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turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all

Sorry for kind of a dumb question, but Id like to see some photos of how you guys pack your photo bags/backpacks. I got a new Tamarac 5789 and Im having a hell of a time trying to configure it to make all my lenses readily accessible, thanks largely in part to a 75-300mm lens thats too tall to stand up.
Thanks

mscates176 · Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Posts: 77

Dont know if it helps, but i found camera bags very over expensive, just got a large bag and some foam from the market along with some glue spray.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:19 am

There are quite a few videos on You Tube about this backpack. Here is one of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOAlFZTWGfs

The way they have it packed in the video is about the way I do it.

kenny123 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:58 pm

I gave up on bags-too limiting-once you get camera,lens etc., out of the bag, the image
has gone.I carry my camera,strap around hand,with 70-300 lens;Iso 400,with a 50mm prime lens,flash,etc., in a fly-fishing vest. A 32" 5-in-one reflectors/black/scrim set on a belt clip on my pants.
I have no use for a big three carburettor camera,that is going to do my back in carrying it,plus accessories.

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9422 Location: Never quite sure

I hire someone to carry it all for me. ;)

rinder99 · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:45 am

I have a garage full of Bags and cases. I hate all of them and now that I do Video Thats even More stuff. There is never gonna be a bag that does it all. Nowdays I won't even consider a job without an assistant. Then we bring everything. But a road trip. Nearly Impossible because it's always the thing you leave home is the thing you need. And if ya break it down, Do we really need all this stuff anyway?? How did the masters do it for 40 years with a camera and one lens.I think I know the answer.LOL

turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all

rinder99 · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:39 pm

A carry on pelican case?

turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all

Ugh. That may be a little extreme. I have a couple Pelicans for my rifles and they're no fun to lug around an airport..

hhltdave5 · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:12 pm

As an example Laurin and I have our upcoming workshop in Monument Valley next week. I will have everything I need including my laptop (with the exception of my tripod which goes in my suitcase) in my Lowepro backpack. It includes my camera, 70-200, 17-55, 90 macro, 50 along with all my cables, filters, flash drives etc. I pack mine in a very similar manner as the video I posted.

If we are doing a workshop like we did in Hawaii and we tons of equipment we will use our Pelican cases and I will bring my backpack for once I get there.

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9422 Location: Never quite sure

If I can't afford to hire a lowly minion to carry my wares (which is, well, all the time), I'll sometimes just dump it all into a pillowcase. Occasionally, I'll get a scratched lens or something gets bent beyond repair but it's quick and easy nonetheless. Whoever said I'm not a professional?

(I'M KIDDING! Don't try this at home!)

pjmorley · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 3302

If the lens is to tall to stand up, lay it down. Attach the biggest lens to the camera that saves a bit of room.

If you can't fit it all in then you may have too much stuff so simply decide what to leave behind.

Seriously look at your kit and be brutal. Will you really use everything in the bag for the intended trip or is a lot of it there just in case?

You need to think about the purpose of your trip and plan accordingly. Is your primary goal landscape? Take the wider lenses etc. and just manage with that. You get the idea.

Restricting what you carry will

a) Be more comfortable.
b) Make you think more about your photography.
c) Force you to think on your feet.
d) Make you more creative in terms of position. walking 20 steps is very different to zooming in.

I've lost count of how many times I've packed a camera bag to the gills only to use a fraction of the contents.

Nowadays I tend to think what I don't need rather what I do need. Sometimes that means I just go with a point and shoot wrapped in a pillowcase ;-).

rinder99 · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:08 pm

Great advice paul.After a lifetime of dragging shit around the world you learn to adapt and overcome.

greenfield54 · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 2635 Location: Philippines

Our company hires welding specialists from the Netherlands who ship all their equipment to asia in what looks like a customized shipping container. It looks like a standard container used in container ships cut to about one third the original length. All they have to do is open the doors and walk in to retrieve equipment.

greenfield54 · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 2635 Location: Philippines