Backpacking Photo Gear / Problems+Suggestions / Industrial Design

I currently own a Slingshot 200. Love it. But I do not take it for serious hiking. When I have a base camp it does work as my day pack. For serious hiking I currently just sling the camera around my neck, take just the main lens and stash the batteries, mem cards, etc. in the accessible zips of my backpack.

The slingshot is ALMOST the right size to work as a day pack / minimal backpack. It just needs a place to store water, my sleeping bag, and bivy (or tarp). I leave my flashes home currently to leave room for trail food but I would love to take them too. The ability to hang / strap to the outside would help here.

For long trips the issue is memory card management and batteries. I usually have one battery in the camera and two in the bag.

The slingshot could be a little lighter and the straps could fit a little better. After a long day and a full bag I feel it in the shoulders.

I love the rain shield, it was a big reason behind my purchase (after usable size).

I considered something like the Orion but I preferred the way the sling shot was so easy to get to.

Gear list:
nikon d50 w/ kit lens (to be replaced)
macro lens
sometimes my longer lens
gorillapod zoom w/ ball head
sometimes two nikon flashes, usually not. They are not light either (-: Really nice for in camp shots at dusk and dawn though.
2 or 3 batteries
3+ SD cards
lens wips, care pieces, etc.
small handful of filters, nothing too serious.

I'm not going to answer your questions, point by point. You need to be cognizant that this is a site interested in extremely light weight solutions. There is a current lack on the market for a commercially made lightweight padded case that could be used with Pack hipbelts and/or shoulder straps. Such a case as I see it would be lightly padded and made of impregnated Sil-Nylon (very tough for it's weight and no WP coating to wear off from contact w/ equipment). That would work with the sub-compact/compact digicams favored by most users on this site. I use a non padded form of such a case/pocket which can be used on both hip belts and shoulder straps to hold either a Canon Digital Elph or my G6—it works quite well and weighs (w/o padding) at less than one oz. I use a sock for padding.

A lightweight solution for a Digital SLR and additional lenses is more problematic but if you can figure out a way that would allow quick deployment and protect the camera, without the equipment projecting away from shoulder, chest or hip—we would be indebted. I personally hate camera case/strap systems that are chest mounted—-they get in the way of
normal movement and are dangerous when climbing or skiing.

The larger bags like the Lowe Slingshot are too heavy and bulky for LW backpacking but might be acceptable to more "traditional" backpacking. One route to explore might be padded inserts (a la the old Domke bag inserts) that could slide directly into a backpack.

If you can come up with any of the above, I think you might discuss w/ BPL the possibility of selling such cases on BPL—-possibly discounted for the good premium members who shop here.

Any more details than that, I can send you my rates—-I'm a designer, myself.

I'm a point and shoot amateur photographer. On scenic trips of any length, I carry a Fuji FinePix F470 that weighs 4.3 ounces plus 2 batteries. This is all I really need or want to bring, but I have had problems finding the right camera bag.

My idea camera bag would be light, small, waterproof, lightly padded, with storage for one spare battery, and with velcro that can attach securely to my shoulder strap or waist belt.

Current commercially available offerings are overbuilt with too much padding, have too many pounches, are not waterproof, and have poor attachment mechanisms.

The gearheads here at BPL are a focused lot. For many here, gear preference and selection is a fine science and often, gear must work together as part of a system, where individual components complement each other. You will find there will be many similarities in criteria for selecting this type of gear, from person to person:

1. Lightweight
2. Simple
3. Function over form
4. Works or fits in with existing packing systems

That said, I believe most of the backpackers here carry small, lightweight point and shoot cameras. I would think that a ultralight (not just light, but ultralight), watertight, hardshell plastic case that would attach to pack straps or fit into hipbelt pockets/small accessory pouches would go over well.

The problem with most camera cases is that they often add an additional layer of difficulty in bringing the camera to bear, which can mean missed photo opportunities…so the case design should be simple. Ideal for me would be a weatherproof, impact resistant plastic shell; possibly with one soft side and a waterproof zip; a removable, secure belt clip component; and no additional buckles/straps/pockets. Possibly light padding in the interior that could be adjusted to accomodate cameras of different dimensions. I would make the entry point along the long side to accomodate hipbelt pouches and hipbelt attachment.

Patent that, Russell—that's a good idea!

I used a compact digicam for about two years (Nikon Coolpx 5400), but could never come to terms with the slow start up, slow focusing, need to look at the scene through the LED screen, and the extremely short battery life. Photography is too important and the ability to control the whole process too integral in my composing photos that I decided to grunt a bit and switch to a DSLR. I now use a Nikon D70s and have just ordered the 18 – 200 VR lens, which will replace most of what I carry to just one lens, and in many cases will preclude the need for a heavy tripod, though I am carrying a gorillapod slr-zoom.

This made finding an appropriate camera bag quite a challenge. I tried everything I could find here in Japan, from LowePro waist bags to Hakuba waist bags to Mountainsmith waist photobags to MontBell waist photobags to chest harness systems and triangular photobags for cameras with long lenses fitted to the waist or chest. Everything was either too bulky or heavy and stuck out from my waist or abdomen or chest, as Kevin said.

While not perfect, the solution I've come up with for now is a MontBell 4 liter Trail Lumber Pack fitted with closed cell foam inserts that I cut myself. It is relatively lightweight, fits tightly against my waist so that it doesn't move while climbing, has a wide zipper opening for easily removing the camera, and has hip-belt pockets where I can put my batteries and rain cover (which doubles as a camera rain cover… it's made by MontBell and allows you quick access to the camera from your chest while walking in the rain). It's big enough for my lens hood, remote control, right-angle-viewer (I take lots of macro shots of insects in hard to see view points), CF cards, and spare batteries.

For my trip to the Alps this summer I might make the whole thing even simpler, by putting the camera into a waterproof, padded camera drybag, the 3 liter MontBell Protection Aquapel, which I would simply stash in my pack when not using the camera. It only weighs 115 gr, so is considerably lighter. But it is a bit of a pain to get the camera out. I'm thinking of adding fleece to my MB Camera Rain Cover instead, which acts as a wrap, so that the camera would be protected both from rain and knocks in an easily accessed cover.

I came across the Ricoh Caplio GX100 compact digital the other day, with its 16 mm (24 mm equivalent) lens and electronic viewfiender. Looks very promising, but then I'm still worried about battery life and start up speed. If it improves on what I have with the Nikon 5400 then it might be something to consider. The camera pack weight will really come down then. And I hate carrying camera weight!

Start up speed has come a ways since 2 years ago, Miguel.

Padding for a camera—I forgot about this stuff that I used to use it to protect my view camera lenses in the field and will work great as lw pro

several manufacturers make something like this in different sizes and amounts of padding. It velcros around the camera or lens.

To answer the original question, I carry two point and shoot cameras, two cases, and a minipod.

To address Russels great idea, there is a product which comes close, the Sanwa DG-HD series of cases.
I use one for my despised but necessary LX-1* and a smaller one for my beloved Casio EX-Z750. Slides onto belt or pack strap, or d-rings to the pack, opens in a flash, hard but not crushproof, weatherproof but not dunkable.
For more serious weather/beach/paddling, I use clear Pelican cases. The 1010 fits my 750 perfectly.

*anyone know of a 28mm WXGA+ point and shoot digicam without the horrendous noise of the Lumix CCDs?

I've shot with everything from Minox to 8"x10". If I'm hiking, all I carry is a small digital — A Canon Elf these days. All I would want it is a waterproof case that will mount on my shoulder strap. As others have said, something as light as possible and quick to access would be the thing. Ultralight hikers want all function and no frills. I'm using Aloksak and Sea to Summit products for my electronics and breakables. Even the smallest Pelican style cases are too heavy and bulky.

From a design standpoint, I would work on a line of lightweight water proof cases that could be used for GPS, compass, survival and first aid kits, hygiene kit, and so forth.

Day hikers would be more prone to carry more toys than long distance and multi-day hikers. For day hiking a hydration pack with compartments for electonics, snacks, and essentials might be marketable.

Hikers can be a flakey lot for marketers. We'll spend like crazy on some items and be total mizers on others. Good luck!

If I had a small digicam I’d probably go with this camera poncho idea from MontBell. It’s protective and waterproof at the same time. The only thing I have real doubts about is the listed weight!!!! (^J^)/”

Brett – I like the Sanwa DG-HD concept – that's close to what I want. Not perfect for attaching to shoulder straps, but could work for waist belt webbing. Unfortunately the US availability seems quite limited.

Miguel – As for the Montbell camera poncho (camera condom?)… how the heck does that work? Also poor US availability.

I have a Lumix FZ7. What I tend to use when out and about is a chest harness, the one from OpTech which has elastic. It keeps my camera at the ready and keeps it from bouncing around my chest or swinging wildly if I lean down. When it sprinkles or rains a bit, it's under my rain jacket. If it rains too hard, it goes into my bag. I also carry an Ultrapod II. A ziploc is good enough protection while in the bag.

Miguel, regarding that Ricoh, I heard it has a terrible waiting time between shots while writing RAW, 5-6 seconds.

> *anyone know of a 28mm WXGA+ point and shoot digicam
> without the horrendous noise of the Lumix CCDs?

Brett, I've been after something like that. I'm fairly happy with my FZ7 but would like something like my old Ricoh GR-1. I've heard mixed news about the GR digital and the price is none too attractive. I just wish Panasonic would do something about the sensor. They otherwise have a great product what with Leica designed lenses. There's a Sigma camera that was announced some months ago but has yet to appear on the street. If it does, it looks like it'll be accompanied by a price tag as large as its sensor.

Jason, it's actually pretty cool. See that little snap with a lanyard attached to the camera? That snaps into a female snap inside the camera poncho. When you hang the poncho around your neck the fabric hangs down over the camera like a… well, like a poncho…erm, like a foxglove?. There is a drawstring at the hem to close around the camera and protect it.

Miguel (it's so weird writing my own name here. I rarely hear it used, though I know it's a common name in other parts of the world), so it seems like the RIcoh is not the answer then. I was so excited about it! I guess it's still more waiting until digicams really can compete at the professional level. I'll just stay with my cell phone camera for now… I've taken some of my best photos with it!

Kevin- patent it? I'm not looking for that level of involvement- Haha!

I was thinking about something almost like a sleeve design, but sealed. The one soft side along the long access makes sense to me because you could use a zipper for entry, as opposed to a flip-open design…which would mean you have access to the camera without removing the sleeve from a hipbelt pouch. It would also be easy to access the camera from a shoulder strap mounting point- simply unzip and slip the camera out the side.

It would be a simple item to design, actually. Just a plastic sleeve with clip/strap attachment point on the back, and a nylon hood secured over the open end, taped/welded to ensure waterproofness (is that a word?). I guess making different widths might be a better approach than my intial idea of having different padded inserts. Or maybe a combination of both. I'm not very informed on manufacturing costs and product marketability.