Camera Bag and TriPod

[Kyle]

I'm looking for suggestions on a good camera bag and either a tripod or monopod.

Right now I have a Canon Rebel with 2 lenses (18-55mm and 55-250mm). I'm looking a buying some extra batteries for the road and I'll have a few Polarizing filters and a ND filter. I am hoping to buy more lenses in the near future so I'm looking for a bag that can hold what I have now plus possibly more.
I've been back and forth between buying a backpack or a shoulder strap style of bag. If I did get a backpack I'd want room for more things than the camera equipment since I expect to be going on long hikes. The benefit of a shoulder strap would be that I could have a separate backpack for other items and extra camera items but I wouldn't want it to be too big. I've found some decent priced bags of both types but I'm not sure of what exactly I should be taking with me during trips.

Also, right now I don't have a Tripod or Monopod. I can really only afford one before I go on a trip in a few weeks. I know that Monopods are quicker and easier to use but don't give you the same level of sturdiness. Tripods can get expensive and are heavier. I don't really want to cheap out on these either since the cheap ones won't work well. I'll eventually have a few of these for different purposes but dose anyone have a good suggestion for a first purchase that's likely to be used mostly on hikes?

[Geoff F]

Tripods are being discussed here Pros and Cons of your "Travel sized" tripod?

And there have been several recent threads about tripods. I used to have a monopod but found that a lightweight tripod can do exactly the same, plus it has two more optional legs.

For several years, I used a Lowepro Mini Trekker which suited me fine but when I came to replace it I found little was available in the way of medium sized backpacks which suited me.

I needed semi waterproof, easy but secure access to equipment, sufficient size for a small tripod plus the ability to also strap on a larger and heavier tripod.

Eventually I settled on a Lowepro Vertex 200AW. Very comfortable once you adjust all the straps; but once I am 'strapped in' I feel as though I am about to pull a cart behind me!

Well constructed and plenty of room for equipment with numerous small zipped up compartments etc. But it is large and fairly heavy. More than ample for your current equipment. Comfortable for a long hike though.

When on the ground, with all those padded harness straps it looks like an upturned turtle!

Although the main compartment is huge, the secondary section is designed for a laptop computer, which is possibly a sign of the times, but instead of this I want to carry a small water bottle and something to eat. Which doesn't fit quite so well. I don't really want to have liquids directly amongst my camera gear.

However, despite the faults for me, I purchased it because it was the best which I could find. Although I still prefer my old Mini Trekker; even if it was a bit of a push to fit everything inside on occasions.

Whether you opt for a backpack or a shoulder bag depends on your personal preference. Possibly a backpack is either on your back or placed somewhere secure so the theft risk is greatly reduced. Although I suppose women are more used to carrying things like handbags.

Also a backpack doesn't look like it contains photo equipment. More likely to belong to a hiker and only containing a flask of coffee and a spare pair of boots which aren't worth stealing!

[FrankMi]

Hi Kyle, I bought a shoulder bag that would carry all my gear but it soon became a PITA. In the end, I opted for a pair of lens pouches that clip to my belt with easily removed Velcro straps. Now I can easily change lenses and don't have the bag dangling. Usually I just put the spare batteries and memory chips in my pocket. If I'm going to carry more bits & pieces, like close-up tubes, etc., I use a fanny pack swung round to the front.

When needed, I carry a tripod in a quiver diagonally over my shoulder and often swap from the single camera Black Rapid strap to the Op-Tech Dual harness if I bring a second camera along. I still bring the shoulder bag along but leave it in the car in case I need something I hadn't thought I would need at the start of the hike. This arrangement leaves both arms and hands free to grab whichever camera, lens and/or the tripod as needed.

[Kyle]

Tripods are being discussed here Pros and Cons of your "Travel sized" tripod?

And there have been several recent threads about tripods. I used to have a monopod but found that a lightweight tripod can do exactly the same, plus it has two more optional legs.

I've been following that thread and found some good ideas. I guess I was looking for more of a monopod vs tripod comparison. Can you reliably use a tripod without actually setting up all legs?

I was leaning towards a monopod but if a good lightweight tripod can be just as versatile and quick to set up then I'll probably go that way.

Thanks for the advice, I'll look into those two bags you mentioned.

[rpcrowe]

It depends on how you shoot and what gear you desire to carry...

I like a small and lightweight backpack for transporting my gear, especially when flying. I don't use the backpack when shooting because: 1. I is not handy to get things in and out and... 2. I don't usually carry a whole lot of gear when I am shooting.

I usually shoot wearing a photo vest and can carry a lot of my equipment such as filters, batteries and CF Cards etc. in the vest.

Sometimes I carry no bag and have my two cameras on an OPTECH Dual Harness.

I always carry a pair of 7D cameras and I sometimes will shoot with my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens around my neck on a strap and my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens in a holster case at my hip. I use a hand strap on that camera...

When I am shooting with my longer lenses (300mm f/4L IS and 70-200mm f/4L IS) I will wear the camera with the 70-200mm lens on a strap around my neck and carry the camera with the 300mm lens and hand strap in a Domke F-2 bag which is light in weight but fairly roomy. I purchased a Think Tank holster case big enough to fit my camera with the 300mm f/4L IS lens but don't like the setup of that bag and found it inconvenient to use.

The problem with really large camera bags is that they are heavy in themselves and photographers tend to cram them with gear, making them even heavier.

I like the Domke bags because they are not thickly padded and because they hug the contours of my hip.

One accessory I would recommend for any shoulder bag is the Domke FA-031 U.S. Post Office Shoulder Pad. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ulder_Pad.html

This not only eases the weight of a bag due to the padding but, because of its unique design will prevent the bag from slipping off the shoulder in many cases...

[mknittle]

If I had to pick one or the other I would go for a tripod. I have a monopod but rarely use it. I now carry my camera on a Cotton carrier vest. I haven't worked out the particulars on carrying lenses yet. I probably will do the same as Frank on that.

It takes a while to work things out to your personal kit and where you shoot.

[AB26]

Hi Kyle,

It is really up to you to decide how much weight you can carry on your back.
I got all my equipment in one Lovepro SlingShot 302 – total weight: just under 7Kg (with tripod). The SlingShot is a nice bag but it is not centre weighted on your back. You carry all the weight on one shoulder, not always very comfortable.
A bag that distributes the weight evenly to both shoulders will be better but then you will have to take the bag off your back to get to your equipment, not really a big schlep.

My tripod is a carbon fiber model with one leg that unscrews to become a monopod or hiking stick. If your budget allows you to spend money on a carbon fiber tripod, do it.

[Downrigger]

Depends also on how far you are walking and what kind of walking it is. Whichever, I like my camera in a holster swung forward on my chest so it is handy if I stumble into the shot of a lifetime that's going to run or fly away promptly.

A stroll: camera holster on my chest, lenses and tripod on my back in an adapted backpack.
A day or half-day of strenuous country: I pick the lens mostly like to address what I find or what I intend to do and carry it in a shoulder holster swung to the front, and use a walking stick that doubles as a monopod (several manufacturers make nice ones). I also carry a small hydration pack and can add a few items there (extenders, lens cleaner, spare battery, and a few calories).

I'm thinking about a gorilla pod - I wonder if folks find them useful in practice or if they just look like a good idea.

[FrankMi]

I'm thinking about a gorilla pod - I wonder if folks find them useful in practice or if they just look like a good idea.

The gorilla pod can be really useful when you can't bring a tripod along, such as in many public buildings. All you need is a railing to attach it to. I had to do a shot from about 8 feet in the air and just attached the gorilla pod to the top of a stepladder. It isn't an everyday device but it is inexpensive, light, portable, and very useful under the right circumstances. There have been times when I've kicked myself for not having brought it along!

[Kyle]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I appreciate it. I think I'll be able to narrow down my search more easily now.

[Geoff F]

When it comes down to a tripod/monopod, Kyle, I found that a tripod with the legs closed is a monopod and works in exactly the same manner but you also have the adjustments of a tiltable head etc. Sometimes I will leave one leg longer than the rest so it easily rotates etc and gets into tighter spots like a monopod.

I will also put the legs into a narrowly spaced position for tight spots. But always remember that these arrangements are not as stable as a tripod with fully spaced legs; so I always keep one hand on the equipment.

A local newspaper photographer often works with a somewhat complex arrangement of camera/lens pouches attached to a belt with additional 'braces' over his shoulders. This means that everything is available for quick changes but the shoulder braces take the weight.

It works well for that sort of shooting and quick changes of equipment. But for rather long walks over rough terrain interspersed with occasional camera use, I would still prefer a traditional and comfortable backpack.

[Kyle]

After doing a ton of looking around I ended up buying a dynex 58' tripod. It was a decent price and has a pretty good height, feels study and is pretty quick to operate. Dynex isn't a brand I usually buy but it had good reviews and will hopefully work for a starter tripod.

As for a backpack I found the lowepro transit 350 ( http://www.lowepro.com/transit-backpack). It will hold what I have now plus most other things I get in the near future. It's very customizable and I've made lots of room for other items I'll need on a long hike. It also holds onto my tripod. It's got a side access pannel so I don't have to take it off to get my camera.
I'll get a bigger camera strap so I can carry it at my side most of the time and just put it in the backpack as needed.

Hopefully this set up works for now. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[RustBeltRaw]

It sounds like I'm too late, but some tripods have a removable leg which serves as a monopod. The entire 3-Legged Thing range, for instance. I bring them up every time there's a tripod thread (a really common topic, for some reason), but I believe I remain CiC's only 3LT user. Which makes me worry about sounding evangelical about them.

[mknittle]

It sounds like I'm too late, but some tripods have a removable leg which serves as a monopod. The entire 3-Legged Thing range, for instance. I bring them up every time there's a tripod thread (a really common topic, for some reason), but I believe I remain CiC's only 3LT user. Which makes me worry about sounding evangelical about them.

Lex, I think you may very well be The one that puts his equipment to more extremes than most of us do That in it's self says a lot when you recommend something.

Gotta admit the TLT names are a hoot

[Downrigger]

likely to be used mostly on hikes?

There's hikes and then there's most of the day, plenty ascent/descent hikes and for the latter I'd start with a good hiking stick monopod combo. You won't be able to shoot stars, or macro or really low light, but with modern IS/VR and monopod you won't often wish for a tripod. You can stabilize a monopod mounted camera further by adding a tree trunk, rock, or crack in the rocks to the assembly if you're on the edge.