Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Hike/Climb with DSLR?

I've noticed a bunch of people with some awesome web photo galleries, it's inspired me to take more pictures. However, ive gone on a handful of hikes now with the dslr and can't seem to figure out the best way to carry it in my pack. Obviously I want to keep it easily accessible, but also want to keep it protected...how do you guys pack these things? Loose in you pack or in some type of small case in the pack?

Thanks in advance.

John

On-trail, the camera is around my neck, usually over one shoulder but over my pack straps so I can access it quickly. Usually the 24~120 zoom on the camera and the 12~24mm wide zoom in a padded pouch on the waist belt of my pack.

Off-trail, it depends...maybe in my pack if I'm climbing steep enough stuff that it would get banged around on rocks or still slung the same way on top of my daypack straps.

I know some folks who use various brands of hitches that hold the camera against their chest but allow them to pull it up to eye level. Have never tried one of those but the guys who use 'em swear by 'em.

I haven't used any sort of "never-ready" camera case since I stopped carrying my old Nikon FTn film camera and then just the bottom half of the case because on the '70s era Nikons, you actually removed the back of the camera to load film so you needed a spot to put the loose piece while you were switching film. (Nikon used to call them "ever-ready" cases but most of us left the top/front half of the case at home because if you had to open the case, you were "never ready" to take a quick shot.)

You should have seen some of the looks I got in the middle of a 100-mile trek out at Philmont with the D200 around my neck. The question was usually something like, "You're carrying THAT out HERE???" To which my response was, "Yup. This is my lighweight backpacking camera. You have a problem with that?" Which wasn't that far off...my NON-lightweight backpacking camera is a Mamiya RB67 2-1/4x2-3/4 (film) camera. Now, that is a boat anchor...

For short day hikes from the car, I may carry my camera/computer backpack. It's similar to this one but made by Targus and I can't seem to find the exact model right now. The top is just a pack area but the bottom with the flap lid has dividers and will hold the D200 with 24~120 plus three or four more lenses. The laptop sleeve is against your back and runs the length of the pack. The one I have does have a (non-padded) waist belt so it is quite tolerable as a daypack. I can carry the D200, 24~120, 70~210, 10.5 fisheye and 60mm macro if I want a full range of capabilities. It will still fit in the overhead on most aircraft except the Embraer "sardine cans." On those, I have to take the laptop out and put it under my seat and then the pack with camera gear will fit.

I know there is a lot of debate about cameras but having the larger image sensor (size, not megapixels) and better glass in front of it makes the extra effort of schlepping the D200 well worth it.

The only way you'll get pictures is if your camera is around your neck and easily accessible. I carry a Nikon D300s on almost all my trips. I use an Op/Tech Neoprene Coverto protect it. I also changed out the stock Nikon strap for some climbing webbing. I was able to customize the length of the strap so I can get it on and off over my pack, various clothing layers, climbing rope, etc. This system helps me keep the camera reasonably protected and get the shots I want to get whether it's stormy or clear. Given all the recent weather we've been having this has really helped:


Storm at Upper Boyscout Lake June 5, 2011


Inside a wet frosty cloudcap just below the summit of Mt. Rainier May 30, 2011

I have my DSLR always around my neck unless it's a nasty heavy rain situation. Lenses are in pouches I can access, or my hiking partners can access, so I don't have to take the pack off. I don't use any cover for the camera usually - only keeps you from using it. I shoot with used gear, so the scratches and wear don't bother me very much. Have had no issues with cameras that aren't fully weather sealed (and saved all that weight in return).

Usually I carry mine around my neck - the strap now has plenty of sweat marks! If it gets cloudy or misty I'll tuck it mostly inside my button-up overshirt. For rain it goes back in the pack because then I'm probably not looking to take a lot of photos. I usually bring just the one lens, I have a Sony a200 with 18-250 zoom. For short hikes it's my pocket Nikon, which is just a cheapie that I've dropped way too many times but just keeps on chugging away. With that one I hang the strap outside my shirt pocket so it's easy to grab.
As mentioned earlier here, if it's not easy to reach then it won't get used.

Hi This will be a joke so as you read don't pay any mind to it .

First make sure you are watching the camera , second have all the high dollar lenes you can get hanging around you neck also, next step back a few feet or forward to get the best framing. On the roads , always exit the car parked in the lane, stand near the yellow line or in the other lane (again to frame the shot), do not let the oncoming traffic bother you and if they yell tell them you are taking pictures!


On the trail stand in the center of the trail, get the group to move until the correct layout is in range and you can set the timer (says 3 minutes) and hold the other hikers back until the flash goes off. Then look at the picture several times and talk about the landscape and lighting .Then move on, quickly.

At the trailhead as the others are going to the bathroom , take your pack off set it behind a rock with the others , after the restroom party ends stand infront of the trail sign notice I did not say trailhead sign in the dark as you again are setting the stage to get the start picture the bears will have time to take a few packs .

One day I was able to see what happens on the ledges if you have not only the camera around your neck but add to the package a very large ruck sack full of more cameras and lenes flopping around. After the fall the person was able to get patched up. This included drilling a hole in the back of his head to push the front of his face back into shape , the lung ,ribs you know the other stuff that breaks on a 40' fall healed nicely.

And as we tell the people leaving on epic trips that we think may be the last hike .....Take a lot of pictures .....because when they find the camera you will have history not many see.

These may only be the 101 starter primer for camera use and outcomes? But if you have one of the 418D8 or better the manual that you didn't download will answer the rest.
Thanks Doug

thanks for all the advice! you're right about not taking pictures if its not around your neck, ha i've carried that camera up many peaks only to take it out at the top and at camp...not always the most interesting place for pictures...

just bought an op/tech case from amazon, think that should work out well thanks for the advice kurt!

john

I must get me one of those 3 minute timers, Doug!

Do check out holster-style bags that you can thread/clip to your pack's waist belt. M-Rock makes some of the best of these, plus a few other companies. One advantage is you're putting the DSLR's weight on your hips instead of your back...

I also sometimes carry a Nikon D300 (heavy beast), and have also found that if it's in my pack it is useless. I don't like hanging around my neck though. Most bacpacks have rings or loops at right around where your collar bone extends out to meet your shoulder blade. I have a carabiner hanging from each and slip the camera pouch onto each carabiner. That way I can draw the camera out in a hurry. The lense hangs down to about my belly. Works well for me.

At the risk of sounding insensitive to the plight of Ryan's camera at Shepherd's Pass, that cracked me up Doug.

Being clumsy it is an easy decision for me to use a lower end camera. You know the old saying give a man enough rope...that applies to camera straps too.

Good stuff, Doug. You forgot a couple of things though. In addition to always watching your camera, never leave it inside a tent no matter how secure you think the tent is. And don't count on the neoprene case to save your camera if you accidently drop it on some Sierra rock.

It's probably a good idea to make sure your insurance is up to date too.

Great comments, Doug...but you forgot one...

Setting up that perfect summit shot for your buddies, you forget and say "just one more step backwards" one too many times.

Dang, hate it when that happens...lose more climbing buddies that way...

I've bought and used a 'Cotton Carrier' system that mounts to your chest and gets the camera off your hip. 'Google it' and you might find this works for you.