Backpacks, is it possible.... ?

[Kerioak]

Does anyone know of a backpack type camera bag that is/can:

Maximum external dimensions - 55 x 40 x 20 cm (aircraft hand luggage)

Will take two bodies, preferably one with 700-200 attached plus other lenses and accessories

Can take tripod, preferably centre back



If anyone can suggest any I would appreciate it, I have spent the last few hours looking and everytime I think I have it nailed they turn out to be too big outside or not big enough inside

Christine

[Janice]

Lowepro mini trekker would fit the bill Id think.

[PsiFox]

Don't work on BAA sizes, some airlines use different measurements..

I doubt any will check a bag for hand baggage with a tripod on.

[grumpybadger]

I've certainly had trouble taking hand luggage tripods before and always check mine in my main bag wrapped in clothes. I use a ThinkTank Airport Acceleration which takes 2 bodies, lots of glass and is fine.

My review is HERE. (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=27992)

Paul

[madferrit]

I'd agree about the comments regarding the tripod. I packed mine into my main suitcase between my clothing. I doubt they'd allow that on to a plane. Sorry can't recommend a bag!

[andrewc]

lowepro mini trekker aw should cope. Tripod will need to go in hold

[kendo]

The Lowepro Vertex 100 AW shouldn't pose a problem and would meet your requirements (except for the tripod). You may even get away with the 200. Both show on the website as airline "carry on" friendly. http://products.lowepro.com/product/Vertex-100-AW,2072,16.htm

Both will take a tripod on the outside centre or either side.

[Janice]

Question from me on this....... Easyjet size restriction for hand luggage is 55x40x20cm

So if a bag is 51 x 34 x 29m because it is shorter than the limit in 2 of its dimensions will i still be penalized if it is 9cm longer in the third dimension?

[grumpybadger]

Yes

[admirable]

I have the lowpro mini and it will take a 400D (would take a bigger body) with the 70-200 2.8 IS, a 24-70 2.8, a small kit lens or similar, a converter, a small pair of binos and there is still room for another body. The hoods for the 2 big lenses would need to be pack in your suitcase as they take up a fair bit of space and would probably be safer in the hold luggage. There is plenty room for cards, filters etc in the flap and there is also two side small pockets.

PM me your email address and I'l send you some piccys if you want.

[madferrit]

Question from me on this....... Easyjet size restriction for hand luggage is 55x40x20cm

So if a bag is 51 x 34 x 29m because it is shorter than the limit in 2 of its dimensions will i still be penalized if it is 9cm longer in the third dimension?

At Heathrow they have a stand in which you're supposed to check the carry on size of your bag (usually positioned by check-in). On several occasions they have asked me to confirm it will fit. Luckily my carry-on fits very well, so I don't have any issues.

[larz07]

I'm planning on taking a Tamrac Expidition 5 on holiday next month. 32cm(w)x25cm(d)x41cm(h). Ok, the depth is 5cm too much, but, I'll explain that I've saved cc's on the whole which is what I really think the airlines are getting at. It may help that I'm a frequent flyer, I don't know, but I'll endevour to let you know after the trip.

[Wookie]

I'm planning on taking a Tamrac Expidition 5 on holiday next month. 32cm(w)x25cm(d)x41cm(h). Ok, the depth is 5cm too much, but, I'll explain that I've saved cc's on the whole which is what I really think the airlines are getting at. It may help that I'm a frequent flyer, I don't know, but I'll endevour to let you know after the trip.


and when they say no at the check-in desk do you put it in the hold or go home?
I wouldn't have thought it was worth the risk

[larz07]

As I say. I'll keep you posted. The only alternative for me would be to put it in the hold. I'm not paying the extra expense on another bag. But I would hope my feedback would help others make an informed decision.

[Janice]

I was hoping to take a laptop too.. but apparently no computers allowed in the hold luggage and only one piece of hand luggage... so that means one bag which takes all camera stuff AND laptop which apparently never fit into overhead because of the thickness. :bang:

[larz07]

Just checked the new hand baggage allowances for Emirates. 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. I'm high and dry. :thumbs:

[admirable]

Took my laptop to Nice last year and I'll be doing it again this year. Globespan hold laggage last year, Easyjet hold luggage this year.

[Janice]

Took my laptop to Nice last year and I'll be doing it again this year. Globespan hold laggage last year, Easyjet hold luggage this year.

Easyjet website says this: You must not include in checked baggage fragile or perishable items, money, jewellery, precious metals, silverware, computers, electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables.

I'm hoping you are correct though!

[Blue Moon 7]

I was hoping to take a laptop too.. but apparently no computers allowed in the hold luggage and only one piece of hand luggage... so that means one bag which takes all camera stuff AND laptop which apparently never fit into overhead because of the thickness. :bang:

The Lowepro Vertex 200 will meet airline size regs and you will get a 17" laptop in it as well. I have used mine a few times this year without any problems at all. The bag is brilliant but hardly gets a mention which surprises me. Even when heavy the bag is very comfortable to wear and has a centre tripod attachment. They come in 3 sizes. I use the 200.

Chris :)

[walls]

can't see why you'd want to put a laptop in the hold anyway. Seems like a perfect way to destroy a perfectly good computer and I couldn't see your insurance being sympathetic if it arrived in pieces.

...I have always used a crumpler backpack to carry all camera and a laptop gear and never had a problem. I know it's a bit bigger than the restriction but I've flown easyjet, ryanair, cathay, BA, china eastern, Iceland air in the last 2 years and it's not an issue. In fact easyjet they were letting people on with some very large cases they could never squeeze into the craddle they have at the gate and they were hard pushed getting them into the airplane lockers.

[admirable]

Ah, thanks for spotting that Janice! I'm off to the Monaco Grand Prix for 5 days and as you can imagine take a fair few pics so I use the laptop to transfer them from the cards. I will email Easyjet and see what they say. Last year we flew Globespan no probs, wrapped the laptop in towels in the suitcase.

[Kerioak]

Thanks all - I should have said I will not be flying with the tripod although I have taken one in my hand luggage before.

The sizes are as Janice mentioned, Easyjet sizes.

When you book in with Easyjet they have a stand (looks like it is created with orange painted scaffold poles) and if they think your bag is too big you have to put it in the container to prove it fits. If your bag is squishy you can generally persuade it to go in. If you only take hand luggage you can book in on line and thus avoid this container but they sometimes have one in the departure lounge as well.

A lot of the bags only seem to give the internal measurements - I will look at the Lowepro Vertex 200 but the two internal measurements reach more than 20 and I cannot find the externals. Are these bags at all squashable if if not packed full?

[Kerioak]

Why not take your laptop as hand luggage?

[Janice]

Why not take your laptop as hand luggage?

because my Lowepro Mini Trekker full of my camera kit will be my hand luggage... and the laptop wont fit in.

I have read a reveiew of cyber camera bags that take a lappy as well.. but read that they wont fit the size criteria once the lappy is in them.

[Kerioak]

Roll on the time when Easyjet allows two bags again !

[SimonTALM]

Don't talk to me about airlines and airport restrictions I am about to fly from Manchester to Toulouse for a business trip on BA. Whilst BA, and Manchester will allow me to carry-on two pieces of luggage (clothes bag and laptop bag) I have to transfer via Gatwick and they retain the 1 piece of hand luggage rules.

I hate checking in any bagage unless I absolutely have to (the delays, the oportunity for the airline to send your clothes somewhere else) so this means I have had to pack extreamly light. It is not easy fitting 4 days worth of clothes, clear bag of toiletries, laptop, satnav, plus work stuff in a wheeled laptop bag - but I've done it :D.

[larz07]

Well I didn't have any problems with my bag and I didn't see anyone else have problems with their bags, some of which were way over the size allowance. Laptops went through no problems either. So it looks as though it is up to airline rules, airport staff, size of bag.......or maybe none of the above. It remains a very confusing issue. Clear as mud, eh?

[King of Groove]

How about doing things a bit differently?!

I've been on a couple of Heather Angel courses run by Nikon. She flies all over the world taking a quite bit of camera equipment with her. Apart from usual luggage & camera bag she has one of those photographic waistcoats thingies with loads of pockets and stuffs lenses etc in to them. That should enable you to have an acceptable camera bag or rucksack.

[Graham_P_Clarke]

But Thats what pockets are for:):)

[photostar_1]

I'm about to fly Ryan Air and they only allow one carry-on (10kgs) and have a limit of 15kgs for hold luggage....total, regardless of if one bag or three.

I am taking my Lowepro Mini Trekker AW and have crammed in: the 40D + 24-105 attached; 70-200 f2.8mm L; 20mm Canon prime; 10-20mm Sigma; 50mm f1.8; circular polarisers x2 (different thread sizes); ND grad filters x2; Filter holder and two adapter rings....all in the main body of the bag. Then a Microfibre cloth (weather forecast rain); spare memory; cable release; Spare battery; hot shoe spirit level in the internal pockets and will have passport, book to read on plane, travel docs/instructions, note pad and pen in the front pocket. The tripod wrapped in a towel will go in the main case, along with my speedlight flash.

Oh...and the 40D instruction book as it's new and I might forget some of the fancy settings. :D

This bag fitted into the frame last year, so it should this one.

This bag really is a bit of a TARDIS. :D

[Janice]

The bit I find strange about the mini trekker is that online it says it measures 37cm deep... so if anyone was purchasing it they would be inclined to think it wont fit the 20cm height restriction.

My mini trekker is packed to suffocation and is still within the 20cm limit.

So does that mean that other bags you see for sale online which have depth measurements of over 20cm would still be ok... as was the trekker?

I assume the depth measurement of the makers... was to cover it when it is with all its pockets packed out and eveything... ie its extreme maximum.

[photostar_1]

Not sure, Janice. I'm just pleased it all fits ok. :)

[crunch61]

Have a look at www.cambags.com if you haven't already done so, you may find some answers there?