-400mm f4.5 snd hood
-14-24mm f2.8 zoo
-Nikon z7ii with 24-70mm f4
-Gitzo tripod and WImberly 200 gimbal head

The plan would be to carry the z9 and 800mm pf in the car in the backpack that comes with the lens

At the parking site I would load the extra lenses, gimbal head and tripod into a backpack.

I would carry the Z and 800mm pf using a Blackrapid shoulder strap during the hike.

Tripod and gimbal will not be deployed until the shoot location.


For a backpack I need something with a secure backpack balance, something that transfers weight onto the hips with minimal wight on shoulders.

I do have a really good McNeil custom fitted expedition type backpack it has massive storage space but it is not set up with padding for camera gear. One thought is that I might try to pick up some photo storage cases that can fit into that backpack.

 

[ajrmd]

At first pass, this seems a bit awkward and hiking with a 800 PF on a sling strap + a backpack doesn’t seem like the best approach IMHO. I’ve done hikes with a 800 PF on one side and the 186 on the other with a dual harness setup and that was interesting (no pack, around the same distance, no scrambling or significant vertical). It seems more logical to pack the 600/800 and carry the 400 if you want to have a lens on the sling. Any 36+L pack will handle those two along with another small lens or body. When I re-read your intent, I asked myself whether carrying such a wide array of lenses on a hike was a bit overkill, though you would have to make that determination. As an aside, I appreciate the observation regarding the 800’s case and I wish Nikon had scaled that for a variety of its lenses.

 

[wotan1]

Thanks. I have not carefully thoupght through what I would want to bring on a hiking shoot but those are all the lenses I might want to use. In reality I would most likey take less.

At a minimum I would want the 600 and 800 plus the tripod.

I am a bit reluctant to carry the 800 in a backpack with other equipment because I have read the hood is a bit vulnerable to damage. I really like the way the solo case protects everything on the 800 and I just might go with it alone. While a Zemlin hood might be a good addition I really am happy with the OEM hood at least at this point;

This setup is all new to me and i appreciate feedback from others with experience in handling these lenses.

 

[Winston Churchill (Sir)]

If only the 800's bag wasnt a sling - i would be much happier using the bag myself - i have the same issue as you, but of course you cant carry 2 back packs

 

[EricBowles]

When I've used a similar combination for similar distances, I've carried the 400mm f/4.5 on a Black Rapid strap attached to my camera and the 800mm PF in the case it came in. When appropriate, I swap lenses and carry the 800mm PF on the Black Rapid with the 400mm in the case of the 800mm. I've also carried both lenses on separate Black Rapid straps with no case at all. In this case I was mainly photographing large wading birds with the 400mm f/4.5 and songbirds and ducks with the 800mm PF.

Do you really need to carry both lenses? Most of the time I just pick one long lens and carry a landscape or macro lens for something different. With just a 200mm difference, I don't see a compelling reason to carry both lenses at one time unless you are using the 800mm with the TC and handholding the 600mm or something similar to have a bigger difference.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

DIY - get the best backpack for YOU - not a photographic one trying to fit you. Don't know where you live but go to a sporting good store and get fitted and make sure it's functional for your needs. Carrying the Tripod will be easy with that.

Then get camera storage to go inside. I like the Peak Design Camera Cubes. I won't hold the 800PF with the Z7ii on it, but that may be ok. You may need a second smaller one besides a large.

800 PF - 5.6 in. (140 mm) x 15.2 in. (385 mm) Distance to end of lens from camera lens mount flange

Z7ii - 5.3 in. (134 mm) x 4.0 in. (100.5 mm) x 2.8 in. (69.5 mm)

Peak Design Large Internal
Large: 43cm x 29cm x 13.5cm

 

[wotan1]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I live in Seattle. There is a company in Seattle, McHale Backpacks, that made high end custom backpacks. I had them build a custom pack for me, I dug it out and tried it on this morning, it continues to be the most comfortable backpack I have ever worn. I checked and the company is still in business 25 or more years later.

I recall using that pack on a three month trip to Asia. I carried everything in that pack and it must have weighed 70 lbs. loaded. The hardest thing was getting it up and on, once it was on I could walk all day without a pain or problem.

It has three storage compartments, one of which has compressible sides but can be expanded to a gigantic storage capacity. One is sized to hold a large sleeping bag or tent, there is also a top case that can be removed;

My original plan was to have the 800mm probably with tc to use on a tripod for long reach. Also hand hold either the 400 or 600 to spot and tracks birds in flight. I like the idea of carrying the Nikon 800mm case slung over the shoulder with the shorter lens on the Blackrapid sling. I also have the dual blackrapid sling. But where does the tripod and gimbal go?

I am going to look at adapting my excellent backpack as a regular camera backpack. m

 

[pnbarne]

I usually carry the 800 pf and Z8 on a Black Rapid strap over my shoulder. It’s always ready. Anything else goes in a backpack. What goes in the pack is totally dependent on the day and my photographic objectives.

Since I have a pacemaker and a bad shoulder, the design and comfort of the belly band is always my first consideration for a pack since it distributes the weight to my hips and keeps it off of my shoulders. If you have a custom manufacturer available specify what you want and be done with it. Personally, I think that’s a mighty load to distribute properly but I was young once and thought nothing of carrying a heavy pack. Now, not so much.

 

[EricBowles]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

My original plan was to have the 800mm probably with tc to use on a tripod for long reach. Also hand hold either the 400 or 600 to spot and tracks birds in flight. I like the idea of carrying the Nikon 800mm case slung over the shoulder with the shorter lens on the Blackrapid sling. I also have the dual blackrapid sling. But where does the tripod and gimbal go?

For bird photography and hikes of 5 miles or less, I'm just carrying my tripod and gimbal on my shoulder. I found mounting it on a backpack was useful for long treks, but on shorter hikes it led me to not use the tripod and gimbal enough. The one place I strap a tripod and gimbal onto a pack is when I'm on a bike and need both hands free.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

Quick release straps to the outside of the pack or better a shoulder strap if you want your hands free. Suggestion would be a Peak Design Light strap with anchor connections on the tripod via zip tie. Reason - these straps are super quick and easy to resize as you see fit. Can be resized from either side.