Anyone have a Sony AX2000 and a GamePlan Gear Cameraman backpack? I'd like to see some pictures of how you arranged the inside with the adjustable pads to protect the camera. I just got the backpack and I'm not sure if I like any of the arrangements that I am coming up with. Thanks!!!
I have the same set up. I only use a couple of the dividers. I have one about 6" from the bottom and put in my cables, wireless mics, lanc controller, and head phones. then I have one going straight across just big enough for my camera to fit in from top to bottom and have it buckled in. I also put in my shotgun mic next to my cameras. I keep the extra camera batteries and other items in the pouches.
I had that pack and used it for 2 hunts before determining it was way more than I needed. Sure, I have enough camera gear to fill the thing up, but I don't really need it all in the field with me. I use a small shoulder bag that is only big enough to carry my camera (AX2000), shotgun mic, and extra battery. I toss my wirless mics in my fanny pack with a few extra AA batteries, strap my tree arm to the top of that, and off I go. The Cameraman pack is nice, but a little overkill IMO. I wish they would make one that's about 2/3 the size of what they have now. Then we'd be in business.
Just purchased the Camera Man bag from Game Plan Gear. It is big but it's the best option to carry everything that you need. There aren't many options if you want to carry the Boss Hawg tree arm from Muddy and the Ax2000 and possibly a water bottle. Having a little extra space seems like its worth it.
I love the bag. Has room for all my gear. NX5U. DSLR, GoPro plus batteries and accessories on the inside. Muddy Hunter arm on the outside. I keep a camo umbrella and bow hanger in the long side pocket too.
Bags are such a personal choice. I had that same bag a couple of seasons ago. While not the Sony that you have, I run a Canon XH-A1, which is similar in dimensions and basically the same form factor of camera. I also use the Muddy Hunter camera arm, very similar but a hair smaller than the Boss Hog model. I tried so hard to like that camera bag. I used it on a dozen or more hunts and tried many configurations of pockets. At the end of the day, I sold the bag. That doesn't mean it is a bad bag, I just couldn't make it work the way I wanted for my hunting. It was just obnoxiously large and getting to things lower in the bag while on stand was nearly impossible. I tried a couple other bags not meant for cameras and that didn't work well. However I found a bag that I really like for my camera set up. The Lowe Pro Flipside 400 really works well for my needs. I take out all of the dividers and can lay my camera and mic's inside the pack. I take the Muddy arm off of the base and the arm straps nicely on one side while one end of it sets down in a side pocket. Then I take the Muddy base and using pack's other side strap and the tri-pod strap on the back, lash the base to the back of the pack. Internal and external pockets keep everything else organized. The set up is about 2/3-3/4 the size of the Game Plan pack and for me it keeps everything stored safely, yet easy and efficient to get to the things that I need. The pack doesn't come in camo so I got the green/black version. Works very well for me. I'd recommend giving it a try. In the off season I use the pack for my DSLR equipment. Then come deer season I pull out the dividers and pack it for tree stand hunting.
