Backpacks, Bags, Cases And A Cart

[cblurton]

As someone getting reinvolved in photography in general and as a newcomer to LFP, I've spend many, many (did I say many?) hours searching through the Web and the postings on this and other forums for information about specific items of photographic equipment. These forums provide a wealth of invaluable information and opinions from people with every level of experience and expertise and I've made good use of this information while buying my kit.

However, I've noticed that it is common for participants in these forums to discuss the pros and cons of specific products but not provide a URL or email address from which a reader can gather more information. So, for instance, we find comments like "I really love the Abacus Widget. It's the best of the widget breed. Everyone should own one!" Such comments inspire the reader to want to learn more about Abacus's widgets but, without a clue as to where to begin to look, the reader may waste a lot of time unnecessarily searching on the Web or emailing the author of the comment seeking enlightenment. This could be resolved if people would post directions for how newcomers can learn more about the products under discussion.

I have recently been looking into the question of which backpack to buy for my new Shen-Hao 4X5 and accessories. During this research, I read the dozens of comments about favorite backpacks in various threads and I collected all of the URLs I could find in a reasonable amount of time for providers of backpacks, camera bags, and camera cases (and one very nifty cart). I post that list below so that others who are interested in finding one of these products won't have to duplicate my effort.

As time permits I may do the same for other specific products. (By the way, I ended up buying a Lowepro Classic Photo Trekker. How boring!)

Best wishes,

Craig


Backpacks, Bags, Cases And A Cart

Amabilia Professional Cases
www.amabilia.it/products/index.php3

Arc’Teryx
www.arcteryx.com

Billingham Bags
www.billingham.co.uk

Camera Care Systems
www.ccscentre.co.uk

Case Logic
www.caselogic.com

Dana Design
www.danadesign.com

f.64 Camera Bags
(Website seems to have gone missing. Apparently once was www.f64camerabags.com)

Filmholders.com
www.filmholders.com

Gexar Action Camera Systems
www.gexar.com

GnassGear
www.gnassgear.com

Kata
www.kata-bags.com/index.asp

Kelty
www.kelty.com

Kensis Photo Gear
www.kgear.com

Kiesel
www.kieselbags.com

Lap Shun Manufacture Co. Ltd.
www.henova.com.hk

Lightware Inc.
www.lightwareinc.com

Lowepro
www.lowepro.com

Mascotte
www.mascotte.com

Matin
www.matin.co.kr

Moose Peterson MP-1 Photo Pack
www.moosepeterson.com/gear/mp1.html

Mountainsmith
www.mountainsmith.com

M-Rock Camera Bags
www.m-rock.com

Naneu Pro
www.naneupro.com

Osprey Packs
http://www.ospreypacks.com

Pelican Cases
www.casesbypelican.com

Phoenix Corp.
www.phoenixcorp.com/Bags/bags.html

Photobackpacker
www.photobackpacker.com

PortaBrace
www.portabrace.com

Porter Case
www.portercase.com/photo_divider_cases.htm

Roadwired
www.roadwired.com/store/category.cfm?categoryid=5

Seahorse Protective Equipment Cases
www.seahorse.net

Sherpa Cart
www.sherpacart.com

Storm Case
www.stormcase.com

Sundog
www.sundog.com

Tamrac Carrying Systems
www.tamrac.com

Tenba Gear
www.tenbagear.com

Think Tank Photo
www.thinktankphoto.com

Tiffen (including Domke and Zing Designs)
http://www.tiffen.com/domkecat01.htm
Domke Camera Bags
www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=domke
Zing Designs
www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=zing

Versa-Flex
www.versa-flex.com

Zero Halliburton
http://www.zerohalliburton.com/photography.jsp

[Bob Gentile]

And don't forget http://www.abacuswidgets.com. :) Seriously, until I saw your list, I had no idea there were so many "major" suppliers of camera cases, bags, etc.

[Henry Ambrose]

And don't forget your best friend when you have lots of stuff to carry:

The Magliner convertible handtruck -- I love my Gemini Jr.:

http://www.magliner.com/product/gemini.htm

[Ted Harris]

Looks like it is timely, see my article on assorted fishing bags used to tote LF gear in the upcoming July-August issue of View Camera. Short reviews of bags from Cabela's, G. Loomis, Orvis and William Joseph. BTW, the Orvis bags which regulars here know i like a lot are now on sale at 30% off.

[kjsphotography]

Since you are listing links about LF gear, I also make custom LF and ULF bags and darkcloths.

Here is the link if you are interested;
http://www.kjsphotography.com/products/index.php

[cblurton]

And don't forget http://www.abacuswidgets.com. :) Seriously, until I saw your list, I had no idea there were so many "major" suppliers of camera cases, bags, etc.

I had no idea, either. When I started to do this I thought, "How many manufacturers can there be?" That was foolish! But I found some really cool stuff in the process of finding and assembling this information. I really like that cart ...

Craig

[cblurton]

Thanks for adding your link! In my view, the more complete this list is the more useful it will be for everyone searching for a bag.


Craig

[cblurton]

Looks like it is timely, see my article on assorted fishing bags used to tote LF gear in the upcoming July-August issue of View Camera.

Thanks for the heads up, Ted. I'm looking forward to reading the article. Fishing bags? Seriously? I hadn't even considered the use of bags especially made for other purposes like fishing being adapted for use with camera gear by LF photographers. My list barely scratches the surface of possibilities.

Craig

"My own suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose." J. B. S. Haldane (1892 - 1964)

[Paul Coppin]

Most of my LF camera gear goes in a variety of padded lunch bags, (including my Tachihara, all folded up in one, lenses (4 usually) in wraps in another, 4x5 holders in a couple of more), which then just get stuffed in the appropriate pack sack/mule for whatever I'm up to.

[Capocheny]

Craig,

Thanks for starting this posting... it's come in very handy since I'm just in the midst of trying to find an appropriate pack/cart/??? for my 8x10 gear. :)

Cheers

[Bob Gentile]

"... assorted fishing bags used to tote LF gear in the upcoming July-August issue of View Camera..."Funny how fishing vests are so much less expensive than photo vests, too. Looking forward to the article.

[cyrus]

The best carriage case for 8x10 and smaller items: $#20 dollar soft-sided rolling coolers. They're padded, cheap, and the 54-can sizes come with wheels and a built in hand cart and are collapsible too and also have extra pockets. Right now, they're on sale at the usual places where you'd find coolers - Kmart Sears Target etc in the USA.
Also on Amazon.

[Claude Sapp]

I just bought a Marmot Badlands daypack, and it is great for my LF gear. It has a padded laptop pocket that holds my Zone VI 4x5, or Shen Hao 4x5, or Deardorff 5x7, and the pack is front loading. There is a carry loop at the top of the pack that I pass one leg of my tripod through, then lash the tripod to the front of the pack. The pack's suspension is not up to carrying heavy loads, but 20 pounds or so seems fine, and there is a hip strap to help you carry the weight. This pack is nowhere near the quality or comfort of my Dana packs, but I have been looking for an adequate front loading pack for 4x5 dayhikes, and the Badlands seems to suit me. It bought mine from www.sierratradingpost.com

Claude

[Eric James]

Thanks again for this great list!

Here are a couple more:

For waterproof (dry-bag style) camera bags:

http://www.ortliebusa.com/

For water-proof durable containers of various sizes:

Lock & Lock (I don't know of a corporate website but there are many web-based vendors out there.)

[Struan Gray]

In Europe you can get Lock and Lock boxes from Lakeland Limited in the UK, a long-standing and trustworthy supplier of clever doodaas and useless tat for the kitchen:

http://www.lakeland.co.uk

I don't like carrying things like lenses in fully waterproof containers: they have no chance to dry out if they get a spot or two of rain on them. Film however, especially film at dusty locations, is good. They are also excellent for carrying around your Polaroid 55 clearing solution.

[GPS]

...
However, I've noticed that it is common for participants in these forums to discuss the pros and cons of specific products but not provide a URL or email address from which a reader can gather more information...
Such comments inspire the reader to want to learn more about Abacus's widgets but, without a clue as to where to begin to look, the reader may waste a lot of time unnecessarily searching on the Web or emailing the author of the comment seeking enlightenment.

While I appreciate the work you had with your published list I don't accept the logic of your demand. If you demanded from everyone the citation of web sites and their URL while discussing specific items you would just ask them to do the same work you don't want to do yourself. Many comes to this forum with this kind of mentality - hey, tell me this and that! (= do this and that for me when I don't want to do it myself) - when the info is available with ordinary search.
At least you showed more info than you asked for. Kudos for that!

[cblurton]

While I appreciate the work you had with your published list I don't accept the logic of your demand.

Interesting that this thread is still alive and thanks to everyone who has contributed. This forum has been a huge help to me as I've re-engaged with photography after several decades away. As to my "demand" GPS, none was made. It was a suggestion. Please take it in that spirit.