Can a bogen 3221W tripod, with an Arca Swiss B1 head be carried comfortably on the back of a a LowePro Mini Trekker? I would be using the bag mainly for hiking, and I don't like the idea of using a carrying strap. Would the Nature Trekker AW be a better choice? Any comments are appreciated- Nick

-- Nick Stevens (nickstevens@hotmail.com), May 10, 1999

Answers

Nick, YOu might consider using a "non-photo" backpack. Look under the bags thread or the new answer section I just added a comment to an old thread of mine "Using non-photo packs." If you are reallying doing a lot of hiking most camera bags don't allow enough room for your hiking gear, like water and food, in addition to your photo equipment. My wife and I jsut did a 5 miler. I carried 2 liters of water (barely enough), lunch, and bad weather gear (a must in the spring). Oh yeah, don't forget a tripod, lens etc. I don't think you will find too many camera bags that will take all this suuff, without buying a Super Trekker. By the way I was very comfortable and my bag only cost $75. If you want more details e-mail me.

Hope this helps, BV

P.S. By the way, check the Nature Q&A and the Orginial Q&A sections in photo.net.

-- Brian Vega (vega@micron.net), May 10, 1999.

I've carried a 3221 on my Photo Trekker AW and find it to be a bit of a pain. I imagine that it would be worse for you with a heavier ballhead and a smaller pack. When I hike with the 3221 I'm more comfortable carrying it in my hand, even for extended distances. The tripod is simply too heavy to be carried on the pack without upsetting the load's balance: placed on the right or left side it upsets the symmetry of the load; positioned on the back panel it shifts the center of the load too far away from your spine/hips/shoulders; also, with the tripod on the back panel, it makes swapping lenses for handheld shooting a clumsy operation.

My solution (admittedly a poor compromise for those using longer shutter speeds, long lenses, or big glass): I hike with a Bogen 3205S strapped to the side and pack my heavier accessories on the opposite side - this hikes out pretty well for me. Perhaps the ideal system (for me) would be a Gitzo 1227 strapped to the side and the Arca Swiss B-1 packed inside. If I trade-in my 2 Bogen's I'll only be about a $800 shy.

-- Eric James (eajames@u.washington.edu), May 10, 1999.

I have to disagree with Eric. I place the 3221 & 3047 head (still waiting for Santa to bring the CF tripod & B1!) in the middle of my pack (on the outside) and I don't find it throws off my balance.

Here the link I mentioned above: http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000LlA

-- Brian Vega (vega@micron.net), May 10, 1999.

I would recommend the Nature Trekker AW over the mini-trekker for carrying almost any tripod. I have the Nature trekker and carry a Gitzo 226 with Arca-Swiss B1. The strap-harness system and tripod attachment options on the Nature trekker are in a different league than the mini trekker in my opinion (I guess I'm supposed to say IMHO these days...). I could rave all day about the Nature trekker. It is just so well designed I wouldn't change a thing on it. My 2 cents...

-- Bruce (brideout@sandiegozoo.org), May 10, 1999.

Not to mention the fact that the Mini Trekker has no tripod attachment , you would have to rig your own.

-- Jeff Thomsen (jesper@mozart.inet.co.th), May 11, 1999.

As I remember the Mini T. it has only straps for carrying a tripod horizontally under the pack. I tried that with my old Trekker and 3401 legs (same size) & 3410 head, and this requiers some "clearance-width" when you walk through the woods. No fun....

The Nature T. on the other hand has one of the line's new tripod attachments. It is located on the side though, that probably means that you have to have some counter weight on the opposite side. One of the higher priced models, I think it's the Pro model, it has the tripod mount vertically in the middle of the pack, but you probably won't have enough equipment to fill the back itself.... ;^)

If I were you, I'd take my entire gear to the store and would try every option.

-- Marcus Erne (cerne@ees.eesc.com), May 12, 1999.

I just want to correct the infomation Marcus wrote. The tripod attachment can be placed verticaly on both sides but also on the back. When I carry a tripod (I have a 3021), I attach the tripod holder vertically on the back. I find this setup very convenient and stable.

lp

-- Louis-Philippe Masse (phisa@generation.net), May 16, 1999.

By the way, I was talking about the Nature Trekker.

lp

-- Louis-Philippe Masse (phisa@generation.net), May 16, 1999.

Louis, how comfortable is your Nature trekker for hiking with the tripod attached? Can you easily go long distances? -Thanks to everyone who has responded, your comments have been very usefull.

-- Nick Stevens (nickstevens@hotmail.com), May 17, 1999.

Nick,

I didn't had the chance to do long hikes (more than a day) but I did long walks (5-6 hours) with my Nature Trekker loaded with the tripod. I also usually carry three lenses (24-120mm, 80-200mm f/2.8, 20mm f/2.8) a flash and lots of film and accessories. No problems for me.

The first time I used the bag, it felt a little uncomfortable and heavy but I discovered while reading the instruction manual that I didn't adjusted it correctly. Now that it is, the bag feel lighter than it's size. It is really comfortable and I am really pleased with it.

To further lower the center of gravity, it is possible to attach the tripod head down. I don't have a heavy ballhead so I carry my tripod in it's normal position.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Good luck!

lp

-- Louis-Philippe Masse (phisa@generation.net), May 17, 1999.

I carry my 3221 with an Op/Tech tripod strap. Here is the link >>http://www.optechusa.com/tripod.htm#TRIPOD<<. I have found it an extremely comfortable way to carry my tripod, both when walking and riding a bicycle.

-- Lester LaForce (102140.1200@compuserve.com), June 02, 1999.

Nick, I just got a Mini-Trekker and have been figuring out a way to carry a tripod on it. I finally think I've found the solution, and tomorrow I am going down to my local backpacking store to pick up a pair of quick-release compression straps to lash the tripod to the side of the backpack. These would be 1" wide nylon web straps that could be threaded under the tie-downs sewn on the sides of the bag. Then, tighten them around the tripod just under the leg hinges, and near the bottom of the legs. I did this with the 2 straps that come with the bag, and it worked OK, but I am going to get the QR straps because it's hard to get the bottom part of the legs thru the strap unless you almost loosen it all the way. (Those leglocks on the Bogen stick out too much). The only thing is -- I got a much smaller tripod, a Bogen 3205S (This is the shortened version of the 3001, black finish), and a medium-sized Bogen ballhead. The tripod rides low with the legs sticking slightly below the bottom of the bag, and the top of the QR mechanism about even with the top of the bag. This is my "Travel Light" pack for shorter trips. I doubt if you could easily carry the 3221 on the Mini-Trekker because it just isn't tall enough. Someone told me he bought the LowePro tripod carrier and uses it on his Mini-Trekker, but he had to jury-rig it considerably because the straps are too wide to fit thru the tie-downs. He said he carries a Gitzo 1228 tripod with a folded length of 21", which is about the same as my little Bogen. If you want to carry the 3221 you are probably better off with the Nature Trekker or larger bag. This comes with the tripod mount, which is a good device. BTW, the Bogen 3205S is remarkably solid for such a lightweight tripod, although you might have to bend down a bit. I am 6'4" and I can use it bending over; I prefer getting down on one knee. Obviously this isn't the tripod for you if you are going to be using it for a couple of hours at a time, but it is a great travel tripod.

-- Jim Meyer (jim_meyer@compusa.com), June 11, 1999.

Nick, I just got a Mini-Trekker and have been figuring out a way to carry a tripod on it. I finally think I've found the solution, and tomorrow I am going down to my local backpacking store to pick up a pair of quick-release compression straps to lash the tripod to the side of the backpack. These would be 1" wide nylon web straps that could be threaded under the tie-downs sewn on the sides of the bag. Then, tighten them around the tripod just under the leg hinges, and near the bottom of the legs. I did this with the 2 straps that come with the bag, and it worked OK, but I am going to get the QR straps because it's hard to get the bottom part of the legs thru the strap unless you almost loosen it all the way. (Those leglocks on the Bogen stick out too much). The only thing is -- I got a much smaller tripod, a Bogen 3205S (This is the shortened version of the 3001, black finish), and a medium-sized Bogen ballhead. The tripod rides low with the legs sticking slightly below the bottom of the bag, and the top of the QR mechanism about even with the top of the bag. This is my "Travel Light" pack for shorter trips. I doubt if you could easily carry the 3221 on the Mini-Trekker because it just isn't tall enough. Someone told me he bought the LowePro tripod carrier and uses it on his Mini-Trekker, but he had to jury-rig it considerably because the straps are too wide to fit thru the tie-downs. He said he carries a Gitzo 1228 tripod with a folded length of 21", which is about the same as my little Bogen. If you want to carry the 3221 you are probably better off with the Nature Trekker or larger bag. This comes with the tripod mount, which is a good device. BTW, the Bogen 3205S is remarkably solid for such a lightweight tripod, although you might have to bend down a bit. I am 6'4" and I can use it bending over; I prefer getting down on one knee. Obviously this isn't the tripod for you if you are going to be using it for a couple of hours at a time, but it is a great travel tripod.

-- Jim Meyer (jim_meyer@compusa.com), June 11, 1999.