Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Camera case for backpacking

I have a digital SLR Camera that I plan on taking backpacking with me this summer. I am curious if there is a nice case that can attach to my backpack, so the camera is accessible without taking the pack off. I'm like it be small so its light, but just big enough that I can put the camera in it with a lens still attached. Does anybody have a recommendation?

BTW - please don't respond with "get a lighter camera." I know they're big and heavy, but the picture quality is well worth it. I'll drop the weight somewhere else, like making my brother carry all the food.

I have a case made by Lowe that attaches to the waist belt on my pack. I wear it off to one side with my digital Cannon Rebel XTI. Very easy to take the camera out/put back in and doesn't interfer with your hiking stride. The only draw back is that it holds just the lens attached to the camera (no telephoto lens will fit). Just find a good camera store that carries the Lowe brand camera cases and try them on your pack.

Bob

I carried SLRs for years on Whitney and other California hikes, but I always carried them around my neck for easy accessibility and for protection (that is, protecting the cameras). I had the option of removing my cameras first, before taking off my backpack, or leave it on me after dropping my pack.

I have since graduated to digital and carry the cameras in a pocket or special shoulder strap cases. Again, I like quick, easy accessibility. It would take too long to dig into my backpack to retrieve cameras.

Hope you find something that works for you. Large cameras have their place and their pluses. Best to you.

Low tech but I have a carabiner attached to my camera that I clip onto a loop on the front of my shoulder straps, I have a Crown Royal bag that slides over the camera to protect it from dirt and scuffing. It is a Canon AE1 so it's quite heavy compared to the newer digital cameras.

Check out the M-Rock holster bags. That's what I use, attached either to my sternum strap, waistbelt, or side compression straps.

http://www.m-rock.com/

After experimenting with a few different cases on a couple different SLRs, the easiest thing for me to do is extend the strap and sling it over my neck or neck and shoulder.

When it was on my pack, I'd have to put the pack down constantly to take a shot, slowing my hike and often making me lose opportunities for wildlife. Additionally, a case also added weight to the pack.

I carry my Nikon d-50 in a lowes case on my side hip attached to the pack. I use a velcrow strip to secure it in place so it doesn't move around.
Practice with it before hiking to make sure it works. This worked for me on my Whitney day hike.

Beyond the case, I would recommend a lanyard of some sort to either have around your neck or around your pack. My camera is just a little point-n-shoot, and I have a lanyard attached to the wrist strap, which I then wrap around the bottom of the shoulder strap of my pack. While I sometimes get a bit tangled up if I drop the camera, I know it's not going to end up at the bottom of some chute! And yes, I have dropped it a few times since having the lanyard!

California Trailwalker has a pretty good story about losing a camera at the wrong time (I tried to search for it but not having much luck!).

-L

The lost camera thread is here: Of cameras and granite

Can anyone describe how Rick Kent carries his camera? He takes pictures every few minutes, yet covers miles and miles.
...Rick?

I find putting it on a friends pack on the back allows me to get it quickly as needed. It is out of the way and easy to get to. Also, if one bites the traildust, the camera is out of the way and not between your sternum or lowerbody parts and the trail. That can hurt. I agree on the DSLR for the trail, the pics are worth the weight. I carry a D50 with an 18-55 lens and a 70-300 zoom. Fun to play with but I shoot way too many pics.