ideas for carrying LF equipment

[Pupfish]

If further afield means wild places, a cart will only get you so far.

My solution is a real backpack, an internal frame Gregory with a greatly adjustable suspension system and a lot of lashing pts. Mine is a front loader that has 2 big compartments separated by a floor that can be dropped to make one big compartment. Cut foam does the organizing and allows it to be many pounds lighter and more versatile than any of the photo-specific ones.

For the creaky knees, I can heartily suggest getting a pair of newfangled hiking poles and use them on the down-hilling portions. They're God-sends. Mine are Leki's which have hidden 1/4-20 studs for use as monopods. They also double as XC ski poles by adding baskets.

[rmann]

For flat, level, and hard terrain - jogging stroller - nothing will be easier to push. For really big loads - bike trailer or pet strollers - do a goggle search. I use a jogging stroller - holds a lot and keeps everything at waist level so when I stop there is no unpacking or bending over. For hiking - the Photobackpacker outfit is a great system. Also, you could take a look at the Feisol cart which looks like a light duty solution.

[juan]

Second the jogging stroller. I tried golf carts, back packs, etc, but over rather level terrain without large rocks, nothing beats the stroller. There's a place for everything, so there's little unpacking. The camera on tripod can lay across the top for moving short distances. Most fold so they fit in a trunk or station wagon.
juan

[jeffzeitlin]

I agree with John - I use this variation on a jogging stroller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Beach-Lugger-Car...8#ht_720wt_941

I can carry everything in a hard case and travel fairly easily. I used a backpack, but found it fatiguing with 8x10 - it is good for MF. The cart gives you the ability to carry everything without the weight on the back and your joints.

[johnnywalker]

The jogging stroller. Mine has 3 largish bicycle type wheels.

[Mark Fisher]

Standard front panel opening pack. Mine is an REI brand that is similar to the Kelty redwind, I have my lenses in a fishing reel case from Cabellas......room for 4 lenses on Linhof boards. There is a pocket from my spotmeter and film slides fit in between everything else. The camera get wrapped with the darkcloth. I carry the tripod separagely, but could lash it on too. I'm basically doing a cheap version of photobackpacker version. His system seems about perfect to me and I may do that way if I startup on LF more this year

[jdimichele]

I carry my cambo 4x5 monorail setup in a LowePro Super Trekker. The bag is pretty heavy empty (13lbs) but, like any other LowePro photo backpack, built to take a beating. I've considered converting backpacks to carry my gear but the reality is that the SuperTrekker is almost as big as any practical backpack. Considering the time required to convert a standard backpacking backpack into a photo backpack and the only thing you really gain is that the equivalent gear setup in the converted backpack probably saves you about 5lbs. However, you would have to do a pretty excellent job at converting the backpack to equal the flexibility and protection that the SuperTrekker provides.


Cheers,
Jay
www.jasondimichele.com

[jgjbowen]

I have a 4 x 5 field camera and a heavy Zone VI tripod.

I'd appreciate any comments. My knees are creaky these days and I'd like to be able to go a bit farther afield.

thanks,

John

My first sugggestion is to lose the HEAVY Zone VI tripod. It is overkill for a 4x5 field camera. I own one and it collects dust as I now use Ries J tripods for both my 8x10 and 7x17 cameras. If you are tall and need the extra height the heavy Zone VI provides take a look at the Ries J100-8 (see the badger site) I'm sure others can recommend some ultra light weight carbon tripods.

For moving my own 7x17 gear, I use a John Powers type Jogging Stroller if I am going to be more than 50 yards from the truck. For 8x10 I primarily use a f64 backpack.

[srmcnamara]

I actually just wrap my wooden Ikeda Anba in a sweatshirt and place it in a camelbak. my tiny 90mm angulon goes in a separate pocket. meter and film holders fit on the side elasticy pockets. Tripod goes over the shoulder.