Backpack for travels: 25% space for equipment and 75% personal stuff

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I own a Lowepro Fastpack 200 is perfect to carry all my gear for a photographic daytrip. I love the lateral quick access, but the space for personal staff is small and it tends to get heavy.

As I will do a travel abroad bringing with me the 17-70 and 55-300 (79x83mm + 112x71mm, 440g x2), I was wondering if there is a backpack (possibly with quick access to the camera) to be used everyday, that allows me to carry, let's say, 25% equipment and 75% personal stuff, in order to keep all with me safely under control. The weight is also important too.

Thank you
 
It'll need to be a fairly big pack you'll have to buy, what with all the personal staff you're taking with you... unless they're pygmies that is ;)

Some of the Kata bags are worth a look because of the additional rigid padding they feature for kit safety, but as for security, I'd go for a bag within a bag - get one of the smaller Lowepro (or similar) shoulder/holster bags that can go inside a trekking rucksack
 
LOL ("staff" is the Italian pronounce for "stuff"!)

I've got the lowepro slingshot 100 as well but it is large to insert it in a normal backpack - and no easy access.
 
Unless you look at f-stop bags there desn't appear to be anything like what you want on the market. Your best be however is to get a normal pack and either get a camera box/lens cases or wrap your kit up inside. It's not a brilliant way of doing it but it appears to be the only way. It will also be a damn sight lighter!
 
I've got the Kata DR-465 and took it to New York for a week back in April. I took with me my 350D body, kit lens, Sigma 10-20, batteries and chargers etc- that all fit in the bottom bit dedicated to camera gear. In the top I managed to get all my documents, money, food, drink, ipod, jumper, notebook, handouts (it was a Geography fieldtrip), pens, umbrella, passport, and still had room for more. I coudn't believe how much I managed to fit in it!! I used the bag every day for 8 days and it was fantastic, could use it as hand luggage too for the flight which was a bonus as I didn't want my camera going into the hold.
 
Thank you for your suggestions, the kata is a good idea!
Reading some reviews I arrived also to the Tamrac adventure 7.
they are very similar, but cannot realize the difference, both for the upper compartment and for the easiness of the access to the gear.

The Fstop are a little "extreme".
 
The biggest problem is that is not easy to realize how much the upper compartment is really large. the only
way is to check them in the shops.

I did the following research:
eng.jpg


The best for my needs seem to be the kata 466, the Tamrac aero 75 (even if the quick access seems to give some problem with cool temperatures) and the tamrac adventure 7.
Rarely I bring the laptop with me, but that space could be used for documents or clothing, as far the backapck is still comfortable also when that space is empty.
The adv 9 is too heavy, but I read the 2 compartments can be adjusted depending on my needs by moving the "thing" that divides them, but I couldn't find out if that is true also for the adv 7.
Thanks for your advices
 
I'd go for the Kata 466, it's basically identical to the 465 but has the extra space for the laptop which I guess would be handy :) I carried mine around New York for 9 hours a day and it really was a fantastic bag- yes it was a bit heavy but that's to be expected due to the kit I was carrying around and me being weak ;)... taking things into account it was a comfy bag and I don't think I got backache at all during the week.
 
Just bought a new Kata 465 for £29.99 posted on the bay from what seems like a reputable seller
Do a search for it and see what you think, had 2 left when I last looked.
 
Thanks guys.
The same seller has the 467 for £45, that looks a good price.
Actually I would prefer the 466 as it is slightly lighter and wider (so more space for the upper compartment?) than the 467.
Still it is not clear but, having similar dimensions but less space dedicated to the laptop compartment, the upper one should be larger.
Photos are not clear, any opinion?
 
was looking for something like this myself for holidays
love my slingshot but I won't want to put a drink in the same compartment as my camera kit!!
the kata bags look great for the price
 
I highly recommend the Lowepro Rover Plus. This has enough space for camera equipment and plenty of space for other things in the upper compartment. It is very comfortable to carry over long periods, has a rain cover but no easy access to camera equipment without taking the rucksack off.:thumbs:
 
Just received my Kata 465 and first impressions are very good.

Plenty of room in both the camera and general storage compartments, good few other pockets and a fold out drinks bottle holder which is a nice touch. Also has a separate waterproof cover which folds up nice and compact, padding for the camera and stuff is decent too.

Only slight problem could be with the strap that goes round the waist area. I'm a 34-36 waist size and its not got much adjustment left, so not too good for the fuller of figure.

Reckon its well worth 30 quid delivered and just seen an option to register online to extend warranty from five years to lifetime,so all in all bit of a bargain.
 
tijuana taxi said:
Just received my Kata 465 and first impressions are very good.

Plenty of room in both the camera and general storage compartments, good few other pockets and a fold out drinks bottle holder which is a nice touch.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your review. What can you put in the upper compartment?
 
The top compartment has a few organizer bits for pens, mobile etc and the main bit would easily take my folded up waterproof jacket (its not just a thin plastic one, got a lining and collar) along with a bit of grub, probably pack some more bits in too.
Hard to say without trying, but its fairly capacious.

Got another three pockets on the front for smaller bits, to be honest wouldn't want much bigger otherwise its going to become bit of a burden.

Think the drink holder could work as a tripod holder along with the short strap that is on the front of the bag.

What were you thinking of carrying, might be able to give you more assistance

Wouldn't take a laptop though, not deep enough
 
NJP87 said:
I have the kata 467, i can take a few pics of the top compartment with some bits in it if it will help?

Nick
Click to expand...

definitely! something that could give a real idea of the depth and capacity! thanks

What were you thinking of carrying, might be able to give you more assistance
Click to expand...
Can't say actually, but I need to use the backpack everyday for 4 weeks, so I could say a little bit of food, something valuable, a pullover/k way, small umbrella.
The water would go in the holder.
Thanks for your precuious help
 
Sure it would be fine for that sort of stuff, pretty much what I had in mind along with some first aid bits.

The bag itself is nice and light too which is ideal for wearing all day, must say can't see you getting much better for 30 quid
 
the price is fantastic, no doubt. It is a shame that they do not stock the 466, only 0,200 g more but 7,5 cm deeper
 
get the 467 i use it all the time the top compartment is quite larger as is the bottom camera bit compared to 465 which i also had.

i use the laptop compartment for magazines, books or even my superclamp
there is also a water bottle holder.

i dont use the waist belt just the chest strap

when i travel its perfect it loops around a suitcase handle and is easy cabin baggage

its comfortable and not flash highley reccomended
 
ditchdigger said:
get the 467 i use it all the time the top compartment is quite larger as is the bottom camera bit compared to 465 which i also had.
Click to expand...

your opinion is also very much appreciated!
so much larger then the 465?

do you that "The rucksack is also compatible with the Kata Insertrolley (sold separately)if wheel along transportation is needed or can be placed over an existing trolley handle"
 
Mate was well impressed with my Kata 465 for thirty quid and asked for the details.

Just had a message asking if I had it right because the same shop has them, but now £55.99, hell of a price rise and not such a good deal anymore

Wondering if that last lot was priced up incorrectly, did seem very cheap especially as it included postage for £29.99
 
max11 said:
I mean they are very good quality but more for climber.
Click to expand...

And long distance walkers, who would normally have to get a North Face, Berghaus or Osprey bag.:)
 
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