30D Backpack - Orion Trekker II vs. Tamrac Adventure 6

Greetings. Like many of you, I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my new 30D this upcoming week.

I am looking to purchase a two-compartment backpack to carry my camera gear and some very light walk around “stuff.” In terms of camera gear, I will be carrying my 30d, a 28-135is lens, and an external flash. I hope to also purchase a 70-300is lens within the next year. In terms of “stuff,” I will be carrying a wallet, juices boxes, snacks and other small kid gear.

I will be going to the NCAA’s Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis and to Ireland / England this summer. As such, I am looking for a “walk around” backpack and not a “hiking” backpack. I am also trying to keep the purchase price under $100 so the Kata bags are out.

I am torn between the Orion Trekker II and the Tamrac Adventure 6 (I am also open to other suggestions). I went to a couple of local camera shops but none had either model in stock. As such, I am probably going to order one from B&H based upon the advice I receive from all of you.

Thanks for the help.

John

I'd be careful with juice boxes; they don't seem to retain their integrity when jostled around too much. For that scenario, I just end up with a high-end daypack like The North Face (TNF), Gregory, or the like, and a water bladder. The CamelBak or Nalgene units are highly-rated and pretty resistant to bursting and travel. I would get the TNF Hot Shot or Big Shot-- their largest models of day packs. They also have side pockets for kids' Lexan drink bottles. For padding the camera gear, you could get one of the Crumpler Bucket or Bunion-- they zip up completely and store away.

Crumpler photo day packs, and Lowe Trekkers are also well-regarded.

Waiting for my 30D and just received from B&H my Lowepro SlingShot 200. What words especially well for me--tried it out yesterday with my FZ20--is that it's day-pack convenient in terms of size and weight, but while it's normally on your back, it easily swivels around for access to camera and lenses. Total was $86.50, including shipping.

Take a look at http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/Designed_for_Digital/SlingShot_200_AW.aspx

Be warned that the 75-300mm IS will only just fit into the Orion Trekker 2. I think the 70-300mm IS is very slightly longer, so would advise you try it out first.

I used to have the Lowepro OT2 a while back, just for the purpose you want it for. I had a 3 year old at the time. I bought it especially for the holiday, and sold it pretty much soon after. Now I'm wishing I hadn't, as I'm looking for one again. This time I shall probably go for the Tamrac, as it has an extra front pocket and the 2 side pockets. Also, my other 2 current bags are Tamrac, and I've not been diappointed with them.

Have you looked at the Orion AW? The back pack part detaches--I like using it as a waist bag. It can also be used as a shoulder bag. I went to Europe last summer and wish that I would have taken this bag instead of the Pro Mag II. Check out the prices here:

http://stores.ebay.com/photococan_Lowepro-Trekking-Series_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

When I went to that site I saw the Orion AW is $111 which is more than you indicated you wanted to spend--sorry about that but I still like this set up best especially since there were a couple of museums that allowed me to take my shoulder bag but would not allow me to take my backpack.

I walked around Thailand with my Computrekker AW II (with an IBM T42 laptop). Alternatively i walked around CHina & Hong Kong with a Lowepro Microtrekker 100, it fit a 300D + 17-85 IS USM, 50 f1.4, 70-200 f4L and a 420EX speedlite. My Computrekker AW fits almost all my gear quite nicely (including my 30D) take a look at the links - the images are lower down

Click on the links for description of the equipment

http://www.pbase.com/akyrl/image/57739517

http://www.pbase.com/akyrl/image/57739543





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See my website for canon 3OD photos in the real world (disclaimer: I am still grasping with the 3OD moving up from a 3OOD)

http://www.pbase.com/akyrl - still a work in progress

When I was looking for a new bag, I was considering Orion AW among other choices, and what worried me most was that the backpack part is not a real backpack, it is made just from fabric, and my assumption was that it can be used only for storing some soft stuff like sweater, but I would feel very uncomfortable if tried to put something with hard edges there. Am I wrong?
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Vlad

make your you look into the power adaptors for you 'll need to charge your battery I'm sure.

I just bought a Lowepro CompuRover AW for a 30D, 420EX Flash, accessories (extra batteries et al) and a sony handycam. It is a bit large, but provides lots of room for trekking around. My favorite trips we do annually are Maui and DisneyWorld. With kids and all of their stuff, it allows for extra jackets etc. for a whole day on the go.

You are right it is just a back without the padding of a back pack. I have not found this to be a problem however. The problem I have found is that when hiking with it I sweat and this does make the inside of the back damp. I use 2 gallon ziplock bags for things I don't want to get wet. I understand your concern but in Europe there were times when I wanted and at a couple of museums needed to check the back pack--the Orion AW would have been a good solution.

I've just ordered an Adventure 7 (a bit bigger than the 6) and will be carrying a 20D+17-85mm IS and a 70-300mm IS, plus maybe a few other bits. I'll try to remember to post a picture when I've got it.

Have now received the Tamrac Adventure 7, and it's a rather tight fit.

The bag holds what I need, which is a 20D with 17-85mm IS attached, and a 70-300mm IS. There is also a remote release in there, and various filters in the main compartment. Batteries and cards will go in the front pocket.