Suggestions for carrying gear please

[MeadsMan]

Hello All,I wonder if anybody could give me some ideas for carrying my gear around ? I normally have My 400D with a 400mm prime lens,mounted on a monopod or a large Manfrotto tripod,A pair of Binoculars,and a bridge camera.If I take out the Monopod instead of the large tripod,then I will likely want to take out a smaller or possably a table top type tripod.Along with a supply of water,poncho / ground sheet,and any other odd nick nacks.If I use the monopod,I normally have the camera with the 400mm hanging around my neck,along with the binoculars,they clunk against each other when I move around,wich is not good,it is also a bit fiddly to get the binoculars to my eyes,as I have the camera strap over the top of the bins Keeping in mind,I like to stalk my subjects,free movement is important,as is camouflage,so something in green perhaps ? I was thinking of perhaps some kind of belt set up,or perhaps a type of back pack,though it will be difficult to get to anything quickly from a backpack wont it

With thanks

[camo]

Hi Meads Man

Your activity is almost identical to mine, Bins, camera, camoflage loads of equipment and crawling through undergrowth to get in the right place.

I can tell you what I do but I think it can be improved on;

A large camera dedicated rucksack which is a cheap copy of a lowepro but bought via ebay at a fraction of the cost. I have had it 2 years and it is great, holds a 40D with a 500mm lens plus a 350 and 3 more lenses. The pockets are big enough to hold books, a laptop and various attachments have a tripod attached. The only drawback is it is black although the pull out rain cover is green and I have camoflaged it.

If I am traveling light I use a special belt from Decathlon with attached pockets it is really good for the summer and carries most of what you have quoted. It is a bit like a tool belt.

The back pack goes on, followed by the bins (over neck but twisted to right to avoid banging. The Camera goes over neck with main lens attached and I support the camera by the lens hood.

Everything I do is camoflaged (hence name "Camo") I have various loose patches of material to disguise or keep dry camera etc. I have found that the two most important areas to camoflage are the face and hands and a pertially exposed black camera is not as significant. Canon grey lens are bit more obvious and need disguising.

There are several web sites that sell camoflage tape, netting and lens covers with "Wildlife watching supplies" the best.

I have tried other tricks but find I have to be able to have my hands free to be able to swap between bins and camera.

Roy

[MeadsMan]

Thanks Roy,I like the sound of the belt set up,but it wont be able to carry the slr and 400mm prime comfortably,perhaps a mix of back pack and belt set up ?

[Geoff F]

In 'the field' I attach a camera strap to my tripod which I hang on one side, with the strap around my neck and the camera, with main lens attached on the other side. Extra lenses are in suitable lens cases on my belt. Anything else, like binoculars, hangs in front. Or the camera in front and everything else on the sides.

But I find when I slip on muddy ground it is a struggle to get up again!

For general transportation, I carry a large holdhall type bag, found brand new in a skip, which is wide enough to contain the tripod (I think it was probably designed for boat sails). Everything easily fits inside, including the thermos and sandwiches.

And now, it means that I can lose all my epuipment in one go by just one simple act of forgetfulness.

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by camo

Hi Meads Man

I can tell you what I do but I think it can be improved on;

A large camera dedicated rucksack which is a cheap copy of a lowepro but bought via ebay at a fraction of the cost. I have had it 2 years and it is great, holds a 40D with a 500mm lens plus a 350 and 3 more lenses. The pockets are big enough to hold books, a laptop and various attachments have a tripod attached. The only drawback is it is black although the pull out rain cover is green and I have camoflaged it.

Roy

I think I have the same rucksack - a Proline, which I rate fairly highly as it is light, comfortable and can carry an awful lot of gear. Mine came with a black rain cover though.

Ron

[camo]

Hi Ron

My bag had a black cover but I tried to improve it with grren paint (noy that successul and in truth not used much).

Like Geoff I think belts with attachments are a way forward particuarly when travelling light.

I don't know really why I carry so much stuff I very rarely use a second camera and I carry lenses I haven't used for a year. I must sort my gear out.

Roy

[jerryh]

To keep bins and camera separate, but still quickly available, I have a nylon strap looped around the lens tripod mount and then clipped to a caribiner on my backpack strap. The camera hangs at my side and can be brought up to the eye without disconnecting it from the backpack.

The only disadvantage I find is when I want to take the pack off and have to disconnect the camera first or risk bashing it on the ground.

Jerry

[RoseStones]

Naneu Pro Alpha backpack will do everything that you need. Believe me I hunted for months to find a bag that would fit a 40D with 100-400mm attached and still have a separate section for food, water etc in the top. Not very waterproof though so best get a rainproof cover like I did

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

have your camera & lens attached to your tripod/monopod and carry this over your shoulder so you can set it down instantly if needed. when you need to use your bins set the monopod down on the ground with the camera in the crook of your arm/elbow and lent against your chest and use your bins. Easy really!

neil

[MeadsMan]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi

have your camera & lens attached to your tripod/monopod and carry this over your shoulder so you can set it down instantly if needed. when you need to use your bins set the monopod down on the ground with the camera in the crook of your arm/elbow and lent against your chest and use your bins. Easy really!

neil

Those are good techniques,but not the answer to carry equipment,If I wished to take some Macro shots with my other camera,what would I do with my SLR and 400mm for example ? And what about sudden down pours of rain? Highly unlikely in Sunny England of course