Camera backpack recommendations? (1 Viewer)

[Scyza]

Hello,

until now I only had a small Tamrac bag for my camera alone, but since I've gotten into birding I'm usually carrying my camera, a book and binoculars. Also, I'm looking to get a tele lens for photographing birds which I'd also want to take with me on trips and I bought a heavier tripod already because my old one is rather flimsy and wouldn't hold a long lens very well. The new tripod doesn't fit into my bike's basket anymore like the old one, so I need to carry that as well now.

Having several bags dangling around my neck while biking is rather awkward, so I'd like to get a backpack that will hold all of these things and ideally have a notebook pocket as well!

I've ordered this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-SL...99H8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335990657&sr=8-1

However my tripod seems a little to big / heavy for the tripod holding straps (I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB).

I was wondering if you guys have any recommendations for a good backpack that will hold everything a birder & photographer will need |^|

How do you transport your gear?

Stefanie

 

[squidge]

I bought a lowepro aw 400 and this holds everything including a Nikon d90 with a sigma150-500 attached. It also holds Two more lenses plus loads of other gear. It's an excellent camera backpack.

Ger.

 

[crs]

I am using a LOWEPRO PRO TREKKER 400 AW and find it excelent for transporting fotographic gear. I can easily put inside my Canon 7D with EF 400/5.6 attached as well as some other lenses, binocular, 1,4X converter and other. It also has place for notebook. Tripod and tent can be attached on it.

The only drawback is that, empty, it has 3,3 Kg/7,2 lbs. When filled with gear it can easily get to 20 - 30Kg.

Even so I consider it to be excelent for longer trips.

Cristian

 

[Scyza]

Thanks for you recommendations! The Lowepro aw 400 seems very good, I had been looking at that one already and liked it, only drawback is the missing notebook pocket.

The Lowepro Trekker looks very good also but is a little more expensive than what I'd like to spend for a backpack - is it really worth it? Also, it IS very heavy indeed. I'm not exactly weak but still, that's 3kg extra just for the backpack. Hmm...

Most of the backpacks that interest me won't hold a big tripod very well. I'm wondering, is there perhaps any other way to transport the tripod by bike while wearing a backpack already?

Stefanie

 

[squidge]

The lowepro aw 400 has a front compartment that takes notebooks, pens, batteries, guides plus other gear. There is a pull out tripod holder on the front that enables you to carry a tripod on the backpack.

As an alternative one of the bike pannier sets to carry your gear including tripod so you would not have to carry anything on your back.

Ger.

 

[Scyza]

Hello,

I have to dig this topic up again because I still have not found a solution ||

I have tried several backpacks, and they were actually all fine except for one thing - they do not hold my Manfrotto 055XPROB well enough! Those backpacks that look like they CAN hold it well enough are just HUGE.

Now I can't decide what to do...

- ditch the almost new tripod in favour of a smaller and lighter one so I can buy a small backpack
- buy one of those huge backpacks even though I don't actually need that much room for camera stuff and these large backpacks look absolutely ridiculous on person of rather slim built
- buy a small backpack and try to find a way to fasten the tripod to the bike rack (which might be a problem if I should need to carry it on foot some time)

I would appreciate any input that might help me solve my little dilemma. Did I buy the wrong tripod? I wanted a large one and I thought to support my new tele (Canon 100-400) I need a somewhat sturdy one. Would a smaller one be a viable option?

Any thoughts?

Stefanie

 

[jeffo50]

Here are some suggestions that you may want to consider, assuming that you will be on a pedal bike.
How about a pair of panniers for your bike? I'm sure they can hold your camera gear and maybe even your laptop.
Or buy one of those bike trailer things that your bike can tow?

Or maybe invest in a wheeled shopping trolley cart? I have one of those nicer ones, and they hold my full size manfrotto tripod with pan and tilt head, my 600mm refractor scope in a tripod case, two dslrs, my 24-70mm, 70-200mm, my binoculars, my flask and lunch box and my jacket.

i just pull them along with ease, and i no longer get aching shoulders, tiredness, and am more productive.

But this method is good if you walk or have access to a car.

Good Luck.

 

[Scyza]

Thank you for your suggestions! |=)|

The trolley is not an option I believe because my favourite place for taking photos is in the marshlands, I can't pull a trolley along there. Also, I don't have a car - I usually go to my photo site by bike, leave it somewhere and then walk around taking pictures.

A pannier is actually a nice idea, I hadn't considered that! Although I'd lose the versatility of a backpack and wouldn't be able to leave my bike unattended in the middle of nowhere for fear of having my things stolen.

Hmmm, I think I would prefer a backpack solution, also because I could use it for other occasions when I'm not going to have my bike with me (like going to the university, visiting parents, ...)

Stefanie

 

[dwminnich]

Stefanie,
You may want to check out the Canon 200EG photo daypack. I recently got one for my digiscoping gear, and I like it a lot. It's available at Amazon, and their US site had tons of user-submitted photos showing how much gear it can hold.

Hope this helps,

--dave

 

[Scyza]

Hello Dave,

thank you for your suggestion, that backpack DOES look good, I especially like their solution of tying the tripod underneath the backpack (I wonder why no other backpacks have this, I think it's rather clever).

They don't have it at amazon.de though and I can't order from the US (and wouldn't want to, either, in case I have to send it back).

Thank you, though |=)|

Stefanie

 

[ibarker]

Other backpacks to consider might be:
-the Lowepro Computrekker AW, which is fairly light and solid for its size. It has an accessible pocket on the back, and a fold-down pocket and elastic strap on the back for securing a tripod.
-either of the Gura Gear Kiboko series. Very light and strong, but pricey. The large one has a tripod pocket on the side.

Bother the Lowepro and the Kiboko bags are designed to be airline carry-on size.

You might also consider the Cotton Carrier, which is designed so that the user involved in activities such as skiing, trail biking etc. can carry a camera/lens system on the chest, very comfortably and securely. It's also great for use when walking, with quick access to the camera without the weight of a strap around your neck. You'd still need a backpack for other gear and your tripod. I frequently wear a light backpack while using my Cotton Carrier. You can get rain covers for camera and lens, which makes the system shower-proof.

 

[ibarker]

Actually, I just realized the the 22 L Kiboko also has tripod carrying capacity.

 

[Scyza]

Sorry that I didn't reply earlier, was a little busy. I decided for the Tamrac Evolution 8 in the End which is just the right size for me. It won't hold my tripod but I'm just strapping it to my bike's rack now!

Thank you all for your recommendations! |=)|

Stefanie