acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

I shoot mainly wildlife, landscape, nature and
architectural. Secondarily, I shoot sporting events and on-location portraits [no weddings for this guy]. I dropped a lense for the first time over the weekend. It popped out of my pants pocket onto the cement. Built like a truck! Nikon takes a licking and keeps on ticking! What are your thoughts on buying a backpack or more of a carry-case for lenses and supplies? I am definitely doing one or the other!!!

Dback4430 Loc: Lockport Il

check into the sling shot types , its a combination thing . I would think It would mostly depend on what you want to take with you. If you are using just what you are wearing , maybe a messenger type would work for you

Kestrel1029 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

It depends on how much gear that you have. I have 3 camera nags that I use depending on the situation. Two are messenger types and a larger backpack that holds a lot of stuff.

My backpack is a Tamrac Evolution 8, it hlods my camera body with a lens attached, 3 other lens, my flash and macro ringlight in the lower compartment and my filetrs, extra batteries, filters and other stuff in the top compartment. Plus it has side pockets and a tripod holder.

In the end you'll have to figure out how you need to take and about how much space it takes up. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Tim

deej

I use a tamarac 7 holds a d5xxx with 28-300 , 35mm, sb400, and many little extras. I am also considering a case/backpack for travel so keep us posted. There are many available options with multiple companies involved and the prices vary as much so it will be and interesting post.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I am a big fan of my OpTech Double Sling strap to carry two bodies with lenses attached, and a vest to carry extra lenses and gear. All is well secured and both your hands are free at all times when not actually shooting. My Domke vest also allows me to attach a third body if needed. When not shooting, all my gear is secured in weather-tight Tundra 815 cases from Underwater Kinetics. It makes everything very easy to transport and they are waterproof as well as virtually indestructable (ie Airline baggage handling gorillas). It takes less than 5 minutes to get what I need out of my cases and put it all in my vest to head out. I carry my Bogen 3021 Tripod with Bogen 3055 Ball Head strapped to the back of my vest where its reasonable easy to grab, but I am usually carrying it over my shoulder when moving from spot to spot.
But all this is just what works for me, others will hate it, some may adopt it, but its my way after almost 40 years of wildlife photography.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
I will add that I do have a LowePro Photo Trekker backpack, but only use if for long treks into the mountains as taking it on and off to get to the gear I need is a pain. I hate sling bags, or most any "bags" as they are always getting in the way of my arms when I am shooting and it makes it WAY too easy for someone to grab it and run off with all your gear if you set it down.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I use a backpack or a lumbar pack, depending on where I'm going and what I'm carrying, neither one looks like camera equipment, Bob.

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

This is good information. I recently stumbled upon the Tamrac Evolution series and this seems to be the best of both worlds -- storarge and portability. I have hiked in with tripod in one hand and steadying the camera with my neck strap and pockets jammed with stuff for too long! Dropping the lense was the last straw. I appreciate all of your thoughts. I only have one camera body and my Sigma 150 -- 500 won't fit in any backpack that i've seen so I will use the case it came in.

ggttc Loc: TN

I use a fly fishing vest by Orvis...10 large pockets..including a large one about 12 inches long designed to carry fish you've caught...(never had a need for this)...but works great for a long lense...

It water resistent and light...I only take one camera body and that goes around my neck...anyway...just a thought.

Leaves you completely mobile when your falling down a trail.

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

LOL --- too funny!I feel for the first time in years into the mountain stream water this last Sunday. Luckily, nothing got wet, and nothing broke. I appreciate your suggestion. I have a hunting vest one pocket is large enough for the kit lenses I own. Honestly there are so many small pockets I can't find anything so I would like to try the backpack/case to keep things out of my pockets and into one place. Keep shooting!!

ggttc Loc: TN

No kidding...I lost my car keys for a year...finally found them in my vest...knew I had 'em 'cause i drove home.

Kestrel1029 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

I have that Sigma lens too. Pretty big chunk of glass. Last night when I was doing research for my previous post to this thread I ran across this Tamrac bag, deisgned to hold a long telephoto lens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/840828-REG/Tamrac_579301_5793_Super_Telephoto_Lens.html

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Tim

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

hI, I bought a backpack off ebay for 17 pounds, it has ajustable sections for all my lens, and camera body, i also bought a fly fishing waistcoat too keep all the little odds and ends in, for 14 pounds.
Alf.

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

I use and have for the past 8 years a Quantaray pro backpack. It has lasted well and looks like it is going to last another 10 years. If I think I am going to be changing lenses frequently I will also take along a leather lens case that I have left over from film days.

DriverDan Loc: Placerville, CA

I use a CaseLogic 206 backpack.

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

After using a variety of cases including a Tamarac backpack and a smaller Tenba waist pack, I have switched to a Kata slingbag which I really like. There is plenty of room for carrying extra lenses if you wish, and plenty of poctets and sections for other items including ground cloth, water bottle, snack, tissue, cell phone, asthma inhaler--The model I have can be used as a backpack or with a luggage trolley. The yellow interior makes it easier to find items inside. It can be used by left handed or right handed shooters. I like the fact that I can get at my camera easily without having to remove the slingbag.