I want a backpack for this thing.

[vvizard]

But which? I got a 10D, and I want to carry it around. And not just the camera. What I inside the bag. The camera with the BIG-ED (vertical grip) attached. A 17-40mm f/4L, and hopefully a 24-70mm + 70-200mm along with it. If lucky, maybe the 50mm f/1.4 too. I would like room for a speedlight (the biggest 550EX). Extra filter-space is recommended.

The possibitlity to attach a tripod/monopod (maybe attached underneath) is higly appreciated. To top it all, it would be a great pluss if it's not _TO_ big, and it have to be a backpack. I don't care for a bag. And hopefully, it shall not have big all-caps letters saying "EXPENSIVE DIGITAL PHOTO-EQUIPMENT INSIDE" :-P

Should I just get myself a mini-bus, or is there any photo-backpacks suitable? Anyone sold by b&h would be nice.

[photoik]

I love my "tamrac Velocity 7". I know there is a bigger size on the market for the professionals. The good thing is you never have to take it off, just switch it from back to front. It's awsome and no shoulder or back pain anymore.

[Daytripper]

Check out the Lowepro Mini Trekker AW.

I fit two EOS bodies, 17-40 4.0L, 70-200 2.8 L, 550EX, 100-300, set of Kenko macro rings, battery charger and a tripod on the carrier. Plenty or room for a selection of filters and some fold up reflectors.

There is a weatherproof cover and the backpack straps are well designed with a wide waistband to carry the weight.

Highly recommended.

Cheers,
Pete

[ltud]

I agree with Pete, I have the Mini Trekker AW and I love it. If it's a bit too big for your taste you could go with the Micro Trekker 200 but it won't take two bodies, and is probably too shallow for the battery grip.
Another alterative is the newest Nature Trekker (AW II). It's about the same capacity as the Mini Trekker (a bit bigger) but has a really innovative harness system that's adjustable for people of different heights (I'm 6'3" and find that the Mini Trekker sits a bit high on my back). It also has better, more water-resistant zippers, eliminating the nned for a protection flap (the annoying thing that get's in your way when you're trying to open the bag) and the zipper tags are silent, so you won't scare off the animals :).
I think one of those three packs would be perfect for you.

[vvizard]

Thanks, the Minitrekker AW looks sure to fit all my demands, and not even breaking the bank :) Thanks a lot :)

[DaveG]

vvizard wrote:
But which? I got a 10D, and I want to carry it around. And not just the camera. What I inside the bag. The camera with the BIG-ED (vertical grip) attached. A 17-40mm f/4L, and hopefully a 24-70mm + 70-200mm along with it. If lucky, maybe the 50mm f/1.4 too. I would like room for a speedlight (the biggest 550EX). Extra filter-space is recommended.

The possibitlity to attach a tripod/monopod (maybe attached underneath) is higly appreciated. To top it all, it would be a great pluss if it's not _TO_ big, and it have to be a backpack. I don't care for a bag. And hopefully, it shall not have big all-caps letters saying "EXPENSIVE DIGITAL PHOTO-EQUIPMENT INSIDE" :-P

Should I just get myself a mini-bus, or is there any photo-backpacks suitable? Anyone sold by b&h would be nice.

In another thread I wrote that I was planning on getting the LowePro Nature Trekker II AW. It has the room to take my 10D w/BG-ED3, Elan II, 16-35 2.8, 50 f1.4, 100 macro, 70-200 f2.8 and a 1.4 extender. I'd also like to carry my 550. In the pockets I plan on bringing a filter or two, a small Minolta tabletop tripod and a reflector.

There's a tripod sling built in and you can move it from the sides of the bag to the centre. My Gitzo tripod will live there.

The bag also has a rain protector that you can slip over the whole bag in case you get caught. It also comes with an accessory bag that can be detached. You can use this bag as a small independent backpack, stuff it with clothing or somesuch and attach it to the Nature Trekker, or just leave it in the car to save weight.

I should say that I looked at the smaller and cheaper Mini Trekker but I felt that I was jamming my stuff in. I also thought that the Mini-Trekker's frame suspension wasn't nearly as good as th NT's and that I'd pay for this in a middle of a hike.

Will the Nature Trekker and my gear be light? Nope. But I think that it'll let me do the job when I get to where I'm going. Certainly after I've lived with this bag for a few weeks I'll know more - and that won't happen until after it's "given" to me at Christmas! But from what I've seen and my experience with a LowePro Photo Trekker, then I think this pack will be a very do-able solution.

[MrKickalot]

I have a Tamrac 5275 adn love it!! Right now I have 2 Rebel bodies, 35-80 lens, 75-300, and 18-55, Sigma EF-500 flash, the battery charger for the rebel in it and that's just in the main section. I have figured out that when I get my 70-200/2.8 that it will fit along with the 18-55, flash and at least one more lens a little bigger than the 18-55 and maybe more!! Plus Tamrac has add-on's (Modular Accessories System(MAS)) that will hook all over the backback in different configurations. Everything from water bottles to film and lens bags. It's waterproof (I don't think I would wear it scuba diving but rain isn't an issue), lots of padding inside and the dividers are held in place with very strong velcro! Oh yeah you can put a tripod on the outside of it vertically and possible horizontally from the MAS hooks!! I highly recommend it!!

[lime]

I got an Eddie Bauer computer backpack, weather resistant, from Target $80. I saw one last night in fact, but couldn't find it in their website. I did find it in Eddie Bauer's site, here's the link (not the same, but very similar mine is all black)
http://www.eddiebauer.com/eb/product.asp?product_id=24741&nv=5|21474|214&cm_cg=C214&tid=&c=&sc=&lp=v1i002
Doesn't look like a camera bag at all.
It has four zippered areas.
The main one has a padded divider for a laptop.
I'm able to carry the following:

Main Compartment
10D w/ 28-135 IS
100-400L IS (in it's soft case)
135 f/2.0 (in soft case)
420EX (in case)
Dell Inspiron 4000 Laptop

Front Small Compartment
extra batt., media, bike flashlight, extra AA batt., other stuff

Medium Compartment
10D Manual, cables A/V, CF card reader, cam-pc cable, 50 f/1.8

And the last compartment
I have some printed reference material (photonotes flash)

Pretty heavy but not too uncomfortable.

Good Luck,

[psk4363]

Hi,

Just thought I'd throw my weight behind the Lowepro Mini Trekker. Mine stores all the kit below (not the PS CS of course) with both cameras having extra grips, batteries, filters, table-top tripod, CF cards and manuals.

Cheers,
Barry

[Belmondo]

I use the Lowerpro Micro Trekker 200. I bought it on impulse, and probably would have bought something a little larger if I'd taken time to do a little comparison shopping. Still, I really like it and find it to be more than adequate for 90% of my purposes.

For the record: I carry the following in it ---

10D with BG-ED3
70-200 f/4 L & Lens Shade
2X *and 1.4X extender
24-70 f/2.8 L & Lens Shade
(*Occasionally I'll swap the 2x for the 50mm f/1.4)
A few extra batteries and CF cards
Essential items --- small tools, brush, blower, etc..
Monopod strapped to the bottom

The Battery Grip does make it a tight fit, but it works.

The whole thing rides very comfortably and isn't dreadfully heavy.

[robertwgross]

belmondo wrote:
The whole thing rides very comfortably and isn't dreadfully heavy.

Oh, you did not get the optional helium insert side pockets.

---Bob Gross---

[D60DIETER]

Hi to everyone,

I found the LowePro Computrekker. It is excellent for a 10D, with the 2.8/70-200, 2.8/28-70, 2.8/16-35, 2.0/135, TC2*, some filters, tools, EX 550, a small laptop or a subnote (which is stored in an extra layer). It´s not to big for a backpack and it has a special tripod holder!

Dieter

Here is the page:
http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/computrekkeraw.htm

[tarves57]

photoik wrote:
I love my "tamrac Velocity 7". I know there is a bigger size on the market for the professionals. The good thing is you never have to take it off, just switch it from back to front. It's awsome and no shoulder or back pain anymore.

I got the Tamrac Velocity 7 as well, thinking it would be handy to just whip round the front and open up, however, I forgot I have a bust, so that plan was scuppered..... 8-))

I'll be selling it off on Ebay sometime soon.....

Susan

[Belmondo]

robertwgross wrote:Oh, you did not get the optional helium insert side pockets.

---Bob Gross---


I considered them, Bob, but decided to use the side straps to carry two five-gallon water bottles filled with Margaritas. (slushy, of course)

[scottbergerphoto]

The Tamrac Velovity 7 is not deep enough for the Battery Grip. The Velocity 9 is. I use both. They are very comfortable and easy to flip around to get the camera. They don't have alot of extra room though. At most in addition to the camera and battery grip, you can slip in an extra lens and a flash.
Scott

[ohenry]

tarves57 wrote:

I got the Tamrac Velocity 7 as well, thinking it would be handy to just whip round the front and open up, however, I forgot I have a bust, so that plan was scuppered..... 8-))

I'll be selling it off on Ebay sometime soon.....

Susan



I assume you're selling the Tamrac and not your bust. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. On with the discussion :)

[defordphoto]

I have both the LowePro Micro and Mini Trekkers. Sweet! You might note that the Mini also has a tripod carrier strap that the micro doesn't have. The mini also has a couple of small side pockets the micro doesn't have. Other than the size they are almost indentical. Works great for me and the wife with our 10D and D60 and accessories. 3 long lenses, 2 short, 1.4TC, misc other crap, 5 sets of batteries, CF carriers, X's Drive and car adapter, etc etc etc.

[ssim]

I use the Lowepro Trekker AW II that can fit all of my lenses and two bodies quite nicely. It feels heavy when you lift it but once you get in on your back these things are made so well (as evidenced by the price) they are very easy to manage.

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/protr.htm

I also have a lowepro shoulder bag for small day trips when I want just a few lenses and the bodies.

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/proaw/comm.htm

[wtlloyd]

I've got a Velocity 9. I've had the Sigma 15-30 (pretty large lens) 550ex, 10D with grip AND the 100-400 attached! All fit, but dang it was heavy after an hour. Too much weight hanging off one shoulder.

I have 2 other large full backpacks that are too much for a short few hours or even an all day jaunt.

So today I was at Canoga Camera looking at the Mini Trekker AW (because of this thread) and the Microtrekkers. The Micro's are too small for what I wanted to load. The Mini was good, but there was not much of a belt, and the shoulder straps weren't adjustable at the top, so the pack rode quite high (I'm 6'0" - 183 cm).

I got sidetracked looking at the Trim Trekker - large enough, unusual and very cool, I liked that it would stand up when set down, and it had some plastic feet on the bottom for wet locations...but it was really a shoulder bag, not good for hikes....

The Rover and the Orion have never really interested me - until I looked at the Rover AW II today. It has the best serious waist belt on any Photo Backpack I've seen. Really able to fully load the weight properly down on the hips, leaving the shoulder straps for their proper function - merely stabilizing the top of the pack. There is adjustment on the shoulder straps for different torso lengths, and the lower fitted camera section is AMPLE, deep enough to hold a 100-400 upright (with hood reversed). It'll hold that lens, camera body, 2-3 more lenses, large flash, meter and all the other junk.

It's the one I brought home.

[toddb]

This one is the laptop version but it's really nice. It's easy to back with it being filled with junk. It's very deep as well so I think you'll have not problem with the battery grip (in this pic, I have about 3 inch clearance with the 10D without the battery grip). I have some of the same gear, at leat the 550EX. It fits pretty well, I actually have a little tripod under nieghth the flash.

http://www.toddburke.net/forumpost/camera_bag.jpg


Tarmac Website (http://www.tamrac.com) Look for model 5259.

I bought it at bhphotovideo.com (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) for about $180. It's the best backback I've owned and double as a great way to store my gear.