Backpack For Laptop and Camera

[theilluminated]

Hello,

I got a 15" Macbook Pro and a Canon 50D with the 24-105 F4 lens, 50 F1.2 and 70-200 F4 IS and I am dire need of some suggestions concerning backpack. I want it to be as small as possible because I frequently travel and should be able to contain the equipment above. Cost is not an issue nor is the look, though I wouldn't mind if it looked nice and didn't cost a months salary either.

It is possible that I could leave the 70/200 F4 IS in my regular luggage but in general I would rather have it in my backpack with the other lenses.

Any suggestions? :smile:

[Jon Foster]

There was a lot of talk about the National Geographic bags a while back. I think I want to try one out myself but I can't find any stores that carry them so I can check them out before buying...

Jon.

[CanuckBassist]

I recently replaced my Crumpler Sinking Barge with a Kata DR-466. I can fit a gripped XSi, a 10-22 (similar in size to your 24-105), a Sigma 30 (slightly smaller than your 50), and a 70-200 f/4 IS in it along with my 13.3" macbook (it's designed for a 15" notebook) just fine. It's not a tight squeeze for me, so I'm fairly sure you can squeeze all your gear into it.

The main reason I replaced my Crumpler bag is because the Kata feels a lot smaller yet somehow it stores just as much, if not more, camera gear. It's not an expensive bag either. I grabbed one off eBay and expect to make a profit after I sell the Crumpler bag.

[Familiaphoto]

Look at the Kata or Think Tanks packs, both are the best I have found. I personally use a Kata R103 but that might be a bit big for your needs.

[netog]

I suggest a Lowepro Fastpack 250 or 350 (http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Notebook-Camera,16.htm). I have a 250 for almost the same equipment as yours.
I use it as carry on baggage on planes.

[maresp5]

Look at the Kata or Think Tanks packs, both are the best I have found. I personally use a Kata R103 but that might be a bit big for your needs.


+1 for the Kata R-103. Plus room for other accessories (flashes, filters, batteries, etc.)

[Nyobie]

My suggestion for a perfect bag that would fit your laptop is the Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack by SwissGear. It's small enough you can travel with it easily - I took mine to Europe twice this year and I know it fits under the airplane seat of the person in front of you in the center seat and on many planes at the window seat which is where I choose. It's extremely well made and not inexpensive but I found one online for $68.76 plus $6.85 shipping on buy dot com. It's the greatest laptop bag ever made in my opinion. The number of compartments is amazing, the construction is incredible and the quality is extremely good. They designed this one for rugged use yet it's stylish too!

Before you buy anything you should really check this one out. I bought mine at a local office supply store. Accent color comes in a few colors but the main color is black with a silvery grey. Textured fabric on it is also really nice. I'll never give mine up.

You'll have to use foam sleeves for your lenses though. This bag isn't made for camera gear but protected gear would be easy to tote around.

Good luck!

[theilluminated]

Many good suggestions here and I will have to check them out. At the moment I am leaning toward the Fastpack 250 due to its small size and easy camera access but I will take the other suggestions into consideration. I will pick one of them anyway so I thank you all for your great help! :)

[Tony-S]

Case Logic (http://www.caselogic.com/search/index.cfm?Ne=100&N=4011+20026019&Nao=12) sells a couple.

[purelithium]

Unless they've changed the zipper opening in the past 2 years or so, I would avoid the National Geographic backpacks for your 15" MBP. When I had my white 13" macbook, I could barely get it in and out of the bag. I hate to see what 2 more inches on the diagonal would do. other than fitting your laptop, I am extremely happy with my bag. it's been through hell and back with me, it's sturdy. If you can find one to check it out, please do, see if it'll fit your laptop because it really is a fantastic bag.

[venkidesh]

tamrac expedition 5/6/7x series are good ones

[Nick5]

I suggest a Lowepro Fastpack 250 or 350 (http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Notebook-Camera,16.htm). I have a 250 for almost the same equipment as yours.
I use it as carry on baggage on planes.With the weight, I would recommend the Fastpack 350.
It includes the all important chest/ sternum strap. This keeps the backpack straps from separating, causing more stress.
Plus the 350 has additional storage space for lenses.

[fishfoto]

Hands down, one suggestion and only one suggestion (based on having flown more than 1mil miles in just the past 4 years with my gear) the Mountainsmith Borealis AT.

Check out out here http://runkit.notlong.com

[rowan57]

+1 to Fish, I bought the bag on his recommendation and could not be happier having hiked a good number of miles with it the past weekend, you don't even notice the weight when all the straps are done up properly.

Cheers
Rowan

[fishfoto]

+1 to Fish, I bought the bag on his recommendation and could not be happier having hiked a good number of miles with it the past weekend, you don't even notice the weight when all the straps are done up properly.


Rowan,

Your check is in the mail :lol:

Thanks

[sol95]

fastpack series sounds right for you. I have the 250, and it fits a similar gear set to yours for when I travel overseas :)

i've also got the lowepro compu-primus which i've used to travel overseas a few times.

[fishfoto]

i've also got the lowepro compu-primus which i've used to travel overseas a few times.


The Compu-Primus is 49.7 linear inches, thus is ONLY legal for carry-on for six of the 68 largest global airlines in the world. If you got it on flying from Australia you got lucky.

You can check out my guide to cabin baggage for 68 airlines around the world here, on Flying With Fish, http://bagsize.notlong.com

Happy Flying!

[sol95]

The Compu-Primus is 49.7 linear inches, thus is ONLY legal for carry-on for six of the 68 largest global airlines in the world. If you got it on flying from Australia you got lucky.

Happy Flying!

carry-on luggage restrictions aren't laws, they're guidelines/rules that airlines put in place at their discretion. as such, they can, and often do, waive these guidelines if sorted out beforehand.

I've flown with the compu-primus on 3 airlines travelling out of sydney, and luck had nothing to do with it. i check to see if my bag was OK. with one airline that the compu-primus was borderline on, I asked for written approval from the ticketing office based on stated dimensions of the bag on the lowepro website, and they were happy to provide this.

[fishfoto]

I asked for written approval from the ticketing office based on stated dimensions of the bag on the lowepro website, and they were happy to provide this.


Having covered the industry extensively, consulted with airlines (including Qantas & JetStar)and bag manufacturers I have never heard of this (and neither has Qantas who I just asked).

Interesting.

[sol95]

Having covered the industry extensively, consulted with airlines (including Qantas & JetStar)and bag manufacturers I have never heard of this (and neither has Qantas who I just asked).

Interesting.

I never fly Qantas, and only fly Jetstar domestically. I fly Star Alliance carriers, and the 3 airlines I refer to are Singapore Air, Asiana, and United. I've had no problems on Singapore (inlcuding their subsidiary SilkAir) and United (I expect I would have problems if I were connecting through to United's domestic network in the US, but I was only flying to LAX), and got the written waiver from Asiana (for a SYD-ICN-HKG-ICN-CJU-ICN-ORD-ICN-SYD flight).

The point is that just because someone's "covered the industry" and "consulted with" (not for) airlines, doesn't mean they know everything there is to know about how airlines go about their business. Besides which, for what it's worth, Lowepro lists the CompuPrimus as an Airline Carry-on bag. Maybe in one of your "consultations with...bag manufacturers", you should bring this up? :P

As I said, on-board baggage limits are guidelines/rules, not laws, and are often waived.