Looking for camera bag for Europe that won't hurt my back!

Hi friends,

My husband and I are off to Europe soon and I'm in the market for a camera bag that will join us. I currently have the Lowepro Micro Trekker 200, which is a nice bag but tends to make my back REALLY sore after about 45 minutes. Also, I have been told it's not wise to carry a bag that zips in the back while traveling, so I am turning to you guys to see what you have to suggest.

I own and will be taking...
~ Canon 30D and my flash
~ nifty fifty 1.8
~ 18-55 IS
~ 55-250 IS

Thanks for any advice you can give me!

Emily

How about belt loop holsters?

Thinktank Streetwalker for sure... you'll like it. Quality is Top notch and enough room for lenses.
http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …treetwalker-backpack.aspx

A bag that won't hurt your back requires a good harness system to properly distribute the weight. I've looked a few bags, and they all had a lousy hip belt. The point of a hip belt is to distribute the weight of the bag to the hips thus reducing the load on the shoulders and back. Eventually I went with the F-Stop Tilopa. It has all the necessary straps and adjustments like a true expedition pack, but with the design for photography. It's also very comfy, I am happy with mine.
http://fstopgear.com/e​n/tilopa

do you think it's the weight of all your gear or the micro trekker design that is causing the back pain. Because if its the weight of the equipment, getting another back pack is not going to solve the problem.

You could have a look at a sling bag which would be slightly smaller and lighter than your micro trekker

Here is an example of one

2 main compartments, one large pocket on front , another smaller side pocket on the opposite side and one pocket on the hip belt

I generally think having one strap is worse on your back than having two straps... less weight distribution.

How about Lowepro Classified 200, or the Lowepro Vertex (probably the 100)? Both should hold your kit. The Classified is a shoulder bag, the Vertex a backpack. The Vertex will distribute the weight better.

The other thing to consider in Europe is that aircraft carry on sizes can be different to that of the US (and indeed vary depending on carrier). I've taken my Classified 200 on as handluggage lots of times so that would work. I've never tried my Vertex 200, but a Vertex 100 should be fine.

Amongst others, I have a Kata 214.

It is a slingshot type bag which is being capable of being carried either on one's back or front. It's comfortable, but if you do become uncomfortable, just change positions. Likewise for safety considerations.

I carried in it a Canon 40d with 70-200f4L mounted, Tamrom 17-50 and Sigma 10-20 plus 430ex2 plus a few filters and cleaning clear and other small odds and sods.

themadman wrote in post #10035633
I generally think having one strap is worse on your back than having two straps... less weight distribution.

Totally agree with your comment with heavier loads, where you would also use a large padded hip belt to take the weight off the back and shoulders. A lot of the large camera back packs seem to be missing this feature.

Comfort? Look no further than the Lowepro Vertex series. I'm thinking the 100AW will be more than enough with daypack space.

Thank you everyone! Thanks for your help and suggestions-- I'll absolutely be doing my homework now, based on your feedback. It's much appreciated.

Look also at the Thinktank Rotation 360. Thinktank makes professional packs.

Aside from being able to access it without removing it which is amazing, it has a wide and well padded waist belt, like a trekking backpack. This is what you really want, to take the pressure off your back and shoulders and bear it on your hips.

You will pay for these features, but it is the best pack I've used. I walked through France with it and used it every day, with a tripod attached, with more gear than you have. It's a medium sized pack, so it should easily fit the gear you have.

Adorama handles Thinktank if no one close to you does. They have a no questions asked return policy, if you don't like it, return it to them.

look at the Lowepro Flipside 200 or 300. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=573801

I've got a Lowepro Primus which is very comfortable and would fit the bill nicely, it might be worth seeing if you could try one out somewhere.

lannes wrote in post #10035376
Here is an example of one...

Lannes, what bag do you have pictured here?

Thanks!