Hiking with an SLR
 

Has anybody ever gone on a proper backpacking hike with an SLR? I'm considering it when I get home this summer.

I was basically wondering if you guys think I should get one of those armour-all cases, or pelicans... etc. I like hiking the beach/$$$$$$$$$ quite a bit, so moisture will definitely be a problem - maybe one of those flexible sports packs? or will that degrade the image too much.

any hints/suggestions will be greatly appreciated :)

If your looking at hiking with a backpack, you can take a look at F-stop gear. I just ordered their Tilopa series pack for hiking/travelling. From the personal reviews that I read on POTN the bag is quality made bag.

The Tilopa is more like a day pack, and the Satori an expedition pack. You can also order different size ICU to utilize space more. smaller ICU for less camera gear, and more hiking/camping gear. The pack is also weather resistant, with waterproof zippers. There is also a hidden compartment at the bottom for to store a rain cover.

I haven't received the bag yet, but looking forward to it. I just ordered it on Friday. I wouldn't want to lug a pelican case around while hiking.

http://fstopgear.com/

I made the decision to buy the bag after looking at the Dakine Sequence, Lowerpro bags, and Tamrac. I found the F-stop gear is more suited for my needs, and the customization options, along with their Molle strap system benefited in the long run.

Tilopa http://fstopgear.com/en/tilopa

Don't worry about it TOO much..

http://karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReview...shedCanons.htm

Fstop is more like expedition packs. If you want day trip hiking, look up Tamrac Adventure series. Perfectly sized for day trips.

Their Tilopa is more sutited for hiking, while the larger Satori is for expedition. Thats if you pair all the gear with the right size ICU.

I found that the Adventure series bags were not deemed weather/waterproof. As well they had no location to carry a tripod. I looked at the Tamrac Adventure 9, and it didn't meet what I was looking for waterproofness and tripod. Everything else worked fine. It's also cheeper too. Also the Adventure 9 didn't have a proper harness system to support heavy loads.

If your going to go hiking in the back country like Mt. Cheam, Garibaldi, etc, having a pack large enough the carry standard gear such as extra clothes, emergency/survival gear plus your lunch and water is a must. Well thats what I think. As well as a proper harness system which supports the extra weight. This way your shoulders and back won't get sore from all the weight.

i just use my flip side 300 for hiking and traveling, no sense in buying 2 bags, the flip side gives you security when traveling and it has padded shoulders, waste buckle and a buckle where the shoulder pads are for extra comfort on the back, i even took it to garibaldi lake hike

ya, i'm looking for tips on proper backpacking, not just day trips - those i can handle.

I'm thinking of re-doing the West Coast Trail with my SLR, and a few lenses. I was just wondering if anybody has really done it.

and I know that the pro bodies can take a beating, but I can't afford it. the 40D has SOME weathersealing, but it's not great.

For the pack, I would recommend the F-Stop Satori as an expedition pack. But what might be a better idea is to use an actual expedition bag, and buy a ICU from f-stop or anywhere else to put your camera gear in.

Also the weather sealing on the 40D isn't true weather sealing. The buttons, and display don't have any protection. Being that said, I have gone into snow, and had my 40D moist with water, and nothing has ever happened *knock on wood*. I would get some covers for the camera. Something like the Kata Elements Cover to protect the camera/lens from rain, and sand.

http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp...&Version=Photo
http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp...&Version=Photo
http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp...&Version=Photo

i'm just scared that subjecting it to a week of moisture will ruin it. i've had it wet from rain before, and nothing happened *knocks on wood as well*... i'm just worried.

i just wanted to see who has taken it out into the wilderness really.

No need to worry about moisture really. I know people who have brought their SLR everywhere, rainforests with 100% humidity, their cameras still function just fine.

SLRs are kinda like cars, in the end they are tools to get a good picture. Rather you get a good picture than have the camera all protected inside its case, where it can't take photos!

If your that worried, then I would stick to using a point and shoot camera. Your only other options are underwater housings. But those are very very expensive.

Another choice is the D700 with all-weather sealing.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d700/d700-xray-768.jpg

Good point with the previous post. If you are paranoid about water you might as well bring one of these :p

http://www.canonxs.com/canon_xs_files/canon_d10.jpg

the only problem with the D700 or any sealed body is that he needs a sealed lens as well, in order to full sealed. If he is that worried about moisture and sand, point and shoots are the cheeper and more effective option.

thanks guys... just a bit scared. just gonna screw it and take it with me!!

at the least, bring a clear plastic bag and a rubber band.

MEC will have a big selection of 100% waterproof bags. they won't pad anything, but will keep everything dry while in the bag.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1271382189463

only concern would be putting wet stuff back in and then sealing again...


I wish I had a nice camera on the WCT. when I did it 10 years ago I brought 2 disposables. so I only have about 40 pics.

To think that when Hiking moisture is the biggest risk, is laughable. (Unless you were hiking in the amazon rainforest, where it could flash rain out of nowhere)
The biggest risk is dropping the camera or banging it against something

At the beach, the biggest risk isn't the water (assuming you have half a brain), it's sand.

I tend to agree. My biggest concern would be impact damage while in storage. Last summer, when I hiked Mt. Cheam, I had no proper bag for my camera. What I ended up doing was wrapping my camera is a bath towel, and stuffing into my backpack. I was actually worried about my camera coming out.

There was also another time that my S2IS fell out of my bag, and rolled down the side of a mountain. Luckily, my camera was stored in small Lowepro bag, and the only damage that occurred was my lenscap was jammed into my C-Pl filter. I think the lensmate adapter along with the filters took most of the impact.

With my previous experiences while hiking, my biggest concern is impact damage while being stored. That is why I purchased the F-Stop Tilopa bag due to the bag's weather proofing, and camera protection. Also for the room to store extra clothing, food, water, etc. I was also looking for external straps for a tripod.

If you are really really concerned about moisture, bring a clear plastic bag, with rubber band. Store your camera in a smaller bag like a lowepro or ICU, and throw in a large pack of desiccant to keep the moisture down in your camera area.

Went hiking yesterday with my SLR. I just wrapped it around a sweater and brought it up.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RlBlRdp4hCE/S8...0/DSC_7535.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RlBlRdp4hCE/S8...0/DSC_7892.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RlBlRdp4hCE/S8...0/DSC_7952.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RlBlRdp4hCE/S8...0/DSC_7959.JPG

All was well. Was just careful in some areas to avoid SLR banging into stuff when clambering past rocks and stuff.

Nice man. In the end, what I always say about the camera: it's a tool, not a fragile possession to be coddled. Now come back with some hiking photos!

LOL, watching this vid made think of this thread. haha

hahaha, that was awesome. i think it was more extreme walking with them than burning them....

Who's up for trying that with their own camera? ;)

I personally take my SLR on hikes with me, a 33+ miler over 3 days in Pt. Reyes National Seashore, a 20 miler in Henry Coe State Park, Garibaldi/Black Tusk, Helm Creek to Black Tusk from the Cheakamus side at Function Junction, Cheakamus Lake, Wedgemount Lake last weekend, etc.

All hikes made with a 40-45lb pack on. The only hike I've been "concerned" with the well-being of my camera was the 33+ miler in Pt. Reyes as it was ~12C and foggy/low cloud/misting the entire time. I just wrapped a bandana around my camera.

Other than that, it's always slung around my neck/shoulder, so as to avoid swinging while still being ready for the random shots I might want to take, or when something random dashes out of the brush and I only have a split second to pop my lens cap off and shoot from the hip, hoping to catch it.

Example: Hoary Marmot just before the terminal moraine at Wedgemount Lake.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/...556bf843_o.jpg

You guys are nuts going on long hikes...but that's just me...I drive to the corner store 2 blocks away.

^we all saw your pudgy fingers :p