Arca Swiss owners aren’t very vocal across the internet. I figured I’d lend a hand and help any potential buyers / existing users with a carry solution for work in the field. Obviously this solution could also work for any camera as I’ll describe below.
LF is slow, I get that... but there’s no reason to make it even slower when it can be avoided. My biggest gripe with bag solution are first and foremost dimensions. There aren’t many photo oriented solutions due to width dimensions on most 810’s. The options that exist are either terrible bags (F64, use it long enough and you’ll be a return customer to your local chiropractor) OR bags that require you to unload and unpack everything to get to your camera etc.
This took me forever to work through. A lot of iterations, small and large mods and ultimately dead ends. But alas, here is what I have found and why it works (at least for me).
Ultimately, I’ve had to leave the photo market... they simply don’t cater to us anymore.
This carry system is based on a pack frame made by BULLPAC https://bullpacs.com/product/bull-pa...tandard-width/
This is designed to carry 300 lbs of elk meat for hunters, built for life, American made, and just nice.
The camera is stored in a Backwater Journal Canoe Food Box https://www.boundarywatersjournal.co...-poly-food-box
The dimensions of this box fit the BullPac perfectly. I customized the box by adding a few layers of foam in the bottom. I then layered a few pieces of gym pad flooring and traced out the Arca carriers so that the camera floats perfectly in the center of the box. A piece of sound dampening foam (not really but that’s what the pattern reminds me of, it came from an old Pelican case) to protect the GG, and then foam wrapped in felt on each side to protect the exposed bellows. I cut out the corner of the foam to fit the Stone Photo Arca rail case. Without this cut I couldn’t close the top of the box.
I installed a handle on the pack frame as seen below. Conveniently the strap aligned with existing holes on the frame. It’s a simple rubber strap from Cabelas intended for kayaks.
Inside this case, which I believe due to the rubber rim is at least water resistant, a number of configurations can exist. Four holders will fit in front of the camera and the rest of the space just holds a dark cloth. Ideally nothing is stored on top of the camera as the bellows are exposed.
Now... where some creativity was needed. I didn’t like jamming holders into the box nor did I want to carry an additional bag. I want everything on my back.
On the side of box is a Greyman Tactical Rigid Molle panel https://greymantactical.com/collecti...ts/10-75x17rmp
To this I will add a Hill People Gear Bino case for a few lenses and a meter etc. Again, if a monsoon appears I can also remove this from the molle and throw it in the box for protection from the elements. https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/.../ProductID/120
I’ve since replaced the straps (orange) with really nice cam straps. They do a much better job cinching down. https://pacificriversupply.com/shop/...ies/cam-straps
Finally, I added a metal shelf on the bottom of the bag to add some structural support to an outer bag. This bag is made by Hill People Gear, it’s called their Decker bag. I sewed up on strap that fit on the pack frame to extend out and attach to the side release buckles on the bag. I wasn’t pleased with the lack of padding and so I made a foam support system to give some structure. This adds protection and will fit 4 holders with room on top for sundry items.
Why did I work hard for this build? Because once I set down the bag I don’t have to unlash / unpack anything. Everything is there, right next to me ready to go and work.
It ain’t cheap but it works so dang well. The addition of the front bag was a major improvement over my initial set up.
End of rant, hope this helps! I remember finding a lot of not so great solutions on the forum and this would have helped me. Like cameras, this solution isn’t the cheapest but I tried to recycle as much as I could from other bags to help keep the cost down.
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