Inca Trail in Sept - What Bag?

[simplesimon1]

Guys, I'm walking the Inca Trail in Sept and need some advice on camera bags. For a long time, I've walked and scrambled with a Lowepro Offtrail 2 and my core kit of a 'gripped' Canon350D + Canon75-300 + Tamron28-75. I've now replaced the 75-300 with a 70-200L f4 IS (absolutely superb) and, although the Offtrail just about handles the gripped 350/70-200 combo (including reverse-mounted hood), it's a tight fit. Moreover, the Offtrail is fairly bulky and tends to obstruct the 'swing' of my arm when hiking (this might not sound like much but I find it surprisingly irritating). So, I'm wondering about alternatives for Machu Picchu.

Porters carry the main load but I'll still need to carry a daypack with sleeping bag, water etc. That being the case, any sort of 'backpack'-based camera bag would seem to be out. This isn't a problem because I much prefer a solution like the Offtrail which sits on my hip. When I need the camera, I simply swing it to the front through 90 degrees, unzip the lid, yank out the camera and am good to go. Then, when I'm finished, I simply drop it back into the bag and swing it back to my side.

I expect to use the 70-200 as my walkabout lens and am happy for the 28-75 to sit in my daypack, along with spare cards, batteries etc. Tripods aren't an issue since I use an Ultrapod. Also, I'm not walking around with a laptop or anything else for post-processing.

So, can anyone recommend anything meeting the above 'belt'-based criteria (ideally, with a shoulder strap to take some off the weight off the hip). I was wondering about a ThinkTank Digital Holster but am open to any suggestion.

Thanks

[NetDep]

I have the ThinkTank "Speed Freak" and think it is superb! For what you describe - and the gear you have - I think it is worth a look! You can also attach some outside pouches if you need to - if you need a place for a water bottle on a long hike - of a "stuff" bag - all can be attached very securely. I have a pouch for my strobe and also a "lens changer" for my 70-200 F4L IS and they work great. Best of luck - sounds like a great trip!!

[simplesimon1]

Thanks for the reply. Had a quick look at the ThinkTank site and the SF might be an option. The only thing that worries me is that it's not very clear if it can carry my gripped 350 with an already-mounted 70-200L F4 IS (including reverse-mounted hood).

Anyone got any thoughts on this??

[byronling]

I cant really suggest a bag, but I hiked this, and definitley pack light. Its a really great hike (dead womans pass is a bit tough) with some great spots for shooting.

I think your 28-75 will get much more use when you hit Macchu Picchu, and when your on the trail, you will probably use both.

Have Fun! Reaching Macchu Picchu is so rewarding.

[simplesimon1]

Since you've actually done the trail, can I ask:

- what photo kit did you take and how did you carry it?

- am I right in thinking that there's no access to power along the way (I'm thinking of taking 4 fully-charged batteries, one for each day

- did you ever let your kit out of your site, especially at the overnight camps (I've heard that petty theft can be a problem at the night stops)?

Many thanks

Simon

(who desperately wants THAT picture from the Sun Gate, at dawn :)

[byronling]

I went two years ago when I first got into photograpy. I had my Rebel 300D, 18-55 kit lens, and a 70-210. I didnt have a photo specific bag, but I had a normal North Face bag and I wrapped my extra lens in clothes (i carried my body w/ lens most of the time, except Dead Womans Pass).

There are 4 main campsites I believe, all run by the Peruvian government since Macchu Picchu is a historical site. When I went, there was definitley no power, just a bunch of campground style lots (really just gravel, and a really dirty bathroom).

I would take the fully charged batteries as you never know what to expect. In retrospect, I would not have kepy my body with me while I was hiking, as you will normally stop at the photographic sites and jsut get your camera out. It is really a burden to ahve that body out when climbing those steps, and its not like every step is a photo op.

Regardless, if you get a nice camera bag, I would get one that allows you to get your camera out quickly, so you dont have to take your bag off. This would have been clutch on the trail I think.

As for the camp sites, I really didnt go to far away from my tent, but if you do, just have a friend watch over while your gone. You really wont be going anywhere except the bathroom anyways, as you cook where your tents are. I dont know if you've traveled a lot, but petty theft in Peru usually happens when the traveler is really careless (ie flashing jewelry). I walked around Cuzco, Lima, Quito, La Paz and many smaller towns with my camera pretty much exposed (granted it was a 5D or 1 series), but still worth a small forture at the time. I felt pretty comfortable with it out, but obviously at night I kept it in my hotel room locked (pretty secure if your in a decent hotel).

As for that picture of Sun Gate, your guide will wake you up at 4:30am on the last day to reach that Sun Gate at sunrise. It really is impressive and make the 4 day hike worth it.

Phew! Writing that makes me want to go back now, perhaps in a year or two.

Let me know if you need any other help,

Byron

ps- that above writing may be incoherent, sorry its finals week

[simplesimon1]

Byron

Many thanks for taking time out to reply and confirming most of what I was thinking. My kit profile is fairly similar to yours and, a lot of walking in Africa and scrambling in the Oz (Northern Territories) had convinced me that keeping the body out was likely to be a bad idea (especially on Dead Womans Pass which everyone says is a bit of a killer ;))

The nice thing about a decent waist belt is that it keeps the kit out of the way whilst leaving it available for quick access (like in Africa when a lioness and three cubs wandered out of the bush in front of us, crossed the road and dispappeared into the scrub - struggling to get kit out of a backpack would have missed the shot.

Your experience re theft is interesting. Having travelled in Asia, I know my cash is safe (internal pocket inside waistband which not even the child pickpockets in Saigon could get into:) ) and not carrying any bling just makes sense. However, I was worried about the camera - you say you felt OK carrying it around during the day. Presumably you still kept a pretty close eye on it rather than just 'slinging it on your shoulder'?

Knowing my luck, I'll be at the Sun Gate on Day 4 and the mist will be down obscuring everything! Ah well, life would be boring if everything was predictable.

Simon

PS: The thing about finals which makes all the studying worthwhile is the partying afterwards:D . Good luck

[byronling]

Hey Simon,

I cant comment on the waist belt, as my packs have never had one, but I'm sure it would definitley help a bit.

I kept my camera close, but I wasn't overly preoccupied with watching it. The first few days I was, afriad someone would run by and slice my neck strap. I really felt pretty comfortable thought just having it over my shoulder or neck, and wandering the streeets. Granted, I would not carry it at night, but even so, when we went out at night, I felt pretty safe as a lot of the main streets in Cuzco are well lit.

It sounds like you've traveled before, and anyone whoes traveled with camera gear has a pretty good sense for danger/theft.

Good luck man, and enjoy that trip,

Byron


PS - I wasnt in Saigon, but was in Bangkok and Laos, and while I didnt have my camera, I did feel a bit more concerned about safety compared to Peru, if that helps at all.