Hasselblad Travel Kit Recommendation

[Matus Kalisky]

It depends on personal preferences, but the most gear I hauled in a (under 1 kg) shoulder bag was Mamiya 6 with 3 lenses - which is more thab 1kg lighter than Hasselblad with 3 lenses. The thing is that one usually needs to carry some other bits and pieces and possibly a bottle of water - and so the shoulder bags just keep getting heavier and heavier. It can be done (many do so), but whether you find it acceptable can be tested with ANY shoulder bag that is large enough to fit your gear inside. It would be worth testing before getting a dedicated and possibly pricey shoulder bag.

The Flipside backpack does look like an interesting alternative.

 

[jeffreyg]

My vote is for a backpack. A good backpack makes the load easier to carry. Not all short hikes are on flat ground some go up and down hills at different grades and while a shoulder pack is quicker to get into switching from shoulder to shoulder to me was a pain. Also a backpack evenly distributes the weight and is better for one's anatomy. I have a Tamrac that has worked very well even after three herniated disc surgeries. Water resistance or waterproof materials should be on your feature list.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[rbender]

I have used a lowepro mini trekker aw for the last 8 years with my hasselblad kit and love it ! Hope it keeps going for another 8. I also carry a 250mm, extra back and meter no problem. They make a smaller one micro trekker aw I have thought about for lighter trips. Have a great trip, the southwest is beautiful.

 

[elekm]

If you'll be in a place where the weather is uncertain, you should look at one of the LowePro bags that provide water protection. They have a thick rubber liner (sort of like a bladder) that zips completely closed, protecting your gear. I haven't used one, although I've been intrigued.

I have used some of their Trekker series and ones that are both a shoulder bag with a harness built into it. I was very pleased with it. I used it to haul around a fairly massive Rolleiflex SL66, three lenses, two hoods, two backs and about 10 rolls of film. Plus, I stowed my Sekonic light meter in it, too.

 

[elekm]

I really prefer top-loading bags, and this model was a top loader with a slide-out section that held the extra back and film.

I just located it amongst my stuff. It's the LowePro Trim Trekker. I've used it as a backpack 90% of the time and as a shoulder bag 10%. I found it to be very comfortable. it has two straps on the front for holding a tripod.

 

[Mark Fisher]

When I shoot with a 3 lens kit, I use a Hadley Pro (gift when I left my last job....) with a Domke postal shoulder pad. A shoulder bag isn't as comfortable to carry, but a lot better to shoot out of. I can still carry it all day if I need to while carrying my tripod over my shoulder. I suspect I'd be just as happy with a Domke F2. I have a backpack, but I only use it if I want to carry a fourth lens or am doing some serious hiking.

 

[Matus Kalisky]

Just reading the post from Mark - heavier shoulder bag gets much more comfortable if one carries some weight on the other shoulder as well. I made good experience with carrying a compact 4x5" setup (Tachihara, 2 lenses, 6 holders + acc) in my Courierware messenger bag and my tripod on a neck strap - both cross-draw and each on one shoulder.

 

[jeffreyg]

For what it's worth... the original kit mentioned weighs just over 8 1/2 lbs plus film, a light meter?, and whatever else will go in the bag. My guess the tripod will have a shoulder strap or be handheld. If the hike is a couple of miles in one direction it would also be the same to get back to point A. I still think a backpack is the way to go. They also fit nicely in airplane overhead compartments.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I might be a little strange compared to most, but I usually just pack the camera, the 80mm Planar, and two backs.

It's light, trouble free, and I end up having to use my imagination a lot, which I think is a good thing.

 

[benjiboy]

You can get a backpack harness for a domke F2 or there is a a Domke F2 backpack, I'm a big fan of domke bags ( although they cost twice as much in the U.K than the U.S) I find the heavy duty cotton canvas they are made of and lack of unnecessary padding makes them much lighter to carry than my Billingham 335 bag is a superb bag, but with the same equipment in feels twice as heavy as my Domke F2 to me.