Backpack question

<p>Hello guys.</p>

<p>I am going to purchase another backpack, because the Lowerpro Compudaypack does not fit a lot of equipment.</p>

<p>My needs:</p>

<p>I want a walkaround backpack, which I can bring with me on the plane. I will also carry one 70-200 and one 17-40 in the backpack, and hope to bring the 50mm and and the 8mm too.</p>

<p>Any reccomandations?</p>

<p>You need to study the carry on luggage size allowances of all the airlines you intend to fly in before making a decision on the backpack size you need before asking us.</p>

10kg will be max.. But my gear aint that heavy:p

<p>It's not so much the weight, but the linear dimensions of the backpack. Just make sure it fits the envelope for carry-on size.<br>

I find most (all?) photo backpacks either aren't comfortable enough, or don't have the sort of space/pockets I want for non-photo items. My solution is to use the guts from a photo backpack in the bottom of one of my comfortable daypacks. The zipper comes down the back far enough that it works wonderfully as a sling type bag too.</p>

<p>I have been researching the same problem and a friend of mine, a well-known nature photographer, recommended the Lowe Pro Vertex 200 AW. I holds a lot of gear, but there is no law that says you have to actually fill it, the suspension system is very comfortable, and can be hidden away when you don't want the straps dangling all over the place.<br /> None of the Lowe Pro bags are cheap, but they do have a solid reputation for value, and you'll only have to buy it once.The Vertex series of packs are carry-ons. The regulation for carry-on is: length+width+height=45 inches (max). I wound up taking a pack I already own to the airport and checking with the airline. They have a box, if your pack fits...it ships, well flies actually.<br /> JD</p>

<p>I purchased a CASE LOGIC backpack from Sam's for the exact same reason.<br>

On a previous Southwest flight, I checked on the underseat dimensions. <br>

Now it doesn't carry everything I own--that would be asking a little too much,<br>

but it does carry one FF with a 24-70 and a half-dozen other lenses. THEN, I carry<br>

another bag with misc odds & ends for the overhead. Clothes, etc I check.<br>

The CaseLogic by the way has room for a 14 inch laptop, which I also carry. The only<br>

thing airlines don't seem to like, are tripods being carried on. I asked Homeland<br>

Security Supervisor once, and he said it is up to the person checking--not case in print.<br>

It comes down to do you have other photo stuff. Not having a beard seems to help too.</p>

While not a backpack, the Kata Fly-By-74 (http://www.kata-bags.us/flyby-74-pl-for-1-2-pro-dslr-bodies-6-8-lenses-up-to-

400-mm) is the largest camera bag (without the trolley) I've been able to fit in the overhead bin of a "regional jet"

(Embraer ERJ-145), so you may take it's dimensions as a reference.

 

The dimensional rules often doesn't apply to smaller aircraft, and sometimes interesting destinations are only served by

these, so you need to plan in advance. Also, when traveling with camera equipment expect additional inspections of your

carry-on luggage, so additional time should be considered (there are other alternatives, but you must know what you are

doing, like the special inspection lane for the American Express Centurion Lounge of certain airport, where they don't ask

for removal of electronic devices such as laptops during some time slots).

Thanks guys. I actually bought the 400 AW, IT really had great reviews

<p><em>Which</em> 400 AW? There are loads of <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=lowe+pro+400+AW&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&hs=pyQ&rls=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=lowe+pro+%22400+AW%22&oq=lowe+pro+%22400+AW%22&gs_l=serp.3..0i13l3j0i10i30.6821.8234.0.8525.2.2.0.0.0.0.84.166.2.2.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.FwrIaKjFWks&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=12486645206180e8&bpcl=37189454&biw=1920&bih=1000">Lowe Pro "400 AWs"</a>.</p>

Sorry, the flipside :)

<p>Just for interest I can recommend the <a href="http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-essentials.aspx">ThinkTank Airport Essential</a> bag - carryon size, perfect shape, light, great suspension/straps, neat iPad/laptop pocket, and very well made. </p>

<p>Ah - I use the same bag myself, Eskil - it's the smallest bag I've found that will take a gripped 7D + Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 OS + Sigma 2x TC and all the other odds and sods I need.</p>

<p> </p>

How does it work out for you?

<p>Well <em>for my needs</em> I like it a lot. I've got a few bags that will take my camera/lens/TC setup, but they're <em>big</em> bags: this one is far more compact and easy to handle, and yet it takes this setup, a second body, a couple of short lenses, two other TCs, a pair of binoculars, flash diffuser, spare batteries and CF cards, and the other bits and bobs I need, comfortably enough.</p>

<p>And on the point of comfort... I shoot handheld all the time, and the bag is with me on my back in the field (not left in the car): I've found over the years that bags with thick straps can, after a while, dig into my chest muscles because of the "proper" handholding technique I use (elbows tucked into torso) which can actually provoke a tremor in my arms after a while.</p>

<p>The Flipside's straps are comfortable, but very thin compared to those on other bags (they're still quite <em>wide </em>to spread load, but thin front-to-back) and I haven't once had this problem since getting the bag.</p>

<p>About the only thing I actively don't care for - although it's there for a very good reason (to stop stuff falling out, which is a pretty good argument for it!) - is the fact that the main access flap doesn't unzip right to the bottom of the bag: on both sides, the zip stops a couple of inches short. That does make manhandling the 7D/Siggy in and out of the bag a bit more of a chore than it needs to be. </p>

<p>But that's the only downside... <em>errr</em>... to the Flipside as far as I'm concerned, and in every other respect it's the closet thing I've found yet to the perfect bag for my needs.</p>

<p>Thanks mate, really looking forward to receiving it !</p>

I have used a ThinkTANK Photo ShapeShifter backpack for about three years. Fully loaded: a 1D X, 1Ds Mark III, EF 70-

200mm f/2.8L IS II, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II, EF 85mm f/1.8 &hoods for all lenses 15.4" MBP, multi-format card reader,

two media wallets 10 CF + 10 SD) cables (electric cable release, AC power cord for MPB, USB cables for phone and card

reader, AC charger for phone), 5x7 inch WhiBal target, ColorChecker Passport, iPhone 4, a 2 way bubble level, and a

reasonably sized paperback, flashlight, 8.5x11 inch sketchpad and pens.

 

It fits me well. I am 6'5".

 

Some people criticise the Shapeshifter because the cameras and lenses fit into pockets rather than jumble in but I find

that it keeps me very organized.

 

I have used it in the crowded souks and markets in Jerusalem as well as in the field and in American cities. No problems

with fitting it either in overhead luggage bins but fully loaded as described above it can be a tight squeeze underneath a

typical airline seat.

 

One really nice feature is that if you have your gear out, you can zip it down to be a thinner profile making it easier to

move through crowds.

 

Construction is very solid and the zippers are all heavy duty YKK metal zippers

 

It's the

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/categories/camera-backpacks/shape-shifter-backpacks.aspx

<p>I would consider Ape Case backpacks as well. Good value for the money.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I would consider Ape Case backpacks as well. <em>Good value for the money.</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Maybe, if you live in the US...<em><br /></em></p>

<p><a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/gura_bataflae_review.shtml">As if by magic …</a></p>

<p>f_stop gear Loka Backpack or other backpacks from them. Loka is generally within carry-on dimensions. Not inexpensive though.</p>