Back Pack Bags

Do any of you boys use the back pack bags?

I am thinking of getting one but notice that there is a huge price difference between them all. I am looking for one that I will be using sparingly. I want to get one as inexpensive as possible. Any thoughts?

I don't use the backpack style, but I think that you'll find that anything from Tamrac or Lowepro is pretty well made and provides good protection for your camera and lenses.

I think you will find that many Canon shooters have photo-backpacks and photo-shoulder bags. The question is whether they get used or not.

If you have a heavy load of camera gear, then the backpack is good. The problem is that it puts all of the gear behind your back where it is not quick to get to.

The shoulder bag is a lot quicker for getting gear, but of course it can't hold such a load as the backpack.

I have one of each, but often I need something quicker yet, so I often carry a simple cloth shopping bag with an extra lens or tripod. The only problem with it is that I get a nice groove cut in one shoulder from the straps.

---Bob Gross---

Thanks guys for your replies.

That brings me to another question I have. Do you recommend getting a different camera strap than the one that came with the 300d? I notice it is a bit shabby. And with a bigger heavier lense, I can imagine that I too will have a nice little dent in my shoulder from carrying it all day.

Yes, a different strap is a very good idea. I have a Tamrac something-or-other but I don't remember the name or model number. All I know is that it has a colorfast padded suede piece where it goes over the neck which helps a lot. Its way more comfortable than the factory strap, though neck straps do have their limitations regardless of now comfortable they are at first.

Man...

the shopping list continues to grow!!!!

Optech has a pretty extensive line of straps. Check here:
http://www.optechusa.c​om
I have 3 of them, and so far they have been very comfortable. Mine are all made of the fabric-covered neoprene.

By the way - nice Avatar!

yes, that's the name I couldn't think of - Optech. If I ever wear out the Tamrac, that is what I'll look for. Many here recommend it.

THANKS COOL!

I have two bags that I use consistently. Large Tamrac to hold all of my 35mm & 35mm digital gear http://tamrac.com/5259​.htm.

and a small over the shoulder "trip to a park" bag in the likes of http://tamrac.com/606.​htm

i also have a small Temba bag to hold my 645 gear - one body, two lenses, two backs.

I'm very happy with my set-up for logistics purposes. if i need all the gear i just take one big bag. if i need little gear, i use my "606" bag with a camera + two lenses + flash + charger for batteries (power converter in the car).

the only advice i can give you is buy a bag that's twice of what you need right now - it'll fill up quick and quality bags aren't cheap. my "5259" was US$180+ from B&H. I was getting a bag that can accomodate a laptop since i was looking to get a cheapo $8-900 laptop for cheap storage and a lot of screen while on the road and wanted one bag for all stuff.

all the editing is done on my desktop which is built for image editing, but laptop is convenient for checking e-mail and storing images as well as getting a preview as the shoot progresses. laptops are also very good at e-mailing invoices to clients

hope this helps.

I can second the notion of getting a bag twice what you think you'll need. I finally broke down and got what I thought was a HUGE bag - a Tamrac Pro-12. Well, its almost full already. Fortunately, I have a few previous bags to handle the overflow.

However, a warning - I got the Tamrac 5612 (Pro 12), and I quickly filled it up. Then I tried to take it out for a day of shooting. After about two hours of walking with that bad boy hanging from my right shoulder, I was about done - I had to stop frequently to relieve the pain. I have since gotten a Tamrac 608 to carry just what I need for the day. I'll still carry the 5612 in the car, and load the 608 as required.

Recently I replaced my old Lowepro Orion Trekker (the 70-200 f/2.8L wouldn't fit in it) with Lowepro Mini Trekker AW - and I love this bag. It has plenty room for all my gear with some spare sections left here and there, and it has relatively large front pocket - for a bottle of water, a sandwitch, maps and stuff like that.

Geez, sounds like I may need to add some wheels to any bag I get.

This stuff gets heavy quick!

Thanks for all the info boys. I am going to make yet another purchase shortly.

IMHO the best strap of the money is the OP/Tech Pro in either the Loop or Web model. As stated on the package, "Weight Reduction System" but I have failed to loose any body weight, only wallet weight.
The OP/Tech is a semi stretchy strap that is \very comfortable, even with a 70-200IS on the body.
I don't think that there is such a thing as 1 perfect bag. I have and use several LowePro bags. PhotoTrekker AW backpack holds everything that I own and on long car trips or holidays is my main transport bag. MiniTrekker is the backpack that I use a lot in winter when shooting from the truck. It holds my long lenses and sits on the seat beside me with easy access to everything.
S&F Reporter 650AW is my main summer bag. Again just about everything can fit into it including the 400 prime and is a shoulder bag that is easy to carry. Great feature is the AW all weather cover in case you get caught in a shower. I also have a S&F 500 for smaller loads.
The TopLoader Zoom 75 is used when I just want to carry the body and 1 or 2 lenses. I also use a few LowePro add on pouchs and lens cases. You might say I have a closet full of LowePro bags. I use them all.