You know, there's nothing quite like a backpack for hiking. You can cram all your day camping gear in there and hoof it in to wherever you want to go, leaving your hands completely free and distributing all that weight evenly on your shoulders. When it comes to photography though, that rucksack is actually pretty restrictive in lots of ways. Let's take a serious look at why a backpack isn't necessarily an ideal solution for photographers and why the right kind of bag is a better alternative.
It isn't accessible.
This has to be the number one problem with a backpack. Let's say you're strolling along with your wide-angle zoom shooting landscapes and you stumble upon that incredible wildlife shot. By the time you slide your pack off, open the right compartment, switch to your telephoto and safely stash your wide-angle, your subject is probably going to be long gone. If that wasn't enough, you now have to wiggle your way back into your harness, after deciding which lens you're going to leave on.
Wouldn't it be nice if those lenses were in their own pouches, safe and secure, but well within reach and easily accessed? Something like this?
It doesn't organize well.
I know some of you are already disagreeing with this point, but bear with me for a moment. Backpacks were designed for stowing and carrying stuff that can be folded, stuffed and crammed into them and left there until you stop hiking and unpack. That doesn't suit photo gear really well, which is why photography backpacks are equipped with compartments divided into other compartments. It's like having a set of bags inside the pack. Most often, you’re still going to have to remove the pack, then remove the right module and open it to access the piece of equipment you want.
Why not pack your gear in something that keeps it securely organized without hiding it? How about a system that's designed to be modular in the first place? Take a look at the innovative Sightseer bag from HoldFast.
It doesn't play well with others.
Backpacks, in general, are made to be carried one way with their attached straps. That means that if you're carrying something like an extra camera body, it either has to be stowed away in the pack or you're going to need an extra neck strap. If you've ever spent a day in the woods or on the street with a pair of straps hanging around your neck, you know it's a recipe for muscle aches and possible disaster.
HoldFast took the engineering of the Sightseer system a step farther, giving you a great range of carrying and outfitting options. It even fits right on their famous MoneyMaker multiple camera harness. What's more, the lens pouches and cell pouches will attach to a sling strap or even your belt, so you can distribute the weight evenly and place your favorites within easy reach.
It isn't stylish.
Alright, so this isn't necessarily an issue when you're trekking through the wilderness. On the other hand, when you're on the street or at an event, that backpack really isn't what you might call fashionable. If you want to look like a tourist or college student, it's fine. It probably shouldn't be your first choice if you want a more professional appearance.
The Sightseer line is crafted of waxed canvas, American Bison leather and lined in Aztec flannel fleece, giving it a rugged, but seasoned look as well as incredible durability. It looks good on you and makes you look good.
Whether you've been lugging your gear around in a backpack or any other rig, you really should take a look at this handsome and clever carrying system from HoldFast. It's much, much more than a camera bag and just might forever change the way you look at carrying your gear.