Camera bag with hydration - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/18/2012 12:48:43 PM · #1

I like to have a Camelbak during the hot Texas summers. My favorite camera bag (of what I currently own) is the Lowepro Slingshot 202 AW. Hold everything I need and easy to access. No ability to easily hold a Camelbak, however.

I already have a Clik Elite probody sport. It does have provision for a Camelbak but as a camera bag, I don't like it as much as the Slingshot.

I'm also aware of the Lowepro Sport 200AW.

Is anyone aware of other models which have provision for a Camelbak reservoir, or (even if not meant for it) can hold one and conveniently route the hose? I've actually tried it with my Slingshot, putting a small camelbak in the upper compartment, but there is no convenient hose routing due to the location of openings.

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

02/18/2012 01:46:38 PM · #2

i dont know of a specific one but ive done it with my nature trekker and mini trekker using their front pockets as in facing away fro your back only problem being that you have to unclip the strap of the shoulder harness to open the bag which isnt ideal. be interesting to see what on offer

ok so some googling

massive over kill and expense //products.lowepro.com/product/DryZone-Rover,1936,18.htm

Message edited by author 2012-02-18 13:54:18.

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

02/18/2012 06:10:21 PM · #3

I admit I'm a nerd.

I have a camelbak backpack for my regular hiking stuff...and put my camera stuff (except my tripod) into a fanny pack turned around to the front. That way I can still carry all of my hiking equipment (and water), but have my camera stuff in front within easy access. But then I only have three lenses, so I don't have much to carry.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/18/2012 07:08:40 PM · #4

jdannels

Nikon D300s

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

02/22/2012 11:21:33 PM · #5

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I recently purchased the Lowepro Sport 200 AW bag that you linked to and it is a sweet bag. It is essentially a day pack with a padded compartment that can be cinched tight to secure your camera equipment inside. I can fit a D300s with a Sigma 10-20, and two lenses inside the protected area. It has an aluminum frame which means that it is rigid on the back and doesn't bounce around and has padded waist straps, adjustable chest straps, and adjustable straps that attach from the top of the bag, to the shoulder straps so you can pull it tight to prevent bouncing around. If I don't carry a tripod, I could wear it all day long, or at least on long day hikes. I have taken it mountain biking with gear and a hydration pack and it was very comfortable. I carried my tripod, in the side pocket where a water bottle usually goes and cinched it down with the straps. It stuck up a little high and when I was mountain biking on a few rough bumps it hit my helmet, not hard, but I was glad the helmet was on. You can also strap a tripod to the bottom of the bag, I just haven't tried that yet. The only other downside is that I can not attach my 70-200 2.8 lens attached to the camera and have it fit in the protected compartment. It would fit attached in the larger open compartment, but if I fell, it would not be protected. But I can fit it in the protected compartment,unattached, but it is very snug. I imagine if you purchased one and just tried it on, you would probably keep it. If you have more questions about it let me know. I am happy with mine.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/22/2012 11:29:45 PM · #6

Personally, the thought of putting a bladder of water inside my camera bag with some thousands of dollars in gear doesn't seem like a good move. I just carry a Nalgene or two in my backpack's side pockets like I do when backpacking.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/22/2012 11:47:50 PM · #7

Originally posted by jdannels:

I imagine if you purchased one and just tried it on, you would probably keep it. If you have more questions about it let me know. I am happy with mine.

I do. I believe th4e 70-200 is a fairly big lens, but would a 70-300 f4.5-5.6 fit in it? I have the Tamron which is only slightly bigger than the Canon 70-300.

Originally posted by Spork99:

Personally, the thought of putting a bladder of water inside my camera bag with some thousands of dollars in gear doesn't seem like a good move.

In all the years I've been using them, I've only once had a Camelbak leak, and that was because I was freezing it every night for over a year. I use the actual Camelbak brand reservoirs. I can't vouch for other makes, but Camelbak makes good stuff that does not easily spring leaks.

Also, in a camera bag actually designed with hydration in mind, the hydration sleeve will be separate from the camera compartment and even should it leak, getting your gear soaked like that is unlikely.

Message edited by author 2012-02-22 23:50:41.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

02/22/2012 11:59:16 PM · #8

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by jdannels:
I imagine if you purchased one and just tried it on, you would probably keep it. If you have more questions about it let me know. I am happy with mine.

I do. I believe th4e 70-200 is a fairly big lens, but would a 70-300 f4.5-5.6 fit in it? I have the Tamron which is only slightly bigger than the Canon 70-300.

Originally posted by Spork99:
Personally, the thought of putting a bladder of water inside my camera bag with some thousands of dollars in gear doesn't seem like a good move.

In all the years I've been using them, I've only once had a Camelbak leak, and that was because I was freezing it every night for over a year. I use the actual Camelbak brand reservoirs. I can't vouch for other makes, but Camelbak makes good stuff that does not easily spring leaks.

Also, in a camera bag actually designed with hydration in mind, the hydration sleeve will be separate from the camera compartment and even should it leak, getting your gear soaked like that is unlikely.

I'll still stick with bottles outside the camera bag.

My principal complaint with Camelbaks and other reservoirs isn't leakage, it's monitoring how much is left so that I can make sure when I need more water and/or how much I'm consuming to stay hydrated.

jdannels

Nikon D300s

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

02/23/2012 12:26:50 AM · #9

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I think it would fit easily. I just tested it with an old 70-300 Nikon lens I have and it has a couple of inches of wiggle room inside the compartment to play with. And that Tamron lens is about an inch longer than the Nikon. It would be snug, but that is a good thing.

A couple other notes.

-The main compartment has one small zippered pocket inside, and the rest is just empty space. I use the pouch from one of lenses to hold all of my photo odds and ends. Other wise it would just sink to the bottom if not in the pocket.

-The separate bag compartment for hydration pack is large enough to fit a 15 inch macbook. I don't have a laptop, but that may be useful.

-It looks like a regular backpack and not a camera bag. If you covered the lowepro sticker you would think it is a regular day pack. Except for the side zipper for the camera.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/23/2012 12:28:31 AM · #10

Thanks.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/23/2012 01:05:46 AM · #11

I've done that with my LowePro Primus. It has a clamshell sleeve THING that isn't really evident in the descriptions or pictures. It holds a Camelbak bladder very well. For waterproofing, I have tons of Sea to Summit dry sacks that I use for other stuff anyway, which I put the bladder into (I like you have had one failure- it was on a bladder from the ORIGINAL model Camelbak I own, pre big mouth days, that separated when I used some very hot water for cleaning it....after 8 years of use I think). The Primus has been discontinued but can be found in some places still.

I also have a Camelbak brand Rim Runner that I got for $30 that works decently, but it's a traditional backpack that is not explicitly designed for cameras. However, I have enough camera bags that I can just take out the compartment dividers from my various packs and use them inside this if I want to. It's not a bad pack, but I normally prefer the Primus.
Rim Runner

Message edited by author 2012-02-23 01:06:41.