Small Backpack Advice

mrdaviesuk

mrdaviesuk

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I currently have one of the larger Lowepro backpacks (mini-treker possibly). Which, whilst straining slightly is managing to swallow all my current kit.

However, with all said kit it's flipping heavy to lug around; So I'm looking for something smaller for days out, but which can swallow the gripped 5d mk2 with the 24-70mm on, ideally with space for perhaps another lens (50mm) or a flash.

Anyone have any recommendations on specific models which will fit the bill?
 
I have one of the Lowepro backpacks that splits in two (padded bottom section, and normal top half) ish. Easilly takes a gripped D300 and 17-55 (when I had one), and room at the top for a sarni :lol: or another lens. I`ve had a 70-200 in the top section before.
 
Crumpler Muffin Top Full Photo backpack would do the job in my opinion!
 
I would definitely agree with D3S. Crumpler bags are as practical as they are gorgeous. Ill stand by mine till the day it decays.

The smaller crumpler bags have little internal camera bags, so your whole backpack is seperate from your camera stuff and everything is very padded so you feel as if your kit is definitely secure.
 
D3S said:
Crumpler Muffin Top Full Photo backpack would do the job in my opinion!
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Thanks everyone!

The Muffin top looks like a really good shout ... nice looking bag too!

/me runs to add this to the xmas list! :D
 
I love Crumpler, I have loads of them. They seem to be about as sturdy as a camera bag will get, while looking fab. But I'm not sure I'd advise on them for someone looking for a small bag that still swallows some kit. My only beef with Crumpler tends to be that for the size bag (probably related to the awesome padding) you don't get a load of internal space.

That aside, they're neat bags.

The Muffin Top is lovely, but it's not really smaller than the Lowepro Mini Trekker, which I gather, the OP is using currently (that Lowepro is my favorite backpack btw, despite being quite a Crumpler fangirl).

I don't actually have any advice on small bags, as I am still looking for the perfect one myself, so I shall follow this thread to see what else gets suggested!
 
Quanosaur said:
The Muffin Top is lovely, but it's not really smaller than the Lowepro Mini Trekker, which I gather, the OP is using currently (that Lowepro is my favorite backpack btw, despite being quite a Crumpler fangirl).
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Hmm - might have to get "hands on" with one and see how big it really is -anyone on the high street stocks them?

It's so hard to get a decent sense of scale unless the product shots show your exact kit!

Thanks for the heads up!
 
I have one of these -

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=110011 -

Mine takes a K5 with the 18-55mm kit lens, a 70-210mm zoom, a 55mm lens, spare battery and charger, a pair of 10x50 binoculars, various filters and has a couple of spare compartments.

It is not waterproof, but few are, and it is not difficult to rig up a cover if needed and for that price I can't complain.

Or for a bit more - this one looks good - http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/Verso_Backpack_Shoulder.html#nogo - but I don't know it.

Dave
 
As far as I'm aware the Muffin Top is no longer part of Crumpler's current range so it may be difficult to find one in to look at in a shop. I tend to check the measurements listed on ebay (cause amazon is often not listing those).

Slim Muffin Top Full Photo Backpack (slim, as opposed to the standard, older one):
30 x 45 x 18cm

In comparison the Lowepro Mini Trekker:
30.5 x 32 x 40.5cm

So the Muffin Top is quite a bit slimmer, but also taller - though not by as much.

Sigh!
 
The Lowepro mini trekker is tiny, I have one for when I'm walking, although usually I'm carrying my computrekker, which fully loaded is something like 12-14kg.

Mini trekker takes quite a bit of kits and is a really like backpack. Do you use the waist belt to take the weight?
 
I think the OP said that the MiniTrekker is what he currently uses.

I too use that one, and for what fits into it, it's not big at all, but I would still be interested in something smaller, without being flimsy. I don't currently use the waistbelt on my MiniTrekker. I can fit almost all my kit into the MiniTrekker but I'd like a nice alternative for maybe only one or two lenses on top of the camera.
 
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I bought the National Geographic Medium Backpack which nicely holds my 7D with 70-300mm plus a 17-70, hoods, 50mm and 430exII. Loads of little pockets and slots for other stuff, good top space for food etc and a space for a small laptop (mines 14") in the back. Lastly and importantly for me it doesn't look like a camera bag and meets the smallest hand baggage allowance (e.g. Ryanair).
 
WilliamC said:
I bought the National Geographic Medium Backpack which nicely holds my 7D with 70-300mm plus a 17-70, hoods, 50mm and 430exII. Loads of little pockets and slots for other stuff, good top space for food etc and a space for a small laptop (mines 14") in the back. Lastly and importantly for me it doesn't look like a camera bag and meets the smallest hand baggage allowance (e.g. Ryanair).
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The National Geographic bags look great, I made the mistake of looking at them last week & now need them all :D

I use a regular Lowepro back pack with Domke inserts or a jack wolfskin jungle bag with a Hama insert. My main day to day bag is a shoulder bag from PC World which small & light & fits a bucket load of stuff in (body, 5 lenses, batteries, flash etc). The jungle bag only fits the camera with lens attached & 1 other small lens or camera & zoom but it's very handy
 
The Lowepro Flipside 300 is a great small backpack with great capacity.
 
Iris said:
The National Geographic bags look great, I made the mistake of looking at them last week & now need them all.
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The NG bags have to be the most hideous bags I've ever seen. They don't look dissimilar to the Army Navy Stores backpack that I used to carry my school books in 35 years ago!
 
Jackwow said:
The NG bags have to be the most hideous bags I've ever seen. They don't look dissimilar to the Army Navy Stores backpack that I used to carry my school books in 35 years ago!
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:lol: that's part of their charm :D
 
Jackwow said:
The NG bags have to be the most hideous bags I've ever seen. They don't look dissimilar to the Army Navy Stores backpack that I used to carry my school books in 35 years ago!
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As I said, they don't look like camera bags. I don't want a bag that yells "expensive camera". It looks ordinary and does the job rather well. Perfick.
 
Never handled one but from pics they don't look like they have the same protection (padding) as other bags and also don't look like they'd be very comfortable to wear for very long as they don't appear to have waist straps. :shrug:
 
mrdaviesuk said:
However, with all said kit it's flipping heavy to lug around; So I'm looking for something smaller
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A smaller bag won't make your gear way less :D If you are trying to cut weight do you need the grip?

If you are just taking one body and lens that I assume is what you will use most of the time plus maybe another small lens like the 50mm have you thought about getting a body+lens case and putting it in a normal rucksack? If you aren't taking lots of lenses and swapping them a lot then you don't need the convenience of a photo style rucksack with compartments.
 
The Kata DR-467 gets my vote...probably the most compact of all the backpacks I've seen and used. The pockets can be configured to suit your needs including a gripped 5D with the 24-70 I'm sure.
 
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I've been on the lookout for a similar daily bag as i have a Lowepro Flipside 400 which swallows everything i have and more. So i need a bag that's more a bag first, than a camera bag first. Something i could take on holidays on the plane and with me, carry my ipad, headphones etc... with no issues

I bought a Crumpler New Delhi 620 shoulder bag, awesome bag but maybe too big and more a camera bag on its own.

Ive shortened it down to Lowepro Fastpack 250, Crumpler Easy Weasy and Crumpler Turkish Shower. All between £40-65

All seem to have a separate compartment for non camera stuff and enough room for basic equipment.

Hope that helps.
 
Thanks for the responses everyone!

I'm really looking for something to compliment my existing Mini Trekker, and just to swallow the 5d2+Grip+24-70mm and not much more - for the times when I just want to got for a walk with the family.

bailout said:
A smaller bag won't make your gear way less :D If you are trying to cut weight do you need the grip?

If you are just taking one body and lens that I assume is what you will use most of the time plus maybe another small lens like the 50mm have you thought about getting a body+lens case and putting it in a normal rucksack? If you aren't taking lots of lenses and swapping them a lot then you don't need the convenience of a photo style rucksack with compartments.
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Heh - I know ... but 5d2 kit isn't heavy in itself. However the Mini Trekker fully loaded with the 5d2 kit plus the Bigma, 30D, 28-135mm, Flash, Filters, Chargers, Cables etc mean it's a bit much for a stroll out and about. I also don't want to have to take all of that gear out just to have the 5d2 rattling around inside - as I will only have to put it all back in again later.

I also want to keep the grip because I like to shoot portrait and having shot with a grip for the past 6 years, it's hard to go back.

I hadn't been onto the LowePro website since it was redesigned, but it looks like there might be a few options worth considering:

DSLR Video Fastpack 150 AW (not sure exactly how big this one is as there are 3 different models in this series I believe)

SlingShot 102 AW

Passport Sling​

I need to go and check out the Crumpler offerings too now!
 
I really like the LowePro Rover II backpack. It has two compartments, the lower is padded and easily holds my 5DII with 24-70 attached, with room for additional lens(es) and accessories. The top section is ideal for a waterproof or fleece and some lunch and there's mesh pockets on the side that will hold water bottles. The belt has loops to take Street and Field accessories and I have the Utility Case attached to hold memory cards, batteries etc. Above all it's extremely comfortable and I can wear it all day without any issues.

Bags are such personal items though, you really do have to try them yourself.
 
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