Most accessible bag for backpacking with this equipment

[jacknimble]

Ok so i'm going to Europe this summer for about two months, I will be backpacking and I would like to find a bag with the most economic use of space for a 50D body and a 100-400, 24-70, 16-35, 100mm and 580ex flash, which I could access conveniently with my backpack on. Preferably a lowepro with the AW system or a bag with similar system. I just bought a bag online and was disappointed to learn it was much too small to fit all the gear, so apparently i'm bad at judging from the measurements how much space it will amount to..:P

[Nick5]

The Lowepro MiniTrekker AW should handle your equipment nicely.
I carry my 40D with 17-55 IS, 24-105 L, 100-400L,85 1.8 430 EX nicely with plenty of room in the back for jacket etc....

[Headshotzx]

Ain't gonna happen with lowepro - their quick-access backpacks like the lowepro fastpack series don't hold that much gear in the gear compartment. You could look at the lowepro flipside 300 (or 400, but the 400's lil too big, no? that is assuming you don't want to bring anything else but your gear). The series of bags are made so that the zips are right at your back to prevent theft, and this makes it relatively easier to get the gear out, but still not as easy as the fastpack series.

[TxDiver]

I pick this thread for my first post. :D
You need to think about what you mean by backpacking Europe this summer! If you will truly be backpacking around Europe, then you want your camera and some of the gear accessible while walking around, not stuffed inside your backpack. Look at the Crumpler messenger style bags or similar to put the gear at your side for you to get at easily. Another option are the front worn top loading style cases like Thinktank makes. These kind of options will allow you to put a REAL backpack on your back, that is properly made to transfer the weight to your hips. This is if you are truly backpacking around Europe in the traditional sense. I have only found camera backpacks to be good for transporting my gear from one location to another, like as a carry-on for a flight when I don't want to check my gear, or for storage. In my opinion, backpacks are pretty worthless for walking around and shooting.

[rang]

I use the Think Tank Rotation 360 in the "bush"

http://www.rotation360.com/

Watch the video and see if it does what you want. It is a "Modular" design so you can pick and choose what you want to "hang" on the sides.

[tvphotog]

I use the Think Tank Rotation 360 in the "bush"

http://www.rotation360.com/

Watch the video and see if it does what you want. It is a "Modular" design so you can pick and choose what you want to "hang" on the sides.

I second the TT Rotation 360. I keep my 24-205 on the camera, the 100-400 in the bottom accessible section with a 580 Speedlite. People talk about it being heavy but its only a pound heavier than a similar sized standard backpack. It's a medium sized pack, make sure it'll fit all your lenses.

Photos courtesy Thinktank

[argyle]

Ok so i'm going to Europe this summer for about two months, I will be backpacking and I would like to find a bag with the most economic use of space for a 50D body and a 100-400, 24-70, 16-35, 100mm and 580ex flash, which I could access conveniently with my backpack on. Preferably a lowepro with the AW system or a bag with similar system. I just bought a bag online and was disappointed to learn it was much too small to fit all the gear, so apparently i'm bad at judging from the measurements how much space it will amount to..:P

I have the Lowepro Rover AW II and Dryzone Rover backpacks. Either will carry what you have stated without a problem, plus it'll have an upper compartment for other necessities (food/snacks, light jacket, raingear, etc), not to mention a tripod carrier as well.

I'm heading out to Arizona in a few days for a shoot, and just got finished loading up my pack. In the lower gear compartment of my Rover AW II I have my 70-200/2.8L, 100-400L, 24-105L, 17-40L, an RRS panning clamp, and a 5D-II body. In the upper, I'll have a second 5D body as a backup, filters, and large hoods, plus an Olympus 35 shift lens, not to mention a windbreaker and other items. Plenty of room, and no need to hang stuff from your belt and have it bang against your body with every step.

[jacknimble]

I'm not sure how I managed to be unclear about it, however precisely what I do not want is a backpack for my camera gear, since i'm going to be backpacking the difficulty I am coming across is the need for a camera bag which is not a backpack but which I can access while wearing the backpack with all my clothes and crap. Also, I want the smallest bag possible for my gear; even though that may mean I need a new bag as soon as I get a new lens I just don't want more than I need for this trip.

[CanonHowitzer]

With all the gear you listed, it's going to be tough not to end up with a large bag.
I have, for instance, a 50D, a 17-55/2.8, a 70-200/4IS, and an 85/1.8 plus the 580II and the spare battery, cables, lens hoods, etc.

All that will not fit into my Tamrac Velocity 7x, with two extra modules on the sides, which is my quick access bag that goes over one shoulder.
If you are trying to carry all of that gear then you're geting into backpack territory.

Mabye touring Eourope by car is better?
Good luck
:)

[chinoamigo]

www.cambags.com