Recommend me a good backpack?

[MegaHurtz]

I'm taking a trip east next month, and I wanted to get a good backpack to take with me, to hold my camera, lenses, various accessories, as well as some other things to take on the plane (maybe a couple magazines, etc).

I'd like it to be one that I can [fairly] easily swap lenses with, or go into if I need to put something in/take something out.

What does POTN recommend? I've been looking at the Lowepro Computrekker, but while it looks like an awesome backpack that would serve me well for many purposes, especially once I buy a laptop, for the ease of getting gear in/out, it seems like it might not be great.

Thanks! :)

[Crashless]

I just bought the computrekker aw yesterday and so far I love it. It has plenty of room for my 350d w/ Tamron 28-75 2.8 attached, a 75-300 4-5.6 II, a 50 1.8 II, a tokina 80-200 2.8 and all my charging, card readers misc cables etc. , lens cleaners with room to spare. Oh yeah, it also has a tri-pod carrying apparatus - which looks pretty cool, but I haven't tried it yet.

PLUS, it also carries a laptop, extra extended battery, and charger.

It all fits nicely, and feels safe in there. The only downside I can say so far is that it has a LOT of buckles. Which can be good, because there are a lot of options for securing it to yourself. But one set in particular, which is supposed to go around your waist, was digging into my back today where I had it buckled to itself.

Getting stuff in/out is fairly easy, but not as convenient as a shoulder bag or top loader - but that's to be expected when it's carried on your back.

Other than that small gripe, I'm really happy with my purchase. Let me know if you want pics. :)

[kram]

Check out my gear and my choice of bag. Everything except the kit lens fits inside :)

[MegaHurtz]

I just bought the computrekker aw yesterday and so far I love it. It has plenty of room for my 350d w/ Tamron 28-75 2.8 attached, a 75-300 4-5.6 II, a 50 1.8 II, a tokina 80-200 2.8 and all my charging, card readers misc cables etc. , lens cleaners with room to spare. Oh yeah, it also has a tri-pod carrying apparatus - which looks pretty cool, but I haven't tried it yet.

PLUS, it also carries a laptop, extra extended battery, and charger.

It all fits nicely, and feels safe in there. The only downside I can say so far is that it has a LOT of buckles. Which can be good, because there are a lot of options for securing it to yourself. But one set in particular, which is supposed to go around your waist, was digging into my back today where I had it buckled to itself.

Getting stuff in/out is fairly easy, but not as convenient as a shoulder bag or top loader - but that's to be expected when it's carried on your back.

Other than that small gripe, I'm really happy with my purchase. Let me know if you want pics. :)Sure post some pics! :D

kram: looks nice a nice bag, but I was looking for something probably a bit bigger. are you able to put stuff in/out without much trouble?

[justinmob]

I read this before I bought my Tamrac Expedition 5.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36952

I am happy with my bag because it will fit my 20d w/ grip attached, is well padded, and gives me room for expansion. Accessibility is probably the same as any backpack. Have you considered Crumpler bags? The accessibility looks great and I know many people here are very happy with them. No room for computer, though.

Edit: need to learn to spell!

[rklepper]

Take a look at the KATA (http://www.kata-bags.com/index.asp).

[EOSAddict]

Another shout for the KATA 103 - looks like it will fit your gear easily - its a great carry and v well protected.

[condyk]

The accessibility looks great and I know many people here are very happy with them. No room for computer, though.
!

Several Crumplers take laptops by design, including my December Quarter which is a top bag. Large, stylish, great storage and probably bomb proof.

I had the Computrekker AW and am happy to recommend it. Works very well. It can be a pain taking lenses in and out but so can most bags. i used to sling it over one shoulder when actually using gear actively and put it on the ground to change stuff. No real problems.

[MegaHurtz]

I'm looking at the Computrekker Plus AW now, I think it would be nice to have a bigger bag as my gear list grows, and to be prepared for when I get a laptop in the near future, as I am thinking whatever I do buy will probably have a 17" screen.

My question now is: is the thing able to be carried on to most (if not all flights)? It's pretty much useless to me if not.

[condyk]

I took mine on a couple of flights ... no problem. I used it as an overnight bag so not heavy tho'; just camera and a couple of lenses and such like.

[MegaHurtz]

Yeah, that's what I'm going to be taking... all the gear in my sig and probably some other stuff to keep me entertained on the flight. Is there usually a limit on weight on your carry on?

[pitabread]

I just picked up the Computrekker AW. It seems like a nice bag, easily holds all my gear with room for expansion, plus I can always add those velcro-on bags 'n lens cases in the future.

As far as flying with it, you shouldn't have any problems. I've seen people take on carry-ons that are bigger than this bag. Weight-wise, you might have to check with your individual airline. Last time I flew, the limit was around 22 lb per bag I think.

[Crashless]

I'm looking at the Computrekker Plus AW now, I think it would be nice to have a bigger bag as my gear list grows, and to be prepared for when I get a laptop in the near future, as I am thinking whatever I do buy will probably have a 17" screen.

My question now is: is the thing able to be carried on to most (if not all flights)? It's pretty much useless to me if not.

If you're getting a 17" screen, you'll HAVE to get the 'Plus'. Sorry I haven't posted pics. I'll take some at lunch and post them. You might also want to cross-check the dimensions of the 'plus' against your normal airlines. I think the non-plus is near the 'limit'...I use quotes, because it isn't always enforced - but some airports put those plexi-glass holes in front of the xray machines to prevent larger bags from going in.

[Torpedo]

Tamrac Adventure 9 (http://www.tamrac.com/5549.htm)?

I've got the adventure 7, but that's too small for me, as it'll not fit my 100-400. The 9 looks like it might, at least unattached. Anyone know for sure?

[MegaHurtz]

Looks like a nice bag, but doesn't quite look like it will fit all my gear (see sig) :(, plus a hopefully soon-to-be-mine 17-85 IS

[Knightshade]

+1 for the Kata

[Skrim17]

Hi, I have the microtrekker and I love it but I don't think it would accomodate all of your stuff.

[Dorman]

I have the Lowepro Orion Trekker II. It's a decent backpack, it'll easilly hold a body w/ grip and lens attached, 2-3 extra lenses (maybe 2 if taking a flash) in the bottom compartment. The top will take magazines, water, snacks, maybe a sweater. It's not the quickest bag to get into, but that's a sacrafice of a backpack over a shoulder bag.

[basroil]

i have the kata 103, and i got to say it's great, and very sturdy (i've been punched in the backpack and nothing was damaged). depending on how much gear you have, and how you place it, you can get up to 5 lenses (avg) +camera and cleaning stuff. personally, i carry a 50mm 1.8, 17-85IS, and 70-200IS. the camera is a rebel xt+grip. i also carry the chargers, AA adaptor for the grip, 430ex flash, the rain/sun cover for the backpack (VERY, VERY useful), epson p-2000 photoviewer, CF card wallet and microcloth on outer pockest, straps of all sizes, a tripod, extra batteries, few lenspens, 52 and 67mm filters (not on lenses), and enough room left over for a chinese acrobat (well, maybe not that much, but quite a bit). if i need a place to store a water bottle i attach my 70-200's softcase with the handy little clips the backpack comes with. in total, it weight between 15-30lb fully stocked, which i would not suggest for extended periods. oh yea, i forgot that i've also stuffed a 2inch thick biology textbook in the laptop compartment a few times. kata 103 also happens to conform to faa regulations so it fits under the seat in front of you

[Tsmith]

Kata R-103 for me too _ handles my 15" laptop and all the stuff in my Sig below. Plus no problems getting in on any American Airlines flight recently.

[Punisher77]

i have the kata 103, and i got to say it's great, and very sturdy (i've been punched in the backpack and nothing was damaged).
Let's hear more... :)

[MegaHurtz]

I bought the Computrekker AW Plus :) It's in my car right now, I'll put everything in it and post some pics later :)

[kster]

I have the Kata R-102. It's very similar to the R-103 but it doesn't have a pocket for a laptop. You can't go wrong with either model.

[MegaHurtz]

WOW! First impression: there is TONS of room in this bag. I thought the Computrekker was a bit small, and this is huge in comparison. They aren't joking when they call it the Plus version. I've got everything in there with a LOT of room to spare. Could easily fit another body with a big zoom on it, 4-5 more lenses, flash, and everything else I would ever need PLUS a laptop on top of that. I think this'll work out quite nicely :P

However, it said the weatherproof cover was supposed to be included, I don't see it in there. Anybody know where they hide it?

Also, what are the 2 little pouches for? I can't figure out what the use for them is :confused:

[dietcookie]

i'm not exactly surre how much you want to carry but I have a lowepro phototrekker and it fits every sing piece of photo gear i own pretty much. A EOS 3/10D/RB67 with 6 lenses, 4 flashes, sync cords/filters/15+rolls of film..it gets pretty ****ing heavy though.

[Tsmith]

However, it said the weatherproof cover was supposed to be included, I don't see it in there. Anybody know where they hide it?

Keep looking as I thought the same thing about my Lowepro shoulder bags. They usually stuff it in one the pockets.

[MegaHurtz]

I've gone through the bag pretty thoroughly (at least I think I have), but maybe I missed a pocket.

[Punisher77]

I bought the Computrekker AW Plus :) It's in my car right now, I'll put everything in it and post some pics later :)
Where did you get it from? Everyone in Vancouver has a shortage on bags right now and I need to get one.

[MegaHurtz]

Lens & Shutter in Abbotsford. They didn't have it in stock, although they didn't seem to have a problem getting it in. They normally get their shipments on Wednesdays (as far as I can tell), and they had it the very next Wednesday after I asked them to bring it in. I know for a fact they have the regular Computrekker AW also, as I asked them to bring in both bags so I could compare and see which one I liked better. They also price matched with camercanada.com :).

[Lord_Malone]

I ordered the Lowepro CompuTrekker AW (the brother of the Mini Trekker - see thread http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=125348 on how to properly load a pick-up truck's worth of gear in this amazing little bag) from B&H recently. When I got the bag, I called B&H and got an RMA and was going to send it back and get something a little less expensive. But as I was boxing it back up today, I decided to fit some of my equipment in the bag to see how much it would hold. All I can say is that I'm quite impressed with this bag. It holds my laptop and camera gear quite nicely, and I've got plenty of room to play with still. You can fit at least Two large DSLRs easy, about 5 or more lenses and accessories with no problems. I've decided to keep this bag. ;)