Bagpack Recommendations

[Kenneth83]

Have been looking around abit but somehow cant seem to find something that suits my needs or maybe I have been looking in the wrong places so hopefully someone can help me out here.

I am looking for a backpack which can hold one body with lens attached, 2 lens, 1 flash, memory card + reader, water bottle, umbrella and misc stuff like maybe a book or notes.

It would be good if the bag is rather discreet about being a photography bag as well and if possible, not too "kiddy" looking in case I wanna bring it to the office.

Haven seen a few backpacks here and there but either they dun have extra pace for me to put other stuff like maybe a book or my notes for work or they are the type that tell the whole world please steal me cos I have a dslr inside.

Budget is around $150 or abit more if its worth it.

Thanks in advance

[MachIII]

You can check out Lowepro Primus AW or Flipside where the exits for the bags are either at the side or directly at the back of the bag facing your back when you carry them.

[Reportage]

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454559 it works but depends what lens is attached..."one body with lens attached"

[MelbourneGuy]

Originally Posted by MachIII You can check out Lowepro Primus AW or Flipside where the exits for the bags are either at the side or directly at the back of the bag facing your back when you carry them.

+1 for the Lowepro Flipside. I have the Flipside 200. It holds a camera with lens attached, plus 2 extra lenses or a flash, and there is a compartment on the side for a waterbottle and cables. Umbrella may not fit. They have bigger models (300, 400). And it is opened from the back making it more secure and only the front gets dirty on the ground while opening it up, not the side that actually touches your back. It's also very light weight (1kg) and looks very conservative in standard black. AND it included a tripod holder on the back!

I paid $117 at Cathay Photo.

[iMac08]

i have bought and sell a few backpack...any chance u will upgrade to bigger lens with hood or more lens? else u may end up buying another bag again...which most of us do i guess... have u seen think tank before? is bigger and more spacious than lowepro i feel.

[Headshotzx]

If you've got kit lenses and not the long lenses, I'll suggest a Lowepro Compu Daypack. Bottom compartment fits your camera + mounted lens + 2 other lenses + flash, top compartment your jacket and umbrella. For your notes, if they're A4 in size, you can slot them into the laptop compartment (with a folder, of course, if not you'd get dog-ears and stuff on your notes).

If you do have a long lens like a 70-200, do consider the Primus AW. I sold mine away because it could only accommodate what I own, and not what I'm used to bringing to shoots by borrowing.

[Kenneth83]

Narrowed down my bag search to these:

Kata DR-467 Digital Rucksack

review looks good from CNET and it has space for laptop. Cost $120 ~ $135

Lowepro Flipside 200

Like how the opening is from the back. Cost around $125

Tamrac Adventure 7

The top compartment looks big enough to keep my other stuff and its abit cheaper then the rest. Cost Around $115. *Will get the all black colour one of cos*

*Prices taken from various local forums*

Gonna head down to funan area to check out the bags as I think I really need to get it. Packed all my gear into my lowepro rezo 190 aw and it looks like its gonna burst anytime. Dun want that to happen tmr during the wedding shoot(haha thank goodness I am the 2nd or 3rd photographer).

[MelbourneGuy]

Just out of interest, do any of the other two (except the Flipside) have the ability to carry a tripod?
The reason I ask is that was the main decision making point for me.
Btw, Flipside 200 is $117 at Cathay Photo.

[calebk]

The flipside does not have the extra compartment for other stuff; its main compartment is a full-length camera compartment with dividers. If you are okay with that, I'd actually recommend the Think Tank Street Walker, which is designed quite similarly, but way better built, I feel.

[benghui]

Originally Posted by MelbourneGuy Just out of interest, do any of the other two (except the Flipside) have the ability to carry a tripod? The reason I ask is that was the main decision making point for me. Btw, Flipside 200 is $117 at Cathay Photo.

yes for both though the tamrac requires u to buy seperate straps to attach to the bottom of the bagpack

[Kenneth83]

Originally Posted by calebk The flipside does not have the extra compartment for other stuff; its main compartment is a full-length camera compartment with dividers. If you are okay with that, I'd actually recommend the Think Tank Street Walker, which is designed quite similarly, but way better built, I feel.

hmm... whats the cost for the streetwalker? cant seem to find it...

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Kenneth83 hmm... whats the cost for the streetwalker? cant seem to find it...

Price guides can all be found here. The Think Tank price guide is found on this thread.

Unfortunately, the price list has not been updated with the Streetwalker prices, but I do believe it should fit within your budget. Consider calling TK Foto or John 3:16. They carry Think Tank bags.

[Evilmerlin]

Can the Primus AW hold body w/lens and an additional 2 lens? I'm quite tempted by the Primus AW but the camera section looks a little small while the CompuPrimus is just massive.

Pity that ThinkTank doesn't do a backpack with a quick access slot, would love to see what they can come up with.

[iMac08]

Think tank is more pricey than the lowe pro for sure. But like what calebk says...the quality is much better. and more spacious for future upgrade.

This thing abt quick access i wonder abt its usefulness. I have a fastpack before,i think that is not too bad..but i also have friends telling me they see how ppl's lens ended up on the floor with this assess. the flipside i use to have the 400 AW. thought it was great can turn around and change lens...yeah right...trying loading more stuffs and see if your bag stays 90 degree or droop down. the only thing i think it is good is the security part. because it opens from the back..

if you want quick assess..try think tank 360...i have seen how some ppl swear by it...but the price...is easily a lens too

[night86mare]

how big is your book or notes?

kata digital rucksack is good, if your book or notes are not too large,



lowepro orion trekker ii is another backpack that i like a lot, have been using it since i started photography

[Evilmerlin]

I was considering the 360 before but the little slide out section for camera is too small. It's even smaller than the Fastpack' camera section.

The difference between a Primus and the Flipside is that the Primus limits your camera gear to the bottom section. The weight loading is quite different. Plus the quick access slot is just about enough for you get the camera out unlike the Fastpack which opens all the way. Just have to be careful with the handling of the bag I guess.

I find that both Lowepro and Thinktank have concentrated in different areas. Lowepro has got the bags for outdoor use with their superb backpacks while Thinktank is more for urban environments with their awesome slingbags and harnesses.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Evilmerlin ...Thinktank is more for urban environments with their awesome slingbags and harnesses.

Don't forget the market for the flying photographer. They put heavy emphasis on making sure their bags are legal carry on size (not necessarily weight. Teehee.).

[Evilmerlin]

Indeed, I didn't mention that as some Lowepro bags are carry on sized as well, they just look like they aren't.

[Kenneth83]

I went to K13 on friday but it seems like they only got the kata dr467 in pink colour =X

[Randius]

The Streetwalker is $179. I just bought one and may be considering selling it to get Airport Antidote (again...)