My wife and I are heading to Namibia in May. When I normally hunt in the Mtns here in the states I use a fanny pack for my misc and usually a small camera. Since we plan to take both the Camcorder and good digital camera we need a bigger bag. What type of bag have you guys used and would recommend?

My cameras rode in one of these from Cabelas:



Of course, my DSLR was in a soft case inside the backpack. One from Quantaray something like this :



The spare lens was in the case inside a soft lens cover similar to this one:

Look at the myriad of packs available from both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, as a start. You can do this online if you don't have their catalogs. They have everything that you might think of in styles, sizes, etc. I would look them over carefully, read the specs on those you are interested in and then call either one with questions. Depending on what you plan to carry in the pack besides the two cameras that you mentioned will help you decide what to buy.

I went with the Orion Trekker from Lowepro and have been pleased on two safaries. It works well to tote a camera, lenses, and a camcorder in the bottom compartment, while the top is large enough for the "extras" like water, spare socks, etc.

As a bonus, it's a great carryon in which you can haul all your optics (rangefinder, binocular, cameras, etc.) and a spare set of clothes. I use mine now for most travel just because it's so handy.



You can get these from B&H Photo for about $60. Orion Trekker II backpack

AN ADDITIONAL THOUGHT ...NAMIBIA , IN FACT MUCH OF AFRICA IS VERY DUSTY AND A LARGE ZIPLOK LINING YOUR MAIN BAG WILL HELP WITH THIS , ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK , THAT FINE DUST WILL GET THROUGH THE CANVAS AND ZIPPERS ..

I would start by calculating the volume you may need for your carry on needs. It is worth remembering that your trackers will gladly carry your pack while on the hunt.

Thanks for these great leads. I had already thought of the ziploks.

I know what "I" want to carry. It is the little lady going along that is the unknown.

sort of in conjunction with the ziplocks, i've found that in packing clothes that the plastic travel bags that you vaccuum the air out of help in packing duffels alot. usually you can get my with a smaller bag with the clothes vaccuum packed

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usually you can get my with a smaller bag with the clothes vaccuum packed

Who does the sucking on the way back? My Daugher used the ones you can roll to squeeze the air out when she went to Europe and they worked pretty well.

I've got a Lowpro I've had for well over 15 years. It gets used every day for about 8 months of every year and carries cameras, 1st aid kit & sat phone etc etc. It's pretty much dustproof and nothing on it has ever broken......... so I guess it's paid for itself a dozen times over....

quote:

I went with the Orion Trekker from Lowepro and have been pleased on two safaries. It works well to tote a camera, lenses, and a camcorder in the bottom compartment, while the top is large enough for the "extras" like water, spare socks, etc.

DesertRam:
Went to the Lowepro site. Kind of hard to tell what will fit. I just measured my two cameras
Digital is 4"wx4"dx3.25"h and the Corder is 7"Lx2.75dx3.5"h. Do you think both of these would fit in the camera portion of the Trekker II at the same time?

Like Charles.

I would recommend getting a soft case that fits inside your backpack.

Paul,
There's more than enough room for two small cameras. I have a digital SLR, two lenses, Canon GL2 backup video camera, chargers, batteries and all sorts of other gear in mine, which is a different model but the same size. (Mine has another compartment to store my laptop.)