Backpack with room for other gear

[pryce56]

I am going on a trip to Turkey and would like to buy a camera backpack with room for more than just my camera and camera gear. I have seen the Tamrac Adventure series but can anyone recommend other packs with this kind of configuration. I didn't see anything in the Lowepro series that is similar. Would appreciate any input.

[SillyGuy]

it would help if you told us what gear you have.

[zoom_zoom]

An alternate suggestion is to buy a regular backpack and fit it with a camera-insert yourself. Some of those camera backpacks just aren't comfy (or big enough) to hold extra stuff.

[JohnJ80]

An alternate suggestion is to buy a regular backpack and fit it with a camera-insert yourself. Some of those camera backpacks just aren't comfy (or big enough) to hold extra stuff.

That's the best bet. Most camera backpacks are really heavy, there is no room for other gear besides camera gear, and their suspensions and harnesses stink.

J.

[yokotas13]

f-stop gear

[Scott@JTP]

Lowepro for me, i got a lowpro fastpack 250.
Holds my 40D, 17-55, 50mm, 20mm, flash, laptop, drinks, memory cards, laptop PSU, power inverter, card reader, random torches and random munch. still a bit more room in there for random cables, filters and flash filters. and a tripod hanging on a strap.
My mate got the fastpack 300 and that holds the same but a 17" laptop and his 70-200mm L.

How much kit do you want to carry and quickly do you want to get at your camera?

[yokotas13]

f-stop gear

[Hoesi]

Just ordered a Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II myself.

I haven't tried it, just seen pictures, but it does look like a great backpack both in looks and functionality. What appealed to me is that it actually looks like a somewhat normal backpack - while most other camera-backpacks are squared and/or ugly.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Lowepro-Nature-Trekker-II-AW-Backpack-Review.aspx

It should hold a fair amount of gear, and apparently has a decent harness. :)

[Macrosill]

Just received a Tamrac Adventure 7 last weekend. Right now I have my Rebel XT with battery grip, a full size flash, 50mm prime, 18-55, 28-105, 70-200, batteries, flash cards and some other accessories all in the padded bottom compartment. The top is open for anything else I may need like snacks, maps and so on. There are some straos you can add that will hold a tripod or monopod on the bottom of the pack. It also has a nice waist strap to keep the weight off your shoulders. The padded shoulder straps are nice also.
http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-Adventure-7-Backpack-Red/dp/B001KSR5EK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1241531668&sr=1-1
If you need more room the Adventure 9 may fit the bill.

[Eric]

f-stop gear

x 2

I just got the F-Stop Tilopa and love it. If your looking for a lot of room go with the Satori, but good luck finding them. They are in the process of releasing a new model.

[adrian5127]

I have a lowepro primus which is very good try wilkinsons or jacobs if you are in the UK.

There are the AERO's by tamrac as well

[PKSmith]

Kata digital rucksacks. My DR 466 holds a camera, 3 lenses, flash, accessories, my laptop, and whatever I can fit in the top compartment. Very light and secure, plus it was fairly cheap.

[Hoesi]

I was initially considering those as well PKSmith, but through reading a number of proper reivews - I learnt that there's not a complete separation between the upper compartment and the lower padded camera compartment.

This means that one cannot have for an example food or liquids without risking it (crumbles from a sandwich, etc) finding its way down into the camera department. That threw me off the idea of purchasing these backpacks, as having such a large 'misc' compartment without being able to use it as a kind of daypack seemed a waste.

[sodalis]

F-stop (http://www.fstopgear.com/now/mountain-series)
-or-
Photo Backpacker (http://www.photobackpacker.com/home.asp) and add an insert
-or-
Get a regular hiking pack and add an insert

I've got a preorder in for the new version of the F-stop Tilopa. I've heard a lot of good things about the F-stop packs, so hopefully it will meet my needs. If not I may try one of the F-stop inserts with either the Photo Backpacker pack or a generic hiking pack.


x 2

I just got the F-Stop Tilopa and love it. If your looking for a lot of room go with the Satori, but good luck finding them. They are in the process of releasing a new model.

Just one thing to add about the Satori. Based on the spec sheets on the F-stop site, it appears that the Satori will actually have less space for non-camera gear in the main compartment than the Tilopa because it comes with a larger camera insert. Of course, any of the inserts can be used in any of their packs, so you can always buy additional inserts and change them around depending on whether you need more room for camera equipment or for gear on a given day.

[eelnoraa]

If you don't have too much camera gears, lowpro primus is a very good choice. It is quite comfortable for camera backpack, the compartment of non-camera stuff is quite large. Main access is through the back for more security, but there is also a side access for not so early but quite access. The bast park, it is $89 at ebay with free shipping. It can be less than $80 of you take advantage of live.com cashback.

F-stop also look very good, but it looks like there is not too much space for non-camera stuff and there is no quick access. Also it has a very high price tag too.

I am getting a primus for myself in near future if I cannot find better choices.

[argyle]

I am going on a trip to Turkey and would like to buy a camera backpack with room for more than just my camera and camera gear. I have seen the Tamrac Adventure series but can anyone recommend other packs with this kind of configuration. I didn't see anything in the Lowepro series that is similar. Would appreciate any input.

Lowepro Rover AW II...plenty of room for camera gear, with a second compartment for plenty of extras. It also has a tripod carrier...no need for any additional straps or clips to attach one. The Rover backpack has a darn good harness system as well. To give you an idea as to what I was able to carry in the pack during a trip to the Tetons, check the following link and scroll down to post #20...

Lowepro Rover Gear List (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=630981&page=2) Also had a Gitzo Mountaineer 2540 tripod that I forgot to list...


That's the best bet. Most camera backpacks are really heavy, there is no room for other gear besides camera gear, and their suspensions and harnesses stink.
J.

Maybe the one's that you use :D . The Rover is very light...weighs about three pounds (the same as my lightweight Osprey Atmos 65L "real" backpack). For comparative purposes, my Tamrac Expedition 7 (which I no longer use) weighs nearly seven pounds empty. I've used a lot of backpacks over the years, and I find that the Rover has a very good suspension system for a so-called "camera" backpack.

[Hoesi]

Wohah... I just received my nature trekker aw II - and it's a lot larger than I thought. I guess I just have to face the fact that camera backpacks have to be pretty big in order to fit a decent amount of gear. I can fit everything I have in it and still have some room for a lens or two extra.

[scot079]

I have a lowepro primus which is very good try wilkinsons or jacobs if you are in the UK.

There are the AERO's by tamrac as well

I shall agree w/ this guy. Though I haven't tested the Primus in real world conditions, it looks like a hit to me (just got it yesterday) I put the 50D, 100-400L attached, plus the 10-22 and a speedlite in the camera compartment. Then it's ALSO got another large compartment for other stuff (lunch, snacks, etc) But wait, there's more! On the outside, a flap will hold your jacket/rain gear, etc AND there's a tripod holder.

So yeah check it out, would be great for a hike or trip where you'll be doing some walking.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496004-REG/Lowepro_LP35092_PEU_Primus_AW_Backpack_Arctic.html

[Hangbot]

+1 for the Lowepro Rover AW II

[JohnJ80]

Maybe the one's that you use :D . The Rover is very light...weighs about three pounds (the same as my lightweight Osprey Atmos 65L "real" backpack). For comparative purposes, my Tamrac Expedition 7 (which I no longer use) weighs nearly seven pounds empty. I've used a lot of backpacks over the years, and I find that the Rover has a very good suspension system for a so-called "camera" backpack.

uh, isn't the Osprey that you are referring too maybe 2-4X the capacity of the LP Rover? Compare to something with equivalent capacity and you will see what I mean.

J.

[Mocows]

If you want a camera bag with space, I'd say the fastpack would be awesome.

The problem with F-stop (granted I really like the look and my buddy is ordering one) is that they are non-existent here in Canada (at least I can't figure out where to order them) and give the rep on this forum has said they have to sort out some issues before another batch is made, if you have time restrictions then it may not be a viable choice.

I would also say that if you don't have much gear, maybe just grab a small camera pack and put it in a bigger non-camera bag so you aren't wearing the "I'm a tourist, Please steal my expensive camera" look :D. At least thats what I did in Europe.

[timnosenzo]

+1 for the Lowepro Rover AW II

Another vote for the Lowepro Rover. Great bag with PLENTY of room for "other stuff".

[xaviar13]

Just to throw out an alternative that hasn't been mentioned.

I am using a Dakine Sequence for about 8 weeks and really like it. For me the deciding factors on which pack to get was comfort, access and versatility. The dakine is comfy. It access through the back so your not putting a wet mud covered pack against your back after you take it off once and its has a lot of versatility. I've taken the camera block out and placed it inside a rolling carry on with a single camera bag when I didn't want to bring the entire pack but wanted to bring multiple lens but only carry one with me.

It can hold a rain jacket in a side pocket plus lunch and drinks in the top. The rain cover tucks into its own compartment on the bottom and is easy to flip on.

It can also fit a smaller laptop in the front. Its not a laptop pocket but I can fit my Dell in there to take it with me on trips in one of those neoprene cases.

[Hoesi]

Wohah... I just received my nature trekker aw II - and it's a lot larger than I thought. I guess I just have to face the fact that camera backpacks have to be pretty big in order to fit a decent amount of gear. I can fit everything I have in it and still have some room for a lens or two extra.

Just a follow-up on this one:

After carrying around ~10 kilos of camera gear and accessories in this backpack, in a large european city, for 4 days - I have learnt to really appreciate the back padding and large straps on this backpack. I carried it around for maybe as much as 8-10 hours a day (that's not counting breaks) - so the extra comfort and support this backpack provided was absolutely crucial.

I would highly recommend it for both city and nature exploration! :)

[J-dubya]

add another vote for the nature trekker...it will hold a lot of stuff and it's a really comfortable bag. took it to ireland for a week and it along with the small daypack that comes with it are waterproof enough to tote around stuff in irelands wonderfully wet weather without having to worry about anything getting wet. in fact, the little daypack and i got caught in a DOWNPOUR for about 45 minutes or more and the only thing that was damp inside was a few pieces of paper...

very impressed with the pack, but like mentioned, it is a BIG bag

[hjkpaul]

Im in similar situation and i was thinking about Kata KT DR-467 Digital Rucksack or 465. They are inexpensive compared to other ones and looks pretty good.