Help me Find a perfect bag or backpack.

[kchau]

Ok, so after settling, and browsing around again, i need to decide the perfect bag. I want to spend money once, and be done with.

I might go snowboarding with my dslr, and i do numerous hikes during the summer. alot of the time i dont want to take my bag off.

so i am looking for a bag, that stores a decent amount, is comfortable, and will protect my gear in harsh conditions.

I am also removing my previous price limit of 100 dollars, and moving it up to 200. I really like the lowepro dryzone, but that is quite the money.

What i have right now:
xti
tamron 28-75 f2.8
kit lens
cheapy tripod
cleaning gear
charger
What i plan to have very soon:
70-200 f4L
some fixed zoom wide angle
and maybe a 85 f2.8
flash
batteries

what bag would work great? Im going to be open to opinions.

[Dorman]

Well with a dryzone or any backpack you'll have to take it off to access your gear. It does seem a backpack would be better suited to the types of activities you do moreso than a shoulder bag would. It's been recommended to me (I'm still searching for a bag), check out the Lowepro Slingshot series, maybe the best of both worlds for you.

[kchau]

thanks for the suggestion, but i have never been a fan of sling bags. they just never seem to fit right. i am taking a look at messenger bags though. those may seem like a viable option.

[Jon]

The "perfect" bag? Theres no such animal. Or, rather, there are dozens depending on what you're going to be doing, and where. I personally have (pardon while I remove my shoes and socks for counting purposes) at least 11, all of which are "perfect" depending on the situation.

My closest approach to what you're defining your needs to would be the Domke Spider 10, which is essentially the Kata R102. It'll hold all your stuff, although you won't be needing the charger in there. If you can find the Spider 11, it's a single bandolier-type cross-chest strap with a secondary stabilizing one that may permit you to work out of it more readily without removing it (always the major drawback of backpacks).

[Big Mike]

The "perfect" bag? Theres no such animal
Amen to that. I have at least 5 different bags that I use at various times...depending on where I'm going and what I'm doing...and I'm thinking of getting a Photo vest so I don't have to carry a bag at all (sometimes anyway).

The Dryzone bags look pretty good...but do you really need that level of water protection? I have a Lowepro Computrekker AW and the Lowepro AW bags are pretty darn good at repelling the weather. Build quality is very good and it's fairly comfortable. The problem, as with most backpack style bags...is that getting in and out of them is a pain. Not only that you have to take it off...but when you open it up...you pretty much have to lay it out...and if you are in a dirty environment...it's hard to keep the thing clean. Even if you open it and set it on the ground...the straps are down in the mud. Alternatively, with a shoulder bag...the bottom is always the bottom. You can set it down in the mud, get in and out and the top stays clean.

[kchau]

How would the lowepro mini trekker aw be?

is there such thing as a backpack, that has all of the compartments, but also has a quick draw area to put your camera into? like a side pocket or something?

[Dorman]

The Kata R-102 or R-103 backpack has a quick access compartment to just your body w/ an attached lens, but you'd still have to take the pack off your back.

[kchau]

yeah, im not sure i like the idea of the kata r102 or 103. maybe like a pocket on the side.
when i am up in the mountains, im probably not giong to change lenses anyways, but would still like some of my gear with me.

how are some of the crumpler bags? I looked at the keystone, and that seems pretty well built.

[Dorman]

Build-wise I've heard only good things about crumpler bags. Pop over to www.cambags.com and have a look at some reviews.

[sugarzebra]

I really like my Crumpler Seven Million Dollar Home, however I'm not sure its suited to your use (snowboarding). Its a great bag for day trips though.

[kchau]

I have read alot of reviews on cambags, thanks for the link though.

I have looked at the crumpler million dollar homes, all of them, and theys eem to fit great, but probably will not fit my needs.

I think i need to find this:
a back pack, with a quick draw feature where i dont have to put the bag on the ground.
this way, i can use my attached lens, and also have most of my gear with me.

the lowepro sling seems to fit the bill, but probably wont be secure enough for snowboarding, but may seem great for every other occasion.

the kata r 102 seems to have a great idea, but i would still have to put the bag on the ground.

is there a bag that does what i want?

[Reefbone]

I would have to second the Lowepro Mini Trekker AW. It's a highly configurable backpack style bag with room for your growth needs.

[kchau]

I would have to second the Lowepro Mini Trekker AW. It's a highly configurable backpack style bag with room for your growth needs.

yeah, that is the bag that i always seem to come back to after looking around. I am trying to win this auction on ebay from canoga. If i do win it.. then alot of my problems are solved.

[dicktay]

See posts 41 & 50 of this thread for my suggestions.
Don't discount Lowepro S&F system along with A suitable Lowepro Toploader for adventure activities.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=264783

[kchau]

See posts 41 & 50 of this thread for my suggestions.
Don't discount Lowepro S&F system along with A suitable Lowepro Toploader for adventure activities.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=264783

i actually looked at the specialist as you suggested in the other thread.

does it come with all the straps as shown on the lowe pro website? if it does, then this could be the pack that does it all!

i wonder why i did not look at this earlier.

[dicktay]

It just comes with the belt (which is attached permanently) and a detachable shoulder strap which can be used across the chest for additional support if needed. It doesn't come with the S&F shoulder harness or S&F vest. I feel the S&F Harness is reasonably priced, It does make a difference when the bag is fully loaded, however it does make you look a bit like, as my son said, "are you in the army now?" However it is very practical.
Richard

[kchau]

alright, so the lowe pro website isnt very specific on what it comes with.

so the pack, comes with the waist belt thing, where i can attach little things on to it correct?

and then when i add the shoulder harness, it makes it more like a backpack?

[dicktay]

(1) Yes. the attached belt has street & field loops where you can attach either water bottle holders or lens cases etc.
(2) The shoulder harness attaches to the bag top and the belt to transfer some of the weight to your shoulders instead of just on your hips. The harness also has D rings for attaching other things as well although I havn't used them yet.

There is a review here. It's under Holster bags.
http://www.cambags.com/

[kchau]

thanks for all of your help.

i decided to go with the mini trekker aw, as it seems the most practical for what i will be using it for.

[Aeronaut]

I have a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW but I am not happy with it. Looked good in the store but is not as practical as it first seems. Also has a couple of ridiculous elasticated 'straps' that are more trouble than they're worth as far as I am concerned. Why it needs another layer to make it waterproof defeats me. Surely the main fabric is waterproof and if not, what is wrong with using a waterproof spray?

If I were on a long hike to somewhere then it might be OK.

However, like all backpacks - it is a pain to put it on & take off. They need to be laid down to access everything properly which means trying to pick a clean spot somewhere. Dirt gets on the straps, etc so you end up in a mess anyway.

I'm looking for another top-loaded shoulder bag. My old one I used to lengthen the strap and hang it round my knec so that I had access at waist level. If I needed to put it down it was waterproof and still the right way up.

Think I might look at the Stealth Reporter or similar.

John
North Wales