Searching for a backpack

[Giulio Zanni]

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I tried to go throug the several threads on bags but did not find what I am looking for. I would need a backpack to hold two M bodies with lenses and EVFs attached, another M lens or two, the R 80-200, the R 28 PC, 11" laptop, plus some spare room for filters, chargers, batteries etc. My problem is that all the bigger size backpacks have a T shape divider as the main compartment for a DSLR with the big zoom attached. I don't want that. The backpack should also be water-resistent.

 

Grateful for your advise.

[LocalHero1953]

Have you tried looking for inserts and backpack separately? It's probably easier to find a backpack that meets your needs for comfort and water resistance than finding an all-in-one. You will need a backpack that opens along the back or front, rather than just from the top.

I have a F-Stop Loka with insert; it is not completely waterproof without a cover, and recent reports suggest the company may have some problems - otherwise they are worth a look (they have a range of inserts).

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[Guest Her Berger]

I love the Filson stuff.
Especially the magnum photo bags.
Here is a review of the filson magnum backback

enjoy:

http://www.nathancward.com/blog-1/2015/4/1/filson-photographers-backpack-review

[Giulio Zanni]

I love the Filson stuff.

Especially the magnum photo bags.

Here is a review of the filson magnum backback

 

enjoy:

http://www.nathancward.com/blog-1/2015/4/1/filson-photographers-backpack-review

 

 

Yes, I was looking at their photo backpack but it seems that is nowhere to be found, especially in Europe. B&H website says that is discontinued and the reviews that I read on Amazon were not very positive, mainly complaining on the weak dividers that caused the gear to sink at the bottom of the bag.

Edited August 26, 2016 by giulioz

[Giulio Zanni]

I am looking at the ONA Camps Bay as I have the ONA Prince Street and I am very happy with it. However, it is not exactly what I am looking for. 

[Jeff S]

In the discussion on bags for the SL, someone recently commented favorably on the Think Tank Trifecta 10 backpack.  (A search showed that there is also a Trifecta 8). Seems a slim and light pack by most standards, with unusual side access and configurable dividers.   http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/252169-which-bag-for-the-sl/?p=3097867

 

I use the Gura Gear Bataflae 26L (still available now that Tamrac has taken over and created new, less desirable IMO, versions),  but only for heavier gear. There's also a smaller 18L with different design. For the M, it's usually no bag at all for me, except a weatherproof shoulder bag for travel and transport to location.

 

Jeff

Edited August 26, 2016 by Jeff S

[philipus]

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I recently looked for a backpack but wanted one that would take a 13" laptop plus various camera gear (up to 2 M with lenses plus extra lenses, or one and a Hasselblad, lots and lots of film) plus a bit more while still fitting as a hand luggage bag.

 

I tried virtually all the Manfrotto (ex-Kata) packs but didn't like how swollen and padded they were, lots of lost space (though certainly very durable and safe. But they just scream expensive gear.

 

I checked out many of the other brands like ThinkTank, F-Stop and several others but found that few were easy to pack and get things in and out. If they were of a more rigid construction, meaning they would be rather easy to pack, then the opening on top was narrow and the bag seemed more designed to open on the side (which appears to be popular with those wielding 70-200 zooms on SLRs). And if they had such a "bucket" opening, which makes it easy to get things in and out, then they were not rigid anywhere and collapsed making it difficult to use the bag.

 

Eventually I discovered the Burton Dayhiker Supreme 32L. It's a snowboarding pack (great for me as I also do that) but it's perhaps a lot larger than what you need so this is all fwiw.

 

I use it with an insert at the bottom (either a Crumpler medium-sized insert or my Ona Bowery). There's plenty of space on top with the insert in. The laptop compartment is fairly rigid (great because the bag doesn't collapse so much) but probably too large for your needs, my 13" has room to spare. A good thing is that the laptop compartment doesn't go to the bottom of the bag so the computer never touches the ground.

 

The bag has a "bucket" opening and the lid has two pockets, a soft lined one on top (mainly for ski goggles but fits an M with a small lens) and one on the inside which takes quite a bit of film, filters, batteries etc. It's a very simple and straightforward bag that can be used for all sorts of things.

 

Burton also has lots of other packs in smaller sizes. They're well made and intelligently designed.

 

br
Philip

[Giulio Zanni]

In the discussion on bags for the SL, someone recently commented favorably on the Think Tank Trifecta 10 backpack.  (A search showed that there is also a Trifecta 8). Seems a slim and light pack by most standards, with unusual side access and configurable dividers.   http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/252169-which-bag-for-the-sl/?p=3097867

 

I use the Gura Gear Bataflae 26L (still available now that Tamrac has taken over and created new, less desirable IMO, versions),  but only for heavier gear. There's also a smaller 18L with different design. For the M, it's usually no bag at all for me, except a weatherproof shoulder bag for travel and transport to location.

 

Jeff

 

 

From Think Tank I was considering the Urban Approach

[Jeff S]

I can only decide these matters by actually loading my gear, in person.  If a dealer has them in stock to experiment, great; otherwise I order, try and either keep or return.  Too many variables and personal preferences involved, including how a piece of gear fits one's own body.

 

On spec alone, the Think Tank Trifecta series (8 and 10) are somewhat lighter than the Urban Approach 15, with different access, different interior dimensions, etc.

 

Jeff

[Giulio Zanni]

I can only decide these matters by actually loading my gear, in person.  If a dealer has them in stock to experiment, great; otherwise I order, try and either keep or return.  Too many variables and personal preferences involved, including how a piece of gear fits one's own body.

 

On spec alone, the Think Tank Trifecta series (8 and 10) are somewhat lighter than the Urban Approach 15, with different access, different interior dimensions, etc.

 

Jeff

 

 

My problem is that I don't have access to decent shops in the Balkans to actually see and try to fit my gear, so I have to buy on-line and have shipped to Italy. By the time I go back is too late to return, so it's a bit of gambling 

[Jeff S]

Excuse to travel...and to bring your gear. 

 

Jeff

[Herr Barnack]

This is an interesting pack - I am thinking about getting one myself:   https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wandrd/prvke-21-the-best-bag-for-everyday-carry-and-camer

 

And Designstraps has 25 different camera backpacks to choose from:  http://www.designstraps.com/camera-bags/backpacks/

 

Then there's the reintroduced Billingham 25:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1266041-REG/billingham_bi_502533_70_rucksack_25_khaki_canvas_tan.html

 

And the Billingham 35:   https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1266045-REG/billingham_bi_503133_70_rucksack_35_khaki_canvas_tan.html

Edited August 28, 2016 by Carlos Danger

[Giulio Zanni]

 

Then there's the reintroduced Billingham 25:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1266041-REG/billingham_bi_502533_70_rucksack_25_khaki_canvas_tan.html

 

And the Billingham 35:   https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1266045-REG/billingham_bi_503133_70_rucksack_35_khaki_canvas_tan.html

 

 

Thanks, I looked at both Billinghams. They look nice but the 25 is too small for my needs and the 35 has the T shape divider as the main compartment for a DSLR with the big zoom attached, which I don't want.

[djmay]

I use a Kelty Redwing 26 for multiple purposes. 4 x 5 plus 3 lenses, filters, film holders and M9 plus 3 lenses as one configuration. Another configuration with S and 3 lenses and / or M9 with 3 lenses. Hiking packs are very rugged, stable with waist belt and weather resistant.

 

Jesse

 

Sent from my Lenovo YT3-850L using Tapatalk

[Iduna]

I also looked for a long time and tried out Manfrotto, Tamrac, Crumpler and other stuff.

 

 Then I discovered the stuff from F-Stop. Strange names they have for their backpacks like Ajna,Tilopa etc.

 

Now I have three from them in different sizes.

It is a system of outer shell which takes an inner bag. This unit can be bought in different sizes. You will find surely the size matching your gear.

 

This system saves you from the space problems in a small plane. You can take out the inner unit, compress the outer shell or give it to the trolley so that the crew will give it to the cargo.

The best thing is that the only access to your stuff is on your back. Nobody else from outside can grab anything. The outer shell is waterresistant almost proof, has many bags outside.There are two smaller bags/pockets on top where you can store keys,lens cleaner,sunglasses, gloves etc. Every zip is under a shell of rubber. For heavy rain I would recommend to buy a raincover.

If the ground is dirty and you do not want to keep your rucksack there you can turn the whole thing round your waist and use the flap of the rucksack as a table to change lenses or so. 

The weight is very light and much less than those types I already tried.

 

You can adapt the straps very close to your body so that the main weight is on your waist. The straps have much loops for hooks to take extra bags,pockets,filter,mobile etc.

 

This system is only available in the U.S and will be distributed in other countries by authorized retailers. Here in Germany there is on shop. Sometimes you have to wait for a couple of weeks. But I think it is worthwhile to wait.

The price is not a budget price but in my opinion worth every dollar/€