need help from bag experts..

i currently own the velocity 7 & the crumpler 7M. i find myself using mostly the velocity 7 most of the time. but even with that, my shoulders feels heavy dragging me down.

in my search for a backpack style, i found some thread about the f-stop kenti. i like the design and the function, but don't like the price of $269.

so beside the lowepro fastpack, any other that does something similar to the kenti?

Ever check out "Clik" bags? But you probably won't like their price either

You might try Think Tank.

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Gameface wrote in post #13819789
Ever check out "Clik" bags? But you probably won't like their price either

yea i saw the clik bags.. and ur right.. dont' like their price.

GeeMack wrote in post #13819866
You might try Think Tank.

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Bags-14.jpg by GeeMack431, on Flickr

thanks.. but i like side access without it being a true sling bag.

You can frequently find last year's Clik Elite bags on Amazon for less than half price, fwiw....

I know the F-Stop bags cost a few dollars more but in my opinion they are worth it keep on saving a bit longer for one

lucas.. i see you have one. how do you like it and how does it hold up (assuming you've had it for a while).

i'll be using it as part of my travel bag for day trip plus 1 body 2 lens. also, where does the tripod mount to on the bag?

Vanguard Uprise and Adaptor backpack ranges might work

http://www.vanguardwor​ld.com …to-video/list-1-1-229.htm

Vanguard Uprise 45
http://www.vanguardwor​ld.com …ideo/detail-1-1-4-33.html

^^ thanks.. the uprise looks very promising. the side entrance seems kinda narrow for a 5D2 gripped. looking like if without grip it would be fine.

I'm also a big fan of backpacks that let me access equipment without having to take them off. i have been researching for this lately too, and here is the list from top of my head:

• kata 3n1 series
  
• kata multipro
  
• kata owl
  
• tamrac zuma 7 & zuma 9
  
• tamrac aero speed pack
  
• tamrac evolution
  
• thinktank rotation 360
  
• lowepro flipside series
  
• lowepro fastpack series
  
• lowepro versapack
  

^^ priyadi.. thanks.. let me look into those.

Check out the Dakine Sequence. Just got mine two weeks ago and love it.

ok, i've narrowed my searches down to the following:

f-stop kenti - $269
kata multipro - $250
kata owl - $150
tamrac evolution 8 - $160
lowepro fastpack 350 - $122

right now i'm leaning towards the evolution 8, as it can be converted to a sling as well, which i like versatility. the kata owl looks nice to from all the reviews on youtube and likewise with the fastpack 350. the fstop kenti by far looks really good and compact and can access two bodys with lens mounted on both side, which i like. but price is pretty steep. guess have to really think hard about which to choose.

EOS mE wrote in post #13822573
ok, i've narrowed my searches down to the following:

f-stop kenti - $269
kata multipro - $250
kata owl - $150
tamrac evolution 8 - $160
lowepro fastpack 350 - $122

I went on a similar quest about a year ago. I tried (and returned) the Vanguard Uprise 43 (nice design & execution, a little small for my needs, couldn't be used as a backpack), the Kata 3N1-20 (didn't love the design, access to the cameras was too small), checked out the Lowepro in store, and finally ended up with the Evolution 8.

I typically carry:

• Canon XSi w. 24-104 w. hood attached
  
• 10-22 w. hood removed
  
• Sigma 120-400 w. hood removed
  
• Velbon Ultrek 40L tripod (w. ball head)
  
• assorted stuff--batteries, memory cards, cleaning cloth, etc.
  

I open the bag, put my hand though the wrist strap, raise the camera an inch or two, remove the 24-105 that's normally mounted (letting it slip back into the bag), open the flap over a different lens (already stored vertically with the back upmost), remove the rear cap, put the cap onto the 24-104, raise the new lens enough to mount it onto the camera body. After a little practice, I can do this without looking down into the bag (without taking my eyes of the subject).

It took longer to type up that description than to change lenses.

EOS mE wrote in post #13822573
right now i'm leaning towards the evolution 8, as it can be converted to a sling as well, which i like versatility. the kata owl looks nice to from all the reviews on

I wear the Evolution as a sling over my right shoulder 98% of the time, but the option to change shoulders or wear it as a back pack is nice. I really like that it doesn't look like a camera bag.

The bag itself (empty) is fairly heavy, but that's inevitable given the padding & capacity. I did a few things to make it lighter--replacing the metal snap-clips with plastic, shortening some of the straps, etc.

I modified the bag by removing some of the foam in the top section and using the 'extra' space to put in 4 more internal pockets. I attached a small (large jewlery sized) snap clip near all the zipper pulls, so that they can be 'locked' into a closed position for a little more security when traveling in crowded urban settings. I added an elastic cord in a zig-zag across the back--it's a terrific place to strap on a rolled-up rain jacket, newspaper, hat, etc. I also removed some of the foam in the laptop sleeve.

The laptop sleeve makes a great pocket for a small hydration bladder (camelbak).

The bag has held up very well on a couple of extensive international trips & lots of daily carry--there's some 'fuzz' on the main strap, but no loose stiching, all the zippers are good, etc. Fully loaded, the bag will easily fit into an overhead luggage compartment, and will squeeze under most airline seats, if you don't mind loosing some legroom.

^^ thank you sooo much for your feedback. evo8 is what i've been thinking of since after my research last night. your usage scenerio is exactly what i'm hoping to do.

the way you described on how to make it lighter and replacing metal snap-clips with plastic.. how did you do that? can you post up some pics of your mods? very interested to see that.