1D MKII and Lowepro Mini Trekker.

A straight forward question.

Will the camera fit into the bag ?
The Lowepro specs suggest not but I've read elsewhere that it does/might.

Can anyone confirm this ? ( i.e. does not might )

I'm looking at this bag as it seems a nice size for in flight hand luggage.

Have you also considered the Tamrac Expedition 5.? It's just about the same size as the mini Trekker but has a much better build-quality to it. For example, the handle strap is much more substantially built and padded on the Expedition 5 but is a measely strap on the mini-trekker (the main reason, along with disappointing quality, I returned the mini Trekker and exchanged it for the Expedition 5. My 1D2 with the 100-400L w/hood attached, 10D w or w/out the grip, 580EX, 24-70 w/hood and Sigma 17-35 and hood all fit nicely in the Expedition 5 main compartment without it bulging out at the seams.

[edit: BTW, I just came back from a 2 week vacation in California and the Expedition 5 fit nicely under the seat in front of me. ]

Thanks for the reply Leo.

I didn't consider the Tamrac Expedition 5 but I will now.

BTW. I take it the 1D2 fits into the Mini Trekker but at a tight squeeze ?

lomond wrote:
A straight forward question.

Will the camera fit into the bag ?
The Lowepro specs suggest not but I've read elsewhere that it does/might.

Can anyone confirm this ? ( i.e. does not might )

I'm looking at this bag as it seems a nice size for in flight hand luggage.

Yes it do fit in as I do owned it before...

Thanks for that John.

I like the look of and I'm now tending towards the Tamrac but I'm wondering how rain proof this bag is.
I use the Lowepro Rover AW and know the cover is totally waterproof.
So, bearing in mind my location, I need to know if the Tamrac is waterproof.

Anyone ?

lomond wrote:
Thanks for the reply Leo.

I didn't consider the Tamrac Expedition 5 but I will now.

BTW. I take it the 1D2 fits into the Mini Trekker but at a tight squeeze ?

No, not at all. It's not a tight squeeze. The 1D2 IS taller than the side of bottom half of the bag but when you zipper it up, you can't tell because the top just goes over it. AAMOF, even the dividers are taller than the side of the bottom part.

As for the weather proofing, it's just as weather proof as the mini-trekker is although I wouldn't say it's water-proof (the mini-trekker isn't either). The Tamrac has this thing along the edge of the bottom half where the zipper is which overlaps the zipper so that when you tighten to cord around it, the zipper is hidden and protected from the rain. It's easier to see in a picture than to try and explain it in words. Have a look here:
http://tamrac.com/welc​ome.htm

{Oops. Sorry. No direct link. You'll just have to navigate your way there.

Also, click on "The Tamrac Difference" at the top of the page and select "Materials and Workmanship")

I like the look of the Tamrac and I'm convinced it has the better build quality.

My only concerns are ;

1: How rain proof is the Tamrac ? I know the Lowepro AW system is 100% rain proof.

2: The weight of the Tamrac is 4.3 lbs as opposed to the 2.8lbs of the Lowepro. ( Build quality I suppose )

I'm leaning towards the Tamrac but at least I know both bags can accommodate the 1DMKII.

Many thanks,

The Tamrac has a rain flap over the zippers to protect them from the rain. And, according to their website, the backpack is made of material that has "a double waterproofing coating that assures weather proofing". I personally wouldn't have seconds thoughts about walking in the rain with my Tamrac full of lenses and my 1D2 on my back. As long as it's in the upright position (as it would be if it were on your back), then it'll be fine in the rain. What you don't want to do is to position it so that the shoulder harness and the side that touches your back is pointing downwards as that will make the rain flap over the zippers pretty useless. The zippers are supposed to be rain resistant but give it a chance and I'm sure the rain will find its way through the zippers unless it's really protected.

As for the extra weight, as you suspected, that's because of the extra padding in it; much more than what the mini-trekker has.

lomond wrote:
A straight forward question.

Will the camera fit into the bag ?
The Lowepro specs suggest not but I've read elsewhere that it does/might.

Can anyone confirm this ? ( i.e. does not might )

I'm looking at this bag as it seems a nice size for in flight hand luggage.

I wasn't happy, the Mini Trekker is not quite deep enough. The zip will close, but its asking a knock. I will try and get a picture tonight and post it here.

True, the MKII sort of sticks up a little but I have been using a Mini Trekker for a couple of years now with no harm done to my MKII. I regularly carry the MKII with 100-400 in there along with the 300 f/4 and 400 f/5.6 primes, spare battery and other little things. Never a problem and I travel a lot with my gear.

I do currently use the trekker, but if I was looking at buying a bag, I would opt for something deeper!


Pics as promised!

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Hey, it works! Just got back from a trip to DC. Never had a problem...but I need to learn to pare down what I take. It's amazing how much weight this thing will carry....too amazing.