Hey guys so I have the Nikon d500 for wildlife and I love it. I like to hike with it and I photograph any animal really and then I also do landscapes. My issue is that my backpack is so heavy after I add a ton of water, snacks, and other basic stuff. And I am very experienced with hiking so I’m not taking useless stuff with me. Here is a weight breakdown of my gear D500: 2 lbs Nikkor 200-500mm (wildlife): 5 lbs Nikkor 24-70mm (scenery): 2 lbs Nikkor 70-300: 1 lb

So without anything else in my bag I have 10 pounds of camera gear. I like all of those lenses because they basically give the full range of 24-500mm.

So to those who hike or travel a lot and do not use tripods, what do you do with heavy gear? Like do you only go out to shoot one type of thing at once so you don’t carry too much? Or does the bag make a huge difference? I previously had a lowepro but after getting the 200-500, I obviously needed a bigger bag if I even wanted to carry water. Is this just something I will have to deal with?

Sorry if this is not the best question, my back is killing me and I hate to miss the opportunity of a good picture if I don’t have a specific lens on me. I only have one body which is also a pain to switch often.

Oh and does anyone have any ultra lightweight bag recs that are not a bazillion pounds but can hold 3-4L of water?

Thanks

  • Citizen55555567373@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Where you hike out to, are there streams or lakes? Invest in a water filtration bottle, one that filters 99.99% of bacteria. You then don’t need to carry 4KG of water. Refill as you go.

  • Aromatic_Location@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I usually carry all my lenses on a hiking trip. I have a EOS R6 II, 100mm macro, 100-500, 1.5x extender, 24-70, and 15-35, extra batteries, filters, lens cloth, carbon fiber tripod, snacks, a gallon of water, coat, hat, and gloves. All packed it’s between 30 and 40 lbs. The key is the backpack. I use an F-Stop gear mountain series pack. All the weight sits on my hips. I do have a smaller sling pack that just holds a body and an extra lens that I use when I’m just going to a park and will only need a couple lenses. But if I’m going on a real trip, I want everything. It sucks and can cost you lots in future print sales to run across an amazing shot and not have the equipment you need.

  • rdv710@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Build up your abs, wear good light weight shoes. Take a water purifier system and less water. Build you legs up. I lug 30 to 45 lbs all day and I am 65. I wore 100 lbs of gear in Iraq.

  • DrewMan84@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    You don’t have to bring the full kit every time you go outside.

    I went hiking in Nepal and literally just used a 35mm the entire time.

    Sure there were some times I wished I had a longer lens but I said fuck it I’m not carrying 5kg worth of glass for one photo. I’m not getting paid for it. Photography is supposed to be fun!

  • calmthestorm89@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    So to those who hike or travel a lot and do not use tripods, what do you do with heavy gear?

    Don’t take heavy gear.

    I have a Fuji X-T5 + XF 16-80mm lens. That covers 90% of my shots. Then a Fuji XF 10-24mm for the wide stuff.

    I only have one body which is also a pain to switch often.

    So you’re missing shots anyway regardless of having all of your lens with you.

    Oh and does anyone have any ultra lightweight bag recs that are not a bazillion pounds but can hold 3-4L of water?

    An ultralight bag that can carry all that camera gear + 3-4L water does not exist.

  • lawsonpix@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I have an M43 body that I use for my travel and walk around camera. It’s not my best but it’s good enough for almost anything. And it’s super light so I can keep it in my hand ready for whatever. Plus, since its small, and looks cheap, I don’t worry about theft.

  • Big-Love-747@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Can’t you get your assistant to carry all that stuff? jk

    I’d leave at least one of those lenses at home. Maybe leave behind the 200-500 and take a teleconverter for the 70-300.

  • JevaYC@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Sony RX10 MK4. 24-600mm. Don’t let the fact that it’s a bridge camera put you off. Quality of digital zoom is amazing. If you think 24mm is not wide enough for certain landscapes then think outside the box and stitch multiple pictures.

  • hawksaresolitary@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Or does the bag make a huge difference?

    Yes, it absolutely does.

    I bought a new bag when I added some new gear a few years ago, and the difference in how comfortably I could carry all that stuff around with me was astounding. I would definitely recommend seeing if you can’t find something that fits you better, it might be all the change you need.

  • coccopuffs606@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I use a 18-300mm for everything outside a studio setting; I chose it specifically to cut down on the amount of crap I have to shlep around.