Backpack for 8x10

[f9likethekey]

I have been shooting 4x5 for a while now and have a great backpack setup that allows me and my OCD to keep everything separate and organized in one case (lowepro whistler 450). I recently moved into 8x10 and could not find very much at all about a similar setup for hikes more than a couple hundred feet from the car. After searching the internet / forums / dead links the most I could find is an F.64 backpack or a red flyer wagon (a cooler was thrown in a couple of times as well). I currently still own the F.64 bag but it was too limited in space and the hip belt was not very comfortable for long periods with a lot of weight.

Well all, I share with you the bag I bought on a whim and now love... the lowepro trekker 650. This bag keeps things organized the way I like, carries 6 film holders, a tripod, 4 lenses, all my accessories and does so with a frame that could be designed for long distance hiking. So far I've only used it over 12 miles but it is so comfortable compared to the F.64 I had to share.

Also, it fits in overhead bins.

[photog_ed]

Thanks for posting this. I recently bought an f64 pack for 8x10 but I haven't tried any long hikes with it. It's nice to know there's a good alternative.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

I use an actual backpack Osprey and Gregory. Both with access from the back. Allows me to comfortably carry camera and gear plus survival gear for the long backpack trips.

[Alan9940]

Glad you found something that works for you...it can be difficult with 8x10. I use a Kelty pack/frame with RPT cases inside for the camera and lenses. I carry holders in an RPT cascading case w/strap, which makes long distance hiking out of the question, but for anything I do it works out okay. The nice thing about the Kelty pack is that I have an F-Stop ICU for my 4x5 outfit which allows me to simply unload the 8x10 stuff, toss in the ICU, and I'm good to go!

[Drew Wiley]

I have a whole pile of vintage external frame packs, just enough hopefully to supply me with spare parts till I'm old n shrunken enough to be buried in one of them. But with the 70's Kelty now in use, I have different rectangular liners that just drop into the big top compartment for the respective kits, whether 4x5, 8x10, MF systems. Side pouches are for items used in common like meter, filters, view lenses. Since all these are true packs, they can be configured for anything from a dayhike to two weeks of backpacking gear and supplies. But my long-haul pack per se is set aside for now, already prep for summer, minus only food, camera choice, and goose down gear I don't want rolled tight yet. But I try to keep even day kits heavy for conditioning purposes.

[Torlief]

Thanks for sharing this. I have an older Lowepro supertrekker that holds my Chamonix Alpinist and 2 lenses and all my misc but is only deep enough to hold 2 film holders. Its also not very confortable with outdated and underpadded shoulder straps. I would like something I could get 3-4 holders in and that will not hurt my body after a few hours. Ive been looking at the F-stop bags which seem super nice but are just so expensive. Ill check this bag out for sure. You feel its comfortable even with 4 lenses in it? Cheers.

[Sal Santamaura]

...underpadded shoulder straps...

That's my concern with the shoulder straps (and waist belt) shown in the OP's photos.

...the F-stop bags...

Same under padded belt/straps issue with them.

[f9likethekey]

Thanks for sharing this. I have an older Lowepro supertrekker that holds my Chamonix Alpinist and 2 lenses and all my misc but is only deep enough to hold 2 film holders. Its also not very confortable with outdated and underpadded shoulder straps. I would like something I could get 3-4 holders in and that will not hurt my body after a few hours. Ive been looking at the F-stop bags which seem super nice but are just so expensive. Ill check this bag out for sure. You feel its comfortable even with 4 lenses in it? Cheers.

I do feel it was very comfortable over the 12 miles, even with all 4 lenses (including a Nikkor W 360). I really thought about using a hiking backpack like some folks are saying, but having to pull out separate cases to access my gear doesn't work for my flow. As for the padding, I've had some older lowepro bags that were very short in the padding department. I'm not sure when, but their newer bags have much more padding and it's designed like a hiking backpack. All in all the pack weighed in at 47.9 pounds and I wasn't sore after 12 miles.

[David Schaller]

I'm with Drew on this, using actual backpacks made for hiking, with no special "photo" branding. I favor old Dana Designs internal frame packs for their excellent weight-carrying attributes.

[Drew Wiley]

Hey the wind stopped... Maybe I will get out with the Kelty pack n 8x10 today!