Posted by Phillip Noll on January 1, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Happy New Year!!
I need to get a new camera backpack and would like to solicit your input. I need to carry 1 DSLR with a 17-40mm, 24-70mm, and a 70-200mm plus a Feisol CT-3442 tripod and various accessories (CF cards, filters, etc.) maybe even a sandwich and water bottle. I'm looking for LIGHT and Durable with easy access and a comfortable harness/belt.
I've used a LowePro Pro Trekker in the past and its just way too big, bulky, and heavy.
Any recommendations?
TIA!
Posted by John Mumaw on January 1, 2009 at 7:55 PM
I was researching the same thing a few months back, and it came down to the Mountainsmith Borealis
or the Tamrac Adventure 6 or 7.
What sold me on the Mountainsmith pack was the tripod holder and pockets as seen in this series of images over at Flickr.
This holds a Canon 40D w/24-105 lens attached, a Sigma 10-20 lens and a Canon 70-300DO (compact) lens, along with a Lightning Trigger and a small battery charger. It's a pretty tight fit with all of that gear. The pockets inside & outside the pack and on the belt hold all accoutrements, and the 'daypack' is roomy enough for food, water and some clothing.
I have to remove the tripod to get to the camera gear, but it's a quick operation. It holds my Feisol tripod folded 'backward' with the head inside the legs very, very well (see the Flickr pics)!
Note that the Borealis was so popular that it sold out and the next shipment is due at the beginning of March. If you can't wait, then one of those Tamrac bags look like an excellent choice. The shoulder straps and belt have much more padding than does the Mountainsmith, but that's alright with me. Seems that you need to strap the tripod on the bottom of the pack (or maybe along the sides?) with the Tamrac bags.
Hope that helped a bit. Happy New Year to you, as well!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on January 1, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I use a Deuter Futura Zero 40L. Its more comfortable to carry that a camera backpack in my opinion.
Posted by Jim Casteel on January 2, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I have a LowePro Rover AW. I like it, it holds my 80-200, 2x teleconverter, 50mm, 90mm macro, flash, camera body with 12-24mm attached and has a compartment for another lens. That is just in the bottom of the bag, you still have room to stuff your jacket. It also has an external tripod sling. The camera pouch is also removable so you can stuff it into an overnite pack.
Look at the LowePro Flipside 400AW or 300 (smaller). The 400AW is 3.5lbs empty and should easily hold the stuff mentioned. Watch the video as well, it shows how to access the contents without setting it on the ground.
Phillip, have a look at Scott Bacon's blog about the one he just got: Scott's Blog
Scott is a bag-o-holic, and knows his goods! :) I think he's still on vacation, but hopefully he will chime in on this sometime. Good luck!
Posted by Jody Grigg on January 2, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Personally I prefer day packs not specific camera backpacks for hiking. I only use my LowePro pack for hauling my gear around in my car.
Posted by Mike Klarich on January 2, 2009 at 3:41 PM
http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm
I went with the Tamrac Expedition 6x.
I love it. Not too big, not too small.
Good Luck!
Posted by Phillip Noll on January 2, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Thanks for the replies! I was starting to get excited about Tenba bags but then I found a bunch of complaints on various forums so they're off the list. I like the Tamrac (Expedition) but they don't seem to come with rain covers. Are they waterproof and don't need covers? Also, the Kata HB-205 sounds pretty good and I've only seen good reviews. Anyone have any info on Kata? Will look at the LowePros too. Thanks!
I use my Lowepro Nature Trekker for most work from or very near the car. On longer hikes I carry my camera w/ one lens attached in a Lowepro Topload Zoom chest pack and the rest of my gear in a MacPac daypack.
I just discovered new camera packs by Dakine. I haven't seen one in person but they look to be well thought out.
Posted by Paul Beiser on January 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM
I'm with Jody. I transport my camera gear around in a ThinkTank Airport Antidote, but for serious hiking I use a real pack (right now I am using an Arcteryx Bora 40 or a Black Diamond). The bag that Scott Bacon just got does look very interesting that is for sure!
Posted by Sarah Marino on January 3, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Hi Phillip -
I got the Kata 467 for Christmas and love it. Through my internet research, I had settled on the Tamrac Adventure 7, but decided to go to a local store to check it out before buying. I am glad I did! The Tamrac bag was really stiff (in a bad way), heavy, and did not seem very roomy. I also looked at the LowePro items, but did not find anything that seemed to fit me well (since no photo backpacks are made for women, finding something that is comfortable was a challenge).
I had never considered the Kata bag until I was at the store. I used it for the first time about a week ago and am really pleased. There is enough room for my Pentax K10D, Sigma 10-20, an 18-250 zoom, and at least one more larger-sized lens in the lower pocket (and maybe even another smaller lens, depending on how I configure the padding). The other pockets easily fit enough other stuff for a long day hike (map, food, rain gear, water, and other camera supplies). I like the Kata because I can use the laptop section for a laptop or other things (like a camelback bladder, doubled-up, of course).
The bag feels very well made and was reasonably priced (~ $80 for the black and red version, could be found for less on the internet). It is also light weight and seems durable. Also, the entire foam padding section in the lower portion of the bag comes out so it can be used for protecting gear when carrying it in something else (like in a backpacking pack, a more heavy-duty day hiking pack, or luggage carry-on). The bag seems very versatile and I am really happy so far - and can't wait to use it more.
Two things that are not ideal... I would have liked a more substantial waist strap, but almost no bags I was considering had more than a flimsy strap. There is no dedicated tripod holder, but the water bottle sleeve on the side and one of the adjustable upper straps can accomodate a tripod easily with a few adjustments. My tripod (Induro Adventure AB1) fits just fine, but it is not an ideal solution.
CNET has a comprehensive review of the bag (not for hiking, but walking around a convention). There are also some helpful reviews on Amazon. So far, I would highly recommend this bag.
Posted by Sarah Marino on January 3, 2009 at 7:30 PM
And since you asked about a rain cover... It comes with a rain cover that is stored in a small pouch.
Posted by Laurent Baig on January 8, 2009 at 3:03 PM
All photobackpacks suck in my opinion. I wrap my gear in wraps and toss it into a regular dayand a half pack with a decent harness. Plenty of room for extra gear that way and saves you 6 lbs+, and way more comfy.
Discussion
13 repliesI need to get a new camera backpack and would like to solicit your input. I need to carry 1 DSLR with a 17-40mm, 24-70mm, and a 70-200mm plus a Feisol CT-3442 tripod and various accessories (CF cards, filters, etc.) maybe even a sandwich and water bottle. I'm looking for LIGHT and Durable with easy access and a comfortable harness/belt.
I've used a LowePro Pro Trekker in the past and its just way too big, bulky, and heavy.
Any recommendations?
TIA!
or the Tamrac Adventure 6 or 7.
What sold me on the Mountainsmith pack was the tripod holder and pockets as seen in this series of images over at Flickr.
This holds a Canon 40D w/24-105 lens attached, a Sigma 10-20 lens and a Canon 70-300DO (compact) lens, along with a Lightning Trigger and a small battery charger. It's a pretty tight fit with all of that gear. The pockets inside & outside the pack and on the belt hold all accoutrements, and the 'daypack' is roomy enough for food, water and some clothing.
I have to remove the tripod to get to the camera gear, but it's a quick operation. It holds my Feisol tripod folded 'backward' with the head inside the legs very, very well (see the Flickr pics)!
Note that the Borealis was so popular that it sold out and the next shipment is due at the beginning of March. If you can't wait, then one of those Tamrac bags look like an excellent choice. The shoulder straps and belt have much more padding than does the Mountainsmith, but that's alright with me. Seems that you need to strap the tripod on the bottom of the pack (or maybe along the sides?) with the Tamrac bags.
Hope that helped a bit. Happy New Year to you, as well!
Scott is a bag-o-holic, and knows his goods! :) I think he's still on vacation, but hopefully he will chime in on this sometime. Good luck!
I went with the Tamrac Expedition 6x.
I love it. Not too big, not too small.
Good Luck!
I just discovered new camera packs by Dakine. I haven't seen one in person but they look to be well thought out.
I got the Kata 467 for Christmas and love it. Through my internet research, I had settled on the Tamrac Adventure 7, but decided to go to a local store to check it out before buying. I am glad I did! The Tamrac bag was really stiff (in a bad way), heavy, and did not seem very roomy. I also looked at the LowePro items, but did not find anything that seemed to fit me well (since no photo backpacks are made for women, finding something that is comfortable was a challenge).
I had never considered the Kata bag until I was at the store. I used it for the first time about a week ago and am really pleased. There is enough room for my Pentax K10D, Sigma 10-20, an 18-250 zoom, and at least one more larger-sized lens in the lower pocket (and maybe even another smaller lens, depending on how I configure the padding). The other pockets easily fit enough other stuff for a long day hike (map, food, rain gear, water, and other camera supplies). I like the Kata because I can use the laptop section for a laptop or other things (like a camelback bladder, doubled-up, of course).
The bag feels very well made and was reasonably priced (~ $80 for the black and red version, could be found for less on the internet). It is also light weight and seems durable. Also, the entire foam padding section in the lower portion of the bag comes out so it can be used for protecting gear when carrying it in something else (like in a backpacking pack, a more heavy-duty day hiking pack, or luggage carry-on). The bag seems very versatile and I am really happy so far - and can't wait to use it more.
Two things that are not ideal... I would have liked a more substantial waist strap, but almost no bags I was considering had more than a flimsy strap. There is no dedicated tripod holder, but the water bottle sleeve on the side and one of the adjustable upper straps can accomodate a tripod easily with a few adjustments. My tripod (Induro Adventure AB1) fits just fine, but it is not an ideal solution.
CNET has a comprehensive review of the bag (not for hiking, but walking around a convention). There are also some helpful reviews on Amazon. So far, I would highly recommend this bag.