Backpack Suggestions for Camera Gear

[coachingguy]

Follow up

Well, I got the Kelty 3100 Redwing this week. As a backpack it's amazing! I put the Kiva Mini big mouth in it with my camera: Canon 50D, 70-300, 18-250 (main lens) in the Kiva. Charger, Cables, Card Reader etc... My Panasonic Lumix, batteries. My Monopod fits perfectly in one of the Pockets.

I can still put in a jacket, water, umbrella; pretty much anything else I need in it. I put a neoprene sleeve where the water bladder is supposed to go for my 15" MBP, works like a charm!

It'll be great in the Rockies this summer or at Track meets this spring.

I know it's a Mod, but I think I've got the camera bag I wanted (At least for now...)

Coachingguy

 

[adthenomad]

Incase Ari Marcopoulos DSLR camera bag

Not sure if you are still looking...but I just reviewed this camera bag:
http://www.stylishdslrcamerabags.com/2010/12/ari-marcopoulos-camera-bag-by-incase/

Incase bags are commonly found at Apple stores, but this particular one is designed in collaboration with a photographer, Ari Marcopoulos. The Incase website also has a helpful video showing how much gear the bag can hold.

good luck!

 

[august88]

Camera Gear Bag

My personal favorite camera bag is the HEX Gear Bag.

http://www.shophex.com/gear-bag

Lots of space and all but the ability to take my laptop as well was the best part for me so I could offload my photos after a day for shooting.

 

[compuwar]

Lowepro's waterproof DryZone 200 packs are good for harsh conditions.

http://store.lowepro.com/backpacks/dryzone-200

Paul

 

[hakuryuu]

Check out Crumpler bags. I have two, one a messenger style bag for daily carry from/to the office. I also have a dedicated camera bag from them. Their product names are a little off-the-wall, my camera bag is called the 8 Million Dollar Home:
http://www.crumplerbags.com/Lite/English/Products/8-Million-Dollar-Home-MD0809A.html

For your purposes, check out:
http://www.crumplerbags.com/Lite/English/Products/Customary-Barge-Deluxe-CU07A.html
http://www.crumplerbags.com/Lite/English/Products/Sinking-Barge-Deluxe-SI06A.html

Full list:
http://www.crumplerbags.com/lite/english/products.html

The construction quality is far, far above what I've seen elsewhere. I am sure you've seen ThinkTank in your readings, those are nicely made also but the designs just don't work as well for me.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/

This. A thousand times this. I have two of their camera bags (http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3397) and (http://www.crumpler.com/us/camera-bags-straps/enthusiast-bag). I cannot say enough good things about the build quality and design. Between the two of them they've been to Europe and Japan about 10 times combined for a few weeks at a time and they have held up exceptionally well. I've looked at and had lot of bags and they never feel or are nearly as good.

 

[guzhogi]

I have one of these. http://store.sony.com/camera-backpack-zid27-LCSBP3/cat-27-catid-All-Cameras-Alpha-DSLR-Accessories

It's a bit more expensive than you're looking for at $159, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's one on Amazon or eBay for cheaper. I know it's from Sony, but should fit Nikon & Canon cameras as well. Has room for several lenses, miscellaneous stuff, a tripod, water bottle, laptop. It also has a side zipper so you can get out your camera without totally taking off the backpack.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Loving my Lowepro flip side 400. For £85 I think its a great bag. Will take 2 bodies, 4-5 lenses (depending on size), a tripod mount plus accessories. Also takes a water bottle and is a comfy backpack.

 

[Unami]

has anyone mentioned f-stop bags yet?
their mountain-series is pretty awesome:
http://shop.fstopgear.com/us/products/mountain.html

it's a modular system, where you chose an "internal camera unit" for your gear (accessible via the back part of the bag like in every other camera bag). there's different sizes of ICUs and bags - so you can customize it to your needs (e.g. use a smaller icu for less gear and leave more space in the bag for other stuff.

i love my loka, ( http://shop.fstopgear.com/us/products/mountain/backpacks/loka.html#.U1HDP2thiSM ) and will also buy a bigger bag from them in the future. just be sure to order some time in advance and be patient - i've waited 4 months for my last two orders to arrive

 

[monokakata]

Thanks, Unami, for the f-stop tip. That Loka seems like a great bag and I'm going to get one. I've had OK backpack bags but they all were hard to open and work from, in the field. That Loka + ICU seems perfect.