How To Carry A Camera When Backpacking

Carrying Camera Gear on a Hike

Every bit nosotros continue the quest to get the all-time possible hiking photos and footage, I wanted to talk about some of the ultralight options for storing and rapidly accessing your photographic camera gear on trail.

In that location's goose egg more maddening than a camera bouncing effectually your neck as yous're scrambling upward a mountain. It might be a 1st world problem just, finding the perfect set upwards for your fashion can exist a struggle.

Thankfully we live in a world of choices, sleek ultralight choices that once adopted will transform you lot into an icon of culture and class…. or at least make it easier to get to your photographic camera.

STRAP & Breast CLIPS

Forget digging effectually in a bag for your camera. But throw that bad male child on a strap clip and have your camera ready to go at a moment's notice. You'll feel like Quick Depict McGraw equally you sling around your camera shooting on the fly.

Clearly this is my personal preference, and the reasons are obvious. Non only do strap clips make your camera accessible, only they're likewise secure and stop your camera from bouncing around while moving.

At that place are only a couple downsides to having your camera clipped to you like this:

The camera protrudes out and tin can be knocked around if you're non careful (like me)
Your camera is directly exposed to the elements. This issue can be mitigated in the rain by throwing on a cheap rain cover.

To get this prepare up I'd recommend going with the Peak Designs Capture Clip. It's calorie-free, strong (can agree upwardly to 200lbs), and reliable. Y'all can attach a variety of cameras to the Capture Clip using your photographic camera's tripod mount.

Like shooting fish in a barrel ACCESS POUCHES

A great choice for storing all kinds of gear, having exterior pouches work as dedicated camera bags is a no brainer.

Y'all can have them effectually your chest, your belt, or your waist for quick admission that too offers some protection against the elements. This arroyo is more modular than the strap clip, and naturally, you can store other items in the bag as needed.

We comport a few accessories that piece of work perfectly for conveying cameras during a hike. A popular choice is the Multi-pack in the chest configuration. I've known some hikers that conduct larger D-SLRs in theirs'.

Another great pouch for a mirrorless photographic camera or smaller would exist a fanny pack like our F.U.P.A. With its multiple compartments you can store your photographic camera, accessories, and a phone.

For mobile phone photographers/vloggers the shoulder pouch is a perfect solution for quickly storing and accessing your phone.

While doing enquiry for writing this article I was chatting with my ol' pal, Chris Smead, for some tips and he recommends picking up some Reflectix.

(you tin can notice this at almost local hardware stores)

He uses it to line his multi-pack to give it shape and some padding. He also stores his actress lenses in Ziploc bags lined with Reflectix.

INTERNAL STORAGE

If you bear camera equipment you don't intend to access all the fourth dimension, internal storage is the manner to go. This is the most secure approach in regards to protection from the elements and accidental spills. Simply you will miss shots.

In that location are a lot of options out in that location, but I would recommend going with a lightweight packing cube lined with Reflectix for extra padding/shape. Y'all could opt for a heavy-duty camera cube, but…. why?

Determination

I know I focused mostly on beingness quick and accessible, which is important for capturing the moment, but I remember one of the biggest advantages of having your camera front and center (preferably on a strap clip), is the increased likelihood of using the camera.

It's only like that sometime guitar in your closet, it's subconscious abroad and you never employ it. Out of sight, out of mind. (You lot could've been not bad.)

So strap that photographic camera to you or throw it in a waist pack side by side fourth dimension you're out for a hike and revel in the joys of outdoors photography & videography

Zpacks Adam