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11/28/2006 08:51:16 PM · #1
I am searching for a backpack that is confortable and of course, all my gear fits in (Canon 20D, Canon 300D, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L, Sigma 105mm, canon 17-40mm, and canon 50mm.. and I guess laptop) Also it must be carry on size for traveling.

These 2 sound interesting to me, but I would love to hear your recommendations!

*Tamrac Adventure 9 Backpack
*CompuTrekker AW Backpack (or plus?)

Thanks!
11/28/2006 09:12:52 PM · #2
I know a few people who use the Computrekker, and they give it good reviews.
11/28/2006 09:17:37 PM · #3
Hey Elsapo,
My girlfriend bought me a CompuTrekker (good catch hey!) its as tuff as nuts and with plenty of room I have similar size requirements as you besides my baby 70-200L, there is heaps of room for charges and laptop gear.
Is it a walkaround backpack you are after? Because for me its a bit too large and i never take it out shooting with me just for travel at this stage. I am looking to get a smaller one.

nick
11/28/2006 09:21:00 PM · #4
I have this one and I really like it. I used it when I went hiking in the Eastern Sierras.
lowepro rover aw
11/28/2006 09:34:50 PM · #5
CompuTrekker is a great bag if you're not doing anything active. I used one for skiing for about a year and suffered a lot. Carried a D70, 70-200 2.8, 12-24, 18-70, 50, 10.5, 2 flashes and all the extra miscellaneous junk that you have. With that at the end of the day my shoulders would be killing me. I still use it for weddings and occasions when I won't have it on my back for long, but use a Dakine Sequence for my active work
11/28/2006 09:37:38 PM · #6
You can look and see what these guys have to offer Crumpler

I haven't used a bag yet (spent all my $$ on the laptop) but I have seen many and boy are they well made!
11/28/2006 09:47:06 PM · #7
yeah I think what i need is more of a travel backpack to carry all my gear but the more confortable the better lol... I have a smaller backpack for day trips..

Thanks everyone so far for your thoughts!
11/28/2006 10:14:31 PM · #8
I have this one. It's comfortable, I can jam everything in it, well padded, modular, etc. No complaints. Wasn't too expensive either.

edit: missed the bit about wanting to jam your laptop in. Won't work for that.

Message edited by author 2006-11-28 22:15:28.
11/28/2006 10:53:50 PM · #9
Thank you for asking this question, I was going to ask exactly the same, but saw your post ...

This is what I am looking for:

Backpack, size within carry-on/cabin size (12"x16"x20" ?)

Lightweight in itself, not too much material in it

Sturdy enough to protect gear at least somewhat

No frames or larger hard materials used, so it can be compressed when needed

Black/Dark/blue .. maybe grey or other sun friendly color?

Changeable size, if possible (to above cabin size)
Comfortable

Wearable on chest, would like to be able to retreive gear without taking it off. Also good against theft.

Stiffer bottom so it will not tip when put on the ground

Strap on the back so it will slide tight onto a trolley extended handle and remain there, or other trolley fastening feature


And this is what I want to fit inside:

400D

Baby 70-200L - 10-22 - 50 1.8 II (as in my profile) and 580ex

Various filters, batteries, cords

Notebook 15" (might get a smaller one soon!)

Other minor items, wallet, papers (to letter size) and the likes


I want everything to fit whatever lens is mounted, so I don't have to change to a certain lens size to fit it in. As for wearing the backpack on the chest instead of the back, it has many advantages. I like the idea of being able to open up, grab the camera and shoot. Many of my shots requires fast action. Also, with my ever increasing value of my gear, I don't like the idea of having the backpack on ... my back, for when I go inline skating. If I fall on the back, the gear will take a hit, but falling to the side, or front, is unlikely to hurt it, as my hands and arms will take the hit (skin grows out again, gear does not repair itself!) And lastly the theft issue, you gear is in view most of the time, when worn on the chest. Many people here in Shanghai already carry their backpacks this way. Looks real stupid, but you get used to see it ...

I know my demands are conflicting, but I am looking for some kind of compromise. Don't know whether to look in the market for bags, or to go to dedicated photo stores?
11/28/2006 11:18:03 PM · #10
I have the Tamrac Adventure 7. I could be wrong but I THINK the Adventure 9 is basically the same bag with the addition of a laptop compartment, and if that's correct, there's no way you'll get all that gear in there. I love my backpack, but it is not my 'home base' for my equipment -- I have a standard Tamrac Pro-somethingorother shoulder bag for that. The backpack is just for taking enough stuff for a walk or the like (and it is AWESOME for that -- so comfortable!). Mine holds my D70 with a Tamron 28-200mm lens attached, my Tokina 19-35mm, my Sigma 70-300mm (without the lens hood), and my SB-600 flash. And that's all really snugly packed in. I couldn't get another body or lens in there if I tried. (There's a pocket outside for filters, cloths, remote, all that little jazz). If I want to take my Lightsphere I have to put it in the daypack compartment above, with my wallet, sunglasses, keys, phone, etc.
11/28/2006 11:25:45 PM · #11
I got a Burton Zoompack - They are hard to find but could be worth while.

They are made for sking so are pretty flat with good clearences and have the zipper against your back (good security). Decent amount of space (similar to some of those above) and don't scream camera pack - although once you tie the tripod on it, anything looks like a camera pack :-). It has attachments for the tripod in the middle at the back which might be handy. Nice combo of pouches and pockets that work out pretty well.

Edit: Sorry, Just noticed the added comment about laptop - This ain't it for a laptop (unless you ducktap it to the outside) as well but the other stuff would probably fit (I have a film body, 20D+Grip, 70-200, flash, 85, 28-75, 10-22, image-tank and 10lb of other assorted junk).

Message edited by author 2006-11-28 23:30:55.
11/29/2006 09:09:11 AM · #12
I saw a Lowepro today in Shanghai ... this type:

//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=176&A=details&Q=&sku=424408&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

But here the bag was as much as 175 USD! So no thanks. But I liked it. Space for notebook, camera, lenses and all, very close to the way I want it.

When looking at the 8 pages (!) of bags on B&H, I really wish I could be in a shop where I could try all these out, I would probably spend HOURS until I found the right one ... or you can hint it here!
11/29/2006 09:25:55 AM · #13
how about something completely different : kata r-103. most comfortable backpack i've ever worn... especially loaded w/ 25 lbs of gear...
11/29/2006 09:26:20 AM · #14
Tamrac Adventure 9 Backpack

I've seen it and wanted to buy but it was out of my budget. If you have the money get it.
11/29/2006 10:15:07 AM · #15
Originally posted by kudzu:

how about something completely different : kata r-103. most comfortable backpack i've ever worn... especially loaded w/ 25 lbs of gear...


that one looks very nice too!
11/29/2006 10:29:34 AM · #16
Originally posted by elsapo:

Originally posted by kudzu:

how about something completely different : kata r-103. most comfortable backpack i've ever worn... especially loaded w/ 25 lbs of gear...


that one looks very nice too!


last wedding i did, the bride's brother was an army ranger and he tried it on. said he wanted one because it was so comfortable... and he doesn't even have any camera gear...

oh, and when i accidentally drug it down the drive way behind my car (yes, i AM a moron) there was absolutely no damage to the bag and the only damage to my gear was the lock that holds the pop-up flash was jarred such that it would close anymore. very minor, all things considered...
11/29/2006 10:36:52 AM · #17
Originally posted by kudzu:

last wedding i did, the bride's brother was an army ranger and he tried it on. said he wanted one because it was so comfortable... and he doesn't even have any camera gear...

oh, and when i accidentally drug it down the drive way behind my car (yes, i AM a moron) there was absolutely no damage to the bag and the only damage to my gear was the lock that holds the pop-up flash was jarred such that it would close anymore. very minor, all things considered...


do u know if it meets carry on size requirements?
11/29/2006 10:38:52 AM · #18
I reccomend the Lowepro Stealth Report D650.

It'll fit all that stuff, and a toaster.

11/29/2006 11:55:34 AM · #19
Originally posted by elsapo:

Originally posted by kudzu:

last wedding i did, the bride's brother was an army ranger and he tried it on. said he wanted one because it was so comfortable... and he doesn't even have any camera gear...

oh, and when i accidentally drug it down the drive way behind my car (yes, i AM a moron) there was absolutely no damage to the bag and the only damage to my gear was the lock that holds the pop-up flash was jarred such that it would close anymore. very minor, all things considered...


do u know if it meets carry on size requirements?


yep. at least, they didn't say anything about it when i flew to uruguay last summer... fit in all the overhead bins and even under the seat...
11/29/2006 01:43:56 PM · #20
I've had the Tamrac CyberPack6 recommended highly by a very trusted source. I know it will fit in overhead on planes.
11/30/2006 04:26:31 PM · #21
Not sure if you're still looking, but I have the Tamrac Adventure 9 that you mention in your original post, and it's great. Fits a laptop in a sleeve at the back, the camera compartment is huge and easily fits a D200 with a grip and a large lens (17-55, which is pretty chunky), plus there's lots of space above the camera compartment. Also comes with a small removable pouch for CF cards and other small items.
11/30/2006 04:40:18 PM · #22
I've been using the Lowepro CompuRover AW Backpack for a couple months now and it is AWESOME! Not the cheapest one out there, but I think it's worth it. The straps that buckle in the front really make it ideal for serious backpacking and it's extremely comfortable.
12/02/2006 04:51:56 AM · #23
Now I got myself one, and for the most part, I am content. It is a Lowepro CompuDaypack, and I bought it in the US, for 81 USD (at best buy, Alaska = no sales tax). In China I found this the very same bag a few days ago for 1360 Yuan, that is about 175 USD!

The most funny thing is, that it is made in China!

No external mount for tripod?

What I like the most about this bag is ...

Laptop space at the reat, lenses, flash etc at the bottow/front, above that a room for other things, like for me to keep camera with current lens - for fastest retrieval. Lots of pockets and small rooms, this is just what I needed. The bottom compartment section for lenses etc only opens to about 45-60 degrees, this helps keep the valuables in place, compared to those where the lens "rooms" are mounted excactly "pointing out"

Message edited by author 2006-12-02 04:54:21.
12/02/2006 05:05:24 AM · #24
i have a tamrac expedition 5 and everything fits snuggly.
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