Specific bag recommendation

[yenemy]

I'm slated to go backpacking along the Great Wall next year, and I figured it would be a nice excuse to pick up a 16-50 and maybe a 50-135 while I'm at it.

The problem is, my current main bag (LowePro TLZ AW) won't hold those beefy lenses in any kind of efficient way, especially considering I might want to bring my Sigma 10-20mm as well.

So if anyone has a bag recommendation for either of the two gear sets, I'd appreciate it!

K10D body
Sigma 10-20mm
DA*16-50mm
DA*50-135mm

Little accessories -- extra batteries, lenspen, wipes, blower -- can be stuffed in any nooks/crannies in the pack if necessary.

Also, I'm thinking about not having a "carry everything" photo bag at all. I'll probably have the 16-50 on the body 90% of the time, so any thoughts on just having the 50-135 and 10-20 in lens cases, and using my small LowePro Rezo AW bag for the K10+16-50?

[keith.s]

I use a Kata DR-467. Holds my non beefy lenses very well (along-with my laptop and snacks/jumper). They have an online bag choser application webpage. I'm pretty sure you'll find something in the backpack type design for your kit. Give it a go - Video bags camera bags Kata - Manufacturer of camera bags

[Ratmagiclady]

I don't know much about backpacking, but I'd be willing to bet you could attach separate lens cases to whatever you use for that, for the big glass, and maybe sling what you're shooting with. If you're going to be wearing that pack at all times when you want your gear, at least.

[nah]

I just picked up a Tamrac Adventure 9 not too long ago and it's awesome and comfy. It fits my K20D, flash unit, 17-50, FA 50, 50-135 w/pouch, and I have left over compartments.

[Damn Brit]

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

I don't know much about backpacking, but I'd be willing to bet you could attach separate lens cases to whatever you use for that, for the big glass, and maybe sling what you're shooting with. If you're going to be wearing that pack at all times when you want your gear, at least.

I second that suggestion, you will probably find separate lens cases much more convenient for changing the lenses. You can even attach them to your belt.

[Suzu]

Originally Posted by keith.s

I use a Kata DR-467. Holds my non beefy lenses very well (along-with my laptop and snacks/jumper). They have an online bag choser application webpage. I'm pretty sure you'll find something in the backpack type design for your kit. Give it a go - Video bags camera bags Kata - Manufacturer of camera bags

I too have the Kata-467 and love it It gets a recommendation from me!

[Mallee Boy]

Look out, camera bag fetish can become as addictive as LBA.

I find the sling bag the most comfortable AND the most practical to use, particularly in crowded areas. The ability to pull the sling bag around to the front without removing it draws less attention to yourself...whereas taking off & opening a backpack in a crowded area just serves to advertise to all & sundry what you are carrying. And crowds in popular tourist spots in China are a fact of life.

I walked a section of the Great Wall in Nov '07 and can advise you will want as little extra weight as possible, so choose carefully.

In my opinion the 16-50 & 50-135 would be more than adequate. A good quality monopod is essential, as it can double up as a walking pole......which you will be grateful for after a few thousand steps that have to be seen to be believed.

Initially I bought a Tamrac Velocity 8X bag, which would do the job, but it is NOT waterproof in heavy rain. I now have Lowpro that has a pull out rain coat.

Enjoy your trip, we enjoyed China and hope to get back there one day.
Cheers.

[kthung]

Originally Posted by Mallee Boy

Look out, camera bag fetish can become as addictive as LBA.

I find the sling bag the most comfortable AND the most practical to use, particularly in crowded areas. The ability to pull the sling bag around to the front without removing it draws less attention to yourself...whereas taking off & opening a backpack in a crowded area just serves to advertise to all & sundry what you are carrying. And crowds in popular tourist spots in China are a fact of life.

I walked a section of the Great Wall in Nov '07 and can advise you will want as little extra weight as possible, so choose carefully.

In my opinion the 16-50 & 50-135 would be more than adequate. A good quality monopod is essential, as it can double up as a walking pole......which you will be grateful for after a few thousand steps that have to be seen to be believed.

Initially I bought a Tamrac Velocity 8X bag, which would do the job, but it is NOT waterproof in heavy rain. I now have Lowpro that has a pull out rain coat.

Enjoy your trip, we enjoyed China and hope to get back there one day.
Cheers.

I second the sling bag suggestion. Backpacks really are clumsy in crowded areas. I have a Lowepro Slingshot 200 that I took on a trip to Hong Kong and Taiwan and it worked magnificently. Sling bags are easily accessible, and since I was frequently on and off buses, it was nice not having to take on and off a backpack every time, I could just slide the bag around onto my lap. Also, when it's dark I slide the bag around in front of me and prop my elbows on it for better stability.

[Ben_Edict]

Originally Posted by yenemy

I'm slated to go backpacking along the Great Wall next year, and I figured it would be a nice excuse to pick up a 16-50 and maybe a 50-135 while I'm at it.

The problem is, my current main bag (LowePro TLZ AW) won't hold those beefy lenses in any kind of efficient way, especially considering I might want to bring my Sigma 10-20mm as well.

So if anyone has a bag recommendation for either of the two gear sets, I'd appreciate it!

K10D body
Sigma 10-20mm
DA*16-50mm
DA*50-135mm

Little accessories -- extra batteries, lenspen, wipes, blower -- can be stuffed in any nooks/crannies in the pack if necessary.

If you are backpacking, your back is occupied by the normal backpack.

A sling bag or a dedicated photo backpack are certainly no first choices with such a load - they couldn't be carried comfortably.

That limits your photo bag options to pretty much a should bag or something to add to your waist belt. I would prefer the latter - perhaps a combination of a smaller LowePro Nova AW as the main bag + two lens bags for the bigger lenses. This way you can distribute the weight evenly and don't have to meddle with additional straps in addition to your backpack's straps.

Ben

[ryno]

When I have just camera gear it's a sling bag, by far the most convienient. I have the new pentax crossover, it fits the 16-50 mounted, 50-135 in the lower compartment, and a 35mm macro/ fisheye in the upper. With my daypack I use a lowepro inverse belt pack, it can hold the same as above, maybe a little more. When truely backpacking I have clips rigged on the front of my backpacks shoulder straps that hold a lowepro nova, kind of like a chest bag. Having a camera strap around your neck while wearing a loaded backpack gets old really fast. The clips put the weight on your main pack and gives you access while keeping your pack on.
Ryan

[ixian]

Originally Posted by Ben_Edict

If you are backpacking, your back is occupied by the normal backpack.

A sling bag or a dedicated photo backpack are certainly no first choices with such a load - they couldn't be carried comfortably.

Ben

That's right - photo bags/backpacks are pretty useless for a proper trekking...

I've got a Lowepro Toploader 65 AW, fits nicely on the waistbelt of my rucksack and is big enough for K10D + DA* 16-50 (or even a bit bigger glass and a battery grip). A couple of lens cases or pouches will take other gear.

[hwblanks]

I just bought a Tenba Shootout medium rolling backpack and that sucker is HUGE! It holds everything (including the laptop), but I don't see it as being really practical for a day hike, though since it is so big. I'll probably use it more for storage and as a 1 bag solution for getting all of my gear from point A to point B. Once I'm at point B, I'll most likely use a hip pack like the Lowepro Inverse 200 for day hikes and such since it's unlikely that I'll want to take all of my lenses on any given outing.

Heather

[Ben_Edict]

Originally Posted by ixian

That's right - photo bags/backpacks are pretty useless for a proper trekking...

I've got a Lowepro Toploader 65 AW, fits nicely on the waistbelt of my rucksack and is big enough for K10D + DA* 16-50 (or even a bit bigger glass and a battery grip). A couple of lens cases or pouches will take other gear.

Yes, the Toploaders would make good belt bags. They are nicely made, by the way (I have a 75).
Ben