FS7: Back Pack For FS7

I have a couple of camera backpacks - neither of which would I recommend for serious uphill hiking. They're fine for a mile or two running around in the city, but even though I use them a lot and they carry their respective cameras well, I doubt that they would be good on a hiking trail. The biggest issue is load distribution, and the extent to which the various straps can take some of the load off your back.
I looked at the pictures of the linked backpack, and didn't feel that one was really hiking oriented. To start with, it didn't look to me like it had waist height (wide belt) straps to place a lot of the weight lower on your body. I have several other porta-brace bags - including one with 'backpack straps' - and have never found them terribly comfortable to wear for extended treks.
My suggestion would be to first really analyze what you need to take, doing everything within reason to minimize your load, and then go talk to someone at a hiker oriented store (such as EMS) - and talk to someone who actually does some serious hiking. When you're close to buying you could actually bring the gear in to mske sure it packs properly. Be realistic about what you can carry! You may find yourself modifying a lightweight frame pack.
 
I think it depends on how ready to fire you want your FS7. If you're happy to break it down, remove top handle and EVF, you may well find a backpack more compact and less lumpy than that Portabrace. In my experience, height has always been the awkward factor with the FS7, as I want to be able to pull it out and shoot almost immediately, and it's fully-assembled height is a bit awkward for many bags.

If that's less important to you, break your camera down and measure it. You'll find all sorts of backpack solutions to fit. The FStopper photog bags have always looked pretty technical for serious hiking. Or you could just get a regular technical backpack and fit your FS7 parts amongst your socks and underpants... :-) That's what we did on a couple of shoots in Nepal.

Ben.
 
Always hard to tell how the camera will fit until you get the backpack to test it out. I went with the Lowepro Pro Trekker 650 AW backpack. It lets me keep the top handle on and the 28-135mm kit lens. I remove the viewfinder and the SHAPE remote handle. I flipped the microphone mount upside down to make a lower profile. I generally carry two metabones adapters and a couple of lenses. The side pockets are very deep and will hold my VCT-14 plate no problem. I'm not saying this is the best backpack or even suitable for what you're doing. I use it when I am walking to the shoot location, so maybe I'm out with it for 6-7 hours. It is comfortable due the heavily padded shoulder straps.
 

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Lowe are great, but I would give the Think Tank brand a look. I have five of there packs and they never fail me. I also have a Lowe Pro waterproof one but not the best pack on the back for long hauls.
 
Think Tank airport accelerator. I use it for years since FS700 but also with Canon DSLR and Pentax medium format. It hits cabin luggage size for future use. I replaced the original handle and put a smalrig top plate with nato rail and a quick release handle instead. It's mounted / demounted in 10sec.
The bagpack is very solid and still looks good after years.
 
Forget all other advice here. Im an experienced hiker and i only use one brand for hiking with my camera: F-stop

http://fstopgear.com/products/mountain

They produce the best and most durable hiking backpacks for serious photographers. They are light, but versatile as no other. I carry my fully assembled FS7 in the F-stop Shinn model (can also room a rigged Alexa or RED) and im ready to shoot in a moments notice.

The smaller F-stop Loka is my go to day pack. It always rooms my Dji Mavic and Sony A7s II. Always. While i use the F-stop Satori (60litre) for short hikes and skirmishes with the FS7, i use the F-stop Shinn (80litre) for serious hikes or when i need additional gear and space.

They also have cabin luggage size models. You can mix and match the interior as you please. They sell several sized ICUs to fit your exact needs. And they are quickly interchanged. You can even have the FS7 fully rigged in one, pull it out, and insert the smaller ICU with A7s + drone for example. All in under a minute.

And carrying comfort is from a different world. Lowepro etc. does not know how to make backpacks for hiking, period.
 
I was looking at those. Which ICU do you use? Pro Large?
Also, I was curious if the Tilopa or Sukha are sufficient or are they too small?

I will only be carrying the FS7 with a Sony 35mm f1.4 lens.

However, I do like having the unit as ready to go as possible.

Thanks!
 
karma17 said:
I was looking at those. Which ICU do you use? Pro Large?
Also, I was curious if the Tilopa or Sukha are sufficient or are they too small?

I will only be carrying the FS7 with a Sony 35mm f1.4 lens.

However, I do like having the unit as ready to go as possible.

Thanks!
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I dont know about Tilopa og Sukha really. But the FS7 fits great down on its side in the Large ICU. You can even fit a zoom lens on it and still fit a 70-200 AND a wide angle in the ICU. Naturally you cannot have the side handle attached in this mode. Put the LCD down next to the lens. If you have another LCD mount attached it likely will not fit. You need to put the LCD screen level with the camera body so its slim enough to fit.

In the Cine ICU you can put the rigged FS7 with the top handle attached and upright it will still fit. But the Cine ICE only fits in the Shinn model.

The Large ICU should fit into both of those packpacks, yes?
 
So the ICU goes into the backpack for quick loading and changing gear requirements? Could you also put it into another brand backpack or even luggage ? carry-on ?
 
Hey guys - Any new designs since this thread stalled out 2 years ago?

I've got a Lowepro 500 AW that may need replacing before long and have the FX9 pre-ordered so I'm researching options now. Thanks!
 
Cynthia Webster said:
Porta Brace sells a backpack specifically for the FS7...

https://tinyurl.com/y2tjxtg6

I'm a big fan of Porta Brace having five of their cases and loving them.
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What do you use when flying with your FS7? I'm at that awkward point where I like the idea of purchasing something that would pass as carry on but also like the idea of keeping the camera mostly built up for my day to day shoots. I'm assuming I cannot have both.

Also - a big concern for me is comfort of the shoulder straps. I've worn through the padding of my Lowepro 500 AW and am hoping whatever I purchase next will be a bit more robust in the shoulder straps.
 
Cynthia Webster said:
Porta Brace sells a backpack specifically for the FS7...

https://tinyurl.com/y2tjxtg6

I'm a big fan of Porta Brace having five of their cases and loving them.
Click to expand...

Looks rather small. A few worries i have:

Where do you put extra clothing? Or water for desert regions.

Where does the tripod go?

Extra lenses?

Filters, wires, lavs, etc.? - while tripod is also on the pack?

F-stop has no issues with any of these, thats why i highly recommend them. Durable, proper hiking straps, back support, sweat canals, and customizable straps for all your other gear too. Even military webbing connections for large addons like 500mm lens support on the sides.
 
karma17 said:
For my situation, I'm needing to hike into remote and rural areas (maybe 1-2 miles uphill in some cases) to shoot some footage
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Camera bag aside, I'm wondering what the terrain is like. If it's woodsy and really uneven ground or if it's something smooth enough that you can ride a bicycle or gator on. If the uphill grade wasn't too steep and the trail was relatively flat I would whip out my mini Segway and save myself a lot of time and effort.
 
I've been using a Lowepro Computrekker these last ten years. I originally purchased it for a couple of Canon bodies but since getting FS7 this has been my backpack. Most of the time I transport my FS7 in a Thinktank roller as it's more comfortable.
 
Martin.G said:
Looks rather small. A few worries i have:

Where do you put extra clothing? Or water for desert regions.

Where does the tripod go?

Extra lenses?

Filters, wires, lavs, etc.? - while tripod is also on the pack?

F-stop has no issues with any of these, thats why i highly recommend them. Durable, proper hiking straps, back support, sweat canals, and customizable straps for all your other gear too. Even military webbing connections for large addons like 500mm lens support on the sides.
Click to expand...

Which f-stop bag do you use with your FS7? Or I guess just as importantly which ICU?
 
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