I'm looking for a backpack to haul my camera gear into the woods that also has a compartment(s) for other items (like binos, grunt tube, etc.). I'd also like something that can have a tripod or camera arm strapped to it. Here's the camera gear I plan on bringing on hunts: Canon Vixia HF S100 with Shotgun Mic (TBD) Canon T3i with kit 18-55mm and 50mm f/1.8 lenses Sony Action Cam Arm/Tripod Two I've been looking at are the Lowepro DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW and Lowepro Photo Sport 200 AW Backpack. Thoughts on those? Any other suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks.
I have gone through a bunch of camera back packs and for the past two falls I have been using what I feel is the best that I have found for my needs, the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW. I can arrange, re-arrange, lash on a tree arm or a tripod, and have room for other hunting stuff. These photos are similar to how I ran it this year. I tweaked the interior configuration a bit, but you get the picture. In these photos I am running my XA20, but I also run my Canon 7D out of this set up. The interior can be completely re-configured in a matter of seconds for any number of cameras and lenses.
I can't say how it really works cause just got it but I'm gonna try a badlands hybrid out. Its got a ton of pockets and I've been able to fit all my hunting stuff plus muddy outfitter camera arm in it including the base. Still working out how gonna get everything in put there's a lot of room still avalible and its not as orginized as could be right now. Pretty much just threw everything in. Thinking I'll probably end up strapping the arm on outside and getting smaller bag for camera to fit in main part of pack. Like said just been playing around with it so can't say for sure.
I actually have a Hybrid as well and it's a great pack. I used it to haul my camera gear while ice fishing a week or two ago and didn't like my DSLR and extra lens loose in the pack. I'd like something with padding that will hold them in place.
Got ya, yea like said I've only been playing around with it. That's one of the things I'm trying to figure out now is what to do with camera so its not loose.
I love it actually. I get that question a lot so here is kind of a run down of how I go about it in a tree. Basically, I climb the tree with that pack on my back. I use a life line from ground to stand so while climbing with a pack on is not ideal (depending on your tree stand safety position), with the life line I am 100% confident in my fall restraint safety. When I get to the stand and I have re-adjusted my safety rope, I take the pack off and lay it with the part that goes against my back down. I un-lash the tree arm base and get it set up, then take off the actual tree arm and install it. I then flip the pack over, open it up, and pull out my camera. I zip that up and then I hang the pack on a pre-screwed in hanger, the top of my tree climbing stick, or if I have to I screw in another hanger. I then leave the front pouch unzipped so that I can easily grab any of my hunting gear that I need. I really never have a need while in the tree to get back into my main camera compartment.
