Backpack suggestion

RedTele

RedTele

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Kaz
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Hi, I'm looking for a new camera backpack to carry my gear as my Lowepro Nova 160 AW shoulder bag is becoming too small to carry my gear comfortably.

My current list of gear is

Canon 40D
Sigma 10-20
Canon 18-55 IS
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 70-200 f/4
Manfroto 190XDB tripod with 3 axis head

Before I got the 70-200L I had a Sigma 70-300 and I used to be able to fit that in the bag with the camera attached. It's impossible to do that with the 70-200 and it's a tight fit even when off camera. Pain to have to take it off and swap lens every time I want to put the camera away.

My criteria for new bag is:

-Fits above gear with relative ease, with the 70-200 attached to the camera.
-quick access
-compact design
-comfortable
-weatherproof
-tripod holder

I had a look at the Slingshot, Fastpack and Flipside models, but they all seem to fall short in some aspect (correct me if I'm wrong).

Slingshot 202AW: poor balance, uncomfortable after extended use, tripod holder doesn't look too good
Fastpack 200: good access, no AW raincoat, no tripod holder, large
Flipside 200: Slim design, not as quick, no AW raincoat.

If only they made a side-access Flipside with raincoat!

Are there any other models/brands that I should look at? Thanks:)

(wow sorry for an essay!)
 
18-2116-IMG2_LRG.jpeg
 
400 seems pretty huge to me. But I'll consider it. Need to actually have a look at one in a shop I guess.

Kinda silly question but with the Flipside, with the tripod attached, when you swing it around, doesn't the bottom of the tripod end up striking your crotch? :lol:
 
I have one of these; Clicky

It usually carries;

20D with 100-400L attached
28-300
28-120
50mm f1.8
Speedlite
and theres enough space left for the ultra wide.

The pockets and pouches are very handy for filters, cables etc and the tripod straps to the outside. Very good value at £50!
 
RedTele said:
400 seems pretty huge to me. But I'll consider it. Need to actually have a look at one in a shop I guess.

Kinda silly question but with the Flipside, with the tripod attached, when you swing it around, doesn't the bottom of the tripod end up striking your crotch? :lol:
Click to expand...

Definitely get to a shop to look at one first, this is what I did. I thought the 400 would be too big, but then this gives me room to add more. This is my 4th bag due to me buying a bag that will fit my stuff, and then buying more equipment. :bang:

In regards to the tripod, I'm not too sure. Give me a minute and I will check for you!
 
i have flipside 300 and its almost too small .. i would recommend the flipside 400 as craig said
 
I have the 400AW too. It is comfortable to walk around with for hours at a time and means I can carry everything I need. It is an allround excellent bag.
 
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Do you guys not find the Flipside too slow to use? Does it feel stable enough (so that the stuff don't fall out) in lowered position around your waist?
 
From what I have seen of it, I would say no. If I am out and about I would usually have my camera around my neck/shoulder anyway.

Accessing the stuff inside the bag is as simple as taking the bag off or just flipping it around.

I found my slingshot harder to access the inside. It was great for swinging around and getting the camera out, but trying to open the bag fully and swap lenses whilst it is swung around was a nightmare.
 
I can understand it might not be the quickest bag to use when changing lenses for instance but it's not something that bothers me necessarily.

I like the fact that it is nice and secure as the only way to get into the main section is by opening the part that sits against your bag when it is being carried.

Personally it feels stable to me and I haven't been in the situation where anything has fallen out - here's hoping I never am in that situation either!!
 
i love my flipside - comfy and secure .. what more do you want?
 
The only problem I have is my manfroto 055xdb with joystick head is to big and unstable when on my back but as I now carry that on a seperate sling I find the bag great and definatly not to big.

NB- No mention of the word tripod. :schtum: :D
 
After thinking things through a bit my criteria has changed slightly. Also this means it will cost me more eventually :lol:

Q1. Why would I want a backpack?
A1. Because it's more comfortable over long distance compared to shoulder bags.

Q2. Why do I need that? In what kind of situation would I take this out?
A2. I will need it when I go travelling and hiking. Meaning: need decent amount of space for personal items, must be comfortable, quick access is very desirable for opportunistic shots, but on the other hand thiefproof design would be a bonus.

With these points in mind. I had a look at some of the suggested bags in this thread while I went Boxing Day shopping yesterday. I found pretty much what I expected before I tried them but it was a useful exercise nonetheless.

41dVEMmN1BL.jpg

Slingshot 202AW:
Nice size camera compartment. Fits a 50D and 100mm macro L, with a bit of room to spare, probably just about fits a 40D+70-200, just. Strap didn't seem as uncomfortable as some reviews suggest. Would be nice for when you just want to take camera gear and not much else. Ideal for carrying gear around town.

2556662366_fa633264f3.jpg

Fastpack 200/250: It's a large bag. The compartment is long enough for 40D+70-200 but narrower than that on the slingshot. 250 Isn't much bigger and the space would be useful for storing maps or magazines if not carrying a laptop. Nice, but lack of weather cover still bothers me.

02651336.jpg

Flipside 200: Nice and slim, plenty of space for my gear. Same advantages/disadvantages as Slingshot. Bit slower but more stable.

LoweproFlipside400AW.jpg

Flipside 400AW: Huge gear storage area, but for travelling it's not versatile enough. If I had more gear I'd go for this.

Lowepro-Versapack-200AW.gif

Versapack 200AW: I didn't know about this bag but the features are pretty good. Seems to tick all the boxes, it's like a fastpack with AW and tripod holder! However, the non-rigid construction worries me a bit. Didn't like the front cover flapping about.

Then I found this on the internet today, the Primus AW.

lowepro_primus_aw_noir_b.jpg

It's like the best bits (for me) from all the bags put together! But of course nothing is perfect. The access flap, from what I've read on the reviews, is very small. The outer flap is questionable. It's expensive in the colour I want (black £78, blue £49).

So the conclusion after all this research is:

There is no perfect backpack :lol::bang:

Lowepro should make a Fastpack with AW cover and tripod holder on the side, rear access to the upper storage compartment (like Primus). If they did, it'd be pretty much perfect for hiking or travelling. I'd buy it right away! Please please please make one!

For more casual use, I'm very tempted by the Slingshot. I will also now look at shoulder bags. The research continues. :gag:
 
Thanks for that - very useful. Though I have a LowePro Trekker I am looking for something that isn't all camera bag and will take other gear as well. Some useful starting points there :thumbs:
 
RedTele said:
So the conclusion after all this research is:

There is no perfect backpack :lol::bang:
Click to expand...

it takes a lot of trial and error to find your perfect pack. i found the sling type bags extremely uncomfortable once over a particular weight.

i think i have now however found my perfect pack, it cost me a lot of money and had to import it from the US but it turned out to be worth it..
 
Thanks RedTele for putting the time in to sharing your views.
Like you and others reading this, I am going out to test a few backpacks.

I need one that will hold a Sigma 150 - 500, though don't want it to big..

Any further input woud be great..

***
 
i gota vertex 100aw, quality bag not the quickest to get your stuff out but holds loads.

i get my gripped 7d with a 28-300 lens attached (loads of room for a longer lens too) a sigma 10-20 the kit lens a flash gun and im sure there is something else in there but cant remember. plus room for my macbook

Vertex-200-AW.jpg


Vertex-300-AW.jpg
 
Another vote for the Flipside 400, but with one reservation.

The "weatherproof" takes the form of a cover which lives in a pocket under the bag. if you have to deploy it, the tripod holder is inaccessible.

Other than that, it's ability to swallow camera kit (I can just about get the 7D/100-400 and the K20d/Sigma150-500 in together), a couple of sarnies, a bottle of water and a small tribe of pygmies. Comfortable enough for all day use.
 
Forget lowepro at the mo... There range needs development in my opinion just now... Sounds like u want what i want... I found a friend in the kata 3 n 1... For me and i think u it would be perfect
 
I have the Slingshot 202 and found it really good for carrying around when on holiday recently. That was with a 450D, Canon 70-300IS, Canon 10-22, Sigma 17-70, flash, hoods for all three lenses, plus a bit of space in the top compartment for water and other smaller bits and pieces. In addition, when flying, I was able to get my Archos PMP in with the camera gear on the plane.
 
philgale said:
i gota vertex 100aw, quality bag not the quickest to get your stuff out but holds loads.

i get my gripped 7d with a 28-300 lens attached (loads of room for a longer lens too) a sigma 10-20 the kit lens a flash gun and im sure there is something else in there but cant remember. plus room for my macbook

Vertex-200-AW.jpg


Vertex-300-AW.jpg
Click to expand...

Just a word of warning - those pics are of the 200 AW (top) and 300 AW (bottom) - both are quite a bit bigger than the 100 AW.
 
I'd recommend Kata too, I've got the 33n1 and loved it. Pretty much used it 24/7 for 3 weeks in Japan and it never missed a beat even in a all day constant downpour in Nikko.
Only drawback wrt the OP's wish list is that the tripod holder is an extra!
 
Call me shallow but I think Kata bags are ugly as sin... Form didn't follow function on that one.

I have found another almost perfect bag. The Tamrac Evolution 6/8. It has everything I want: side access, rain cover, tripod holder, can be either sling or backpack and it looks nice ;). I say almost perfect because the access to compartments would have been better on the strap side to make it thiefprooof ala Lowepro Flipside/Primus. Only downside is the price ~£85 for the 6 and ~£95 for the 8 :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0PZvrIdaPs&feature=related

tamrac-evolution1.jpg


I think for my needs it's either this or the Lowepro Primus. Leaning towards the Primus for the price advantage and strap-side access.
 
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RedTele said:
Call me shallow but I think Kata bags are ugly as sin... Form didn't follow function on that one.

I have found another almost perfect bag. The Tamrac Evolution 6/8. It has everything I want: side access, rain cover, tripod holder, can be either sling or backpack and it looks nice ;). I say almost perfect because the access to compartments would have been better on the strap side to make it thiefprooof ala Lowepro Flipside/Primus. Only downside is the price ~£85 for the 6 and ~£95 for the 8 :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0PZvrIdaPs&feature=related

I think for my needs it's either this or the Lowepro Primus. Leaning towards the Primus for the price advantage and strap-side access.
Click to expand...

That is a very nice bag and would be mine if I didn't have the 33n1. TBH the layout of the bag is pretty much identical to it apart from the tripod holder!

For a good quality bag that matches ALL your needs that isn't a bad price.

joe
 
the kata bumblebee ul 222 is awesome carries everything and is very light
 
RedTele said:
Call me shallow but I think Kata bags are ugly as sin... Form didn't follow function on that one.
Click to expand...

OK ... you're shallow! :lol: What's wrong with their form? Did you mean all of them?

I use (and like) the Kata 3N1-33 and have been looking for a 3N1-22 to use when I don't need to carry so much gear. So I really appreciate the tip about the Tamrac Evolution bags. The Evolution 6 looks to have the same functionality and even includes a tripod holder (it's a add-on with Kata). The only drawback is that it doesn't have a PC pocket like the 3N1-22 (but the Evolution 8 does). I use that pocket for large items like a folded up Lastolite EzyBox etc as well as a laptop.

So, I will be taking a look at an Evolution 6 when I am next in town ...
 
I would not dismiss Kata's just on looks, their customer service I would say is second to none. One of my buckles broke on my bag (getting on at 2 years old), I contacted customer service in enquiring about purchasing some spare parts. They were very keen to understand how the product was used, what conditions, what kind of circumstance it was broken etc. To me it shows just how much the company takes pride in it's products and it's willingness to take in feedback. At the end, they sent me a replacement part free of charge (from Isarel), and they also kept me up-dated with what's happening on their side throughout the process.
 
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