Backpack recomendations: side entry?

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8238772

What bag is this?

It is Lowepro Primus AW.

Lowepro Primus AW Backpack

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8238772
<snip>

"side/sling" entry:

this is what I have now (although I have a kata 3n1-30). It solves all my issues with taking the bag off, but isn't w/o it's own issues. My biggest being you have to have the longest lens on the body whenever it's in the bag... So you have the 100-400 on the body, but need to shoot with the 16-35 that's in one of the side cubbies... OK:

• sling the bag
  
• open the bag
  
• remove the camera w/long lens
  
• grab small lens
  
• swap lenses holding the bag, body and 2 lenses mid air (or set down which is something I'd like to avoid)
  
• put the long lens in the bag
  
• shoot with the short lens
  
• swap lenses back
  
• put camera back
  
• back to backpack mode....

my issue is in the constant need to swap the long lens on/off most of the time I use the bag.

Here's what I really want, I want a bag that's similar in layout to a "3 tube shoulder bag". I want 3 "tubes" that the camera/lens can be put in at any time so I don't have to keep swapping lenses out unless the shot requires it. I also want SIDE ACCESS to the bag. I'd prefer the bag to only be "thick" enough for a DSLR w/o grip (5D/40D) NOT gripped or 1 series, but I doubt that's possible with it being big enough for a 100-400... I'd LOVE for it to be a "convertible" bag where it works as a shoulder bag with the opening at the top OR a backpack with the same opening on the side.

my apologies if i'm missing something here, but why wouldn't the 3N1 work? i have that bag myself and it has quite a bit of space. you don't mention it being filled with anything else other than the 16-35mm. after swapping lenses, why couldn't you put the 100-400mm in either the upper or lower compartment. then you could put the camera with the 16-35mm attached back in the middle compartment when you're done.

Hangbot wrote in post #8242989
soooo true - but in the city, since they're everywhere - they're pretty stealth

yeah, but that's like saying a Gucci purse is stealth for a chick...

do you have any pics of the insert loaded like that? I haven't seen anything with the 70-200 in it yet (it'll be here tomorrow) and that's close to the same size as the 100-400 I'll be stuffing in mine.

Oh, and last night I pulled out my Burton 11L AK pack and my DaKine Tram... The trams got ZERO crapola on the outside which is nice, but might be too small. It's zippers also don't go ALL the way to the bottom which could be an issue. The burton on the other hand will work FOR SURE, but has extra buckles (for carrying a snowboard) and an extra pouch for a shovel on it... If it's what I go with I'll be removing that crap, but the bonus is that it's got a side sleeve for an avi shovel handle that'll hold a tripod PERFECTLY.

klr.b wrote in post #8243900
my apologies if i'm missing something here, but why wouldn't the 3N1 work?

it's got PLENTY of space, and IS a sling. My issue is in the fact it doesn't have 3 separate "tubes" for lenses that point towards the side opening. Basically, the 100-400 goes on the body in the biggest tube like this:

okay, i see that you're carrying 3 more lenses. it obviously won't work if you're carrying all those lenses in the main storage area. however, if you decide to leave 2 lenses at home, i still think it will work. the 3N1 in it's default configuration does actually have 3 "tubes" facing the opening. if you notice the flap that closes off the upper and lower partition only has a small circular bit of velcro. this is so that you can pull the flap off and open up that partition without having to open up the bag fully (like in your pictures). for example, if you wanted to get your 24-105, you'd put it in the quick draw position and pull open the side cover. then reach in and pull the flap open on the lower partition and pull the 24-105 out. now, if you left 2 lenses at home, or put them in the top storage compartment, you could fit your 100-400 in the lower partition (or upper, if you'd prefer). you'd just have to take out the divider that's currently between the 24-105 and the 70-40.

i don't have the tripod holder yet, but since it was obviously an afterthought, it was the best they could come up with. plus, having it on the side would cover access to one of your side panels. if you had a tripod mounted to your opposite side, you'd lose quick access to your 135. i was going to get the tripod holder, but they raised the price on it. i might just wait til it drops back down.

klr.b wrote in post #8246758
okay, i see that you're carrying 3 more lenses.

this is so that you can pull the flap off and open up that partition without having to open up the bag fully (like in your pictures). for example, if you wanted to get your 24-105, you'd put it in the quick draw position and pull open the side cover.

you could fit your 100-400 in the lower partition (or upper, if you'd prefer). you'd just have to take out the divider that's currently between the 24-105 and the 70-40.

yeah, those pics are just to show what CAN fit. I am currently using it with 3 total lenses, the 100-400, 16-35 and 24-105... I just want to be able to leave any of the 3 on the body but also have a tube for the 100-400... I'll have to try your suggestion of opening one of the "tubes" from the side access and see how that goes. Thanks.

do you use BOTH side panels? Personally, I use one side (I'm a left and prefer to sling it around my left side) and then the big flap when I need full access... So blocking one side wouldn't be an issue.

But yeah, thanks for taking the time, reading what I asked, and actually coming up with a solution!!! I'll try that tonight and see what I can sort out!

Thanks again!

Ben

You're not planning on bringing the 50mm & 135mm if I understand things, right? I agree, just remove the dividers (not the velcro doors) and you'll have three tubes. You might want to keep the lower two tubes "loaded" when hiking just for the support.

I do use both side pockets on mine. The main side is obviously for the camera and lenses. But, I can pull open the other side (to the first velcro'd divider) and have quick access. I kept my ST-E2 in there, but it's good for smaller items.

Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW.....
Love how it fits my 40d w/70-200mm 2.8 mounted..

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8246812
<snip>

do you use BOTH side panels? Personally, I use one side (I'm a left and prefer to sling it around my left side) and then the big flap when I need full access... So blocking one side wouldn't be an issue.

But yeah, thanks for taking the time, reading what I asked, and actually coming up with a solution!!! I'll try that tonight and see what I can sort out!

Thanks again!

Ben

you're welcome. i just got the bag myself. i could only afford one bag so i had to make sure it could handle anything i have now and in the future. they have some good videos on their website demonstrating the bag. they show that slung to the front in the quick draw position, you can use the bag to stabilize your arms if you can't use a tripod. i, myself, probably never would have thought of this.

plus, if you're not happy with the arrangement, kata even sells the material to make your own partitions. it's called the Modi-Vers kit. you can cut them to any length and make everything customized to your own liking. i can only find a couple of reviews on this, though. one reviewer said it didn't match the yellow perfectly. i'm not sure how well they hold up as they look thinner with less padding. however, it is another option.

also, no, i don't use both side panels. i just use the main one.

The Lowepro Flipside 400 that I have can hold a lot of gear, and can be configured to have
lenses mounted to the bodies, or unmounted. The "flip" feature allows you to get lenses
out without removing the pack. I have found the "flip" to work adequately.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?p=8231343

Think Tank Rotation 360??
http://www.rotation360​.com/r360_video.html

I was in the same dilemma. Originally bought the Lowepro Slingshot 200AW and as I bought more lenses and better ones I wanted the ease of carrying them and switching them out when needed. The 360 was the answer.

I still think the best solution for a backpack that you don't have to put on the ground and have access to all your lenses and be able to change them is the Flipside.

tcc wrote in post #8247899
Think Tank Rotation 360??
http://www.rotation360​.com/r360_video.html

I was in the same dilemma. Originally bought the Lowepro Slingshot 200AW and as I bought more lenses and better ones I wanted the ease of carrying them and switching them out when needed. The 360 was the answer.

I hadn't thought of that, but would a 5Dii, 100-400, 16-35 and 24-105 all fit in the bottom? It looks like the bottoms not big enough, but the bag as a whole is too big for what I want?

but yeah, I'm embarrassed to admit Kir.b's suggestion is dead nutz accurate. The 2 flaps are just velcroed with small circles. I can easily store the 100-400 in the center tube NOT on the body and flip on of those tabs over that tube. That opens one of the sides for the camera with a smaller lens. I just have to move my dividers slightly to make it work perfect. Thanks again!

Actually the bag is not as big as you think. The pictures/videos make it seem so. What I do is I have my gripped XTi with either the 28-105 or 10-22 attached stored in the pack, along side the other lens and my 70-200 2.8 in a TT Lens Changer which attaches to the side of the pack. When I get to my destination I just take off the Lens Changer and attach it to the waist pack. Mind you I only use this pack when I go "hiking" and such when I take landscape pictures. Otherwise I have a Crumpler 7 Million Dollar for trekking around town.

I guess you have your answer from klr.b. Good luck

this has been a good read. obviously, the OP points out that camera bag manufacturers still have not designed THE PERFECT backpack bag yet to address these issues of having multiple lenses. i personally have the flipside 300 and have added a backstrap so that the flip mode doesn't cut into your back ergo not putting your bag on the ground. however with a 70-200 lens, you would indeed have to take your previous lens off and switch it back to the tele lens, which i agree is hella annoying.