Today's photographers travel with multiple camera bodies, several lenses, and a vast array of tech. Plus, some trips are local, while others can be hiking, camping, driving or flying. Each type of travel requires different gear to carry your camera equipment. So how do you know what to use? I have experimented with multiple systems and here is what works for me. 

My photography consists of African Wildlife, Landscapes, LDS Temples and Indigenous People's Cultural Photography. What I have found works best for me is convertibility, meaning, each pack or case must be able to be converted for multiple uses. Simply put, I use a series of backpacks and cases that are interchangeable as follows:

Backpacks, smallest to largest: 

F-stop Loka 37L Ultra-Light Travel Camera Backpack. I bought 2 inserts: Slope Medium and a Pro Large. This way I have the option to carry minimal camera equipment plus clothing, or lots of camera gear, or I can switch to a bigger backpack which is a Mystery Ranch Bridger 35, which will hold either of the inserts plus lots of camping gear. The Mystery Ranch backpack is not a camera backpack but a true mountaineering backpack. I bought this because I am 6' 6" and need a pack that fits my body. The square shape is ideal for the inserts as well. My largest backpack is a Z Pack Arc Zip Ultra 62L Backpack. This is an ultralight gear and crazy expensive but this pack only weighs 1.5 lbs and is a 62-liter pack. I can fit both inserts in this pack but rarely do because the Pro Large insert gives me enough room for my camera equipment and the rest of the space can be used for tents, sleeping bag and food. Below are the links to the products. I do not receive any compensation for the products in this article.

https://shop.fstopgear.com/camera-bags/loka-37l-ultra-light-travel-camera-backpack/

https://www.mysteryranch.com/bridger-35-pack

https://zpacks.com/products/arc-zip-ultra-62l-backpack

International Flights: For my Africa trips, I use the Think Tank International V3. There are tighter carry-on size restrictions when flying international, so this bag is about 1/2 inch smaller on all sides. The larger size is the Think Tank Airport Security, but some people get flagged and are forced to check the bag due to the larger size. No thanks. This bag has wheels and carries a grundle of gear including tech and a laptop. This bag, coupled with a backpack will get most of your gear on the plane.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=think%20tank%20international&sts=ma

Hard Case: I took a chance and bought a hard case from Harbor Freight made by Apache for my Nikon 800mm lens. The lens takes up the entire case but it fits like a glove and works extremely well. For my trips to Africa, I can't take 2 carry-ons so I have my wife take this case as her carry-on. When doing wildlife photography, there is usually a lot of dust and bumpy roads getting to the location and this case is perfect. This case was on sale and I bought 2 at $80 each. https://www.harborfreight.com/5800-weatherproof-protective-rolling-carry-on-case-x-large-64819.html?utm_source=go&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shortener&cid=go_social

Now that I am in my 60s, it's important to get gear that will get my gear to the location, but also to have an ultralight solution for when hiking or camping. Whatever gear you choose, good luck and good light to you.

About David Williams: I specialize in African Wildlife, Landscape, and Indigenous People Cultural Photography. See my work at https://www.davidwilliamsphotography.com 

https://davidwilliams.photoshelter.com/index 

https://www.instagram.com/david_williams_photography_

https://www.facebook.com/FineArtDavidWilliams