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I'm looking at purchasing a camera bag for an upcoming trip to Africa. Ideally it would be large enough to carry a D90, extra batteries/filters, one additional lense, and then some rolls of film and a Holga. I have never used a dedicated camera pack, so I have no idea what's out there, what's good, etc.
Also, any recommendations for a tripod to bring with me? Something that collapses down really small? We will be doing a night time safari, so a tripod would be really helpful.
Some of the backpack options from F-stop seem to be quite nice. I have the "bard" (more of a messenger bag style) and it's alright, but I would have designed a few things differently.
As far as tripods go, the REI Ultrapod II is the shit, but it's not going to do much for your D90 with a big lens. They kill with p&s though.
ThinkTank makes killer stuff. http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html
I've been using their belt system lately and love it. It's nice not having to carry anything on your back or shoulders all the time.
I'm still very happy with my dakine sequence. Seems a little burlier than most packs that come from the strictly camera world.
I have a Carbon Fiber Gitzo you can borrow, Z, but it's not a small travel-friendly one. Let me know.
f-stop Satori.
For a Safari a mono pod might be better suited. I'd just enjoy the ride at night. I doubt it'll be a very productive time to shoot pics with the moving targets or deer in headlight scenes.
I went ghetto and got a Burton Zoom Pro pack, they are somewhat cheap right now. I can't speak for how well it's going to hold up, but in my research I read about a guy who used it daily on a 6 month trip through the South American jungles. I do like the fact that it has extra room compared to something like the Dakine pack. At least enough for a lunch and some extra clothes. The camera block is accessed from the rear so it's harder to get dirt and stuff in your gear ala Mountainsmith packs. I wish it had hydration, but I got an OR bottle holder to stick on the outside for extra water. so I could carry 2 litres at least. It's got tons of padding but I felt the need to stuff things into the unused camera block compartments to make it more stable. It does have a metal rod frame around the back so it maintains form and stands up when you set it down. Also has a compartment to sneak in the top and get your camera out without opening the back.
It's pretty much on sale everywhere they still have it, for about $120 bucks. You can get it cheaper but they are ugly as hell, I paid more to get a black one.
I got a cheap Dakine mission and i'm happy with it for now, the camera block seems excessively large but it holds everything I need and there's a decent amount of space in the front of the pack as well. I've been shooting soccer recently and I've fit in there an XSi, 70-200, 50mm, 17-50, extra battery, extra cards, filters, etc as well as cleats, socks, a change of clothes, and a water bottle in the front with plenty of room left over