Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,

I shoot events with my Vagabond II and ABR800 ringflash and love the combo, so far. Unfortuantely, the shoulder strap and weight of the battery pack is killing me. The strap digs into my shoulder and is hurting my lower back, because of the uneven weight. So, I'm looking for a backpack solution where I can stick the battery guts in the lower compartment and store the ABR800 above it with the diffuser and reflector when not in use. Before I lug all this stuff to the store to test fit in various backpacks, does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!

I don't have any specific recommendations. However, if i were looking at one, i would seriously consider splitting the Vagabond and have the inverter over battery. This will keep the center of gravity closer to your body. be sure to keep any contacts from coming in contact with each other. Secondly, i would look for one with padded hip belts. this moves the weight from your shoulders to the stronger muscles of your legs. It makes a difference at the end of the day.

Of course, you dont mention what type of events, so i dont know what style considerations you will have.

I do not recall where I saw it, but I recall seeing a photo of a photographer carrying one in a Think Tank Glass Taxi. He made no comment why he chose that backpack. For all I know it was the only one he had. I might suggest going to a camping store with a knowledgeable staff and get some info. I would probably look for something that is water proof?

Let us know what you find.
jim

I also remember seeing somewhere a fellow had taken one of those "camel back" water backpacks that have the long straw on them. I think people use these when riding bikes a long ways. He removed the bladder from this and put the battery in place. He seemed to be quite pleased with the result from what I recall.

How about something with wheels? I stored 2 AB 1600's, bracket, clamps, ext cords and who knows what else in a Stanley Fat Max Mobile Workstation. The big hardware stores have it (at least around here they do). The Vagabond and the light should fit in the bottom leaving lots of storage for other stuff. You camera bag can be secured to the top with bal bungees. Over this past season, I shot many basketball games in all sorts of locations from small high school gyms to large arenas. Having the FatMax made getting in and out a breeze. I must admit though that I didn't have to climb any hills with it! :-)
Hope this helps.
Mike

FatMax opened with all gear stowed away.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd26 ... tMax03.jpg

Camera bag secured on top with ball bungees
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd26 ... tMax04.jpg

I tried the Lowe Pro Slingshot at my camera store. It was the right size, but concerned about cooling. Might have to modify the bag for ventilation. Unfortunately the salesman talked me out of it in favor of new shoulder straps. The straps survived but the Buff bags did not. Both my bags failed after one afternoon apiece. Flimsy material, flimsy seams, and flimsy hardware (d-rings).

I wanted to use the Vag's with my AB ringflash for event work. I see from various forums that I am not the only one. Perhaps more would try if the carrying bag were more robust.

another way to go might be an Alice pack: military frame pack, and there is a metal "shelf" attachment for heavy loads, so that it doesn't sag low in the pack. I dunno if splitting the vagabond into two pockets on the pack is feasible, but if so, the pack would then be pretty roomy for other gear, too.

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=alice+pack&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=alice+pack+shelf&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

I think if I was going to give this a try I would look for a backpack with a mesh outer pocket. Something like this: http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/ ... tionId=T58

This way the inverter could go in the mesh to allow some airflow. I'd put the battery inside the main pocket or hydration bladder pocket low and tight to my body. I might try running the battery leads together in a piece of split flex tube to the inverter. You could probably even cut a small hole and go right through the pack so that you don't have the leads on the outside where they can get caught on something. Also figure out a way to cover the electrical contacts on the battery and inverter for a little extra protection, maybe just some good electrical tape.

I also might be inclined to go with a smaller battery to lighten the load, even if it meant a battery change during the event. As TS mentioned, a hip belt would be a big plus too. Just my two cents... I've never actually tried this so all of my suggestions may fail miserably.

If the VII is less than 2yrs old, then customer service will be able to replace the bag for you.