Camera Equipment Trekking Q

[marcy]

I just bought a canon 70-200 F4 L-series lens for my camera. Any of you camera buffs have any suggestions for a good carrying case for taking my camera when i have this rather long lens on it?

[Petrus]

I have no camera cases with me when trekking, camera is either hanging from its strap in front, or with heavier lens, sitting on the top of my pack (strap around my neck). If it is not out, I have it wrapped in a fleece or something in the pack.

Cases are clumsy, especially it it is big enough for SLR + large lens.

Sorry for not answering your question...

PS It might be usefull to clarify; photograpy is my profession and I regard cameras as tools and do not pamper them all that much (somebody else pays for them..).

[kolobar]

I am using same lenses and since I have to pay for my lenses myself :( I keep my equipment in a bag or a backpack.
I found LowePro bags/backpacks worth buying in Kathmandu (maybe not if you are from USA). Check Snapper Photo shop on New road (their Thamel branch was recently closed).
If I am trekking with a daypack I use LowePro Rover Plus (9000nrp or about 100eur). If you want to keep your camera at hand you have to carry it round the neck since photo equipment compartment is on the bottom of the backpack.
The downside: the bag is too big for shorter walks in the city...
If I am carrying bigger pack, I keep my camera in top loading bag, big enough for body+telelenses. It is again LowePro bought in Nepal (about 60eur) but right now not at my disposal to check the model. I carry other lenses in LowePro lenses bags in my backpack. You can attach 2 lenses bags on top loading bag but since lenses are quite heavy it becomes too much weight to carry while walking.

[marcy]

Thanks - both excellent suggestions.

I'll be traveling with Canon 50D w/ 10-22, newly released 18-200 IS and the long 70-200 F4. All brand new. [It took me awhile to be emotionally willing to move on from my very good and beloved canon slide camera bodies and took the plunge for new lenses whilst at it]

Am actually thinking for convenience sake (despite it being by far the best lens) may leave the 70-200 in KTM at a friends house and just take the 10-22 and 18-200 trekking.. that way camera fits in neoprene case and I can wear while trekking or toss in top of my gregory rucksack w/o worrying too much. Still need a solution for times when I am travelling rather than trekking. will definitely check out the lowepro bags in KTM - thanks for the tip and the location recommendation! Q: Am indeed from USA but leaving soon, so will check out once in KTM

Thanks petrus for reminding me of the old wrap it in your fleece or a little towel method. Used to use that and will definitely make use of it again w/ the new 70-200 now that you've reminded me.. Also am handicapped being a bit of a clutz, a bit shorter than 5'2 and chesty. When walking around shooting, this leaves me having to sling over just one shoulder and wear dangling off left hip, which means the lens takes a bit of abuse. With my smaller lenses in past have always tucked camera into a holster (left unzipped) for protection while walking around. Often envy tell men who trek past with their SLR hanging or harnessed neatly in front of them.

[Escher]

My solution probably won't work for you but I have a Lowe Pro topload zoom AW 60 (I think) which I wear with a chest harness on the front so my camera is always handy. I take 3 lenses (70-200, 17-40 & 100 macro) but can only really have two handy with that arrangement. Not a perfect solution but the best I have come up with yet.

[marcy]

Ah.. so you're one of those front-harnessed DSLR men I've envied trekking past... :-)