For the Computrekker/Minitrekker owners

[DionM]

Do you think the bag will comfortably hold a 20D with the 70-200 f2.8, 400 f5.6, 17-40 L and 50 1.8? (the 400 f5.6 is a future purchase).

Looking at photos it appears it would, with the 70-200 or 400 bolted onto it, the other long zoom to one side, and then 17-40 and 50 1.8 on the other side.

I need something with space for a laptop and this is the best I could find.

If worse comes to worse, I figure I could stick one of the long whites in an external lowepro case on a sliplock loop?

[Adam Hicks]

I just bought one, and it will hold those lenses you mentioned. You're going to be surprised at how much all this WEIGHS when you put the laptop in it, but it works well. I spent a weekend lugging mine around on my back and actually bruised my sternum (believe it or not!)

Anyways it's a great bag, seems very well made, and has just the right amount of room for everything.

I keep everything I have in mine and it holds it perfectly.

Adam

[DionM]

Thanks Adam.

Yeah I can imagine it will get heavy. But that's the price one pays I guess :) The lappie isn't a necessity, its just so that when I fly for work I can take my camera gear and laptop (work supplied) in one bag. I'd ditch the lappie as soon as I get to my destination.

That's also why I'm not worried about my flash, 28-105 or 100 macro, since I wouldn't take them when flying. But if they also fit, that's a bonus. :)

[roundeye]

I need to know will a 15.4 laptop fit inside the computrekker.

[Icecamp]

My 15" Toshiba fits in my Computrekker but it's a really tight fit, the zipper is hard to close. That gear will fit into the bag, that's pretty close to what I carry in it. It is quite heavy loaded though. I am looking for a little more room though and I will be upgrading to the Naturetrekker soon, I am hoping to carry my laptop in the daypack when I need it, and use it for other gear when I don't take the laptop.

[Adam Hicks]

Yeah it's a catch-22. Just when you think the Computrekker isn't big enough, you have to consider the bulk of anything larger and the WEIGHT. It just plain gets heavy carrying equipment this way. Lowepro doesn't offer too many bags with laptop storage which is a shame. I also carry my photo equipment on work trips, so I like to keep everything in one package.

As far as everything I've looked at and tried, the Computrekker is perfect for this need - the essential lenses, your laptop and plenty of pockets for power supplies, lens filters, extra flash batteries, whatever.

[DionM]

Thanks Icecamp. I looked at the Naturetrekker and the Computrekker Plus, but they are both too big for some of the small planes I fly on (Dash 8s). If anything I could forego one of the long glasses in a pinch, or use an external lens case on a sliplock loop.

[elbirth]

I have a computrekker and I agree that I'm pretty sure it'll hold all that equipment you mention. In mine, I currently have my 15" IBM Thinkpad laptop, 20D body, Canon 50mm, Sigma 28-80mm, Sigma 100-300mm, Tokina 24-200mm, Sigma DG 500 Super flash, various CF cards, batteries, card reader for my laptop, filters... it all fits nicely, but it gets HEAVY as mentioned already. As long as I don't have the laptop in it, it's not too bad.

I'm surprised at just how much I can get in it, and still have a little room for another lens or so.

[DionM]

Have any of you tried the external lens cases on it?

[DavoMrMac]

Has anyone here tried the Crumpler range of backpacks?

They look really cool, but how practical in use are they?

[Marshall]

The beauty of the Computrekker is that it fits in the 'cradle' at airports that indicates whether the item can be taken on board as hand baggage, i'm speaking from a U.K. point of view, whether the same applies in other countries i dont' know. But if you are travelling to the U.K. from other countries BEWARE if any larger your precious equipment may be consigned to the hold !! for the return trip. :smile:

[Icecamp]

The Moose Peterson WRP MP-3c. http://www.moose395.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WTP&Product_Code=WRPMP3c&Category_Code=PPacks The only thing I really don't like about that bag is it is really expensive compared to the Lowepro and Tamrac offerings. I am thinking the Naturetrekker will be a nice compromise, I can still get it in a lot of overhead bins without the daypack attached, although with the current trend toward smaller planes on lot of routes I maybe should be thinking smaller.