Which LowPro back pack?

[DAVEJA]

Hi! this is my first thread on this forum, I 've just become the proud owner of a Canon EOS 20D / 17-85mm lens and looking forward to riciveing a EF 100-400 L IS Lens soon I hope. good to see a forum dedicated to Canon and Digital Photography. Now here's my question/question's I'm looking to buy a Backpack type bag/case and have desided to go for a LowPro product. But I can't make my mind up to which one to go for, the Photo Trekker AW II or the Nature Trekker AW II. Anyone out there in Canon land who uses any of them, whats the diffrence between them. My main subject is bird/wildlife Photography so the ider of being able to carring a trypod/monopod a on the backpack I like also the extra day pack. But which one do I go for.
DAVEJA

[lordjim]

I have the Computrekker AW and I love it. I understand that it is simlar to the Phototrekker except that it also has a special section for a laptop which is very convenient when travelling.

[DAVEJA]

Thanks for the quick reply Lordjim,
Can you get all your kit in it, whats it like for travailing on plain journeys, have you ever had any probs involving check-in desk's.
DAVEJA

[condyk]

Computrekker is a great bag. I get my Sig in easily, except the printer of course :lol: My 100-300mm f4 is bigger than the 100-400 so you will be fine. I think even if you don't pack a laptop normally, maybe in future you will and it's worth having the option at little extra cost.

[DAVEJA]

Thanks condyk, So it's back to peruse the LowPro web site for me then!

[tim]

I have a couple of lowepro bags, not sure what the model names are. One's a day pack type of thing, the camera with a lens fitted, and a lens go into the bottom of the bag, which flips open. In the top you can put general stuff, or more gear if you put it in cases to protect it. I also have one that's both a backpack and a rolling back, which is a lot larger. Both are very good :) The only downsides are:
- With the first it takes a little longer than i'd like to get the camera out of the bag.
- With the second the pocket where you can store general stuff, on the top of the bag, you can't see into it to get out what you want. The zip should be longer.

I'd buy bother again though :)

[Todd Jacobsen]

Hi! this is my first thread on this forum, I 've just become the proud owner of a Canon EOS 20D / 17-85mm lens and looking forward to riciveing a EF 100-400 L IS Lens soon I hope. good to see a forum dedicated to Canon and Digital Photography. Now here's my question/question's I'm looking to buy a Backpack type bag/case and have desided to go for a LowPro product. But I can't make my mind up to which one to go for, the Photo Trekker AW II or the Nature Trekker AW II. Anyone out there in Canon land who uses any of them, whats the diffrence between them. My main subject is bird/wildlife Photography so the ider of being able to carring a trypod/monopod a on the backpack I like also the extra day pack. But which one do I go for.
DAVEJA

Dave,

I own the Nature Trekker but never hike with it. It houses my video gear. I don't find camera backpacks suitable for day hiking trips. But unless I am travelling via airline, I don't think I'll buy any other style of bag.

Because my photographic gear has expanded tremendously this year, I have a separate bag (wife's Quantum) for that. It's a backback with wheels (wheels are very helpful).

Because the quantum is PACKED FULL (and heavy), I just purchased a Lowepro Specialist 85 to house my "non-camera" (cords, batteries, flashes) stuff so the tamaran now primarily holds lenses and bodies.

I usually utilized a Lowepro Off Trail-2 bag for hiking (has two lens pouches).

Because my wife now uses my 10D, I purchased a Lowepro 75 AW for my 20D.

blah..blah..blah...

You will quickly find that no ONE bag will do what you want for every scenario. I now have multiple options, at mulitple sizes, to provide me the right bag for the right situation - to include transporting ALL the bags.

As far as the Lowepro backpacks are concerned, they vary primarily in size and volume. I would suggest picking a bag for your initial intended purpose (be it a place to keep gear, or for actual carrying on "location"). As you photography gear and/or needs GROWS, your bag(s) will need to adjust accordingly. Lowepro also sells bags that come with wheels and I would have purchased one if my wife did not already own the Quantum.

[DAVEJA]

Have just come back from the LowPro site and I think I'll go for the Nature Trekker.
Thanks for all your replys. you've all been a big help.
Thanks!

[toyguru]

I love my computrekker, but there are some things that I wish that it could have been.
what isn't really mentioned is the size of laptop that can go into the bag. I have a 15" HP laptop that barely fits into the laptop spot and makes the bag heavy as hell. I am looking to replace it with a 12" iBook instead. Other than that I love the bag!

[lostdoggy]

I looked at the LowePro and I still like the Tamrac Backpack better. So I can't say much about the LowePro. The Tamrac by history is an outfit that start their business designing and Manufacturing Backpack for Photographers by Backpack Photographers.

[Screamer]

I spend a lot of time hiking and have realized that none of the "photographer's backpacks" do the trick. The just don't have the or support for long hauls. If they do have support, they are un-godly heavy and more like a suitcase with straps.

My solution is to use a "real" backpack and use LowePro Lens cases along with a smallish case for my 20Dw/BG-E2. Primarily my rig this season is an Arc'teryx Bora 65..

http://www.2trails.com/media/ARC_Bora65.jpg

It's the "real deal" the pack alone runs about $350, without the lens cases, but will carry your gear, is watertight, and bulletproof. But, most importatly IMO, its meant for the outdoors and being comfortable for days.

[lordjim]

Thanks for the quick reply Lordjim,
Can you get all your kit in it, whats it like for travailing on plain journeys, have you ever had any probs involving check-in desk's.
DAVEJA

Yes I have no problem getting all my gear listed below in it plus the body of a Canon Rebel, a Canon A95, some films, spare batteries, manuals, filters, etc.. I still have some room for one small lens (not decided which one I will buy yet). No problem at check in but I travel with the tripod in my suitcase (not on the bag as I do not think it is allowed).

Hope that helps.

[xuxu1]

Have just come back from the LowPro site and I think I'll go for the Nature Trekker.
Thanks for all your replys. you've all been a big help.
Thanks!
You are going to love it. Well not always but most of the time. There are situations when you might prefer to use a shoulder bag instead of carrying the Trekker on your back.

I have both... and when (for example) i´m on a city visit (sightseeing) then i prefer the SB. When out in the country wildlife shooting i prefer the PB that has lot´s of space for my 100-400L.

I like the size and make of the Nature Trekker! Still have enough space left for some more lenses :lol:

ED