Sergey

When I backpack I barely can fit my stuff in 55L backpack. This one seems too small. But I have to admit I'm not an ultralight backpacker.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Can't be a full frame or med format for a 10 mile hike? But I get your point & I figure it falls under, it all depends.

Sergey

I don't have OpTech strap but sometimes cary the camera on a short neck strap. It does bounce a bit and on the rock scrambles (which happen quite often on NH White Mountains trails) and the front element of the lens hits the rock in from of me. In the past I used to wear an elastic band around my chest and was putting it over the strap right near the camera to prevent bouncing. Nowadays I rarely bring "big" camera (including M34) on the trips but opt for a nearly pocket size Canon or a cellphone.

Sergey

Depending on the terrain, trail conditions, elevation gain, weather, group (if not soloing) and fitness a 10 miles hike can take whole day.

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

Admired for your hikes, organization and sharing your set-up! I just about bit on Olympus to reduce weight. Have to admit, that is one sweet option if you are going the distance. Definitely a hiker AND photographer.

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

I have been thinking about cotton carrier but concerned about heat...Brazil, the desert, Kansas in the summer. etc...ugh.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Yeah. That’s an interesting setup but I like my Peak Designs Sling worn cross body. It doesn’t bounce around nearly as much as in front and I can swing it further back for rock scrambles. Also instead of a tripod I use a platypod and it makes it quick and easy to mount without having to detach anything. The platypod is great because I can quickly and easily set up on a rock for a nice low angle for shooting waterfalls.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Looks good!

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

I use a similar system that can be connected to a regular backpack or a camera backpack.

I made mine from leather with quick disconnects and kept the neck strap on the camera as a safety strap if one or both disconnects come loose.
I found that taking the weight off your neck makes for a more comfortable shooting day and the camera does very little bouncing around.

I have put together a harness to use from off the shelf items using the same principles when not using a backpack.

willy6419

Use the cotton carrier. Has a Velcro strap that keeps the camera snug between use. Any backpack or none works well with it.

So many choices, so little time.

tcanzano Loc: Bristol, NH

I just ordered a Mindshift backpack from B&H. Unfortunately, it is on BO. I cannot wait until it comes in.

peter pat Loc: Miami Beach

Thats a nice idea for dslr carry, for hiking I usually end up with my old faithful aw coolpix. Lightweight and not afraid of water..

Judy795

I just finished photographing 15 waterfalls in NC. I used the Cotton Carrier for the FF camera and lens and a lightweight backpack for tripod and odd items. I am short and old and this worked well for up to 4 mile hikes in cool weather.

fantom Loc: Colorado

I used to agree with what you just said but have started using a rig that secures the camera against my chest. I usually carry a full size DSLR with a zoom lens and the difference with the camera secure to the chest is amazing. Hiking steep, rocky trails that are almost a scramble at tree line used to be a chore keeping the camera tight and immobile but a rig that keeps the camera from flopping around is a dream come true.

I'm not as spry as I used to be and need a hiking staff to come down any slope that is not flat so that leaves just one hand free for everything else. In the past the free hand was busy protecting/managing the camera against any movement even if the movement was not significant. It is great having the one hand back and the camera immobile against my chest. I'm using the Cotton Skout.

hjkarten Loc: San Diego, California

While planning on a 7-10 Sierra trip about 7 years ago, I was discouraged by the burden of hauling my Nikon DSLR D300 up and down steep inclines. That was my first introduction to Mirrorless SONY A6000. I think the combined weight of camera and lens was less than 1 to 1.5 pounds. The pictures were quite pleasing even with the 16-50 mm kit lens. No tripod, but I often found a convenient boulder or tree to rest against.
SOme of them were suitable for printing at 20x30 inches. The camera and lens fit easily into a small fanny pack attached to my waist/waistbelt. I had a small solar charger for restoring the charge to my spare battery.
I mostly now shoot with a A7R4, but for hiking, I now use a A6500 with the same old kit lens. The 6500 has the advantage of a bit better weatherproofing than the A6000, as well as image stabilization. Excellent image quality despite the inexpensive lens, as long as I take a bit of care with aperture and shutter speed. Better glass in lens would mean disproportionate increase in weight. For short day hikes when birding, I use my A7R4 with a very heavy 200-600 mm telephoto. Out of the question for me for long hikes. The A6000 saw me through some pleasing photos on 7-10 day hikes in the Dolomites, Paria Canyon, and a lengthy car camping trip through Canyonlands Nat'l Park. Much as I like the idea of the Olympus TG-5, I found it difficult to get decent composition on the LCD screen. The electronic view finder added only a very few ounces of weight, but provided excellent images for composition even in bright sunlight.