I am planning on doing a lot of alpine hiking this summer. I really want to take my 20d with at least the 17-40 attached, but when packed it is very bulky and heavy in my backpack. I am willing to carry the weight of my camera/tripod but I don't want a pound of camera bag too.

I have a lowepro slingshot (an awesome bag for climbing), and a smaller bag that barely fits the camera and lens. My problem with both of these bags is that they are loaded with superfluous accessories (pockets, zippers, etc.) making them much heavier than necessary.

Do any of you know of mimimalist protection systems that would allow me to carry my camera body and maybe two lenses safely, in my pack, without adding much bulk? Maybe I can get away with just padding the top compartment of my pack.

Phillip

Does it have to be a bag? What about a Think Tank Photo Belt system or a newswear chest vest? The chest vest might work for you.

newswear
think tank

Dispense with the idea of a camera bag for serious hiking. The only practical solution is to pack your equipment in your hiking backpack.

Get some padded pouches for the lenses, toss other accessories in a mesh bag and put the camera with the lens you use most in the smallest top-load camera bag that will fit. Top-load bags are cheap and not bulky. Some lens pouches are bulky, but there are neoprene pouches that aren't. Look at http://optechusa.com/ for lens pouches and camera pouches. Some people use a chest harness for the top-load bag so it is always handy, but I find that awkward and I like to be able to see my feet. (Plus the harness looks rather geeky.)

I carry the top-load bag at my left side clipped to my pack with a small 'biner so it stays put. The top-load bag shoulder strap goes across my chest and over my right shoulder. I can quickly unclip the camera bag from my backpack, swing it to the front and get at my camera.

Even for a day hike, I use this method. With a proper hiking pack instead of a camera pack I have room for food, water, extra clothing and some emergency gear. A camera pack is only good around town or within a couple of kms of your car.

Happy hiking.

This is what I was looking for. Just a bit of protection to put in my pack. A chest harness/vest probably won't work well for technical terrain (4th and 5th class). I might be able to fix a toploader to my hipbelt using the gear racking slots, for the hiking sections.