Backpack question for 4x5

[hazardsg]

I'm outgrowing my generic photo backpack that I've been using for 4x5. I'm looking to "upgrade" to something a little bit better. My original plan was to pick up a used Lowepro Photo Trekker AW I or II. I recently found padded camera inserts on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017XCYUIK...oding=UTF8&me=). I think two of them would fit into my Kelty Redwing Bag. Any opinions on what option would be better? I'll be using it for day hikes at local state parks. Current gear includes: Toyo 45A, Fuji 90mm f/8, Fuji 150mm f/6.3, Fuji 210mm f/5.6. I plan on adding a Fuji 400T f/8 down the line. I also will carry a Minolta incident, Pentax spot meter, film holders, filters, etc.)

Thank you for any insight.

Steven

[faberryman]

I recently purchased an Fstop Anja for my Technikardan and 90/150/210 setup and couldn't be happier. Your Toyo 45A is a bit smaller than the Technikardan so there should be enough extra room for the 400T.

[Paul Cunningham]

This is destined to become my favorite thread. Last time out I jammed my Ebony 45SU and 4 more lenses into a LowePro ProRunner 350 AW. It didn't leave much room for film holders.
I've been looking at MindShift Gear FirstLight 40L, but I didn't know about the Anja.

I recently purchased an Fstop Anja for my Technikardan and 90/150/210 setup and couldn't be happier. Your Toyo 45A is a bit smaller than the Technikardan so there should be enough extra room for the 400T.

If you get the nasturtium color, I'll bet it will light the trail at night.

[faberryman]

I went with the Red Bull edition - grey with red accents.

[locutus]

I checked a Lowepro ProTactic 450 in the store last weekend to see if it would fit a 5x4 and it seems like a decent backpack for it. Would be curious if anyone uses it for that.

[stawastawa]

The Anja Bags look nice.

I personally have been happy with my kelty redwing. for tachihara 4x5 + a 35mm kit. one thing with the kelty is no reinforced bottom, so either throw a towel or a foam pad or something on the bottom to prevent damadge when you put the bag down. I also still wish I had had a zipper conversion done so the front of the bag would unzip all the way, but it's not a big deal .

[Greg]

Probably something like 7 years ago bought a LowePro Slingshot bag. Used it professionally for maybe 3 or 4 years. A main zipper broke on it so I called LowePro to see how I could get it repaired. Was asked for the manufacturing info on a tag on the bag. Was told no need to send the bag back to them for repair. I should be getting a new bag to replace mine in the mail in a week or so. Now that's a company that stands behind their product.

[Drew Bedo]

Probably something like 7 years ago bought a LowePro Slingshot bag. Used it professionally for maybe 3 or 4 years. A main zipper broke on it so I called LowePro to see how I could get it repaired. Was asked for the manufacturing info on a tag on the bag. Was told no need to send the bag back to them for repair. I should be getting a new bag to replace mine in the mail in a week or so. Now that's a company that stands behind their product.

Had a nearly identicle experience with a similar model LowPro sling bag. I bought it used at a camera store knowing the zipper to a small pocket was broken. In all innocence, I brought it to a local independent outdoor sports store (like REI) asking aboutgetting the zipper fixed. They took the bag and my contact info and said they would call me. I expected that they had some zipper-wizard who would magic it back together. A week later they called to say . ."Your bag is ready." and I went in. To my surprise, there was a completely new bag in factory packaging!

Turns out they carry LowePro bags and packs and so called it in as a warrantee issue. Who knew?

[Corran]

A couple of months ago I bought a Lowepro Tactic 450AW. This is a newer model, and of course "optimized" for digital cameras. However, I've found it to be really great for 4x5 and related accessories.

With the removal of just a couple of dividers, a folding field cam and plenty of film holders fits in the bottom, with lots of room for lenses and also some extra, smaller-format cameras. This bag has a laptop area which I use for a Quickload holder and a dozen or so color film envelopes. Filters and other stuff also can go in the zippered areas on the lid.

The side panels open up and you can grab lenses, film, or other stuff there. The top also opens and again, you can put whatever you want in there to be readily accessible.

Highly recommended - this is my daily-carry bag now. Big enough for everything I want to bring but not humongous like the bigger Tamrac bag I have. Plus, something that really sold me, is that there isn't 10 different straps and connectors hanging off the dang thing. My big Tamrac has all kinds of junk hanging off it and it's really annoying. Plus I have hit others while walking with swinging straps and stuff which I don't like.

Here's a pick of it loaded up:

[locutus]

A couple of months ago I bought a Lowepro Tactic 450AW. This is a newer model, and of course "optimized" for digital cameras. However, I've found it to be really great for 4x5 and related accessories.[/img]

I just bought mine today, it fits my Shenhao TZ45A, 3 lenses, set of filters, 6 DDS holders, Sony RX100(=Lightmeter), and a tripod strapped to the side perfectly.

The only gotcha is that my Shenhao doesn't fit standing up as your Chamonix does, it has to lie flat on its baseplate in the bottom compartment, this is fine but it does take up more space.

All this together is pretty comfy to wear, time to go out and shoot some sheets now! :-)