a bigger backpack

[Joseph O'Neil]

For about 7- 8 years I have been using a Lowepro classic trekker backpack. Here's a link to the new version, which is the same size as what i have:

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...r_Classic.aspx

Well with the addition of a new 90mm lens i just bought, my backpack is a wee bit too small now. I carry my 4x5 Tachihara, about 6 lenses, spot meter, loupe, about 6 film plates and a variety of filters, and a couple first aid items (like band aids and iodine).

A lot of photo stores in the local area have Lowepro backpacks, bigger ones, but man - they are huge! Alomost too big, and most of the larger ones I see around here have these waterproof zippers that probally do a good job, but man, what a PITA to open and close.

What do people suggest, if anything, that is a step larger than the Lowepro I have now? I would be happy to look at other brands, but around here, there are no other photo backpacks in stock.

Here's another question - those padded dividers you see inside camera cases and photo backpacks - can you buy those seperately? One store near me has some excellent hiking backpacks in stock, and I could adapt one of those to use if I had the padded divider I think.

That's another problem I find - buying backpacks is a bit like buying a pair of shoes - you almost have to try one on to see if it is comfortable or not. That's what I found with the larger Lowepro backpacks, just too larger, too much for me

thanks
joe

[Nick_3536]

When I get my act together I'm going down to MEC to grab one of

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1175106165765

Those. It's not a "photo" back but then that's okay with me. They also have the bigger Gregory which might be too big.

If you aren't a MEC member you need to buy a membership. $5 lifetime?

[Vaughn]

Nick,

That looks to be a top-loader. I used a top-loader for my 4x5 and 5x7 and it worked fine -- the camera was on the bottom and I had to empty the pack to photograph. I only had one lens and a minimum of stuff that were in two small stuff-sacks.

But since then, I have found a pack for my 8x10 with a front panel that zips off to be much easier all around. I don't have to find a dry piece of ground to set everything on, etc. I cut a piece of closed-cell foam (backpacking sleeping pad) that goes over the equipment before I zip the pack up -- I use it to set equipment on instead of the ground, and use it to sit on while waiting for the light (instead of trying to sit on snow or rough rocks!)

Joe, the pack I got is not a "photo" pack -- I made my own dividers using more of that same closed-cell foam sleeping pad and glue.

Vaughn

[Nick_3536]

Nick,

That looks to be a top-loader. I used a top-loader for my 4x5 and 5x7 and it worked fine -- the camera was on the bottom and I had to empty the pack to photograph. I only had one lens and a minimum of stuff that were in two small stuff-sacks.

I think it has a side access to but basically a top loader. They have a bigger one with full access but it seems over kill for anything less then 8x10.

[Vaughn]

I think it has a side access to but basically a top loader. They have a bigger one with full access but it seems over kill for anything less then 8x10.

I have a full-size pack (Gregory, bought in ~1981) that is a top loader with side access. Side access is not that convienent for regular use (you can't see what you want to grab).

But it was a nice pack...huge. I use to put the pack I had my 4x5 in down inside the Gregory for 11 day backpack trips down into the Grand Canyon -- back in the days when I could carry 85 pounds (and I wonder why I have knee problems, LOL!)

Vaughn

[Nick_3536]

But it was a nice pack...huge. I use to put the pack I had my 4x5 in down inside the Gregory for 11 day backpack trips down into the Grand Canyon -- back in the days when I could carry 85 pounds (and I wonder why I have knee problems, LOL!)

Vaughn

I think I could crawl into a Gregory Whitney and close the zipper behind me Bit much for not being more then a few hours from the car.

[Vaughn]

I think I could crawl into a Gregory Whitney and close the zipper behind me Bit much for not being more then a few hours from the car.

My Gregory did not seem so big -- after all, I was 6'4" and 220 pounds of muscle from buildling and maintaining trails in the wilderness all summer and planting trees in the winter. It has been 16 years since I stopped doing that kind of work and now I'm 6'3" if I really stretch and 240 lbs -- of which 30 pounds is definitely not muscle!

But then I try to keep my pack down to 65 pounds now...and I stop a lot to enjoy the views! If I ever want to take the 8x10 into the wilderness, I am afraid that will mean mules or llamas!

Vaughn

[Nick_3536]

My Gregory did not seem so big -- after all, I was 6'4" and 220 pounds of muscle from buildling and maintaining trails in the wilderness all summer and planting trees in the winter. It has been 16 years since I stopped doing that kind of work and now I'm 6'3" if I really stretch and 240 lbs -- of which 30 pounds is definitely not muscle!

But then I try to keep my pack down to 65 pounds now...and I stop a lot to enjoy the views! If I ever want to take the 8x10 into the wilderness, I am afraid that will mean mules or llamas!

Vaughn

You've got a good six inches on me. I can lift the weight but it's still a big back next to me

[Alan Davenport]

I'm using a Lowe Super Trekker AW. It's plenty big enough for my 4x5 kit, but the sumbitch has the worst suspension of any pack I ever had on my back. I've been considering making some inserts for my old external-frame Kelty.

[Joseph O'Neil]

I'm using a Lowe Super Trekker AW. It's plenty big enough for my 4x5 kit, but the sumbitch has the worst suspension of any pack I ever had on my back. I've been considering making some inserts for my old external-frame Kelty.

That is something I have found too. You never realize how uncomfortable a backpack is until you try something different & better fitting or better adjusted for weight. I also find even when I use the waist strap, the weight shifts badly for me on steep inclines, and can throw off your centre of gravity.

joe