lets talk backpacks

[kchau]

so, right now i have a pelican 1510 with dividers, and thats great for my gear storage.

i also have a crumpler 6MDH v1, and that is great for on the go

but now i want a backpack, i use to have a mini trekker aw, and i wasnt fond of it because it had to be placed on the ground to access my gear.

so what i am looking for:

backpack
has room for:
my 13" mbp, and maybe a change of clothes
7D
17-55 IS
50 1.4
10-22
and a 70-200 (but not necessary as this is very far away in my budget)
and quick draw/easy access for my 7D + 17-55 (without having to put bag on ground, can access while bag still slung on 1 shoulder.)
good in cold/snow/wet weather
and did i mention good padding (i might go skiing and boarding with this on, so it should be capable of taking a fall or 2)

suggestions anyone?

[CxThree]

Look at the Kata 3n1 33. I have the 3n1 22 and just used it on vacation. WOrked great, but it will not hold the 70-200. It held my 11.6 in netbook, 7d gripped, 24-105L, 17-55 F2.8, 50mm, and 580 EXII in the camera compartment. I also had a charger ,omnibounce, set of aa batteries, and raincover for the bag in that area. I used the top compartment for odds and ends I needed each day of the vacation. Icoul dhave stuffed a t-shirt in there if I had needed it.

[kchau]

looks good, that is pretty much what i am looking for. but im not too fond of how it looks, so therefore, lets see some more options.

thanks for bringing that back to my knowledge

[That_Fox]

You might want to take a look at the Lowepro slingshot backpacks. Although the only one that supports a laptop is the slingshot 350 and it might be a bit big compared to the equipment that you have.

[kchau]

i cant do that much equipment on 1 shoulder, and i really want it to be secure, as i will be doing active sports with it on.

[theslip]

im also in need to search for a backpack
my gear isn't much yet, but i'm preparing to add a falsh in the near future.

have you look at Kata Dr-466 series?
it looks kinda nice for me, quite discreet for a camera bag
however the internal nylon quite a concern for me, i had the opportunity to try out the dr 465 at a local store a couple of days ago...it does looked kinda thin for the internals.

thinking about the lowepro, but the design and shape still not quite discreet for me

have you tried the Crumpler?

[themadman]

Many Lowepro backpacks have room for what you stated.

http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Notebook-Camera,16.htm

[CxThree]

Look at the Lowepro Fastpack 250 or 350 series. There are decent videos of them on Youtube too that will show you their usability.

I went with the Kata for a vacation bag becasue I wanted something as small as possible and something made for a netbook. The Fastpack 250 will hold a lot of stuff, but it's a bit larger than the Kata. It's made for a full laptop. Fairly cheap on Ebay too.

It all depends on what you want.

[CxThree]

Also. www.cambags.com is going to help here. IT has plenty of pictures of bags with gear in the m so you can see what will fit.

[NYNCTC]

kata dr 467.

i just traveled for the first time with it and this is what i traveled with:

lower compartment:
30D +grip with sigma 17-70 attached
70-200 f/4 with hood reversed standing up
50 1.8 with hood

still had room for maybe another small prime lens but don't have one

upper compartment:
Flash
Large text book (Norton Brit Lit Anthology :) )
Ipod
Charger for Macbook and Cell phone
extra t-shirt and sweatpants

there wasnt too much room left, but without that damn book i would have had more

rear compartment:
13" Macbook Pro
2 folders (kinda of full)

Overall, it wasnt too stressful on my shoulders/back. I walked around Memphis with that bag for a few hours and was kinda tired by the end of the day but only once i took the bag off and my body relaxed.

[kchau]

im not too fond of the way kata bags look, but they are very functional.
ive been checking out the crumpler website, and their backpacks look very appealing, any suggestions?

i really like the way the sinking barge and sinking barge deluxe look, does anyone know the difference between them, and also the customary barge.

[eeeksNYC]

most of the good backpacks with proper two shouldered support for hiking/skiing/snowboarding will not have a quick draw access. Slings as you've found offer quick access, but at the expense of support.

If you're serious about taking gear on anything more strenuous than a brisk walk, look into some of the fstop bags (www.fstopgear.com), or the larger Lowepro bags.

They offer excellent padding/support/gear protection.

Myself, I use a Dakine Mission Photo for larger loads, or a Domke F6 for lighter urban shooting.

My next bag will definitely be an f-stop.

Take a look you might like them.

[kchau]

the f stops are very nice, but are a little much for what i am looking for. thanks.

[eeeksNYC]

Next step down would be any of the Dakine or Burton packs or buying used