How to carry a lot of gear on person - video vest? - Belts? - thoughts?

P

PhotoScout

Member
I will be doing some film work in Iceland this Summer and will have to carry all my gear on my person.

Rough list includes:
Canon C300 & EOS M5 OR Canon 1DX & EOS M5
Sound Devices MixPre-3
Small Boom Pole
Small Gitzo Tripod with manfrotto MVH500H
Shotgun Mic w/ Pistol Grip
Wireless Lav Set
Headphones
EF 16-35 2.8
EF 24-70 2.8
EF 70-200 2.8
Extra Batteries, cards, cables, etc...
15" Macbook, Charger, Backup Drive, etc...
Lunch, rain jacket, other small things, etc...

Does anyone have any experience carrying large amounts of gear on their person for extended periods of time?
Best method to do so?

I currently use a belt system for my lenses and preamp/mics and was thinking about using a backpack for the laptop, etc...
but they don't seem to marry well together (I can't use the backpack hip-belt to distribute the weight with my photo belt on)

So that got me looking at video vests.
It doesn't look like they will work with a backpack, but I was wondering if something like the standard Portabrace video vest could hold all my kit? (Can a laptop fit in the back pocket?)

Any other options/solutions/thoughts?
 
I would consider that the best thing is to put the gear down when you can. So vests are not ideal.

Typically you need to split between shooting gear and 'evening gear' (laptop spare clothes)

My typical set up is thus..

Camera on solid rig that you can sit on the floor, carried.

RUcksack with laptop et al in.

I use a billing packington with a low pro side pouch (80-200 size) added for lenses/audio gubbins.

--

The rucksack can be small, or can actually be full size 'military bergen' which you can fit in the 'belt kit' or broken camera wrapped in clothes when not shooting.

A military rucksack is one large section not many small ones (like mountain packs) which somehow works better. Also military webbing vest may interface with the rucksack and your lens pouches beter than a civvy system.

--

I would suggest deep consideration of a 50 1.8 and a 70-200/4 to save weight. Many travellers appreciate the f4 zoom lens and consider the 2.8 version to be a bit of jewellery for the clueless cool kids.
 
I've humped gear all over the world. I have a busted shoulder, dodgy back and swear I was 4 inches taller when I started in this business. My advice is usually, only take the minimum amount of equipment, and use wheeled cases wherever possible. But it doesn't look like you are taking too much, plus you're probably hiking, so wheeled cases won't work. A good back pack and a sling bag or hip bag will probably do you fine, just don't over-pack any bag, spread the load. If you can, ditch the MacBookPro and use a MacBook Air, if not try and lose it during the day - mine spends most of its life in hotel room safes.

morgan_moore said:
Many travellers appreciate the f4 zoom lens and consider the 2.8 version to be a bit of jewellery for the clueless cool kids.
Click to expand...

Lol I've lugged my 70-200 f/2.8L IS all over the planet since I bought it ten years ago. It has been an absolute stella performer for me. Just yesterday though I looked at thought about sticking on eBay and replacing it with something lighter!
 
Im not saying I dont like that lens.. but in the high ISO era it tends to be an absolute requirement (aka shot saver) a lot less often than in the 200 iso era.
 
^I agree, especially since OP is shooting with a C300. The 70-200/2.8 is a heavy bugger and I must get on a plane tomorrow with it and other equally heavy pieces of glass. My back aches just thinking about 4 day coverage of an event with those in the backpack. I'm not saying I don't like the lens either but it's not any sharper than the f4 version from a video standpoint. I have it for the DOF advantage...
 
control4userguy said:
^I agree, especially since OP is shooting with a C300. The 70-200/2.8 is a heavy bugger and I must get on a plane tomorrow with it and other equally heavy pieces of glass. My back aches just thinking about 4 day coverage of an event with those in the backpack. I'm not saying I don't like the lens either but it's not any sharper than the f4 version from a video standpoint. I have it for the DOF advantage...
Click to expand...

That DOF advantage takes the lens from "yeah, okay" to "magical!". And he's going to be shooting in Iceland. In ICELAND!

I'd hate to find myself years later wishing I had not left behind my 70-200 f/2.8 when I got to shoot one of the most special places on earth. And just to save a couple pounds of weight. Special places merit special lenses. I say bring the beast.
 
PhotoScout said:
I will be doing some film work in Iceland this Summer and will have to carry all my gear on my person.

Rough list includes:
Canon C300 & EOS M5 OR Canon 1DX & EOS M5
Sound Devices MixPre-3
Small Boom Pole
Small Gitzo Tripod with manfrotto MVH500H
Shotgun Mic w/ Pistol Grip
Wireless Lav Set
Headphones
EF 16-35 2.8
EF 24-70 2.8
EF 70-200 2.8
Extra Batteries, cards, cables, etc...
15" Macbook, Charger, Backup Drive, etc...
Lunch, rain jacket, other small things, etc...

Does anyone have any experience carrying large amounts of gear on their person for extended periods of time?
Best method to do so?

I currently use a belt system for my lenses and preamp/mics and was thinking about using a backpack for the laptop, etc...
but they don't seem to marry well together (I can't use the backpack hip-belt to distribute the weight with my photo belt on)

So that got me looking at video vests.
It doesn't look like they will work with a backpack, but I was wondering if something like the standard Portabrace video vest could hold all my kit? (Can a laptop fit in the back pocket?)

Any other options/solutions/thoughts?
Click to expand...

My first thought was the army ’s MOLLE system, it uses a lot of military nylon webbing. let you carry a lot of equipment on your body.
 
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