Photog backpack recommendations

[M_Six]

Anyone here use a backpack for their photo gear? If so, share what you think of them. In the two days I've had my camera, it's become obvious I need a better case to carry stuff around. What works for you?

[BMW F22]

I have the Lowepro flipside 200 and it's been good. I mean it might bother you that the zipper is on the same side that touches your back. For long trips where I need to bring everything I use a Vertex AW (can carry a laptop too). I will say this though: you can never have just one bag. Whether it's 2, 3, 4 or more, you will find that there is no "one bag fits all occasions". Each bag will be able to carry a different size load as well as comfort and ease of use. So you have to try a few and pick one (for now). Then in the future you can buy another one that suits other needs.

[Mach V Dan]

I have had a Kata R-103 backpack for several years now, and it's awesome. I previously tried a Tamrac one, and while it was okay, it was not that comfortable. The Kata is a bit pricier, but it is really, really well built, and is terrific for distributing weight -- it's easy to carry, even all day long. It looks the same today as when I bought it, and I've taken it literally all over the world.

It doesn't really look like a camera bag, either. Just sort of a high-tech backpack.

I carry a Canon 5D MkII, 70-200 zoom, 17-40 zoom, 50mm, the big flash, battery charger, memory, cleaning kit, and at times the laptop too, although it gets pretty heavy with a computer added. The bag is very versatile.

--Dan

[Chewy734]

Lowepro Flipside 300. Awesome backpack if all the gear you want fits in it. The straps are very comfortable too. The zipper thing that BMW_E90 above mentioned is a great feature when traveling. You never have to worry about anyone stealing stuff from your backpack while you have it on.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Mach V Dan

I have had a Kata R-103 backpack for several years now, and it's awesome. I previously tried a Tamrac one, and while it was okay, it was not that comfortable. The Kata is a bit pricier, but it is really, really well built, and is terrific for distributing weight -- it's easy to carry, even all day long. It looks the same today as when I bought it, and I've taken it literally all over the world.

It doesn't really look like a camera bag, either. Just sort of a high-tech backpack.

I carry a Canon 5D MkII, 70-200 zoom, 17-40 zoom, 50mm, the big flash, battery charger, memory, cleaning kit, and at times the laptop too, although it gets pretty heavy with a computer added. The bag is very versatile.

--Dan

I was just checking these out on Amazon and the Kata website. Looks perfect for me, although I'll check the Lowepro bag as well. I'd imagine in countries where you can get packed in like sardines on buses and trains, it'd be nice to have a backpack with the zipper protected. Like BMW E90 says, maybe more than one bag is a good idea. The ability to carry my laptop is important because I like to process and upload pictures daily while on vacation.

[BillLee]

i have a lowepro slingshot 100 for small trips.


I'll be getting this one soon.

[rodi]

crumpler whickey & cox.

[scollins]

I've got the Tenba Shootout Medium (non-roller) and I'm pretty happy with it as a main travel bag. It also holds my laptop. I really like that I can stow the shoulder straps (very handy for overhead bins on the flying buses....)

My "daily" bag is a Tenba Shootout Sling, but I have to reconfigure it. I had it setup for my D300+grip with the 17-35 attached. Now that I have the D3 and the 24-70, plus an SB-900 to go with my SB-600, it doesn't fit. I hope to figure out a way to make it work though....

[wvtlo]

I've owned a Lowepro S&F Rover for several years now, can't kill the thing. It has the camera case below and a backpack up top. I can easily fit the following in it...(bottom)Canon 5dMKII, 24-70, 20-200, 12-24, 2x extender, cable release, dessicant tin. (top) Canon 7d, flash, Epson viewer, misc items. Bag is easily close to 20lbs. Once I adjust all the straps, doesn't feel like 20lbs at all.

[bosstones]

I follow the 'several bag' approach. I have too many so I've slowly been selling them. I prefer bags that don't overly scream "camera bag". On that note, I pretty well avoid LowePro and Tamrac. That said, here's my long winded post...

I have the following:

1. Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home - I just got this several months ago and haven't really used it much until recently. It's pretty much been good for 2 lenses, with one being attached to a camera body. There are larger versions of their 'x million dollar home' line, though. I was just looking for something in a small messenger bag-type format. Lenses and body aside, I can also carry my f.64 lens pouch, and a few accessories (extra battery, CF card, Rocket Air, etc...). I wish it came w/ a shoulder pad for the strap, but I just steal one off one of one of my tactical bags. On either side are some loops so you can add-on a lens pouch. I've found that you can also use certain MOLLE accessory pouches, too. This bag will actually fit a 70-200mm L-series lens (f4, f2.8, etc...). I'll probably fashion on some D-rings to help man up the appearance. I would also note that if you have an wide/ultra-wide angle lenses, leaving the hood attached (in the stowed position) hampers your ability to put any additional lens inside. This is due to the larger diameter of the hood for these type of lenses.

2. [Naneu Pro Military Ops Echo slingbag - I've used this bag a lot. The only thing I miss is that I can't swing it around and easily access gear. The strap clasps using both velcro and a buckle enclosure (the latter for security). it also has a hide-away waist strap to help w/ loading, but I've never used it. I've been able to fit several lenses + external flash and misc accessories within the camera gear area. There are a couple pockets up top that you can stash additional things as well. It'll fit a 70-200L lens, but it'll stick up into the larger pocket atop the bag. Not necessarily a big deal; just an observation. Also, I've never had to remove lens hoods from my wide/ultra-wide angle lenses to accommodate fitting other lenses inside this bag.

3. Mountainsmith Borealis AT - I rarely use this, but it has been good for storing my camera body, 2-4 lenses, external flash, and misc (extra battery, lens filters, etc...), my laptop (17"), and some misc laptop accessories. It also has: 1) a built in tripod carrier that folds away when not in use and 2) a rain cover that also tucks away when not in use. The bag is a decently big backplack but has been comfy when fully loaded and it looks cool (IMO). I've also use carabiners to latch on some stuff. It also has a padded waist strap that has little pockets on it. This waist strap can be tucked away when not in use. On an airplane, I don't recommend stashing it under the seat in front of you if you want to access something unless you're in anything but standard economy.

Lately, I've also been making use of my Jumbo Versipack. I need to get an actual foam box for it, but I've just been stealing bit/panels/dividers from my other camera bags to make a temporary one. I typically can fit my camera body + wide angle lens (w/ hood attached). There is a little bit of room lefter over in the main pouch after putting in my camera body + 10-22mm or 16-35mm, but not enough room for a large lens. An external flash would fit fine and I have had my 85mm prime in there as well. The 85mm prime fits perfectly in the side pouch, too. I can also fit a lens filter pouch (I usuaully bring a f.64 pouch w/ me) and misc accessories (extra battery, CF card, etc...). In the water bottle pouch, you can fit another lens or external flash (or a water bottle). Given the local of the MOLLE attachment points, you can also fashion on a small to medium lens case if you want. Everything is easily accessible w/ this bag and you don't have to remove it to access your gear. In inclement weather, the main pouch has a hood w/ cinch closure to help keep the weather out. I brought this pack (okay...I also call it a tactical murse) to the Bears-Pats game and had no problems at all w/ the weather (we got several inches of snow in the stadium). Plus, I like to slap on my 'What Now Bitches' moral patch on the outside of this bag.

[UdubBadger]

Flipside 400 is what I wanted. Got an Adventure 9 (Tamrac) instead thought. Both are nice, and hold laptops too.

I also have a Stealth Reporter for ALL of my gear for when I go to studio shoots.

Might sell my Adventure 9 if anyone was interested

[Mr Tonka]

Like most i use a large backpack (Tenba 17) as my main travel bag and to store all my gear. It holds more gear than the Fastpack 350 in the video as well as my 17" MBP. Then i have a Lowpro Sligshot 100 to carry my gear during the trip.

So i usually bring both bags on a trip and only carry the smaller while there. The large bag works well as a carry on and fits in the over head compartments in every plane i've been on. The slingshot will fold up pretty flat and fit in my suitcase. I'm still keeping an eye open to replace the slingshot though. My gripe about it is that i can't easily store the camera with the 70-200 mounted on it. Other than that i like it quite a lot.

BTW, both bags have built in waterproof covers should you get caught in some elements. Came in handy more than a few times already.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

Like most i use a large backpack as my main travel bag and to store all my gear. It holds more gear than the Fastpack 350 in the video as well as my 17" MBP. Then i have a Lowpro Sligshot 100 to carry my gear during the trip.

So i usually bring both bags on a trip and only carry the smaller while there. The large bag works well as a carry on and fits in the over head compartments in every plane i've been on. The slingshot will fold up pretty flat and fit in my suitcase. I'm still keeping an eye open to replace the slingshot though. My gripe about it is that i can't easily store the camera with the 70-200 mounted on it. Other than that i like it quite a lot.

BTW, both bags have built in waterproof covers should you get caught in some elements. Came in handy more than a few times already.

This sounds like a good move. I'm probably going to get the Kata R-103 as a main bag and a Slingpro for walking around, just as you suggest. Easy enough to store a smaller bag enroute.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

Like most i use a large backpack as my main travel bag and to store all my gear. It holds more gear than the Fastpack 350 in the video as well as my 17" MBP. Then i have a Lowpro Sligshot 100 to carry my gear during the trip.

So i usually bring both bags on a trip and only carry the smaller while there. The large bag works well as a carry on and fits in the over head compartments in every plane i've been on. The slingshot will fold up pretty flat and fit in my suitcase. I'm still keeping an eye open to replace the slingshot though. My gripe about it is that i can't easily store the camera with the 70-200 mounted on it. Other than that i like it quite a lot.

BTW, both bags have built in waterproof covers should you get caught in some elements. Came in handy more than a few times already.

how do you like the fastpack compared to the flipside? I've long debated between the two. I like the looks of the fastpack but the flipside looks to have more camera storage space.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Anyone here use a backpack for their photo gear? If so, share what you think of them. In the two days I've had my camera, it's become obvious I need a better case to carry stuff around. What works for you?

If you're interested in my adventure 9 I was planning on selling it soon, could save you some $ over new.

[TL]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

Lowepro Flipside 300. Awesome backpack if all the gear you want fits in it. The straps are very comfortable too. The zipper thing that BMW_E90 above mentioned is a great feature when traveling. You never have to worry about anyone stealing stuff from your backpack while you have it on.

+1 on the lowepro flipside 300. I thought about the fastpack but glad i went with the flipside instead. don't have to worry about pick pockets and the strap around the waist helps you swing your bag around for quick access to your camera. I pack my Nikon D90 with 80-200mm lens, Tokina 11-16mm, Nikkor 18-200mmVR, Nikkor 50mm, Sony T100, SB-800 flash, extra batteries, SDHC cards, pens, and tripod.

[Chewy734]

Jeff, what do you have against Lowepro?

Btw, I forgot to mention I also have a Lowepro Nova 3 AW bag... I like it, but it because it's easier to get stuff in and out of it, but it's smaller than my Flipside, and hurts my shoulder more since the weight isn't distributed like on a backpack. It great for short shoots that don't require much equipment though. I dropped it from a bridge once and it landed on some rocks below. Nothing happened to it or my camera equipment. In fact, after cleaning up the back it looks like new (no scuffs, etc). Lowepro makes some awesome stuff!

[Chewy734]

FYI: Amazon has Lowepro camera bags on sale for 20% off, plus free shipping and no tax in most states. [link]

[BMW F22]

Lowepro makes some legit stuff. The bags I got from them have been used for a few years now and they look brand new.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

FYI: Amazon has Lowepro camera bags on sale for 20% off, plus free shipping and no tax in most states. [link]

Rats, everything but the Slingshot 102 I want.

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Rats, everything but the Slingshot 102 I want.

They have it for $55.96 shipped after discount.

[UdubBadger]

I'll again offer a killer price only once used adventure 9. Let me know