looking for a backpack

Lowepro:
MiniTrekker AW Backpack.
Slingshot 300. Sling style one strap.

Tamrac:
Adventure 74 or 75
Expedition Series

SuzyView wrote in post #6398038
I love my Kata 465. It's lightweight, can put my 5D with 24-70 attached, another prime lens and a flash in the bottom compartment and all else on top. It's light colored and doesn't look like a camera bag. Anything Kata is sweet.

Suzie, I know the pack you're talking about. I've been eyeballing that one. How much did you pay for it? Thanks!

I've been looking into backpacks myself. I'm only looking into the "split" backpacks, not the fully dedicated camera-stuff-only types of bags.

Something that will carry a decent amount of "stuff" but doesn't have the extra weight, bulk, and cost of a built-in laptop compartment. A way to carry a tripod/monopod is a fairly important feature for me.

Having seen several of the Tamracs, they're not equipped the way I'd like them to be and seem a bit small for the ones I'd be interested in.

I'd love to consider the Kata 465 myself, but I don't see an easy way to carry a tripod on it.

OTOH, the Lowepro Rover already mentioned has provision for a tripod and seems a bit bigger. No laptop sleeve is a bonus, and I appreciate how the pack can convert to an ordinary daypack by removing the padded camera section. I'm seriously leaning in that direction myself.

If I can find one locally to check it out, I'd be able to make my mind up pretty quick. That's the problem, though. There aren't many decent shops locally, and those that do have a fairly meager stock. Buying stuff like this online almost becomes a crap-shoot.

well i have a 1d III and some of these packs i am afraid it is too tall.

donaldjl wrote in post #6410536
I've been looking into backpacks myself. I'm only looking into the "split" backpacks, not the fully dedicated camera-stuff-only types of bags.

Something that will carry a decent amount of "stuff" but doesn't have the extra weight, bulk, and cost of a built-in laptop compartment. A way to carry a tripod/monopod is a fairly important feature for me.

Having seen several of the Tamracs, they're not equipped the way I'd like them to be and seem a bit small for the ones I'd be interested in.

I'd love to consider the Kata 465 myself, but I don't see an easy way to carry a tripod on it.

OTOH, the Lowepro Rover already mentioned has provision for a tripod and seems a bit bigger. No laptop sleeve is a bonus, and I appreciate how the pack can convert to an ordinary daypack by removing the padded camera section. I'm seriously leaning in that direction myself.

If I can find one locally to check it out, I'd be able to make my mind up pretty quick. That's the problem, though. There aren't many decent shops locally, and those that do have a fairly meager stock. Buying stuff like this online almost becomes a crap-shoot.

Try the following link:

Cambags

You can search for any type or style of bag. The reviews are by actual users, oftentimes with pictures. This'll give you a good idea as to how it looks and what it'll hold.

I posted about the Lowepro Rover AW II on the first page of this thread. I bought it sight unseen from B&H, although I already knew what the Dryzone Rover looked like. It seems to be what you're looking for...but give the cambags site a shot...it might confirm things for you. You can also give the Lowepro site a shot:

Lowepro

hi,

i just bought a Crumpler Keystone, there are larger similar bags, as mine is a mid-sized bag. there are plenty or reviews floating around, but I chose mine for its security features... such as not looking liek a camera bag with all-so expensive gear inside, and an access panel that cannot be reached easily.

check out http://www.crumplerbag​s.com for those in the US.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Crumpler Sinking Barge. I like that I can access my camera w/o taking off the pack.