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Filson Rucksack for your M camera


Herr Barnack

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I must have been a good boy in 2014 - on Christmas morning, "Father Christmas" (AKA my wife) presented me with the otter green Filson Rucksack ( Rucksack | Filson ) that I have admired for quite some time.

 

Beforehand, my primary intention for this rucksack was hiking and general meddling in the woods, I also thought that it might be a good day bag for my M240 and a couple of lenses. As luck would have it, I have discovered that the padded insert from my Billingham Hadley Pro fits in my Filson Rucksack like a hand in a glove.

 

This is a set-up that I highly recommend. If you give it a try, I have serious doubts that you will be disappointed. I suddenly have several camera bags that are now unemployed as a result of the alliance between my BillHadPro insert and my Filson Rucksack.

Edited by Carlos Danger
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I agree, the quality of these Filson bags is really outstanding. I use the Harvey Messenger bag for my gear and was never disappointed. No matter how cold, hot or rainy it was, the bag was perfect.

 

best regards

Marc

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Filson does make some really splendid gear. For a rather short time some years ago Billingham made a very nice rucksack also, of which I am the proud owner of one.

 

I remember the Billingham camera rucksack. Until I got my Filson, I was still kicking myself for missing out on getting the Billingham.

 

While the Billingham is an altogether different ruck, I am well pleased with the Filson with the BillHadPro insert.

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Definitely a different ruck. The Billingham is heaviely padded like a typical photo backpack, and definitely looks more boxy than a simple deconstructed daypack. Nothing stealthy about it. One thing I wondered though, how do the unpadded leather shoulder straps on the Filson feel with the weight of a full load of camera gear?

 

Found one in otter green (my choice) for $75 under retail and free shipping, so if it's comfortable I'll get one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Filson-Rucksack-Otter-Green-70262-BRAND-NEW-/371236113588?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item566f658cb4

Edited by bocaburger
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I agree, the quality of these Filson bags is really outstanding. I use the Harvey Messenger bag for my gear and was never disappointed. No matter how cold, hot or rainy it was, the bag was perfect.

 

best regards

Marc

 

yes me too with the billngham hadley insert - found the filson insert not firm enough. Love the end pockets for glasses and the back pocket for notebook/phone - nice touches...

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Really a great looking rucksack, I have used a Filson flyfishing vest for years. The materials used and the craftsmanship are top-notch. I particular like that tey avoid welcro and synthetics.

 

Btw; are you happy with the locking leather straps? I prefer the Billingham type of locking without the buckles and pin (sorry if I dont make this understanable, English is not my native language)..

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You mean the pin buckles? They are a little inconvenient (I have a nylon Barbour Tarras I've never used because of that very reason) but the flipside is they would be harder for a pickpocket to get into without detection. And the Billingham press-studs can snag on things and get unintentionally undone, especially as the leather becomes more supple with age. This was more true of the original style where the studs had smaller, rounded ends (similar to what is used on the current Barbour Tarras, and Fogg bags).

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Definitely a different ruck. The Billingham is heaviely padded like a typical photo backpack, and definitely looks more boxy than a simple deconstructed daypack. Nothing stealthy about it. One thing I wondered though, how do the unpadded leather shoulder straps on the Filson feel with the weight of a full load of camera gear?

 

Found one in otter green (my choice) for $75 under retail and free shipping, so if it's comfortable I'll get one. Filson Rucksack Otter Green 70262 Brand New | eBay

 

I was a little concerned about that but so far, it has not been a problem.

 

I have carried around 12-14 pounds of gear in it while wearing a 300 weight polarfleece jacket. The polarfleece acts as padding for the straps, keeping them from chafing or biting into my shoulders. With a heavier coat, I have even more padding.

 

If it is summer and you are wearing a tee shirt and carrying 20-30 pounds of gear in the ruck, the straps could possibly become uncomfortable, though. I have been thinking of designing a set of pads to go over the straps to counter that possibility for when hot weather rolls around.

 

I am envisioning strips of high density1/4" closed cell foam that are a little wider than the rucksack's leather straps. These would be sewn into canvas covers which would wrap around the leather straps and be held in place on the straps with velcro sewn to the canvas.

 

A basic set of pads could be something as simple as a couple of lengths of closed cell foam black water pipe insulation which can be purchased at a hardware store.

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Guest jvansmit
.... One thing I wondered though, how do the unpadded leather shoulder straps on the Filson feel with the weight of a full load of camera gear?

 

Not a direct comparison for the rucksack, I know, but after breaking-in, the leather strap & pad on my Filson camera field bag is tolerable enough for day-long street use on my skinny shoulders though I only carry an MM + 24mm Summilux + extra lens along with an iPad, iPod, earphones, and a bottle of water so it's not exactly heavy.

 

The thing I don't like about my Filson bag is that it leaves green residue on my jeans and shirt in hot Hong Kong weather. The bag hasn't kept its shape too well as the padding is quite thin. The two external bellows pockets aren't really secure enough for small objects which can slide out if the bag is carelessly lifted out of an aircraft overhead locker.

 

Mine has now been relegated to storage bag for rarely used lenses and my old M8. I do like the leather strap though so might later fit it to another bag.

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Really a great looking rucksack, I have used a Filson flyfishing vest for years. The materials used and the craftsmanship are top-notch. I particular like that tey avoid welcro and synthetics.

 

Btw; are you happy with the locking leather straps? I prefer the Billingham type of locking without the buckles and pin (sorry if I dont make this understanable, English is not my native language)..

 

That was a concern at first but quickly got used to the Filson single buckle - so no problems. The biggest issue as I have said elsewhere is the flimsy filson insert which I replaced with the Hadley insert.

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[

The thing I don't like about my Filson bag is that it leaves green residue on my jeans and shirt in hot Hong Kong weather.

 

 

Is that the waterproofing they put on the material or just the actual dye coming off? Have you contacted Filson to see what they say?

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Guest jvansmit
[

The thing I don't like about my Filson bag is that it leaves green residue on my jeans and shirt in hot Hong Kong weather.

 

Is that the waterproofing they put on the material or just the actual dye coming off? Have you contacted Filson to see what they say?

 

I'm fairly sure it's the wax-based waterproofing ...I haven't thought it necessary to contact Filson.

 

btw, I've had a similar issue a few years ago with the dye used on a Luigi leather strap. which left a red stripe across my shoulder in very hot & humid weather. :D

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I like the Filson briefcases, but I need a rucksack due to shoulder/upper back issues.

 

I have a Billingham 550 which I am very fond of, but it has had to be relegated to storage duty. I can no longer carry it using the shoulder strap without causing myself much discomfort and then requiring a trip or trips to my chiropractor afterwords.

Edited by Carlos Danger
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