Camera backpack recommendations

8 years 7 months ago #452274 by Wayne Tidwell
I went into a camera store this week and must have tried on 4 or 5 back packs and found them to be either really cheap feeling or just not comfortable at all.   

Is there a medium to large photographers backpack you can recommend that is comfortable AND built to last?   


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8 years 7 months ago #452285 by JeremyS
Personally,

I'd take a look at this bag:  store.lowepro.com/backpacks/flipside-sport-20l-aw
I shoot with it after I wanted a bag that could be stowed and that has lots of space. I can fit a gripped Nikon D800 w/24-70 or similar lens attached and 3 other lenses. It is a great bag and with a removable insert you can literally roll the bag up into a ball after you take out the inserts and then flatten the inserts together and voila, a flatpacked backpack.


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8 years 7 months ago #452293 by Soccer Mom
Have you looked at the ones from f-stop?

Canon 7D, 18-55mm, 55-250mm, 70-200mm L f/2.8, 100mm and 17-55mm f/2.8
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8 years 7 months ago #452302 by Overread

Soccer Mom wrote: Have you looked at the ones from f-stop?



Good luck with inventory


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8 years 6 months ago #452383 by ThatNikonGuy

Takennnn wrote: Personally,

I'd take a look at this bag:  store.lowepro.com/backpacks/flipside-sport-20l-aw
I shoot with it after I wanted a bag that could be stowed and that has lots of space. I can fit a gripped Nikon D800 w/24-70 or similar lens attached and 3 other lenses. It is a great bag and with a removable insert you can literally roll the bag up into a ball after you take out the inserts and then flatten the inserts together and voila, a flatpacked backpack.



I wish they would spice up the bags  a little :(  all these bags look the same. 


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8 years 6 months ago #452387 by JeremyS

ThatNikonGuy wrote:

Takennnn wrote: Personally,

I'd take a look at this bag:  store.lowepro.com/backpacks/flipside-sport-20l-aw
I shoot with it after I wanted a bag that could be stowed and that has lots of space. I can fit a gripped Nikon D800 w/24-70 or similar lens attached and 3 other lenses. It is a great bag and with a removable insert you can literally roll the bag up into a ball after you take out the inserts and then flatten the inserts together and voila, a flatpacked backpack.



I wish they would spice up the bags  a little :(  all these bags look the same. 


I totally agree with you, thats why I used to stay away from lowepro, however this backpack that I have is blue and it looks slightly different than their other bags. Their other ones I am not very keen on. 


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8 years 6 months ago #452388 by Screamin Scott
I have 3 different backpacks. Small  (mini trekker) to a large F stop bag. I'm also have a convertible backpack/sling bag from Vanguard. I like the bags from Think Tank (very highly rated)  (I'm an affiliate) but alas don't have any from them  at the moment...

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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8 years 6 months ago #452533 by Shadowfixer1
I won't recommend a specific one but if you travel a lot, I would consider a rolling backpack. I have one and find it useful although some people may not and wouldn't want the added weight. It all depends on how you are going to use it. I mainly just use mine now to store my Nikon gear since I never use it anymore. My Olympus system is so small, I don't need anything large to hold it. Good luck in your search.
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8 years 6 months ago #452602 by Vespista
Hi Wayne,
I've just been through this exercise and ended up with one of these and I love it!:
www.manfrotto.com/product/24329.8615.176...ackpack%3A_3N1-35_PL


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8 years 6 months ago #452648 by Dan McNabb
I wish some of the camera manufactures would offer more colors for the interiors


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8 years 4 months ago #461300 by sclemens30
I received my Photobackpacker backpack several weeks ago from www.photobackpacker.com . I am 5'7" and have never found a camera backpack that fit me comfortably.

I cannot believe the difference this pack makes. It is like my gear weighs 1/2 its normal weight.. They advertise a true "mountaineering" suspension but that meant nothing to me until I tried it on. This is amazing. Photobackpacker advertises a semi-custom fit for men and women ranging from 5' tall to 6' 3" tall and I couldn't be happier. I can't speak to the taller fit but for someone who is on the short side, this is the answer.


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8 years 4 months ago #461677 by Dogpilot
I have tried several different backpacks.  I just sold the latest, the Thinktank Streetwalker Pro.  It felt like I was wearing a block of foam on my back.  Most of these designs are for riding the subway vice actual hiking. I have a couple of Lowepro's, the 200 AW is decent for hiking as the back is flexible, but it is a Body and couple of small lenses at best. The other is their Flipside.  I don't hike with it, it is as uncomfortable as the Thinktank (Think: TANK). I found that the insert to hold all the equipment is removable.  So I use that, it has nice handles that allow you to carry it like a tool tray.  I strap into the aircraft seat next to me when I do aerial oblique photography.

If I actually have to hike, I use either my Kinesis Journeyman pack or my Osprey Kestrel pack with Domke photo wraps around the camera and lenses. The photo backpacks are poorly designed, heavy and uncomfortable for hiking any distance.  They don't breathe or let you back ventilate and the straps are poor to say the least.  Get a decent pack and some wraps, or step up to a professional grade unit like the Kinesis.


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8 years 4 months ago #462811 by goodoldroute15
Take a look at the Ikigai Rival backpack. Very comfortable and easy on/off.


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8 years 4 months ago #463057 by effron
Lots of recommendations, but you neglected to let us know what you'll be doing with the backpack. A grab and go, every day bag or a hiking unit that also requires lots of accessory space, tripod carrier, etc? I have quite a few backpacks and "love" none. I use a couple for different bags depending on what I'll be doing but have yet to find the perfect backpack. You need to continue getting to sellers and trying them on....

Why so serious?
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