BIG Laptop (w/accessories) & Camera(s) Bag

[djeuch]

Done a search, but I have a specific need.

I have a big laptop - HP Pavilion dv9000 series (15.16" (L) x 11.65" (W) x 1.57" (H), 7.5 lbs.) and a fair amount of photography equipment (2 bodies, 3 lenses, flash, batteries, hard drive backup). I also carry a fair amount of computer accessories with my laptop (remote control, power supply, spare battery, etc.) and a handheld (Garman eTrex Vista) GPS, etc., etc.... you get the general idea.

Computer:
I currently use a Targus 17" Shield Backpack (link) (http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=TSB082US) which I can't say enough good things about... it's comfortable, and I'm carrying a lot of stuff in it, but it's not suited for camera stuff. (On a side note, if you have a 17" notebook and need a backpack, this is definitely the one you want!!!)

Camera:
A Lowepro 200AW... in it I have TOO much stuff:
Canon EOS 40D
Canon EOS 5D
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM w/ET-65III Lens Hood
Extender EF 1.4x II
B+W 77mm MRC (010) filter x2
Sandisk Extreme III CompactFlash 8GB
Sandisk Utra II CompactFlash 2GB
DigiMate III w/20GB Hard Drive (field backup)
BG-E2N Battery Grip
Canon Speedlite 580EX II
3x OEM Battery Pack BP-511A w/charger
Lens cleaning kit (mini brush/blower, filter paper, solution)
Ultrapod II Mini Tripod


Anyone have both a similar pack load and recommendation? I'm looking for someone that is actually packing this kind of load.

I will be keeping the Lowepro for "day" trips, but I often leave for an entire day and am carrying both bags anyway, so I'd like to consolidate!

Yeah, I know it'll be heavy - I'm carrying both bags now, so one bag will be lighter just because it's one bag and can ride on both shoulders!

Anyone have pictures too? :-)

[FLY GTI]

I had the same issue. Albeit, I don't have quite as much as you do.
I have a 13" Macbook. 40D, 70-200F4L IS, 17-85 IS, amongst other various chargers, PS's, batteries.

I settled for a Burton Zoom. I just don't have it yet. It's en route. It may still be too small for all of your gear.

[SQMazda6]

Crumpler The Brazillion Dollar Home

and there are plenty of pictures of this bag just search

I have quite a bit of stuff in mine and once i want to carry my computer i would get one of these but i dont need or want to carry my computer.

hope this helps

[Double Negative]

LowePro CompuTrekker [Plus] AW? Tamrac Cyberpack 8/9/10? Think Tank Photo?

[djeuch]

Yeah, I know the options - anyone use any of them with a lot of gear? Expedition 8 is another possibility, but just not sure how well they work.

[djeuch]

Got it narrowed down... I think in order:

1. CompuTrekker Plus AW
2. Tamrac Expedition 8
3. Tamrac Cyberpack 8

I fit a ton into my Lowepro 200AW (everything listed in my sig!) so I guess I'm leaning that way... Anyone else have an opinion?

[RPCrowe]

Here is my Lowepro set up for my forthcoming Alaska trip. Please don't suggest that I modify the equipment that I plan to take, i have looked into the equipment long and hard. The 17-55mm IS and 17-40L duplicate each other but, the 17-40L is best for IR on my D60. I don't plan to carry this bag when I am shooting. I will always have cabin or lodge accommodations and will have a rental vehicle. The Vertex is simply to transport my gear to Alaska on the airline and for storage while I am in Alaska. I have a holster case and a small shoulder bag to use while I am shooting.

The Vertex also holds my rather large Toshiba notebook computer. It is a heavy load but, like I said, I will not be lugging the backpack while shooting.

Additionally, this illustration is simply to show you the capacity of the large Vertex 300 AW backpack.

[gembobs]

I am in a similar situation in that I need a new bag, however carrying a laptop isn't a major concern for me at the moment. I can't comment specifically about using these bags, but I looked at a Tamrac expedition 7, Loweprowe Primus and Vertex and Rover Plus in person. Apparently the Kata HB207 takes a laptop, and I have heard the smaller HB205 carries a lot (bar laptop), but not seen either in person.

I have a 40D, a 17-85mm IS, 75-300, 50mm, extention tubes, flash and filters etc, and soon to be adding 70 - 200 F4 L IS (replace 75-300), Sigma 10-20 and eventually in 18 months or so a 300 F4 L IS and 1.4 x TC. I also have the onset of arthritis in my lower back (I am 27), so need a good back system to distribute the weight correctly.

I am leaning towards the Expedition 7 as it seems to have the comfiest (sp) back system - it has a seperate padded lumbar support, fully adjustable shoulder straps (top and bottom) and articulated hipbelt. This is the same as the one on the expedition 8 I believe. To me it is the closest I have found to a traditional backpack harness system when comparing it to the backpacks I mentioned at the top. Hope that helps.