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Transporting technical camera in backpack: how do you organize?

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DMPhoto-IT

Active member
Hi everyone,

I'm asking for help on an aspect I find particularly complicated since I've been shooting with a technical camera: how to transport the equipment comfortably in a backpack, considering the generous dimensions of these camera bodies.

Technical cameras, with their movements and substantial size, represent quite a challenge when it comes to finding a practical solution for transport, especially if you want to have everything at hand during photo outings.

So I thought I'd ask here on the forum: how have you organized yourselves? It would be great if you could share a photo of your setup and tell me how you're finding the configuration you've chosen.

I'll start with my latest configuration:

I currently use the PGYTECH OneMo 2 35-45L. I chose this backpack because I thought the squared configuration of the lower part would be perfect for housing my Swebo TCS 20 with several modifications I had made that make it smaller and more versatile.

The upper part allows me to insert up to 3 lenses, small flash, various accessories and the 907x with the TSE-17 mounted. The battery holder with the charged/discharged selector is also very convenient and helps me keep everything organized.

In the photo you can see how I organized the entire interior with the padded dividers.

However, I'd like to compare notes with those who use technical cameras to understand if there are even more functional solutions or particular arrangements you've adopted.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and photos you'd like to share!damianomartinoPGYTECH_OneMo_2.jpg
 
I prefer to keep my camera at the top of the backpack, so it is better insulated from shock if the pack is put down hard. And it is further away from dirt, if that is where you have to put it down. Just a little paranoid about such things.
 
ALPA 12 STC outfit in NYA-EVO RCI-L - camera, lens, digital back, ground glass adapter included.
Backpack is a NYA-EVO 60, which allows to carry a few more lenses and accessories.

IMG_4250.jpg
 
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I use the XT with an IQ4150 back and three lenses (32/50/70). These easily fit into a Wotancraft Pilot travel backpack (20L). The camera frame, with the back and the most recently used lens attached, goes in the lower (padded) compartment. The remaining two lenses go in the upper (padded) compartment, one in a padded case from Artisan & Artist (sold to fit Leica M cameras) and the other in an old Hassy lens pouch. These happenned to be around when I first packed the backpack, they fit the lenses and provent them from bumping into each other, so I stuck with them. The only other equipment in the backpack is a blow brush, polariser for the 70mm lens, a remote release and the diffiusion card for LCC profiles. These go either in the lid pocket or in the upper compartment, together with the two lenses. The Pilot is a compact backpack which, when used in this way, leaves no room for anything else. But I don’t use it for hiking - the usual scenario is that I drive somewhere, take the backpack out and scout for images, with tripod in one hand and the backpack on my back. Importantly, the Pilot is easy to work from because it allows access to equipment from the sides, meaning that I don’t have to lay it down on dirty ground to open it and take the camera and lenses out. When I’ve found the image, I set up the tripod, attach the camera. This leaves my hands free to reach for a different lens, if needed - I swap the lenses with the camera already on the tripod, with the backpack still on my body, if the ground is dirty.

Different setup for 4x5 and 8x10 film cameras. Here I prefer to work from the Tenba Car case or (for 8x10) a Profoto padded case sold for the ring flash reflector. Lenses packed in Stone Photo Gear or Gnass lens cases. All of the above I sometimes load on a beach trolley with extra large wheels. This of course limits my movements to relatively even ground and short distances - ideal for scenarios where I know what and from where I will be shooting (I shoot mostly old factories - link here - so this works for me). Alternatively, my Linhof MT2000 and a few lenses, 2-3 filters, 5 film holders, loupe, cable releases and a spot meter fit neatly in the wonderful Compagnon Element 30L backpack. I sometimes pack a length of bubble wrap or an old towel (attached from the outside) to lay on the ground under my pack to prevent it from getting dirty (if I suspect that I will have to put it on the ground to get access to my equipment).

I am not at home now so can’t post any pictures.
 
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My most compact setup measures 37x46x23cm and weighs in at 11Kg. I always use hard cases, and this particular one has been outfitted with a harness so I can carry it while riding my bike around town. I made extra foam cutouts to protect the lens mounted on the tech cam and keep it snug. For this compact setup, I only need to carry my two favourite lenses, as you see both of them have the extra cutout. The tripod is fastened to the harness and rests on top of the case. I usually only carry two lenses when I photograph 'for fun'.

For more complex shoots, I have a bigger, heavier case that can fit all four lenses I own, including extra accessories such as a compendium and an iPad for live view.

My cats always want to be in the frame, sorry ;-)
(where is Soup when you need him)

IMG_1889.jpg IMG_1896.jpg IMG_1897.jpg
IMG_1890.JPG
 
I think we have exactly the same Tenba solution (at left) and backpack (Atrack 35). It works great.
 
A question that got through my head while reading this: Camera and lenses are one part you can shrink to a certain part, but it's difficult to do the same with a tripod. In case you're needing a tripod, how do you transport the tripod? I can fix mine below the backpack, but building the thing up and storing it again is a very slow process. Is there a quick solution?
 
miriquidi said:
A question that got through my head while reading this: Camera and lenses are one part you can shrink to a certain part, but it's difficult to do the same with a tripod. In case you're needing a tripod, how do you transport the tripod? I can fix mine below the backpack, but building the thing up and storing it again is a very slow process. Is there a quick solution?
Click to expand...

I carry it, sometimes all day. It's far from ideal, but strapping it to a pack has never worked for me. I'm often working in places where a tripod on a pack sticks up high enough to get caught on branches. I also find it unbalances the load, which wears me out sooner.

Holding a heavy tripod that is closed up, with a head installed (especially my C1 Cube) is hard on the hands. Therefore, I usually carry it partly extended with the head underneath my right arm, and my left hand holding it farther down.

This is very comfortable and makes it easier to carry. The downside is that from a distance it looks like I'm carrying a rifle. I have had people jump out of their skin coming around a bend in a trail and seeing "guy with a rifle". When I'm carrying it like that and I expect people, I will switch to a very "this is not a rifle" style of carrying it until they pass by me.
 
Pieter 12 said:
I prefer to keep my camera at the top of the backpack, so it is better insulated from shock if the pack is put down hard. And it is further away from dirt, if that is where you have to put it down. Just a little paranoid about such things.
Click to expand...
Pieter 12 I completely understand and fully agree with your approach! However, this is my working backpack—it doesn't go out on the street, and when I do put it down, it's with great care and attention, almost in slow motion :D
That said, I'm still thinking about whether I can reconfigure the spaces to move the camera to the upper section, but I don't think it will work with the current setup.
 
miriquidi said:
A question that got through my head while reading this: Camera and lenses are one part you can shrink to a certain part, but it's difficult to do the same with a tripod. In case you're needing a tripod, how do you transport the tripod? I can fix mine below the backpack, but building the thing up and storing it again is a very slow process. Is there a quick solution?
Click to expand...
I've always had some sort of tripod holder on my backpacks, but I've never been comfortable with any of them. For a while, I used a Manfrotto shoulder bag, but after constantly putting it on and taking it off, I got tired of it. Now I just carry the tripod by hand.
 
I carry the tripod in my hand. Gitzo 3 series with a leveling base and the 75 Core Leveler from Arca. Long spikes installed at the bottom. If needed, can be deployed to ward off stray dogs, small bears and other undesirable elements (not that I ever felt the need to use it that way).
 
I have two different configurations.

For work I'm using the Lowepro Pro Trekker BP 350 AW II.
IMG_4581.jpg
  • Arca Swiss Pico (I keep the mount and bellows in the lid)
  • Camera body
  • 2 Canon TS-E Lenses
  • 1 Mamiya 6 50mm Lens
  • 24-70 Lens
  • Tabletop tripod (it is surprising how much you need one of these)
  • Batteries, cards, flash trigger, charger, etc.
Lighting is in a Lowepro Pro Trekker BP 450 AW II. Lighting modifiers and stands are in a different bag. And the laptop will either go in one of the backpacks or I'll bring my briefcase. My backup kit stays in the car. My goal is to carry it all in one trip. Almost there.

For fun I'm using a two different Shimoda backpacks. One is 35L I believe, and the other is 50L. If I am going out for the day I'll bring the smaller one, if it involves bringing camping gear then I'll bring the bigger one.

Here is the smaller one with…
IMG_4582.jpg
  • Digital back
  • Arca Swiss Pico (One lens stays mounted and I keep the bellows in the lid)
  • 2 or 3 additional lenses
  • Filters
  • LCC
  • Loupe
  • Other random items

I can also fit a coat, food for the day, extra socks, etc. Whatever I need for a day hike. It has quite a bit of room and is very light when empty. I can fit a lot in the bigger one– tent, sleeping bag, food, extra clothes, toiletries, tech cam, digital back, 3-4 lenses, extra batteries, lcc card, etc…

When I'm working I leave everything set up and carry it that way. When hiking I carry my tripod and set up/break down for most every scene, unless I don't have to move very far. In that case I just carry the tripod with the camera mounted to it.
 
My normal setup is Shimoda Explore 40 with large ICU. I almost always start with my camera setup with what I anticipate starting to shoot with. Part of this is from the habit of shooting at the beach where I try to never setup or break down my camera once I get there. The Shimoda is a deeper backpack which works well for the way I travel with the camera already configured. Also, typically there will be protection above, below and on all sides of my camera/back/lens. I also travel with a RRS TFC-34 and Arca-Swiss Cube. In total normally around 30-32lbs.

Shimoda X70-2.jpeg
 
DMPhoto-IT said:
I've always had some sort of tripod holder on my backpacks, but I've never been comfortable with any of them. For a while, I used a Manfrotto shoulder bag, but after constantly putting it on and taking it off, I got tired of it. Now I just carry the tripod by hand.
Click to expand...
Holding the tripod in one or two hands, means one or two hands you don't have for climbing at steep terrain. To risky for my taste.
Pieter 12's image is a good inspiration. I found a way to fix mine on my old backpack.
 
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