Camera Backpack Suggestions

I know there's a ton of reviews and brands but.....I need to narrow it down to a few. I currently have a CLIK but it's getting tight in there...

Pretty much what I need the bag to do:

- MUST be a backpack with two straps because sometimes I carry it for long periods of time and will hate having to rely on one shoulder.
- be able to have the bag pass as a "backpack"/personal item on planes (internationally)
- able to hold up to 2 camera bodies + 4 lenses + 2 flashes + 15.6" laptop + outside tripod bungee thing if needed
- be priced under $200 and still be very quality (the cheaper priced the better)
- be not ugly because I actually care about how it looks (don't judge me haha).


I've been looking at the Thinktanks, CLIKS, Lowerpro, etc... but can't narrow it down. I really like the durability of the zipper on my current CLIK bag but it's just getting too small.

ALL sugggestions welcome!

Have you looked at the Tamrac expedition series? I have the 5 and I'm pretty sure it would do what you're looking for. Very close to your price point too. It is an excellent product in therms of quality. It has gotten tons of travel and abuse and has held up extremely well.

nqjudo wrote in post #17405443
Have you looked at the Tamrac expedition series? I have the 5 and I'm pretty sure it would do what you're looking for. Very close to your price point too. It is an excellent product in therms of quality. It has gotten tons of travel and abuse and has held up extremely well.

Nope but I will definitely good. Though, as dumb as it sounds, if it looks like a hiking bag (from the sounds of the "expedition" series haha) , I may pass on them. But I'll definitely look into them right now!

I just took a look at mine and then B&H to confirm. Looks like for your laptop you might need the 6 which is a little above your price point (full retail) but still well worth it. I've been kicking mine around for years and for all the bags I have I consider it the best I've ever owned.

nqjudo wrote in post #17405460
I just took a look at mine and then B&H to confirm. Looks like for your laptop you might need the 6 which is a little above your price point (full retail) but still well worth it. I've been kicking mine around for years and for all the bags I have I consider it the best I've ever owned.

Thanks! Will def take a peek.

If you can bump the budget a little bit, you won't be disappointed with the F-Stop gear.

I just got my Loka Malibu Blue yesterday and have owned Thinktank, Lowepro and every other brand on the planet for packs and this hands down is unbelievable.

Have a look I have posted photos of mine in another thread in "General Gear Talk".

328iGuy wrote in post #17405583
If you can bump the budget a little bit, you won't be disappointed with the F-Stop gear.

I would agree with this. I've had more than one Lowepro, and 3 F Stop bags. With that much gear and carrying it for long periods of time, you want a frame in the bag for rigidity and proper weight distribution, a good hip belt, and great padding on the straps. F Stop bags cost a lot, but they're worth every penny and will save you from back ache.

...just purchased this thule TPBP Perspektive. it will hold everything you mentioned and more, it does not look like a camera bag, great strong quality material. it has a similar functionality as most lowepro Velcro system bags. it's deep enough to store any body with grip attached or any 1D series body!

here is video link if the player fails

[VIDEO=youtube] http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=AACti4a-DTQ&sns=tw [/VIDEO]

I would also recommend an F-stop bag if you can raise the budget a bit. I have the Tilopa and love it. I have had it for about 2 years now and have taken it everywhere. I take it on Ryanair flights all the time to places like Italy, Greece, and Malta as carry on, fits under the seat as well. I also took it on Delta from Amsterdam to DFW and back this summer as carry on with no problems. They have the internal Laptop pocket and they have what they call Gatekeeper straps that you can add to the outside of the pack to add extra gear on as needed. The quality of their products is outstanding, still looks the same as the day I got it. If you happen to know someone who is military, LE or fire that will buy it for you they have a 25% discount that will save you about $100.

I also talked my friend into buying one, he got the Loka.

He posted it here https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17389903

I have both Clik Elite Contrejour 35 and a Tamrac Expedition, both very good bags for different purposes that I can highly recommend. I preferred Clik Elite over F-stop bags and sent the f-stop back. It too was very good, but not as form fitting as the Clik Elite, and I love the side pocket access without having to take the pack off to grab my camera.

Was going to recommend a Kata R103, had mine for over 10 years and still looks like new, just discovered they have discontinued them, and the new ones look like crap!

I have a dakine sequence and love it. I am not it will hold the lens but it depends on what size you are packing. Price is in your range

CPLEEE wrote in post #17405435
I really like the durability of the zipper on my current CLIK bag but it's just getting too small.

Which clik bag do you have? They make many different ones. The clik pro express and pro elite are two bag that come to mind that might fit within your needs and budget. Though the pro elite will probably be to big to be considered a personal item in a flight. The pro express might fit in that category though. You'd have to check on the size (says its carry on rated but might be too big to fit under a seat as a personal item)

The think tank airport essentials is a great bag and will fit under a seat. But it won't for a 15" laptop and fitting all the camera equipment you want might be a no go as well. Also I beleive its over your budget.

I would recommend F-stop as well. I would definitely wait and save to get one.

gremlin75 wrote in post #17411729
Which clik bag do you have? They make many different ones. The clik pro express and pro elite are two bag that come to mind that might fit within your needs and budget. Though the pro elite will probably be to big to be considered a personal item in a flight. The pro express might fit in that category though. You'd have to check on the size (says its carry on rated but might be too big to fit under a seat as a personal item)

The think tank airport essentials is a great bag and will fit under a seat. But it won't for a 15" laptop and fitting all the camera equipment you want might be a no go as well. Also I beleive its over your budget.

I have a Jet Pack 15 currently. I've been looking at the Think Tanks...