Waterproof backpack: It's been great reading all of your postings in the hog world.... Here is my first posting. I need a suggestion on a waterproof camera back pack. It needs to hold...

Dblink Loc: New York

It's been great reading all of your postings in the hog world....
Here is my first posting.
I need a suggestion on a waterproof camera back pack.
It needs to hold a DSLR, 80-400 mm lens and two smaller lenses, batteries
filters etc.
I'll be using this pack for hiking
Boating, skiing, you get the picture...
I'm aware there might not be one bag that fits the bill but maybe there is something close.
Thanks all.
David

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Hey David, welcome to the forum!

As a hint, it's easier to use the links at the top of the screen than rely on the Digest.
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nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Welcome to the Hog, David. You'll find lots of friends & plenty of good advice here. LowePro makes a number of bags that are "all weather". I have a Flipside 500 AW that holds a 150-600, 70-200, 28-75, 50, body, flash, etc. B&H sells it for $160.00 with free shipping. It's not waterproof but, has a slip over cover that makes it weather resistant. If you're looking for something more weather proof, you can use B&H's online chat on their website.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Dblink wrote:

It's been great reading all of your postings in the hog world....
Here is my first posting.
I need a suggestion on a waterproof camera back pack.
It needs to hold a DSLR, 80-400 mm lens and two smaller lenses, batteries
filters etc.
I'll be using this pack for hiking
Boating, skiing, you get the picture...
I'm aware there might not be one bag that fits the bill but maybe there is something close.
Thanks all.
David

Check out the LowePro line, I have two of them (I outgrew the first one) and they work.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

Welcome David!

Will camera gear be the only thing you'll carry, or will it just be a small part of what you'll carry?

Leitz Loc: Solms

Dblink wrote:

It's been great reading all of your postings in the hog world....
Here is my first posting.
I need a suggestion on a waterproof camera back pack.
It needs to hold a DSLR, 80-400 mm lens and two smaller lenses, batteries
filters etc.
I'll be using this pack for hiking
Boating, skiing, you get the picture...
I'm aware there might not be one bag that fits the bill but maybe there is something close.
Thanks all.
David

Welcome to the forum. B&H is my preferred source of information on photo gear. Check the specifications of what's available, and make your own personal choice.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=176&N=4291645571&origSearch=camera%20backpacks

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dblink wrote:

It's been great reading all of your postings in the hog world....
Here is my first posting.
I need a suggestion on a waterproof camera back pack.
It needs to hold a DSLR, 80-400 mm lens and two smaller lenses, batteries
filters etc.
I'll be using this pack for hiking
Boating, skiing, you get the picture...
I'm aware there might not be one bag that fits the bill but maybe there is something close.
Thanks all.
David

Welcome to our forum!

There are too many choices, but I like Lowepro.

Paul Buckhiester Loc: Columbus, GA USA

jerryc41 wrote:

Welcome to our forum!

There are too many choices, but I like Lowepro.

:thumbup:

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some are actually waterproof, and others have a waterproof cover you can pull over them. I like that type because it covers everything, like zippers and pockets, although I don't think I currently have one.

jcboy3

Dblink wrote:

It's been great reading all of your postings in the hog world....
Here is my first posting.
I need a suggestion on a waterproof camera back pack.
It needs to hold a DSLR, 80-400 mm lens and two smaller lenses, batteries
filters etc.
I'll be using this pack for hiking
Boating, skiing, you get the picture...
I'm aware there might not be one bag that fits the bill but maybe there is something close.
Thanks all.
David

There is a significant difference between "waterproof", "weather resistant", and so called "all weather" bags.

Waterproof bags can be tossed into the water; your stuff will stay dry and not get wet. Typically, these are rubberized roll-up sealed bags, no zippers. Brands like Aquapac and Tyr. I use this type to carry camera gear on the water (rafting, canoeing, kayaking). I use a separate padded storage bag (I like the Lowepro Omni line, since discontinued). The advantage to the Omni's is that you can also put them in Pelican waterproof hard shell cases.

Weather resistant bags will have waterproof material and sealed zippers. They can take direct exposure to water as rain but I wouldn't submerge them or splash them repeatedly (but they might help your gear survive in case of an accidental dunking).

All-weather bags will have water resistant material and come with a rain cover for extreme conditions.

Personally, I only trust waterproof bags if I'm on the water.

adamsg Loc: Chubbuck, ID

I agree with Nick. Lowepro backpacks are very versatile in allowing you to customize the interior for your particular needs. They are also water resistant and, in addition have a built in "rain poncho" you can use to enclose the whole pack body. It is not immersion resistant, but short of that will serve you very well. I really like mine and use it is all kinds of weather.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I have both a Think Tank bag and a Tamrac. Both have rain covers built into them. I do a jungle trip every year and usually carry the Tamrac. It's smaller but holds a dslr with 2 lenses and all the accessories I need. I find that it's really important to load the bag and try it on for comfort and fit. Also important is trying all of your gear in the bag. My stuff actually fits in the smaller bag more easily than in the larger one just because of the configuration of the pockets. I used to have a Kata (I think that was the name) bag that was stolen. I REALLY liked it except that it didn't have a place to carry a water bottle. I understand they were bought out by someone else.

Short version of what I'm saying is that there's more to a bag than just being waterproof.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Try CLIK Elite, also.

To repeat what others have said, big difference between waterproof and water resistant.

On the water, I use dry bags--but a dry bag type backpack is large and heavy, and loads from the top--no compartments, and difficult to get stuff in and out of if you're in a hurry to get that once-in-a- lifetime shot.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Dblink wrote:

It's been great reading all of your postings in the hog world....
Here is my first posting.
I need a suggestion on a waterproof camera back pack.
It needs to hold a DSLR, 80-400 mm lens and two smaller lenses, batteries
filters etc.
I'll be using this pack for hiking
Boating, skiing, you get the picture...
I'm aware there might not be one bag that fits the bill but maybe there is something close.
Thanks all.
David

If you check out kayaking places, there are some in there. I have found that waterproof bags are not necessarily great for hiking and general land usage, as they are constructed of rubber. Lowe and other manufacturers provide water resistant packs with built -in covers that help with rain, spray and the like.

But if you are looking for a bag that will keep things dry if it falls into the water, then you require a float bag or pack...again heavier and not as functional as a land bag. If you choose to use it on land, the dry air and daily portaging will cause seams to eventually leak. Then you are back to a regular bag with better water resistance, but not waterproof.

Search companies who make float bags and see if they have something that might work for you.

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

Lowe-Pro trekker 350 has a built-in storm shield but a big plastic bag also helps.