Trying To Find The Right Backpack

IanD

IanD

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Afternoon all,

I've been trying to find the right bag for all of my gear and am struggling - maybe i'm looking for something that's not out there IMO.

So i've been using a Tenba shoulder bag for a month and realise it's not for me (keep an eye on the classifieds folks!) and want to switch to a backpack.

My kit that I want to take with me all the time is my Canon 5DmkIII with my 24-70mm f/2/8L mkII attached, a Canon 16-35mm f/4L and a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L mkII.

I want them to fit nicely into a backpack with not too much spare space but also not have to cram them in each time. Also need room for a few packs of filters and maybe a small instruction book and a few little bits.

I've been looking at a few, the Lowpro Protactic 350 AW and the Tamrac Anvil Slim 11. So far, those two seem to be close to fitting the bill.

So, has anyone any experience of these two backpacks and how have you found them? I'm not sure exactly how large and protruding they are on the back when worn too - anyone any thoughts?

Also, if not either of these two, has anyone got any other recommendations for something around the same size or maybe very slightly smaller, that they know of, or are using for a similar amount of kit set up like mine.

As always, thanks in advance for any help
 
Thinktank Streetwalker Pro

Typically I've got the D810 with 24-105 attached, 70-200, 16-35 and then some spare space for filter holders, filters, card case, etc
 
Cheers for that Jim - looks a decent pack but might be just a little bit to long for my liking
 
I’ve said this on here before but whatever your bag needs are the ideal bag does not exist, is it a conspiracy by bag manufacturers to make you buy lots of bags all of which have some good features but are never quite right :D
 
sirch said:
I’ve said this on here before but whatever your bag needs are the ideal bag does not exist, is it a conspiracy by bag manufacturers to make you buy lots of bags all of which have some good features but are never quite right :D
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I make you right at the mo Chris
 
I recently bought a cheap no-name bag off Amazon. I wanted a small backpack that was guaranteed to be 100% airline-friendly, even on the most restrictive airlines, and even in the worst case scenarios where they threaten to put your "proper" carry-on bag in the hold. And I was looking to carry a similiar amount of kit to you.

The one I bought was this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0030U0V0G

I only paid £20, at which price it's virtually a no-brainer even if I don't get much use out if it. It seems to be £24.99 currently.

91UiX6E0hcL._SL1500_.jpg


There's also this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camouflage-Water-Resistant-Customizable-Raincover-Accessories/dp/B00S6CV4PY from the same manufacturer which looks very similar except (1) it's camo pattern, not black; (2) it might be a bit bigger; and (3) it's only £14.99.
 
IanD said:
I've just pulled the trigger on this one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backpack-Concept-Waterproof-Speedlite-Accessories/dp/B076MV2FPG/ref=sr_1_261?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1517336680&sr=1-261&keywords=dslr+camera+backpack&refinements=p_72:419153031

I'm hoping it's about right. It does meet travel hand luggage guidelines so i'm keeping my fingers crossed
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Fingers crossed about the hand luggage guidelines. As you probably know, the limits vary wildly from one airline to another.

I usually fly on British Airways for reason that aren't relevant here, and until recently they were absolutely the best in terms of hand baggage. One item up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, plus a second item up to 40 x 30 x 15cm, with a weight limit of 23kg for each of them. Happy days. Those dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25cm are great for even the biggest camera equipment. However they've recently made a subtle change, in that the small one is now deemed to be your primary carry-on bag, and the large one is your secondary bag which can be carried on if space permits. On a very busy flight, it might have to go in the hold, and that's clearly unacceptable for a camera bag. So I was specifically looking for a "worst case" bag to fit within 40 x 30 x 15cm, if I'm travelling on a flight which I expect to be busy, and the one I got measures 35 x 30 x 15cm.

The bag you've bought is 45 x 30 x 18cm so it doesn't fit my "worst case" requirement. It should be OK on most airlines though. If you want to check a specific airline, a while ago I compiled a long list of the carry-on allowances for different airlines here: http://lensesforhire.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/flying-with-your-photographic-equipment.html
 
sirch said:
I’ve said this on here before but whatever your bag needs are the ideal bag does not exist, is it a conspiracy by bag manufacturers to make you buy lots of bags all of which have some good features but are never quite right :D
Click to expand...

Agreed. I really don't want or need to carry all my kit all the time. My "Solution" is to have a daybag, with one camera with its standard lens, and then a long zoom if I am birding, or a smaller zoom when doing other subjects. I carry the extra lens in its own tight fitting case.

When flying (!) I carry my allowed "carry on" with a zoom lens and grollies inside, but also carry my daybag on my back. I guess if I am only allowed one bag, the camera kit and daybag will go in that, and leave the grollies behind...:-)
 
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StewartR said:
Fingers crossed about the hand luggage guidelines. As you probably know, the limits vary wildly from one airline to another.

I usually fly on British Airways for reason that aren't relevant here, and until recently they were absolutely the best in terms of hand baggage. One item up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, plus a second item up to 40 x 30 x 15cm, with a weight limit of 23kg for each of them. Happy days. Those dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25cm are great for even the biggest camera equipment. However they've recently made a subtle change, in that the small one is now deemed to be your primary carry-on bag, and the large one is your secondary bag which can be carried on if space permits. On a very busy flight, it might have to go in the hold, and that's clearly unacceptable for a camera bag. So I was specifically looking for a "worst case" bag to fit within 40 x 30 x 15cm, if I'm travelling on a flight which I expect to be busy, and the one I got measures 35 x 30 x 15cm.

The bag you've bought is 45 x 30 x 18cm so it doesn't fit my "worst case" requirement. It should be OK on most airlines though. If you want to check a specific airline, a while ago I compiled a long list of the carry-on allowances for different airlines here: http://lensesforhire.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/flying-with-your-photographic-equipment.html
Click to expand...

That's very interesting about the carry-on bag sizes Stewart. I guess i'll soon find out as we are on British Airways to Portugal in June! That said, the bag i've ordered, doesn't look a million miles away from the dimensions that you've mentioned, and TBH, if it fits in their metal box bag size checking thingie at the check-in, then should be ok. I think i'll be able to make a few centimetres on each dimension fit ok.

I'll pass your info on t my bro-in-law as he normally takes a reasonable sized back pack for hand luggage. Also, he's a Fire Station Manager at Heathrow Airport, so once my bag arrives, I might fill it with kit and get him to take it int work and check
 
IanD said:
... the bag i've ordered, doesn't look a million miles away from the dimensions that you've mentioned, and TBH, if it fits in their metal box bag size checking thingie at the check-in, then should be ok. I think i'll be able to make a few centimetres on each dimension fit ok.

I'll pass your info on t my bro-in-law as he normally takes a reasonable sized back pack for hand luggage. Also, he's a Fire Station Manager at Heathrow Airport, so once my bag arrives, I might fill it with kit and get him to take it int work and check
Click to expand...
That's a good plan.

When i bought my little bag, I wasn't 100% sure about sizes so I actually ordered three different ones from Amazon. (Free returns!) Two were slightly larger than this one. By a fortunate coincidence I had to go to Heathrow to meet a client - he was off to Norway but there had been a problem with the delivery of his lens, so I met him at T5 with a replacement - so I took the three bags along and tried to fit them into the cage. I was actually disappointed at how hard it was to compress the bags into the cage. For example this bag which I tried officially measures 43 x 30 x 15.5cm, and although I could squeeze it into the cage when empty I wouldn't have been able to when it was loaded.

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Good info Stewart!

Well I hope mine passes the test as I don't think I can go any smaller than the one i've ordered, and fit the items I described, into t
 
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