Back pack - mixed use for 5D

Hi all,

Does any one use the Tamrac Adventure 7 and/or 9? I'm going on holiday and want to take my EOS5D with 24-105 and ideally my 580 flash too. As I am going with wife and toddler I don't really want to take a dedicated photo back pack, I need to be able to carry books, food, wipes, magazines, possible cuddly toys too!

Oh and I need to be able to carry it on as a hand luggage (ryanair for those in Europe!)

Does anyone use the Tamrac Adventure 7 or 9 back packs? They look about right but I don't have any photo shops nearby that have them in stock. Do they sound suitable or does anyone have any other alternatives?

Thanks!

George

I have an Adventure 9. Good-sized, well-made bag that fits all the gear in my profile (except the tripod.) I haven't tried to use it for carry-on luggage, but Tamrac's website claims it is small enough. With only the 5D+lens+flash, you'll have plenty of room left over.

HTH,

Ewan
--

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity — Hanlon's Razor

Thanks Ewan,

I appreciate your feedback.

George

try the Think Tank Airport Antidote !

or the Think Tank Rotation 360 or the Think Tank Urban Disguise 60

I have all 3 of them... simple love them..

I was looking for similar packs about a year ago. I decided on the Lowepro CompuRover AW. Camera-wise, it is able to accomodate the 5D, 24-105, 100 Macro, 70-300, and 16-35. The top 'open' pack section is nicely sized and there is a slot for notebooks in another section along the back of the pack. From what I remember it is slightly larger than the packs you mentioned, but still works well as a carry-on (at least for the U.S. Airlines).

I had the tamrac and I MUCH prefer the Kata.

Thanks all!

Have you thought about the lowepro primus AW? i've had it for a couple of months and im loving it. its very compfortable to carry around. It fits my 5d, 24-105(attached), 17-40, 50mm and 430ex flash. + all my accessories in the upper compartment. It also has a tripod holder.

I don't really like any of the photo backpacks. They are all way too specialized. Get a good hiking pack of your choice and put in your camera inside it in the Domke inserts- they are simple, functional, compact and lightly padded (which is all you really need). The bonuses are that your backpack does not look like a photo backpack and it will probably carry a lot better than any of the "dedicated" ones. I have taken my cameras and lenses around the globe from Burma to Patagonia and could not be more satisfied. It also is great for travel with kids.

Alex

geoantmcc said:

Hi all,

Does any one use the Tamrac Adventure 7 and/or 9? I'm going on
holiday and want to take my EOS5D with 24-105 and ideally my 580
flash too. As I am going with wife and toddler I don't really want
to take a dedicated photo back pack, I need to be able to carry
books, food, wipes, magazines, possible cuddly toys too!

Oh and I need to be able to carry it on as a hand luggage (ryanair
for those in Europe!)

Does anyone use the Tamrac Adventure 7 or 9 back packs? They look
about right but I don't have any photo shops nearby that have them in
stock. Do they sound suitable or does anyone have any other
alternatives?

Click to expand...

Looked at both the 7 and 9 and the top compartment are all to small for me. I found and ordered this at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Wolverine-BP202-Camera-Laptop-Backpack/dp/B0014KKYKQ/ref=pd_cp_e_1?pf_rd_p=250314001&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0014KOD30&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1P2F0W5SNGZSCDAB0RGG

and totally love this pack.
Here's my review for it.

"When I strap on a photo back pack it's usually for the day. That means food, water and other personal items and in most cases the backpacks out there just don't have any room for all the goodies one needs for comfort ( I have 6 packs of different sizes and styles ). This pack finally can hold all my gear, 4 lens, flash, extension rings, filters, tripod, camera, and you get the idea it has pockets for everything I own, and a lot of room in the upper compartment for items like food, water, etc. It's made well out of water resistant canvas and has a hidden rain cover in the bottom pocket. It's very comfortable and hangs well off the shoulders and is supported by a wide hip strap. I'm 6 feet tall and so far the 6 hours I've worn it have been a joy. Love this Pack."

Never heard of the maker and its a bit pricey but I'd buy another in a heart beat.
Bob

I use cases for each of my items. So I have a small case that holds my camera and a 50 1.8. I have padded cases for each lens. Then I select a backpack appropriate to my travel and add the lenses and camera and whatever else I'm taking. Then I have day packs, an ultra-light backpack, and a rough-tough pack that I vary. -Bruce

wow - I feel spoilt for choice!!!

I do like the look of that wolverine - looks like I'd have to get it from the states though as it is not on the Amazon UK site.

..has been my main all-around everyday bag for 2 years now. I also have/have used Tamrac Pro 12, Pro 5 (discontinued), Turbo Cyber Pro (sold it), Lowepro Rover Plus AW, Bagman small Crumpler rip-off shoulderbag.

I can squeese quite a bit equipment in that, at the moment there lives 5D w. grip + 17-40 f4L + 24-105 f4 IS L + 70-200 f2.8 IS L + 35 f1.4 L + EX580 II flash + other stuff.

With those it´s a bit tight fit and for example the lens hood of 70-200 doesn´t fit on camera section, but the weight is also quite heavy. Normally I might not have 70-200, but instead 50f1.4

I like the fact, that I can fit some additional stuf on the top, but it´s not too large. For Example, Lowepro Rover Plus AW is much better in this regard, it can be considered a good option for day-trips, although the camera section is better on Tamrac Adventure 9. The tripod holder is also better on Lowepro.

I´ve happy with it, but there are some issues which could be thought of better. For example: the tripod holder on the bottom doesn´t work so well.

Great thing is, that when I want to, I can take my laptop with me. Not many bags can do that.

It´s easily carry-on size, I´ve had it with me on my two trips to Asia with no issues.

btw: have you already checked this site: http://www.cambags.com
I think it provides great info on different bags.

I hope this helps!

rgds,
Mungozan
--
Equipment list on profile.
[ http://www.pbase.com/mungo]
[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mungo/]
[ http://www.mungofoto.com]

Went with Lowepro Fastpack 200. The fastpack was the only half backpack half camera case bag that could fit the 5D with a 70-200 attached to the body. The others were too small.

Other thing I didn't like about the adventure series is that the camera compartment opens outward, whereas the fastpack compartment can open from the side. There's no chance of other gear falling out, so you can grab your camera by just swinging the bag around to your side.

The 200 doesn't have a laptop compartment, but the 250 does. Same compartment dimensions, plus the laptop part in the back. All together it can hold the 5D plus grip, 1.4 TC, 70-200 f4, 17-40, 100 2.0, 28 1.8 and 50 1.8 (can probably hold the 1.4). Lots of room in a very normal looking bag.

I'd look into the fastpack series, they're very thoughtfully made IMO

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-250,2086,14.htm

Thank you for that - actually I was just looking into that series - do you believe you have enough space in the top compartment for general travel stuff?

Cheers,

George

At various times during my recent travels with it there was enough room in the top compartment for:

1. a few magazines + various plugs + extra t shirt or two

2. two wind breaker/ water proof jackets rolled in + extra shirt + bags of trail mix, chips, other snacks + maps + various smaller items (eye glasses case, blackberry etc)

All with room to spare. I never stuffed the thing to see how much could fit, but there was always room left. There are a few small compartments in the top to organize with. To be fair I think the top compartment of the adventure 9 is bigger and better organized, but in use I never needed that kind of room. And overall the 9 feels like a bigger bag, surprisingly big IMO.

Ideally you should go someplace where you can look at and try out both bags. Anything with a laptop compartment in back IMO adds a surprising amount of bulk.

Like I said, I'm very happy with the 200

I use the Adventure 9 when I travel and I've been very happy with it. When I'm going out shooting locally, I tend to use a normal non-photo backpack as I'm usually able to reduce gear to necessities for the shoot.

But the Adv 9 is great for traveling and I can fit it under the seat in front.

I can fit: 30D, 70-200 f2.8 IS, 580 EX II, 10-22, 100mm f2.8 macro, my 17" widescreen laptop, all chargers and a host of other gadgets (filters, cable release, extension tubes or TC, etc.) plus a book or magazines (magazines tend to go in the laptop sleeve with it).

It all comes down to creatively arranging the inserts to suit your needs.