Paul A. - Los Angeles, CA. , Sep 21, 2008; I suppose the best way to carry a 4x5 field and associated gear is in a backpack... I have a 4x5 field (wood) a couple small lenses, a few film holders and am wondering which backpack might be best suited to carry the gear in the field For my Leicas I have a small Tamrac backpack. I also have a Lowepro Mini if I travel with more than my Leicas. ideas / suggestion would be appreciated. Douglas Antonio , Sep 21, 2008; the tamrac cyberpack 6 works perfectly for a 4x5 camers of a linhof technika size (put upright!), at least 3 lenses, film holders, light meter, polaroid holder, film, loupe, reversal viewer and several other accessories. but i am not sure whether it is still produced. the pack is excellently manufactured. i took it across from europe to u.s. as inflight baggage fitting into the overhead compartment. really comfortable to carry fully packed.Rafael Garcia , Sep 21, 2008; I guess the right answer depends on your camera and lenses, and where you are taking them.

I pack my new Chamonix 045N in a cheap Lowpro backpack, wrapped in its factory cover, and with enough space for two lightweight lenses, a 90mm Angulon and a 150mm Fujinon, darkcloth, cable release, analog Pentax Spotmeter, Cokin system and filters and at least six filmholders. This is a light system that can go anywhere. On the other hand, my larger 4x5/5x7 field camera (originally a Japanese half-plate field camera I converted to both requires a large suitcase-style bag for the larger 90mm and 121mm Super Angulon lenses, 150mm Sironar, 210/370 Symmar, and the larger 5x7 filmholders, the same meter, cable releases and darkcloth, and the appropriate CokinThis excludes my experiments with a large Metrogon on a Packard shutter, which is carried separatelyThis setup doesn't climb or hike long. Neither pack carries the tripod, but it could be externally lashed on either If I wanted.John Wilson , Sep 21, 2008; I use a military surplus ALICE pack. The medium sized pack can haul all of my large format gear, tripod, and all the holders and lenses I want to carry.

The great thing about the ALICE system is that the majority of accessories you want to bring will be accessible without digging into the pack because of the assortment of pockets and pouches on the outside of the pack. With the field camera in the radio pocket (internal pocket inide the main compartment) this is a good solution. I cut a piece of foam sleeping pad to line the radio pocket that also protects my camera. The Large sized ALICE pack holds everything you could hope to carry on your back. Loaded, mine is at 60 pounds ( 27 kg) for a trip where I'll be out several days. Loaded with only camera gear it comes in at 35 pounds ( 16 kg). I use the external frame for either pack to provide rigidity as well as keep the pack off my back for air flow. A pack with frame will set you back a whopping forty dollars. Uncle Sam also makes a multitude of extra pockets, pouches, packs, and assorted goodies you can mount to the outside of an ALICE pack. A commercial photo backpack is a lot sexier but much heavier, hotter, and infinitely more expensive.

When I take my gear somewhere where I care about presentation I use a rolling overnight suitcase and carry my tripod by hand.Randall Ellis , Sep 21, 2008; I have a Korona 4x5 that fits nicely in a Nature Trekker, along with up to four lenses (I only carry two, so Iapta backpack safety have extra space), a light meter, 7 film holders, and a number of filters and other fidly bits with plenty ofnumark n4 backpack room for the dark cloth. meade etx 80 backpack telescope packageIt's not the best backpack design, and certainly not for long distance hiking, but I'veraychel backpack

used it with good results on hikes up to about 6-8 miles round trip. As an added bonus, there is a nice rain cover that stows in the bottom and covers the pack quite well. - RandyRobert Budding , Sep 21, 2008; kipling seoul backpack with laptop protection review There is nothing that is as light and as comfortable as a real backpack. backpack amsterdam pantipReally comfortable and nicely made. /home.aspScott Kathe , Sep 21, 2008; I second Robert's post. You definitely want to check out Photobackpacker. ScottDoremus Scudder , Sep 22, 2008; Here is a different solution and an alternative to the backpack that I find works much better for my purposes. I use a large fanny pack for my 4x5 Wista DX and four lenses (one folds up in the camera, three others are housed

in homemade cardboard boxes). I carry an Ektar 203mm f7.7, a Wide-Field Ektar 135mm f.6.3, a Scheider Super Angulon 90mm f.8 and a Nikkor M 300mm f.9 easily this way. I often add my Fujinon A 240mm f.9 as well. Also in the fanny pack are two sets of six filters in 52mm and 67mm size in folding cases plus some other misc.The darkcloth is carried rolled up on the outside of the pack. A short fly-fisherman's vest carries my meter, viewing filter, lens shade, flashlights, magnifier, lens cleaning brushes and cloths, etc., etc. Film holders (plus another lens from time to time) go in a pouch slung over my shoulder. I carry 6-8 normal holders or 20+ Mido holders in the pouch. The tripod goes in my hand unless I really have to scramble, when I either toss it on ahead of me or strap it to the bottom of the fanny pack. My setup allows me to do quite a bit of rough scrambling, bushwacking, etc. Water bottles and sandwiches can be easily added if you don't have a beautiful assistant like I do :-)

For cold weather, a fleece vest and parka, go over the vest easily and still allow access to everything through zippers. When I work, I set up the tripod, hang the filmholder pouch on the center-column lock knob for weight and unfasten the fanny pack buckle. My fanny pack has a shoulder strap that allows me to work out of it easily without setting it down. Great for mud, snow, water, etc. Here is a link to a photo showing my setup in action on the Oregon coast. Hope this helps some, Doremus ScudderLouie Powell , Sep 22, 2008; LowePro Nature Trekker - it holds my Zone VI, two lenses, meter, 6-8 holders, and a CD case full of filters. I can attach my Tiltall tripod on the outside. Total weight is just under 30 pounds fully loaded. And it meets airline carry-on specs as long as I pack the tripod in a separate bag.Drew Bedo , Sep 22, 2008; I have a LowePro Super Trekker AW. Its an older model, but then current models are better. Mine can pack my Zone-VI (4x5) with three lenses, 8-10 film holders, Meter,