What's your preferred camera backpack for 400mm 2.8 plus camera equipment?

[Shooter Steve]

I'm going to be shooting some college and pro hockey this winter and plan to bring my 400mm 2.8 with me. That means venues with longer hikes from my parking spots and a need for a "contained" system of lugging my wares to and from events. Looking at backpacks and wonder if anyone has any likes or dislikes for models and brands.

Thanks,
Steve

[cozmocha]

I see alot of guys that just carry the 400 2.8 in the big case it comes with at football games. Do you really want all of your gear on your back?!?!? I would really look into the Think Tank Airport Bags. http://www.thinktankphoto.com/catego...mera-bags.aspx They have a built in lock cable so it's easy to attach it to something in the media work room. Think Tank makes some great gear.


They can hold ALOT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQlu9JFKaHU

[Shooter Steve]

Thanks cozmocha,

I LOVE this bag and it is on my must buy bag when I get more gigs where I travel. Thanks for the link. I've seen one like this before but this is a good one too.

My specific need in this situation is to get from my car parking lot to the event, which is often a 1-2 block walk and often through snow where where I don't want to have to roll something through the snow filled streets here in Minneapolis. For that I would like a backpack. Yes, I typically carry about 35 pounds of equipment with me along sidelines, partially because I want the flexibility of using multiple cameras, lens, flashes, tripods, etc.

Steve

[cozmocha]

I didn't think about having snow (I live in Florida). This bag also has Emergency shoulder straps so you could backpack it when needed. I doubt it makes your back feel good but a nice thing to have. Look at the Features tab.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/produc...amera-bag.aspx

I use a Lowepro Computrekker but I don't have anything big like a 400 2.8.

[DHMN69]

400 mm for HOCKEY? That's going to be way too long and you'll only use shots shot from 200 feet away (the length of the NHL and most college ice sheets OTHER than Mariucci and St. Cloud's National Hockey Center) with that lens.

[Shooter Steve]

Thanks DHMN69,

I agree there will be few opportunities for hockey but I am scheduled to shoot Wild and Gopher (at Mariucci) and plan some goalie shots from some of the upper deck seats. Never learn better unless we try new angles, right? Maybe they'll work and maybe I'll be happier leaving the heavy weights at home.

Steve

[DHMN69]

I'd love to have a 400mm for baseball and football, though the lens cost more than my car..I'd need a rich relative to leave me a bunch of money but the 70-200 is the workhorse for hockey and BBall