Looking for the right back pack.

Graeme Edwards

Graeme Edwards

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Hi guys....

Im about to buy my first dedicated back pack. I want it to be suitable for my style and needs of exploration.
I live very close to Snowdonia,well an hour or so. I often spend days out in the mountains, walking and taking pictures.
I need a back pack thats comfortable, big enough for my gear, which aint much but also has space for perhaps a mini jet boil kettle, bit of food etc.But obviously, the food and gear need to be separate.

It seems all the dedicated camera bags are just lenses and other gear but no space for food or drink.
I have a been looking at this http://www.premier-ink.co.uk/photog...a-dr466i-dps-digital-rucksack-new-p-2180.html but the tripod holder is a bit of an after thought.This stye of bag tends to be a bit naff and poorly designed, they seem neither here nor there.

Is it so hard to have a bag thats like some really good walking back packs with the facility to hold food, drink, and have a good tripod mount?
Ive got a brilliant walking bag, but its not protected enough for my gear. I spend all day out, I need food and drink.

Any suggestions on what to look at or ways around my walking bag?

Cheers.
 
Have a look at the Lowepro bags... much more like a proper rucksack with straps capable of setting it up so it doesn't hurt you.

They don't do one with a seperate space for food/drink, but you could achieve it with adding some external lens pouches to it and using those for your scoff.
 
I have to agree - walking back packs IMO have much better back systems than any photo bag I have seen under £150 ish (not looked at the massive Lowepro ones), the only exception being the larger Tamrac expeditions (7 & 8), but there is no space to put walking gear.

I made my own - I bought a rucksack which suited my requirements - ended up with a 50 lt sack. I also picked up a couple of cheap camping mats, and had lots of fun with duct tape and super glue! I made a removable holder thing and some lens cases to put my camera gear in. This is shaped to fit in the bottom compartment of the bag. My tripod attaches to the compression straps at the side, the rest of my walking gear goes in the top with room to spare, even in winter.

If you don't fancy making your own cases for your camera gear, buy a smaller one which will fit in your bag.
 
Thanks, guys.

I have this bag http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product...oogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=froogle Its brilliant. But no good for camera gear due to the lack of padding and alternative access. Its through the top and thats it.
Ive looked at the suggested bags, and they are way bigger than the bag that is linked. I guess its all that padding.
Ive been watching reviews on you tube, and the only real thing that lets the kata down so far is the tripod support, there is non. WHY DAM IT! Whats wrong with these companies. Theres a gap in the market there. Who wants to buy my idea off me? :o)

Its tough as I want to get it right and can't afford hundreds of pounds. Ill pay what I have to for the right bag.
 
Just looked up the primus AW, hummm, looks good.
 
I have the Lowepro primus. Not used it on a trek or anything anywhere as near as demanding, but I did use it on a trip to Rome. Small camera compartment, but enough for quite a bit of equipment - Semi-pro body (D300), wideangle, superzoom, prime, and 2 flashes. Top compartment great for food, built in water bottle holder and awesome expanding compartment (unfortunately not properly secure for small things) which is brilliant for jackets and fleeces. Great for in the city or dirt too, as it's pretty much only back access, so you can rest it down and get clean access to your kit. Good straps too, but not tried hiking or camping bags so couldn't compare it to them for support. Also built in tripod holder (not entirely sure how well this works as not really tried it) and a nice all weather cover too!
 
I was looking for quite some time for a backpack. I went through many different types. I came upon the National Geographic Earth Explorer series and was hooked. I use the Medium version and it has met my requirements ever since. I can store all my equipment in the bag. Day to day equipment fits nicely into the given photographic space and the top compartment usually stores the baby stuff (diapers, bottles, etc,..). I bring the kid everywhere with me given the safety. I have taken it on long hikes fully loaded with no complaints. The external D-Rings and hooks make it easy to carry tripods, monopods, sleeping bag, raincoat,... It also has external bottle holders for drinks. They can also be used for tripod supports if your tripod isn't too long. I would seriously consider one. The particular benefit to the bag are the strap rings. Using the NG Earth Explorer Camera strap you can attach the camera and have it hang from the shoulder straps with ease. This has proven extremely useful as I am able to sling 2 cameras and be ready to shoot at any given moment.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that if you don't have to carry baby stuff then the top compartment can be used for plenty food and drink. I hiked for a few days last summer and fit enough in there to keep me liq.. watered I mean and a decent amount of Mars bars.
 
All really helpful comments.

King Boru, sounds like a great bag. The only thing Im not a fan of is the style. Im a young man and image is a consideration, it looks a big old fashioned for me. No doubt is would be great to use, but I like black and sleek looks.

Out of interest REF to the loweprow AW series. How do you know what the difference is. The websites are very ill labeled. They dont seem to have a range number like other bags in the lowepro range.

e.g
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Pri...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263075907&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Pri...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263078219&sr=1-2

I cant see what the difference in these two is. Apart from the odd price deference.

Cheers.
 
desantnik said:
Have a look at the Lowepro bags... much more like a proper rucksack with straps capable of setting it up so it doesn't hurt you.

They don't do one with a seperate space for food/drink, but you could achieve it with adding some external lens pouches to it and using those for your scoff.
Click to expand...

Agree. I use a computrekker myself. Has sliplock connectors to take pouches, or put food inside in poly bags to prevent errant crumbs or leakages.
 
Not quite the same reason as me but i used a small hiking backpack for when i went snowboarding this year, if you get a generic hiking bag i find the best way to store your gear in them is wrap them up in a scarf :) i have couple of the big sheet type scarves and i carried my d2hs and 70-200 wrapped up in one, fell over a fair few times down the mountains and had no issues at all even after some pretty nasty wipeouts on ice.

So i suppose if you got one of the bigger hiking backpacks and kept your camera gear in the higher pouches etc wrapped up it would be fine?
 
It doesn't sound perfect for your needs, but worth considering? I use a Flipside AW 400 and it's fairly small (at least compared to a computrekker) but it's a much better shape, almost feels like I ahve nothing on my back. I've had it on me for some 40 mile mountain bike rides with food, water, D3, 70-200 2.8, 14-24 2.8, 16 2.8, 50 1.8 and a flash. It opens from the back which I really like; less strain is put on the zip and when you put the bag down and get camera gear out you don't have to put a wet muddy bag onto your back (you don't even have to take the AW hood off). The downside is if you use the front pocket for food it will get squashed everytime you get gear out. I think it was £90 and was well worth it.
 
Graeme Edwards said:
All really helpful comments.

King Boru, sounds like a great bag. The only thing Im not a fan of is the style. Im a young man and image is a consideration, it looks a big old fashioned for me. No doubt is would be great to use, but I like black and sleek looks.

Out of interest REF to the loweprow AW series. How do you know what the difference is. The websites are very ill labeled. They dont seem to have a range number like other bags in the lowepro range.

e.g
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Pri...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263075907&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Pri...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263078219&sr=1-2

I cant see what the difference in these two is. Apart from the odd price deference.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

No difference. Crazy pricing. These were £50 during the summer... :thumbsdown:
 
Graeme Edwards said:
King Boru, sounds like a great bag. The only thing Im not a fan of is the style. Im a young man and image is a consideration, it looks a big old fashioned for me. No doubt is would be great to use, but I like black and sleek looks.
Click to expand...

:bat:calling me an old fart? ;)

Good luck in your search.
 
Graeme Edwards said:
Just looked up the primus AW, hummm, looks good.
Click to expand...

My girlfriend has one of these (Primus) and the camera section is pretty small and not very well designed. The tops section is quite small too.

I use a Lowepro Dryzone Rover (Black) that is great. A totally water sealed section in the bottom with a removable camera section. It isn't waterproof it is actually sealed and can be put into water. Holds my D3, 70-200, 17-35, 50 and bits and bobs. The top section is quite large and also has a camelback rehydration system that holds water for when I am out all the day. There is a drinking tube that goes to the front via the bag straps so that you drink as you walk. I carry food in the top as well as my waterproofs and other bits and bobs. Fabulous bag and very comfortable. I have no fear of my gear getting wet at all.

It's this one:

http://products.lowepro.com/product/DryZone-Rover,1936,18.htm

Chris :)
 
I have a Lowepro Orion AW - http://products.lowepro.com/product/Orion-AW,1987,7.htm - has a reasonable amount of space. I can fit a Canon 50d with 70-200 F4L attached, plus a Canon 30d with 18-55 attached, and then leave a bit of space for cleaning pens, micro fibre cloths, remote shutter release, spare memory cards and sensor cleaning kit.. The top section (which is detachable) isn't massive, but will fit in a flask, plus lunch box and spare hat, gloves and waterproof leggings. You've still got the mesh bottle holders, which will hold drinking bottles of cans of pop. The tripod holder is underneath, which does make it a bit awkward to set down though. I've been looking for a replacement bag since I got the 50d and 70-200, but to be fair I haven't really seen one that's made me want to change just yet...
 
Graeme Edwards said:
All really helpful comments.

King Boru, sounds like a great bag. The only thing Im not a fan of is the style. Im a young man and image is a consideration, it looks a big old fashioned for me. No doubt is would be great to use, but I like black and sleek looks.

Out of interest REF to the loweprow AW series. How do you know what the difference is. The websites are very ill labeled. They dont seem to have a range number like other bags in the lowepro range.

e.g
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Pri...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263075907&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Pri...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263078219&sr=1-2

I cant see what the difference in these two is. Apart from the odd price deference.

Cheers.
Click to expand...


Can't see any difference either apart from colour. If you are interested look in Bargains section. Someone posted a link to a much reduced artic blue version. Sorry, on way out now so canot look.

I have the Primus AW and am very happy with it. Have taken it up hills (Yorkshire Dales and Lake District) and have been very happy. Not massive amount of space but more than adequate.

Ken
 
Thanks for all the info and links. It has really helped. Ive moved away from my origonal bag idea.
Love the look of the lowepro AW bags, they look really cool. And the f-stop bags, they look very well designed.

Thanks, ill keep looking and see what I come up with.

Cheers.
 
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