yaDSLRt: Backpacks and Tripods

[imported_Mike]

Not at all unique to DSLRs, but I am looking at getting a backpack/daypack for all my camera gear and maybe a monopod.

I was thinking about picking up this very light weight monopod and this backpack.

Anyone available for comment on these items? Any other suggestions?

EDIT: Looks like this monopod combined with this head would be a better buy.

 

[tfinch2]

You can do better than that monopod for less.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
You can do better than that monopod for less.

Ill be getting a discount but any suggestions on other brands to check out?

 

[Mrvile]

Don't order from Amazon, try BH.

They have much better gear, selection, and prices.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Don't order from Amazon, try BH.

They have much better gear, selection, and prices.

I actually found both these guys on BH first, but I have a 25% off Amazon coupon that Id like to use.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: tfinch2
You can do better than that monopod for less.

Ill be getting a discount but any suggestions on other brands to check out?

So do you want a pod with or without a head?

 

[PHiuR]

Gitzo if you have the cashhhhh
Manfrotto if you don't.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: tfinch2
You can do better than that monopod for less.

Ill be getting a discount but any suggestions on other brands to check out?

So do you want a pod with or without a head?

Is it difficult to add a head to one that doesn't come with one? The monopod linked doesn't have one, but I was going to put one on there. To answer your question, with a head.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: tfinch2
You can do better than that monopod for less.

Ill be getting a discount but any suggestions on other brands to check out?

So do you want a pod with or without a head?

Is it difficult to add a head to one that doesn't come with one? The monopod linked doesn't have one, but I was going to put one on there. To answer your question, with a head.

From my experience there are two different types of pods. One that you can never put a head on, and one that you have to put a head on. Judging from the reviews, that Slik doesn't come with a head, but it needs one.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: tfinch2
You can do better than that monopod for less.

Ill be getting a discount but any suggestions on other brands to check out?

So do you want a pod with or without a head?

Is it difficult to add a head to one that doesn't come with one? The monopod linked doesn't have one, but I was going to put one on there. To answer your question, with a head.

From my experience there are two different types of pods. One that you can never put a head on, and one that you have to put a head on. Judging from the reviews, that Slik doesn't come with a head, but it needs one.

Yea, that was my understanding of the Silk as well. On that same page, they have a combo with a manfrotto head for another $20.

 

[PHiuR]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: tfinch2
You can do better than that monopod for less.

Ill be getting a discount but any suggestions on other brands to check out?

So do you want a pod with or without a head?

Is it difficult to add a head to one that doesn't come with one? The monopod linked doesn't have one, but I was going to put one on there. To answer your question, with a head.

From my experience there are two different types of pods. One that you can never put a head on, and one that you have to put a head on. Judging from the reviews, that Slik doesn't come with a head, but it needs one.

There are pods that you can either just attach the camera too, or put a head on then attach the camera to the head.

ie. the pod that I have. Manfrotto 678B.

 

[spidey07]

tagging along as I'm curious about the same subject.

For sports photography it seems they use a "mono/tri-pod". Meaning it's a mono-pod but has feet to keep it steady.

Then again, I don't really know what I'm talking about.

 

[PHiuR]

Originally posted by: spidey07
tagging along as I'm curious about the same subject.

For sports photography it seems they use a "mono/tri-pod". Meaning it's a mono-pod but has feet to keep it steady.

Then again, I don't really know what I'm talking about.

sports photographers use regular monopods...if they used legs they wouldn't be able to move the pod quick enough.

for my sports photography, i attach the camera directly to the monopod without a head.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: PHiuR
sports photographers use regular monopods...if they used legs they wouldn't be able to move the pod quick enough.

for my sports photography, i attach the camera directly to the monopod without a head.

thanks for the correction. Guess that's why they are taking the photos....they can use a monopod correctly. It seemed like they could leave it without thier hands. Again, probably why they do it for a living and I don't.

 

[Crazee]

I use the Manfrotto 682B. It is a monopod which gives me the option to use the three retractable legs. Not as secure as a tripod, but it comes in handy some times. I have a Bogen 3229 head that I have paired with it. I am really happy with it.

 

[EvilYoda]

I just got my first DSLR and I'm in the market for a backpack too...I travel for work occasionally and so I would need a backpack with plenty of space for my laptop and magazines/stuff with only slots for the camera body and 1 or 2 lenses.

So far, this one seems to be the winner.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I just got my first DSLR and I'm in the market for a backpack too...I travel for work occasionally and so I would need a backpack with plenty of space for my laptop and magazines/stuff with only slots for the camera body and 1 or 2 lenses.

So far, this one seems to be the winner.

Is your lappy 17"? I found 1 on BH that looked much better for 15.4" or smaller.

 

[edro]

Lowepro bags are grossly overpriced.
I have the Lowepro Mini Trekker and it is great as a camera bag, but just too awkward for me. When you wear it, you feel like a hunch back and everyone thinks it's a little kid's backpack.
It is ~$60 which isn't too bad, but the fullsize version (Photo Trekker Classic) is over $200!

I found this Canon bag online, which is equivelant in size to the Trekker Classic, and it is only $38 (Canon 200EG Deluxe Bag)

I don't know about the quality of it... but it's made by Canon, so it's can't be bad. Also, the Amazon reviews are all good.

As for Monopods... I have a $25 one that is very basic, but I don't like it all that much. I find that it still wobbles too much since there is just one leg (a major pivot). I would rather just steady myself on something nearby if needed, or drop to a knee.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: edro
Lowepro bags are grossly overpriced.
I have the Lowepro Mini Trekker and it is great as a camera bag, but just too awkward for me. When you wear it, you feel like a hunch back and everyone thinks it's a little kid's backpack.
It is ~$60 which isn't too bad, but the fullsize version (Photo Trekker Classic) is over $200!

I found this Canon bag online, which is equivelant in size to the Trekker Classic, and it is only $38 (Canon 200EG Deluxe Bag)

I don't know about the quality of it... but it's made by Canon, so it's can't be bad. Also, the Amazon reviews are all good.

As for Monopods... I have a $25 one that is very basic, but I don't like it all that much. I find that it still wobbles too much since there is just one leg (a major pivot). I would rather just steady myself on something nearby if needed, or drop to a knee.

I like the Canon, but I like the lowepro b/c of the different compartments and the ability to detach if I just want to carry my body and 1 lense. It combines a daypack and a gear backpack.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I just got my first DSLR and I'm in the market for a backpack too...I travel for work occasionally and so I would need a backpack with plenty of space for my laptop and magazines/stuff with only slots for the camera body and 1 or 2 lenses.

So far, this one seems to be the winner.

Is your lappy 17"? I found 1 on BH that looked much better for 15.4" or smaller.

It's actually an ultraportable, but I didn't see anything else that didn't concentrate on the camera. I need most of the space for the laptop and such with just the bottom portion for the body/lenses and cards.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I just got my first DSLR and I'm in the market for a backpack too...I travel for work occasionally and so I would need a backpack with plenty of space for my laptop and magazines/stuff with only slots for the camera body and 1 or 2 lenses.

So far, this one seems to be the winner.

Is your lappy 17"? I found 1 on BH that looked much better for 15.4" or smaller.

It's actually an ultraportable, but I didn't see anything else that didn't concentrate on the camera. I need most of the space for the laptop and such with just the bottom portion for the body/lenses and cards.

Caselogic makes one for 15.4s

 

[imported_Mike]

Looks like this monopod combined with this head would be a better buy.

 

[AndrewR]

For bags, also check out Adorama. I received the Slinger Pro for Christmas, and I'm impressed with the bag's construction. It's not a backpack, but I wanted something that I could access while standing without having to remove it. I'm probably buying another large bag to hold all the gear when not being used. The Slinger is an Adorama design, and they have several others that are fairly reasonably priced, much moreso than the Lowepro cash-sucking models.

I would love to get one of the National Geographic backpacks. I had a chance to see them, and they are quite nice, though I would buy more for looks than function. Their largest one is insane at $259 though!

 

[Imported]

This is the backpack I bought for my DSLR setup: Kata R-102

Has a tripod mounting thing too, but I don't use it that much. Best thing I like about it is that it doesn't look like a camera backpack. They have a R-103 which will hold a laptop as well. I can fit 4 lenses, 2 bodies, flash, and a bunch of small stuff. Also can hold a body+70-200 f/2.8 lens really comfortably.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: edro
Lowepro bags are grossly overpriced.
I have the Lowepro Mini Trekker and it is great as a camera bag, but just too awkward for me. When you wear it, you feel like a hunch back and everyone thinks it's a little kid's backpack.
It is ~$60 which isn't too bad, but the fullsize version (Photo Trekker Classic) is over $200!

I found this Canon bag online, which is equivelant in size to the Trekker Classic, and it is only $38 (Canon 200EG Deluxe Bag)

I don't know about the quality of it... but it's made by Canon, so it's can't be bad. Also, the Amazon reviews are all good.

As for Monopods... I have a $25 one that is very basic, but I don't like it all that much. I find that it still wobbles too much since there is just one leg (a major pivot). I would rather just steady myself on something nearby if needed, or drop to a knee.

I wish the jackass who posted the photos (the guy posts 14 photos and not a single one showing what it looks like closed from the back) on the Amazon website posted one where you could see the backpack closed. I saw that there is a small Canon tag on the exterior but it looks like there might be another larger one up near the top. That is not a good thing, you are pretty much advertising that you are carrying thousands of dollars worth of camera gear.