Carrying Gear on Waist

[Bob Chapman]

The neurologist tells me I have a herniated C 6/7 disc, so it seems it's time to retire my bulky backpack and rethink how I carry my gear at the track. Does anyone have strong recommendations regarding waist-based packs? ...will need to accommodate 2 bodies min, 2-3 short lenses, 70-200 f2.8, 300 f4 (same size at the 70-200), occasionally two flashes, plus incidentals.

Todd Corzett, do I recall correctly that we discussed this at Long Beach in 2006? What pack do you use?

[John Thawley]

Dude... Todd is is waist pack master....

JT

[Daniel Buck]

I guess a vest would be about the same as a backpack, ay? it would put the weight on your front though. Maybe balance out that disk? lol!

[Dennis Murray]

I'm shopping this at the moment as well.

Think Tank has what appears to be a pretty nicely put together system with a lot of options (up to the 300/2.8). You can buy it piecewise, or you can buy a preconfigured set that's discounted substantially.

Lowepro has pieces as well, at generally a slightly lower price. They don't have quite as broad a line as Think Tank does though.

Both have a shoulder strap add on that might be worth considering.

[Greg Mitchell]

Dennis/Bob have a look at newswear.com they have a chest pack that a few guys i have seen are using now

they also have some rain gear up to 600mm f4


Greg

[Jamie Holladay]

I use the Lowepro which I think is what Todd reccommended

Lowepro Street & Field Waistbelt
Lowepro S & F Lens Case 1S (50mm)
Lowepro S & F Lens Case 1 (17-40)
Lowepro S & F Lens Case 1W (24-70) Litte tight
Lowepro S & F Lens Case 2 (70-200 w/tc)
Lowepro S & F Lens Case 3 (70-200 w/tc actually made for 100-400)
Lowepro DMC-Z Memory Pouch (8 cards I think)

They also make a case that will hold a 300 f/4 (Canon). There are also retangle cases that bodies should fit in AW60?. The AW50 or AW60 should hold both of your flashes.

[Todd Corzett]

Sorry for the delay in this post, I've been (an still am) away on travel - *gasp* Todd is somewhere other than California!

ThinkTank Photo is what I use. All parts from the Modulus Set:
http://www.unitonestudios.com/bio/me.jpg

Not the greatest photo, but an example of my setup... which includes (from the front buckle around to the left):

Chimp Cage (Quantum Turbo 2x2 and two 1-series batteries)
Lightning fast (Canon 550ex)
R U Thirsty? (1L Nalgene water bottle)
Speed Changer (Misc items, tools, sunscreen, rain gear, etc.)
Lens Changer 75 (Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L non-IS)
Lens Changer 25 (Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8L)
Lens Changer 15 (Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye)
Lens Changer 15 (Canon EF 1.4xTC)

I chose to go with the lens changer 75 for the 70-200mm rather than the 'Whip It Out' because I didn't want the side zipper coming loose and having something fall out. I rent with the Lens Changer 15 rather than 'Lens Drop In' because the felt inner liner and circular pull-close top were making things slower for me.

I also have a few D-rings (a great source for these sorts of this are SCUBA dive shops, as these are the sorts of things used on dive weight belts) for holding my Pixel Pocket Rocket and carabiners.

Now, the one thing that I use that is not from ThinkTank Photo is the best itself. The Speed Belt and even the Steroid belts are good, but I wanted something stiffer. I have my belt quite heavily loaded and I didn't want it sagging in the back (the 1L water bottle is what caused my Tamrac belt lots of problems, even with the suspenders). To solve this problem I have used a Bianchi police duty belt (http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=7200). The version that I got has a velcro inner liner and 'keeper' system that I use to hold the ThinkTank pouches in place. This doesn't allow for the use of the 'speed' (swivel around your waist) features of the ThinkTank system, but I didn't want it to swivel anyhow. I really like how I can hold the belt up by one end and nothing will fall off the other.

I would recommend using the belt for only the things that you want to use while you are shooting, and then another bag (I have the Airport Security Roller) for the rest of the media center gear. Because of this, I don't have a spot on my belt for my camera body (which is around my neck). If I had two bodies I would have them both around my neck or on my shoulder.

For your gear line-up I would suggest getting a speed belt and several Lens Changers (one for each lens), several lightning fasts (one for each flash), and at least one chimp cage (two; one for incidentals, would allow for both bodies on the belt if needed). You could also go for something like a Speed Demon and a few lens changers (rather than the speed belt).

The ThinkTank prices are admittedly higher than other companies, but the quality and customer service is better than any company I have ever dealt with. Each bag comes with a rain pouch (which I've never used, but it's nice to have). I had the 1st generation of the 'Lens Drop In' and just because a few people were having difficulties with the draw-strings used, they sent EVERYONE who bought one from them a re-designed version no questions asked (it actually just showed-up in the mail one day).

If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.

-Todd...