Backpack buying help

Bletch

Bletch

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Hi guys

Before I ask you what backpack you would recommend for my gear, I was hoping someone could also help out with a general buying/returning query.

If I bought a backpack off say Amazon, opened it up and tried to fit in all my stuff, only to find that it wasn't big enough, would I still be able to return it for an exchange, even though the plastic had to be torn off to get to try out the bag? Just wondering as I've never really had to return any items before.

My backpack requirements are for:
2x dslrs (D5100 & D3100) one with a zoom lens attached, the other has a standard lens.
1x wide angle lens
1x 12" netbook
A few cables, batteries etc.
Budget = no more than £130 if possible.

Thanks for taking time to help
 
Bletch said:
Hi guys

Before I ask you what backpack you would recommend for my gear, I was hoping someone could also help out with a general buying/returning query.

If I bought a backpack off say Amazon, opened it up and tried to fit in all my stuff, only to find that it wasn't big enough, would I still be able to return it for an exchange, even though the plastic had to be torn off to get to try out the bag? Just wondering as I've never really had to return any items before.
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You might be better asking Amazon for a definite answer to this - alternatively, do you have a local shop where you could buy it from so you could try it out there ?

Or ask what backpack would be recommended for your kit - I'm sure someone will have similar kit and would be able to advise ...

Do you want a backpack that is capable of taking everything and are you sure you want to carry everything with you at all times - if not, you'll be carrying a large backpack for no reason - what about a smaller backpack, that will take some / most of your kit ?
 
Bletch said:
My backpack requirements are for:
2x dslrs (D5100 & D3100) one with a zoom lens attached, the other has a standard lens.
1x wide angle lens
1x 12" netbook
A few cables, batteries etc.
Budget = no more than £130 if possible.

Thanks for taking time to help
Click to expand...

have a look at the thinktank airport range, or even their streetwalker range. i tried out both the airport essentials and the airport commuter and went with the smaller thinktank essentials, mainly due to it meeting ryanair carryon size and because it could carry 2 dslrs with lens attached if you lay the dlsr sideways. ive managed to fit d7000 with 300 f4 attached,70-200 f2.8 with space to have another d7000 attached(planning on getting a 2nd body this year), 12-24 f4, 2 teleconverters, cable release and remote, charger, leads, lens rain cover,bag rain cover, filter set and blower.there is room in the front for a sling strap, ipad and a 13" laptop. have a look at the thinktank website as they have photos of what you can get in their bags and they list the contents. the lady at the snapperstuff stand at focus on imaging also said if i wanted different dividers to contact them and they may be able to help.

i also use a lowepro flipside 400 which may fit everything you want to get in it.the flip system where you open the bag with it still attached to your waist is great, i never have to put it down in the mud.i usually take the flipside out where i know its going to be muddy.

ive so far had 4 bags since i started out, i would suggest getting a bag with a little room to grow into for when you upgrade your lenses, dont go too big but a little space is helpful.i dont normally carry everything out with me so there is space left over, but when going away it can help having the extra space. ive quickly grown out of my first 2 bags but i really thought about the thintank bag, doing plenty of research before going to focus on imaging to check out all manufacturers possible bags.
 
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A Think-Tank Streetwalker Pro Hard-Drive or Lowepro Vertex 200 will both do the job for you. Good quality bags. Both should do carry-on as well (the Think-Tank definitely does)

Seriously I'd go into a shop, or one of the touring roadshows and take a decent look at them, put them on your back loaded and try them out. It might cost you another £10-20 but will be worth it in both comfort and less hassle to get to the right bag.
 
While I'm not sure if Amazon would allow you to return the bag if it's not big enough they do have a good return policy. I've had a couple of clothing items that didn't fit and returned them with no problems, but it would be worth emailing Amazon to be on the safe side.

As for a bag, I've got a Tamrac Expedition 9x rucksack and it's huge. I get 2 gripped bodies with lenses attached, about 4-5 other lenses and a couple of flashguns in the main area but it hasn't got a dedicated laptop pouch. Some of the smaller ones in the range do have laptop pouches though and they are really well made, top class bags. They do a large range of bags as well, have a look here http://www.tamrac.co.uk/pages/products.htm
 
meonshore said:
A Think-Tank Streetwalker Pro Hard-Drive or Lowepro Vertex 200 will both do the job for you. Good quality bags. Both should do carry-on as well (the Think-Tank definitely does)

Seriously I'd go into a shop, or one of the touring roadshows and take a decent look at them, put them on your back loaded and try them out. It might cost you another £10-20 but will be worth it in both comfort and less hassle to get to the right bag.
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Carry on size is very dependant on the airline, each seem to have their own restrictions. I think virgin airlines cabin baggage is a 5kg maximum whilst Ryanair is 10kg at 55x40x20cm. Going to a shop or a roadshow is a great idea, that's what I went to Focus at the NEC for.
 
Hi Guys, thank you for helping.

My new bag will definitely go with me when I take a trip back to India later this year, I'm booked with Air India (but haven't sorted out any domestic flights yet for when I'm over there.) My suitcase won't weigh any more that 16kg even with tripod. It's packed already, can you beleive it, 7 months before I go! Air India's Hand Luggage allowance is = 7kg, but I think I'll be okay.

I won't be lugging this new backpack around with me everywhere (safaris, balloon trips etc), for this I'll just be using my Lowepro toploader for one camera whilst having the other around my neck.

I would like to visit a camera shop and ask them to stuff a bag with my prefered gear but I don't think there's anything near me now, maybe Dale Photographic in Leeds city centre? (their website seems to contain plenty of bags anyway).

I've emailed Amazon to see about their policy of returning camera bags that are too small.

Thanks for all the help guys - off to check out the Thinktank website.
 
rob-nikon said:
Carry on size is very dependant on the airline, each seem to have their own restrictions. I think virgin airlines cabin baggage is a 5kg maximum whilst Ryanair is 10kg at 55x40x20cm. Going to a shop or a roadshow is a great idea, that's what I went to Focus at the NEC for.
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True - and I should have qualified that. The Streetwalker Pro Hard Drive meets the Flybe luggage restrictions, which in my experience are typical for smaller airlines & smaller aircraft where the bins don't have the depth of a 737/747. I'll typically use Flybe out of Southampton when travelling within the UK when a drive doesn't make sense.
 
Most mid-range packs will hold what you need. Since you're only packing one extra lens outside the two on the bodies, there should be enough room in any of the lowepro/Kata/think tank/Tamrac etc back packs. Most of them fit a body with lens attached, plus 3-4 other lenses, in that price range.

I just bought one of the smaller Kata Pro lite Minibee bags. They're very light-weight, which is nice. It easily fits the D800 with 150mm attached plus 3 other lenses and the usual extras. Nice bag too. Very comfy, and it's tidy considering what it holds. Next size up would easily fit 2 bodies, with extras, but they are expensive.
 
I have recently bought the F-Stop Loka, a great bag and very versatile with the removable internal camera unit.
This is more of a rucksack based camera bag, but very good quality, with a 40 day return policy.
Initially I bought the large ICU and then bought the medium when I saw it at the Focus on imaging show.
Enjoy rally & airshow photography and wanted a bag capable of carrying all my gear, but also warm clothes and food.
Very pleased with it.
 
One_s_que said:
I have recently bought the F-Stop Loka, a great bag and very versatile with the removable internal camera unit.
This is more of a rucksack based camera bag, but very good quality, with a 40 day return policy.
Initially I bought the large ICU and then bought the medium when I saw it at the Focus on imaging show.
Enjoy rally & airshow photography and wanted a bag capable of carrying all my gear, but also warm clothes and food.
Very pleased with it.
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I have the Loka too, with a small and medium pro ICU...can't recommend it enough.
 
I wanted the F-Stop Guru, but they never have them in stock anywhere. They're very expensive but they look really good.
 
Have a lowepro (can't remember name, may be a fastpack 250 or 350). Brilliant bag, looks new despite 3 years of use. Holds a d700 plus 70-200 or 24-70 lens, plus a couple of primes, plus flash or another body in main section, can hold a body plus small lens in top too, plus laptop! Recommend the range, and agree, worth paying a bit more to a shop to try.

I have no problem with online, use it a lot myself, but don't agree with using a shop to try then buying off amazon.
 
Hi Guys
'Finally' Amazon support gave me a response about returning backpacka and it seems there won't be a problem returning a bag if it's too small/ big etc.

We do have an exchange option, but it's only available if certain criteria are met.
The item must be:
Sold and fulfilled by Amazon.co.uk.
Must not be marked as a gift.
Must not be an Add-On item.
Must not be identical to the item being returned.
Delivered to an address in the United Kingdom.
Within the initial 30-day return window.

Still a bit unsure about my bag type :) plenty time to choose though. I think one possible option is just rearranging those velcro dividers inside the bags, I do hate them though, I've played around with them before and couldn't get what I wanted.
 
Bletch said:
Must not be identical to the item being returned.
.
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so you only return a different item to the one they send you?
 
It means they won't exchange for the same item. Only something different.
 
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