Help need backpack advice

I am going to East Africa in August and having a real problem deciding what type of camera bag to take. It needs to be a suitable size for airline carry on , but at the same time I need it to carry my 350d ideally with 70-200 f4 attached, a 10-22, Sigma 17-70, Kenko 1.4x teleconverter, batteries a couple of extra filters and cards. I also ideally need it to be able to accomodate other items such as a set of spare clothes, toiletries etc. Also ideally I don't want to spend a fortune. Am I looking for the impossible or does anyone have any recommendations?

Photo bags are mostly wasted space -- too much padding. Get a regular backpack, a sack for each lens (e.g. the sack your 70-200 came with) and a sack for small items, neoprene wrap for camera, and use your clothes for aditional padding.

I suggest looking into a camera designed backpack. I took a 5 week trip through South America last year, and carried my Rebel in neoprene wrap and lenses warpped in clothes. While all my stuff was safe and sound, it was the biggest pain in the ass to change lense let alone get out my equiptment. With a normal backapack, the lenses and body still move around, just they arent getting damaged. I'm in the same boat as you right now, looking for a backpack that can carry my equptment along with some hiking gear and stuff. I'm looking at the Tamrac Cyberpack 8, its huge but the extra compartments could be used I think.

Tamrac Expedition series (the 5 aka 5575) is probably a good fit.

You could consider the Dakine sequence - has a removable inner camera block that is handy and has room for other stuff also. I got mine here and some useful reviews here as well. http://www.backcountry​.com …-Backpack-1800-cu-in.html

I just got a Lowepro Slingshot 300, and I have similar equipment to yours, It is the perfect fit, airline compatible, easy on your back, the sling part makes all your gear accessible without taking it off, you could not ask for anything more or better.

It comes with an attached rain cover that stores on the bottom of the bag, it comes right out so weather is not a problem with this one either. And around $90 (excluding deals) its not a bad price at all.

I have the dryzone 100 and LOVE it. The only thing I would do differently is get the 200 for more space. I live in a rain forest so I like the comfort of being able to walk around and NOT worry if it starts to rain...

I used a ‘Lowepro Photo Trekker Classic’ for my trip to Thailand, last month. I had Two Camera bodies with 17 – 70mm & 70 – 200mm lenses attached. Plus a card reader, flash and other assorted bits. The total weight of my kit, in the bag, was 14 pounds and I carried it around on my back every day with no trouble. I had no problem taking it on as carry on luggage.

John

Thanks for all the great advice - I love this forum!
I will have a good look through all the suggestions. The more extra space I can get for non-camera gear the better. I already have a Roots backpack which is great for my gear, it just won't accomodate the extras I ideally need to carry - you know what us women are like!

Take a look at the National Geographic Backpacks... I love my Medium. I think it should fit what you want, if you're frugal about space(the only thing I'm worried about is if the top compartment would be large enough for your clothes), if not, go for the large version. Sturdy packs and have a LOT of pockets for little accessories or miscellaneous kit. There's a spot for a laptop, but it's useful for maps or other things you don't want bent.

coreypolis wrote in post #2969720
Tamrac Expedition series (the 5 aka 5575) is probably a good fit.

I 2nd that. The expedition 5 is perfect. It carries by 30D w the battery grip attached as well as the 70-200mm lens on it and has a couple straps to velcro down the lens. I always have a 430EX flash unit, a quantum battery for the flash, my 24-70mm lens, light meter, the hood for the 24-70 and still have room for other items. You have your separate pockets on the outside for CF cards or there is plenty of room on the flap to carry items because you get two zippered pouches. This bag is so much better than the lowepro that I had which didn't carry crap nor did it protect my camera. The expedition 5 has got padding and room an you can easily configer the dividers to fit your gear.

purelithium wrote in post #2975012
Take a look at the National Geographic Backpacks... I love my Medium. I think it should fit what you want, if you're frugal about space(the only thing I'm worried about is if the top compartment would be large enough for your clothes), if not, go for the large version. Sturdy packs and have a LOT of pockets for little accessories or miscellaneous kit. There's a spot for a laptop, but it's useful for maps or other things you don't want bent.

Thanks for the tip .....I think I've narrowed it down to the medium National Geographic backpack or Lowepro Rover II. I am leaning towards the NG, but would really like to see one before I purchase it, just to check the space. Does anyone know of anywhere that stocks these bags in UK?

i had the medim ng backpack and its not bad, but a bit small for my tastes,

so i returned it for the lowepro rover aw and they also make the plus model which is even slightly bigger. the regular rover aw is not much bigger thant he ng, butt he plus is just right.

i got it precisely to be able to use as b oth carry on and for day hikes as well as daytrips in the city. i want to be able to carry more stuff than just my camera gear.

the great thing about the lowepros is that they can take sliplok add on things on the belt and shoulder harness to keep gear in.

idiotekniQues wrote in post #3088235
the regular rover aw is not much bigger thant he ng, butt he plus is just right.

What?

purelithium wrote in post #3089126
What?

the regular sized rover awII is not much bigger than the medium ng backpack aka about the same size.

however, i think that the rover plus aw is just the right size. it is the bigger brother to the rover awII