Help choosing a rucksack

Jin

Jin

Messages
192
Name
Jin
Edit My Images
Yes
So after 10 years I have officially outgrown my camera bag.

I am now looking for a rucksack but with so many to choose from I was hoping to gain some advice from the community after reading a few threads on the forum.

I am looking for the following features:

  • Waterproof/resistant - It will be used in snowy conditions.
  • Good protection - Occasionally I forget that my bag contains equipment so it hits the floor a bit hard.
  • Small/Medium sized.
  • Discrete - I don't want it to look too obvious it is a camera bag.
  • Laptop Compartment (optional)
  • Budget £50-60 new or secondhand.
I need to be able to fit the following:


  • Canon 550D with 70-200 attached (with and without grip)
  • 4 additional lenses ranging from primes to zooms
  • Flashgun
  • Supports (monopod or tripod)
  • Miscellaneous accessories (batteries, memory cards, cleaning equipment the usual suspects)
I have had a look at a few manufacturers like Lowepro, Tamrac, Hama, Amazon Basics and vanguard but without physically being able to look at the product it is hard to tell so I am looking for any recommendation.


TIA
 
I've picked up a Lowepro Pro Runner 300AW this afternoon as something slightly larger than my current Fastpack 300. Depending what size the four extra lenses are, this might fit the bill. With the Lowepro sliplock accessories it can take a few extras riding on the outside - although the discretion value won't be as good. Someone here has managed to pack a lot of gear into it.

It doesn't have the laptop compartment, but the next one up the range (350AW) does.

Worth a look in Jessops or similar. I find it impossible to choose a bag unless I go into a shop and physically try to fit kit into it. Jessops are good at allowing you to do this, so I'm happy to pay them a bit more (but remembering to ask the guy behind the counter to do a ring and reserve on the computer for me - saves about 30% on the shop price doing this today)
 
You will need a deep bag to accommodate the gripped dslr. I have the pro runner 450aw which works well for me but is huge! It holds my gripped 60D with 70-200 f2.8 attached and has room for at least 6 more lenses. It also has a lap top section.

I think the Lowepro Vertex 200aw is deep, the 300 definitely is but they are both expensive.

To be totally honest, and if I were in your shoes, don't buy a backpack that "just" takes your current kit. Allow for growth etc and thus buy the biggest you can afford/like the look of. Avoid the sling type bags if you intend to carry/walk far as they really do hurt your shoulder, get a proper backpack and enjoy the comfort.

Any of the above 2 plus the Lowepro Pro Trekker series or the Tamrac expedition or adventure series are very good, the ThinkTank backpacks are brilliant but nearly twice the price of the others.

As has been mentioned, your best bet is pay your local Jacobs Digital, I don't like Jessops much, or other stores and try them out.

Andy
 
I have a Kata 3n1 30which answers a lot of your requirements. Doesn't look
like a camera bag, can hold the gear you describe etc It doesn't have the laptop case but the bigger one does and you need to buy something additional for tripods. There was a Kata bag on Amazon Black Friday deals last week for about £50 so there may be some on eBay. I think it was the 3n1 33.
 
I use a GEM 152 backpack, and it can hold all my kit (550D, 4 lenses, flash, other misc. kit and laptop as required), can also fit your tripod to it as well and includes a rain cover. It should meet all of your requirements. It is based upon the Lowepro Computrekker AW bag, as I found out today on TP. Retails new at @ £40 inc. delivery, great value IMHO.
 
Last edited:
Have you looked at the Lowepro AW 400 flipside its a nice bag with a weather cover better then a Pro Trekker series IMO.

The Lowepro AW 400 flipside as two colours 1. all black. 2. Pine green with black
 
Last edited:
Also check out the Vanguard UP range. I have the UP-45 and I think it's really great. Also one of the better looking camera backpacks available in my opinion.
 
I went for the Lowepro Fastpack 250. Seems to fit all the requirements you gave and I think the quality is brilliant, also very comfortable to wear.
 
Last edited:
WEX have a very good offer on the 350 @£49.

I have the smaller version but I think you'd need the 350.

The ability to carry a laptop is very important to me and it means I don't need to carry a seperate laptop bag.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top