Suggestions for photogear backpack?

[Frank Petronio]

I really like my Think Tank backpack, which is sized for carrying a laptop and lots of other gear, but they make smaller well designed products as well. Not only is the backpack I have well designed, comfortable, and well-built (no ugly loose seams like on a Lowe-Pro or Domke) but it is rectangular -- unlike most backpacks which give up valuable space in exchange for a sleeker profile. These are great for air travel.

 

[photogdave]

For the third time this thread, it's called the Lowepro CompuDaypack. I'm gonna have to start asking Lowe for kickbacks!
http://products.lowepro.com/product/CompuDaypack,1922.htm#

 

[qruyk12]

Backpack

Backpack

I use the National Geographic series. Small or medium size are great.

 

[Pablito]

I hated backpacks until I got one - the Micro Trekker. As far as I'm concerned, they are useless to work out of. I cannot work out of it, anyway. HOWEVER, they are the best way to transport equipment through airports. I hated Lowe before I goet the Micro Trekker. And I hated the Micro Trekker when I got it. Then I spent about an hour adjusting it just right, and now I love it - the weight just seems to disappear. But I pack a Domke in my checked luggage and work out of that when on location. I do agree that if you are carrying one or two Leicas, it's overkill. I put two Leicas and a DSLR w/ 2.8 zoom and other leness, batteries, etc in the Micro Trekker

 

[visiondr]

..and since I have recently started riding my bicycle again the backpack is the best choice..

Riding a bike... can you say "messenger bag"? I ride a lot and these bags are carried by messengers for a reason: they work.
Courierware makes the perfect messenger-style camera bag. They call it the "incognito camera bag". I have the very small version. If you wear such a bag with the strap across your chest, it cannot be removed without your consent and is very easy to slide it from back to front and back again as you wish. How easy is that?

 

[kalokeri]

The pack needs to hold 2 M bodies, 4 lenses (biggest is a Noctilux), couple of filters, say 10 rolls of film, some other small stuff. Also i would like attachments for a tripod.

Another vote for a LowePro.

I´m using a MiniTrekker (classic) for nearly ten years now with (d)slr and also rf. In my humble opinion it´s one of the best backpacks ever, maybe a bit oversized for 2 Ms and 4 lenses. Although I do look for a replacement for some time I haven´t found something really better.

I looked at the CompuDaypack the other day and second the opinion of photogdave. Maybe for the rf-kit a really good decision as might be the MicroTrekker which is a little bit too small for tall men - looks a little bit strange to have such a small pack on your back.

Thomas

 

[RML]

I'm hugely happy with the Crumpler Pretty Boy I bought last year:

http://shardsofphotography.blogspot.com/search?q=crumpler

I use it every week now. It carries my study books together with lunch and my R-D1. And space left for quite a few items more. I bought it because I needed a backpack that would carry my R-D1 and Leica M2 with 4 extra lenses, all the paraphernalia for the R-D1 and some film for the M2; but that would also carry my personal items on a trip to Istanbul. The Pretty Boy did that well. And when in Istanbul, I replaced my personal items with sun cream, food, bottles of water, and shopping... and still had space left to put my kebab on the way back to the hotel. 🙂

 

[qruyk12]

Look into National Geographic Medium photo backpack. Tough and looks better with age.

 

[steelydam]

I just bought a Kiesel backpack that I'm VERY pleased with, especially considering all the features at the price I paid. The company is kind of new but prices are awesome: www.kieselbags.com

 

[Brennotdan]

Check out this series, I have the Alpha & Lima.

How do you like the Alpha? I had ordered the Bravo model, but cancelled because it was backordered 2 weeks. My plan is to get a nice backpack with removable inserts to use when I carry my rapid 100 and tripod, then use the inserts in a shoulder bag for a smaller camera.

I completely agree with shooting from the bike vs car. Also, it's just too much to stop the car everytime you want to shoot. Seems like a backpack would work better for a heavier kit on a bike though.