Does this type of backpack exist?

[Bobd314]

Looking for a backpack that will hold my laptop (15"), a camera w/ lens, and maybe 1 extra lens, not much more. Heading off to Japan in a few months and need to pack light. So far I've been unable to find a bag that only holds a few things. Most of the laptop capable bags have a huge area for camera equipment which I don't need. Would also like it if the bag had some sort of camera access that didn't involve unzipping the entire back/front to get to it, but a small side zipper or something.

I've check the review thread and clicked on (possibly) every single review, looking at pictures, and so far have been unable to find anything that fits my needs. I've also checked a lot of bag manufacturer's sites and found nothing that seems to hold my stuff. At this point I'm thinking I might have to just put my camera in my normal backpack, but hopefully not!

Thanks!

[snails]

You'll find that the only way to do what you are talking about is to put an insert into a regular backpack.

[Shelly1204]

http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-NG-5159-Explorer/dp/B000NZPK52/ref=pd_sim_p_27

[jcothron]

F-stop has packs that fit what you need, with the exception of the side access. Their ICU comes in different sizes however, so you can get one that only carries a little and have plenty of "pack" room left.

www.fstopgear.com

[PacAce]

Here's another:

http://tamrac.com/frame_speedpacks.htm

[Jonathan Taylor]

Your best bet would either be the Nat. Geo. bag that was already mentioned, or the Lowepro Slingshot 350AW. It holds what you have, has extra storage for non-photo stuff, and a side-access laptop pocket. Check out the specs on lowepro's site:
http://products.lowepro.com/product/SlingShot-350-AW,2117,4.htm

and buy from B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/577390-REG/Lowepro_LP35269_PEU_SlingShot_350_AW_Sling.html

[Jonathan Taylor]

oh, or the classified 220:
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Classified-Sling-220-AW,2141,23.htm

[CxThree]

You may want to look into the Kata 3n1 33. Its a backpack with laptop compartment, a camera compartment, and a personal storage compartment.

[cyman83]

kata 466 for 15", kata 467 for a 17".

[ckhorne]

Here's another:

http://tamrac.com/frame_speedpacks.htm

Another vote / recommendation for the Tamrac Speedpacks. Holds basic equipment, has a pouch for "everyday" items, carries a notebook, and has a quick access flap on the side.

[dpark]

kata 466 for 15", kata 467 for a 17".
The Kata 466 seems like a good fit to me as well. You don't need to unzip the whole bag to get to your camera gear, and it's a fairly small bag. The similarly-designed Tamrac Aero 85 is bigger than what you need (holds a 17" laptop), while the Aero 75 won't carry a laptop and is still bigger than the Kata 466.

You're unlikely to find a bag that will hold only a 15" laptop and a camera with 2 lenses. To get that, you'd basically have a laptop sleeve with a 5MDH attached. It would be really awkward. This is basically what you get from the Tamrac Aero 85 and the Kata 466/467, except that they make it into a standard backpack shape by adding a "random stuff" section above the camera gear. This doesn't make the pack any larger (or heavier, if you leave it empty), but it does give you room in case you want to carry a snack, or a jacket, or the power adapter for your laptop.

[Beski]

Here's another:
http://tamrac.com/frame_speedpacks.htm
Another vote / recommendation for the Tamrac Speedpacks. Holds basic equipment, has a pouch for "everyday" items, carries a notebook, and has a quick access flap on the side.
Here is the Lowepro version of the Speedpack. I used this pack for trips to Italy and Hawaii and it was GREAT !! I didn't have a laptop so I was able to put maps and full size travel books and brochures in the laptop pouch. It was great to be able to sling the pack around from my back to my front and access my camera from the side door BY MYSELF without having to ever put the bag down.

(My wife was also thrilled since the prior trip with a Lowepro Nova bag meant I always had to find a "nice & clean" place to sit my bag to open it up - or she had to hold it while I unzipped it. With the Fastpack I was able to do it all myself !!)

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-250,2086,14.htm (http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-250,2086,14.htm)

(You can also click on the "Product Video" for a Demo !

[Bobd314]

Thanks everyone!

Probably going to go for the Kata 466, as it seems to be the best fit for my stuff. I wish some of these bags had another full size pocket I could put a notebook or something in, but suppose I can't have everything (yet!).