I have recently purchased an A6000 with 2 lenses .
I am planning on taking it hiking (overnight and mutli day trips)
Has anyone got any recommendations for the best way to carry the camera and lenses in addition to the heavy pack I will be wearing.
I need something that allows for easy access, provides some protection to the equipment and is comfortable.
Thanks :)
If you're just carrying an A6000 with 2 lenses, you really don't need a bag at all. Just wear it around your shoulder (as it will be practically weightless) and chuck the other lens in your pocket.
Personally, for me, camera bags are a way of transporting gear, e.g. something I'll chuck in the boot of my car or take with me on a plane, but when I'm actually out shooting, camera bags are useless because they just add weight, they get in the way and I'll want my camera around my neck anyway (you can't shoot with a camera in a bag, can you?)
If you're hiking a lot, you might want to look into a Blackrapid Sport, these allow you to wear your camera over your shoulder (similar to a satchel type bag) and it'll take the weight off your neck and allow you to move more freely and more comfortably. I've heard good things about them. I don't use one simply because I don't hike long distances with my cameras. You can also get a Blackrapid Dual strap which will let you carry two cameras.
Thanks for the replies.
I will already be wearing a backpack so I'm looking for more of a shoulder bag or something similar where I can quickly and easily access my camera.
A shoulder strap is ok I guess but I am just paranoid the camera may be damaged as I'm scrambling up boulders etc
Cameras are tough, they're designed to be used and thrown about, so it won't damage your camera (other than possibly cosmetically) by scrambling up boulders.
If you're concerned, then my suggestion would be to just get any side bag, similar to a small handbag, don't get a camera bag, and use that instead, with the camera not on a strap. Then you can simply pull it out at a moment's notice and grab the shots you need.
Forgot to mention how I pack the camera. It's basically got a battery grip, a Nikon hand strap and a rather compact 15-85 USM lens on it. I whack a UV filter onto it, then put a lens shroud on it facing outwards, leave the lens cover off then chuck it on top of all the gear in my backpack. When I need it, out it comes, power it on and shoot away, no worrying about lens covers since most of my photography is mobile and fast action. Shoulder straps, slings and the like just get in the way and not to mention the way they swing around when you're moving around…
I'm not too fond of the idea of taking off my backpack every time I want a photo, my pack can weigh up to 20 kg and taking it off all the time would be less than ideal.
I went through the same sort of issues. Long day hikes with a LowePro Rover AW II but it was a pain in the bum to continually stop, unload and get the camera out, particularly when trying to photograph shy wildlife.
Depending on where I was and how likely I was to need a quick shot, I would often attach the camera to clips on the shoulder straps of my backpack and hang the camera on my chest. That way the weight was on my shoulders and not on my neck. Of course the problem was how to stop the camera from flapping about, hitting things (including my chest). I found this product from OP/TECH that had a neoprene cutout that fit over the lens and then strapped around my back to keep the camera tight against my chest. This was a cheap solution and I only needed to undo this single clip around my back to be able to lift the camera to my eye. It wasn't perfect, but it did it's job. Just make sure you don't lose the lens cap when going through bushes…
Of course, if I was scrambling or going through thick scrub then I would put the camera away properly to protect it.
There are also better integrated solutions nowadays to the one I used, e.g., something like this.
At the end of the day it is a balance between having the camera readily available or well protected.
I use a Boblebee Megapolis for pretty much everything. As a daily backpack to work, overseas trips, riding motorbikes, packing my Canon 7D. Expensive but very safe (CE backprotector) for both user and bag contents, very ergonomic and highly recommended also, is the optional cargo net accessory. I use the net a lot for extra carrying capacity, large water bottles, dirty clothes, jackets, motorcycle helmet, anything really.
Look these up on youtube for people trying to destroy them - they're practically indestructible.