OHenry Loc: St. Michaels, MD

I have just signed up for a Road Scholar (aka Elderhostel) trip to Oregon. It'll be a small group "tour" across 400 miles of Oregon coastline/villages( 10 days) with a pro photog. as guide. I'm VERY excited.

I need a backpack for my camera and gear:Canon Rebel T2i,70-300mm, 17-40mm,100mm Macro and 50mm. I'll be wearing this thing "on locations" every day. I'm 5'1", so I'll need something that is smallish and light.

Lastly, I'll need to be carrying a tripod. What would you folks recommend?? I don't want super flimsy (I already have one of those) nor do I want too heavy.

Can anyone give me advice on my backpack and tripod needs? I'd be grateful for your seasoned advice.

dame_wolf Loc: Oregon

Not sure on the backpack but I know if you just want quick and easy you can go into Best Buy and find some. As for the tripod I wonder if a Monopod wouldn't be better for you. And it can double as a walking stick.

SeniorPhotographer Loc: the Great Pacific Northwest

I shoot in this area a lot and I had a Lowepro Slingpack that I LOVED until some punk broke into my house and stole it.

I too recommend a monopod. Light, rugged, can be used as a walking stick and works for just about everything except night shots.

Good Shooting!

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

How much do you want to spend?

I use a Really Right Stuff Carbon Fiber tripod and a RRS BH55 ballhead. ITs light and probably the best tripod made(IMHO) Its also really expensive. Its rock solid with a camera. I did the cheap thing once as well. Never again.

I would advise not to get a pistol grip head unless you just want shoot portraits and a place to hold your camera. Pistol grip heads tend to sag under weight load with long lenses.

THe tripod things depends on what your shooting and how much stability you need.

Tamrac makes some decent bags and not to expensive.
Go to there web site. I think I have there 6X backpack.
Lowepro is what I use most of the time mainly because the one I got is bigger than the Tamrac.

richnash46 Loc: Texas

I would echo what has already been said and recommend a monopod and a Lowepro sling bag or backpack!

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Canon makes a great light backpack that is very durable and functional. Costs about $39. I have had one for 8 years and cannot wear it out.
I also have backpacks that cost in excess of $250, (fool that I am) but for carrying light, the Canon is hard to beat.

I'd recommend a good monopod (unless you are planning some time exposures). Lighter and less expensive than a tripod, and will work for most occasions as well as double as a walking stick if needed.

rebride

A ten day tour with a pro photo guide. A tripod is in order.
Most light wieght tripods don't feel sturdy just because they are light. I carry a small net/mesh bag with string closure to hang from it. Add some rocks, lens whatever handy. Works wonders.
The head is important.
A monopod would be good even with a tripod. Never leave home without it. I use a cheap very light monopod from Radio Shack ($12.0). It was bought as a temporary replacement to my 'pro' left at the Vatican. That was over three years ago and it's still going hecka strong (and light).

bioteacher Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I have a Lowepro 302 Sling and loved it till I was in a crowded area and/or wanted to take a long lens. I recently purchased a Lowepro Flipside 500AW and love it. Can carry a long lens (100-400mm) and still has space for other lenses and gadgets. It also opens from the back so I don't have to worry about someone unzipping the bag and taking out a lens or camera when I am in large crowds,

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Get the Canon Backpack, should hold everything for you, and only $40.00 Gary http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=toolbar-instant&hl=en&ion=1&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS446US446#hl=en&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS446US446&sclient=psy-ab&q=canon%20backpack&oq=&gs_l=&pbx=1&fp=1&ion=1&biw=1920&bih=940&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&cad=b

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

check out the REGGED traveling tripods,alf the price of a Gitzo and very sturdy and light. and look at tha small in duro or giotto ball heads. For a backpack Thinktank Shape Shifter will hold all your gear www.thinktankphoto.com/workshop-ws-542

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I'd go with a monopod and some additional stabilizing item like a bungee cord, strap it to something if necessary, tripod too heavy to carry unless you are sure your going to need it, might add a table top tripod and or a gorrilla pod to the bag though, Bob.

bioteacher Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Might take a monopod instead of a tripod

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Induro carbon fiber tripod. Made better than Gitzo and much cheaper. Kenti backpack [http://fstopgear.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=549:kenti&catid=55:mountain&Itemid=342]

Kayper Loc: Seattle

I have recently been on three "outings" with a small group and pro and I'm in your age group! One in Paris for 1.5 days, one in Oregon for 3 days, and one snowshoeing. Some of us had REI type backpacks and some had camera packs,no slings. All had tripods and we needed them to set up in streams and tricky areas. Having a tripod was essential in order to have hands free for all your camera adjustments, slow shutter shots and thinking. I recommend a backpack style with room for hat, umbrella, water, etc. and a lightweight tripod (look as SLIK). Also, don't forget a graduated ND and polarizer. I wish I was going!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I'd find out what you'll be shooting. Your lenses will be fine for images of the small towns, people, landscapes etc. but you'll want a longer lens for wildlife.

As far as a backpack is concerned, you can't go wrong with Lowepro or Tamrac. You'll have to go see them for yourself and try them on, look at the dividers, etc. I can tell you this from experience - Everyone buys their first backpack too small. You really need to lay everything out on your bed that you will be taking with you on your daily adventures so that you know exactly how much space you need in your backpack. Include all the camera gear you'll be taking. If taking a body and three lenses, imagine the backpack with 3 lens dividers and a divider for the body, or 2 dividers for lenses and one for a body with the longest lens attached.

You can buy a Manfrotto aluminum tripod and ball head for about $200 that will be fine. You want to make sure that the backpack has straps on the side or back for attaching the tripod.

This is the Manfrotto tripod that I have: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Manfrotto-3001BD-Tripod-with-Manfrotto-486-Quick-Release-head-/200799010859?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item2ec08dc02b

It's perfect for my T2i and lenses under 200mm. Manfrotto makes a new model that replaced this one but the only difference is that the new model had a quick release center column. But this size of this one is good for what you are doing.