Making a Hiking Camera Bag

I am going to try to make a camera bag/hiking backpack. I know what a camera bag looks like, and I know what a hiking backpack looks like, so I'm going to give combining them a go. However, before I get going, I wanted to see if any of you guys had an ideas, or knew of anything that I would really wish I had put in there. I am thinking about making a bag that has a top section that has some structure (provided by ccf pieces). I will also make compartments and line them with fleece (unless there is something better). The reason I am putting this in the top of the pack is to protect the camera goods from having the bag thrown down on them. The bottom would be a better weight distribution, but the top will be safer. However, this will make the bag top heavy since my camera gear is almost the weight of everything else that I take when I go backpacking. The only other idea that I have come up with is buying a commercial chest pack or bags that would fit on a belt (which I'd put on a hip belt).

So, if there are any ideas, shoot. And don't feel bad, this is just an idea right now. I might decide that this would be a bad idea. So if you feel like it is, let me know. Don't be shy, I'm not. And as always, Thanks for the help ya'll!

Are you wanting the camera and its components to be accessible while walking or strickly to be carried and taken out at times of your choosing? Also, to save from having the pack too top heavy, what if you made the pack with padded side and front packets. When you have your pack loaded, this should prevent any sagging of your pack or poor weight distribution.
Just a couple of initial thoughts,
UL

The padded side pockets are a good idea. I don't see why I would have to have all the gear in one spot on the bag. I wouldn't mind having the camera quickly accessable. Those are some great thoughts. Like I said I'm still thinking through this. Keep the ideas coming.

You could have one or two padded side pockets for various lenses, if you needed them, and then a padded chest pocket for your camera so that it would be accessible. 'Course, we may not be talking UL gear at this point.
UL

Well I can keep the weight low by padding the compartments with ccf pads, and lining them with a light weight fabric. I just don't know what to line the compartments with.

Silnylon or a nylon tafetta? Fleece may be too heavy for your needs.
UL

would those fabrics keep from scratching the lens? or screen?

I don't think that silnylon will scratch a lense. Something else you might think about is making individual stuff sacks for each of your lenses out of a material that won't scratch them and then put them into a padded side pocket.
UL

Also keep it small.. the old rule is the same as a pack. The more room you have, the more stuff you will carry. Camera, 2 lens max, extra battery, and a cleaning cloth for the lens and at least a cicular polorizer and maybe a graduated Netural Density filter that will fit both lens. Always buy filters sized to the largest lens you have and just use a step down ring for the smaller lenses. Saves a LOT of weight doing this. This would be MAX. I prob. would leave a telephoto lens at home and go for a short wide angle lens that would zoom out to about 80 to 90mm... uh unless your only talking about a point and shoot... lol then forget it... one battery and a cleaning cloth.
Eddie

Guess all I have to do now is to make the bag. Finding time will be the problem. I'm visualizing a backpack with a padded pocket (almost like a water bottle pocket) on each side, a padded pocket on the front, and thats it. That should hold all the fragile stuff. It'll be a while till I'm done, but I'll post pics when I've finished.

Hey Kyle what about some of the nice small camera cases and stuff sacks straped to the outside of your pack. I know loops are usually not that difficult to put on and from our talks I know your capable. I use to use some simalar on the outside of one of my Kelty external frames. God I miss that pack... its almost 20 years old now and the person I gave it to told me its still going strong.. lol.
Eddie

That could work too, but I've already started on the body of the bag. Plus, I gotta do something with my time !

hahahaha yea I figured that about the time I hit send.
Eddie