Camera Bags for Hiking: I am passionate about photography and hiking and have been trying without success to find a bag to carry a full frame DSLR, couple of lenses, a hydration pack...

peteanand

I am passionate about photography and hiking and have been trying without success to find a bag to carry a full frame DSLR, couple of lenses, a hydration pack and some survival gear. Appreciate any suggestions.

Drewsef

I like the Lowepro flip side sport series. There are some good YouTube video demos. Watch the Corey Rich one. He goes through what he carries and why. Lots of good info and ideas.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I simply place my regular camera bag into standard hiking backpack that is large enough for any other stuff I need to have with me. If I feel more cushioning is needed to keep the camera equipment safe, a folded up towel on the bottom inside of the backpack works nicely.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I have a Tamrac 5374 Adventure 74 Backpack, it's nice, holds a lot, chest strap, and very comfortable. Unfortunately now discontinued, but BH Photo still has images. I also got the "saddlebags" for it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544641-REG/tamrac_537403_adventure_74_backpack_gray_black.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/574989-REG/Tamrac_MX538301_MX5383_M_A_S_Flash_Accessory.html

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Drewsef wrote:

I like the Lowepro flip side sport series. There are some good YouTube video demos. Watch the Corey Rich one. He goes through what he carries and why. Lots of good info and ideas.

:thumbup:

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Look at THINK TANK. I use Streetwalker PRO, and find it very comfortable to carry.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

peteanand wrote:

I am passionate about photography and hiking and have been trying without success to find a bag to carry a full frame DSLR, couple of lenses, a hydration pack and some survival gear. Appreciate any suggestions.

Finding a good bag need not be too frustrating. Instead of copying what others do, here's what I suggest to choose the bag that's right for YOU -
There are three main considerations.
You know what you want to carry, so you know the size.
You know how you want to carry it, so you know the style. For hiking I recommend a backpack of course, though a shoulder bag is not necessarily (too) crazy, especially in open country.
Now you need do some careful thinking. How do you want the inside configured to stow your gear for convenient access? This is strictly a personal choice.
My preferred reference here is B&H. They list a wide variety of sizes and styles, and by comparing the specifications you can narrow your choices down pretty well.
Now you can think about brands. My old Tamrac backpack has been through brush, briars, cactus and rocks for about 35 years now, and I just cannot wear it out. I use and like Billingham and Manfrotto bags, but there are many other good ones that I have no experience with.
Good luck - may you find the right bag, the FIRST time! :)

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

peteanand wrote:

I am passionate about photography and hiking and have been trying without success to find a bag to carry a full frame DSLR, couple of lenses, a hydration pack and some survival gear. Appreciate any suggestions.

based on your requirements, a hydration pack, why not check out something like Backpacker Magazine , start at the hiking end as the hydration pack is probably the most limiting item. Bob.

Nisolow

You might consider a compact holster type case for camera and small lens along with padded lens bags for a couple of lenses. That way you can put them into any general purpose backpack along with non-photo supplies. Just don't let the water containers leak!

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I have a MindShift. It is a unique bag and expensive. The bottom part is a separate bag that holds your camera and lens. It swings around to the front, take your shot, put it back in the bag and swing it back around without ever taking the pack off your back. It will also hold a hydration pack and has compartments for other lenses and tripod.

http://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/rotation180-professional . You will also find them at Amazon.com.

Joshr Loc: Rockland County NY

I was in the same predicament. I tried using a wrap on my camera and throwing it in my day pack. This setup is not convenient. If I wanted to take photos I always had to stop, take my pack off, and dig out my camera. Then put it all back together and hike on. This setup is time consuming and scares wildlife.

Best solution I found is a Lowepro Toploader bag and the optional chest harness. I wear this and my day pack. This offers really quick access, frees up space and weight in my day pack. I hiked into the Grand Canyon with this setup and it worked perfectly. I carried another lens and filters in my daypack.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Clik Elite Venutre 30:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TLIKJO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Very solid and well made, with a hydration sleeve, a camera compartment at the bottom, where the weight should be, and two elastic pockets on the side, which hold water bottles for me and for my Australian shepherd. I don't care for hydration bags. Very comfortable and adjustable.

I tried the Lower flipped AW 400. I know it's popular here, but I find it awkward to get cameras out of the bottom of the zipper area, and it holds more camera than I wish to hike with, and has less room for other stuff.

both are very well made. If you really want the LowePro, PM me, I'll sell you mine, at a very fair price.

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

Check out Think Tank or Mind Set.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Lowepro Fastback 250 or 350.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

peteanand wrote:

I am passionate about photography and hiking and have been trying without success to find a bag to carry a full frame DSLR, couple of lenses, a hydration pack and some survival gear. Appreciate any suggestions.

Though I have many Lowepro's in various types, for hiking and travel purposes, I have converted a padded computer backpack (reinforced with some additional padding) for use. I carry two bodies with lenses mounted and an additional spare lens. There are many such padded backpacks with hydration packs built in that you can probably use. Just hope that the hydration pack doesn't leak!