Backpack for camera/lenses/laptop

[ripken204]

I am looking to get a new case, this time a backpack.
I want one that can hold a 15.4" laptop.

I have an XSi, 70-200mm, 10-24mm, 18-55mm, batteries, lens hoods, cloths, and some filters. just the usual..

i would love for the backpack to have a way to attach my tripod to it.

as far as price goes, i don't mind paying over $100, just not "too" much over $100.

anyone use or know of a backpack that might fit my needs?

[fibrepunk]

Lowepro Fastpack 250

[b.han]

Lowepro Fastpack 250
+1

I've gone through 3 different styles of bags and the Fastpack is definitely my favorite. The side load makes it incredibly easy to take out/put away your camera on the move. Construction wise, it feels very well built. The overall design of the bag is very user friendly, ie: quick access to extra memory cards.

[ripken204]

now that's and interesting looking bag :)
thanks. it looks good except:
"the Fastpack is uncomfortable to wear as a backpack when a full-sized 15.4" notebook is inside. With a large notebook inside the backpack feels like a slab of solid rock is pressing against your back. "
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4303

i doubt that i can find anything better though, it's not like i will always be carrying a laptop with me.

and it doesn't seem to support attaching a tripod :(

i will entertain more suggestions though.

[RyanB]

I'm deciding this right now myself. I have the Canon backpack (forget the model number) which works well but has no room for a laptop and is starting to tear on one side.

Right now its between the Fastpack, Kata DR-467 (look into this one as well), or maybe a Tamrac bag around the same price. B&H has the Kata bag for 80 along with a free $25 dollar gift card, making it half your (and my) budget, which is tempting...

[ripken204]

ya i was reading into the Kata 467 as well, need to read more into them :)

[MeNiS]

i have the kata dr-467 and am very pleased with it. i can carry most of my gear if needed. in the camera compartment, i can easily carry the 30D with 17-55mm attached. there is room for both my flashes, or 1 flash and 1 lens. the 70-200mm f4 fit in there, or you can put it in the top "general purpose" area. the backpack is very well made, and it looks like a normal backpack. the fastpack series look more square and looks more like a camera backpack (attracting thieves). this is my main backback to carry my gear. however, when i also just bought the fastpack 100 for times when i just want to carry light.

most laptop/camera bags are bulky when you carry the laptop because your back is right against your laptop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/menis/IMG_4330.jpg

[Juan A]

I am really liking my new National Geographic medium sized backpack. I have my XSI along with 18-55 mm, 28-135mm, Nifty Fifty and 55-250mm lenses along with 2 extra batteries, Flash, Charger a couple of circular polarizers, Canon SD1200IS and assorted other stuff. It fits my Toshiba Laptop perfectly. I highly recomend this bag.

I took some really quick (crappy) pics so you can see the bag. I will try to take some better ones when I am not ready to fall asleep. These were taken with my Canon SD1200IS

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ddj8052/photography/IMG_0004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ddj8052/photography/IMG_0006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ddj8052/photography/IMG_0008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ddj8052/photography/IMG_0014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ddj8052/photography/IMG_0009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ddj8052/photography/IMG_0010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ddj8052/photography/IMG_0013.jpg

[ripken204]

some pics? haha, thanks.
but can it hold a laptop and a tripod, that is the real question :)
i am tempted to somehow mod the fastpack 250 somehow to attach a tripod to it.

[Juan A]

Hi, I don't know if your question was directed at me, but I will answer it anyways. Yes, the bag is designed to hold a laptop. That is what the picture with the side zipper was supposed to show. Quick pics right before I went to bed sorry. I will try to take some better pics tonight if you would like with a laptop. Also the bag has multibple attachment points for a tripod. It has straps on the bottom designed for tripod or you could use the attachment points ont the side of the bag. It is very versitile. After reading numerous review, it appears to me that the bag has been much updated. The bag came with a waterproof rain cover. And it appears that the zipper for the laptop compartment has been improved from the original design. Early reviews said that the zippered opening was not large enough to actualy insert a large laptop. My bag has the zipper opening from the very top of the bag to the bottom. So it is very easy to use the entire compartment for your laptop. I am really liking the bag.

[ripken204]

no need to take more pics, thanks :)
it does look very versatile. i will now read into the latest model of it.

[Ronnie H]

:);):rolleyes:++ 2 maybe 3 for Kata 467...I like ours very much,,,one on buy & sell right now..for sale cheap...Ron

[Dokk]

Based on the comments in here and the look of the bag, I just ordered a Lowepro Fastpack 250. Let's see how that works for me.

Thanks for speaking up, folks!

[ripken204]

Based on the comments in here and the look of the bag, I just ordered a Lowepro Fastpack 250. Let's see how that works for me.

Thanks for speaking up, folks!
please let us know how you like it, that is the one i am leaning towards right now. i am just waiting for some extra cash to come my way and then i will probably pick it up and mod it for a tripod :)

[Dokk]

please let us know how you like it, that is the one i am leaning towards right now. i am just waiting for some extra cash to come my way and then i will probably pick it up and mod it for a tripod :)
Two things about that. First, Amazon has a good price and free shipping. Second, if you search on Amazon for the 350 and look at the user-supplied pics, you'll get an idea for how someone modded theirs to hold a tripod. Seemed pretty crafty.

I'll be sure to post back. I probably should have asked if the divider between the top compartment and the camera compartment is removable; but I guess I'll find out on Tuesday. LoL! I'd *like* to be able to use this as my everyday bag -- camera or not. We'll see.

Now to turn my attention to a grip and whether I can sneak one into the house without my wife seeing. :D

[ripken204]

ooh, that mod will work! thanks for pointing it out!
and that deal is amazing as well :)

now to harass people to pay me money so that i can buy this bag :)

[RyanB]

Also... make sure you guys check out ebay. For some reason, various (not all) models of bags are insanely cheap on ebay. I just scored a brand new Kata R-103 for $61 new still in the packaging last night.. retails for 2-3x that. The fastpack is about $60 shipped on ebay - bing cashback. Used bags are usually in great shape and sell for half their retail price.

Now that I have a bag that I can use to carry around my laptop, I'm deciding between the Fastpack 200, Flipside 400, and Kata 3n1-30. Ugh, decisions never end haha.

[Dokk]

Got the Lowepro Fastpack 250 via UPS yesterday and loaded it up.

I like the feel of the bag on my back a lot -- it's going to be a BIG blessing trekking around a city. Camera, lenses, and accessories (battery, charger, lens pen, etc.) all fit perfectly with room to spare. The laptop compartment is well-padded. The divider is between the top compartment (open) and the bottom compartment (camera/lenses) is not removable, which is unfortunate for me; but that's only because I wanted to use it as my day-to-day bag. That said, there is a good deal of room in the top compartment -- more than enough for stuff you'd want to bring with you on a shoot or puttering around a city or trail (e.g., other cables, a guide book, some food/snacks, wallet, phone, and more). Build quality is real nice, too.

All in all, I say it's a winner!

[raiyo]

go with the kata 467 from BHphoto and get $25 gift card. I recently got it and its great. fits my 15" laptop in there no problem along with my gear. if u do decide to get it, better do it before BHphoto stop giving out gift card with purchase.

[rklepper]

Take a look at the Kata R-103.

[advaitin]

A bit more expensive but one heck of a secure pack, the Pacsafe Daysafe 200. I traveled Spain, France, Italy, England and Scotland with mine this past spring over 30 days. I tripped on an escalator in the Nice railroad station and fell on it, not only kept most of me from being scraped, the laptop, 5DM2 and four lenses were completely padded. I could lock the inner bag with laptop and valuables to a radiator pipe and use the outer bag for just a camera and two lenses during the day.

Here's a link to a current sale:

http://www.ebags.com/pacsafe/daysafe_200/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=99897&productid=1263862&sourceID=GOOGFEED&color=Black&CAWELAID=108292465

[advaitin]

I should add, fully loaded with everything, including a Gitzo Traveler tripod and a monopod, flash, all batteries and chargers, camera, four lenses, G9 camera, medications, laptop, spare hard drive, and spare underwear (you never know) it weighed 45 pounds. I put a piece of foam padding in the bottom for when I wasn't using the inner bag.

[ripken204]

well i have the lowerpro 250 sitting in my lap right now, thanks for the suggestion guys.
i'll let you know how i like it.

it just barely fits my 15.4" IBM R61, which is a pretty beast of a laptop.

as far as attaching a tripod to it, i have a 055xprob, and the method in the pic below works. i only tested with putting a single leg through the belt straps though, this guy has some metal rings attached to it with more straps on those, i will try to come up with something like that. the only thing that i am scared about is if the belt clips have enough strength over time, i fear of them breaking.

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/9d/17/8e14e03ae7a0b5e6580e1210.L.jpg

[polobreaka]

the fastpack really depends how you carry your backpack..for me, if i was to carry a backpack with 1 strap, it would be over my right shoulder.. accessing the camera would be extremely awkward for me.

[ripken204]

i currently have a 1 strap shoulder bag and i just find it too awkward carrying it. it is just not comfortable for me and i have to set it down to access anything without the fear of dropping things out of it.

[Dokk]

the fastpack really depends how you carry your backpack..for me, if i was to carry a backpack with 1 strap, it would be over my right shoulder.. accessing the camera would be extremely awkward for me.
At the risk of sounding like an old man when I say this, you really should use both straps on a backpack to evenly distribute the weight and avoid back pain or injuries. This is particularly important when it's all loaded up; but it doesn't need to be "heavy" to tweak your back.

Okay ... I'll run along and quit sounding like my father. ;)

[Tom H. Photography]

Lowepro CompuTrekker AW. Carries a DSLR with up to three extra lenses, lots of room for other trinkets, fits up to a 15.4" laptop and can hold a tripod. It also has an all weather cover. I prefer the backpack style fit because it stays put on your back when hiking, bending over, climbing up things. I don't really need the really quick access bag because once I get my camera out, I keep it out until I'm finished shooting anyway.

[polobreaka]

At the risk of sounding like an old man when I say this, you really should use both straps on a backpack to evenly distribute the weight and avoid back pain or injuries. This is particularly important when it's all loaded up; but it doesn't need to be "heavy" to tweak your back.

Okay ... I'll run along and quit sounding like my father. ;)

Oh i understand.. I always carry my backpack with both strap.. I am just saying due to the camera opening on the fastpack, it would not be a quick access for me to get my camera or lenses because i am comfortable with carrying things on my right should (my camera, messenger bag, etc). The opening on the fastpack is for people that are comfortable with carrying things on their left shoulder.

[ripken204]

Oh i understand.. I always carry my backpack with both strap.. I am just saying due to the camera opening on the fastpack, it would not be a quick access for me to get my camera or lenses because i am comfortable with carrying things on my right should (my camera, messenger bag, etc). The opening on the fastpack is for people that are comfortable with carrying things on their left shoulder.
ya that was the first thing that bothered me, you would figure that they would have made it a right shoulder sling since i think most ppl are used to that. the backpack is so incredibly comfortable though that i will just get used to slinging it on my left shoulder. this is making me want to get a new backpack for school now, i have had the same one for like 5+ years haha.