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Everlasting fight with camera bags

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homsa

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Hi everyone,

For quite some time I have an unsolved problem with camera bags. I travel quite often with my wife and I always carry a backpack with me (I believe almost everyone uses a backpack when travel). In this pack I usually carry a jacket (mine and my wife’s), a water bottle, a camera, sunscreen, an umbrella and something we ended up buying along the way (a gift, a shirt,…). It´s always nice to have a backpack when you’re far from home!

In the last 6 years, I fell in love with photography and I always carry my kit with me (Nikon D750 with the 24-120 lens attached + 70-300mm + 18-35mm and, sometimes, a tripod). And this is my problem. I never found a practical backpack I can carry while traveling (usually walking around a city), that fits my photo gear and my “travel stuff”.

My biggest problem is that with the main brands like Lowepro, Tamrac, Peak Design, Think Tank,… the packs only have space for the camera gear. They usually leave just a small amount of space to carry memory cards, chargers, batteries,… not enough for my necessities. I already tried:
  1. Lowepro 350 AW DSLR Video Fastpack: Too big to carry while traveling. Not comfortable. The space dedicated to the photo gear is more than I need and the space for the “travel” stuff is less than ideal. It´s very bulky. The design it´s terrible (It looks like a big black box attached to your back).
  2. Lowepro flipside 300 DSLR: it only has space for the photo gear and nothing more. If you need to carry “travel stuff”, you will definitely need to carry a second bag.
  3. Goruck GR2: I have this pack and tried to use as a travel bag to carry my camera gear and travel stuff. It sort of worked. The main problem is that the bag it´s too heavy (empty!). It´s an amazing bag, the built quality it´s outstanding, but it just doesn’t justify how heavy it is. This bag is just to carry your stuff from A to B and not to walk all day carrying it.
  4. Tenba DNA 15: my first attempt with the messenger bag style. The convenience of having your photo gear right next to you and to be able to easily get your camera is amazing, but it only has space for your photo gear and after a full day of carrying you will definitely feel a lot of shoulder pain.
  5. Fstop Gear Guru: The Fstop solution (ICU) is a very clever. It´s nice to be able to change the size of the photo gear compartment according to your needs. This was the first pack that almost resolved my problem. With it, I can carry my camera, lenses and travel stuff. Problems I find: You access the camera thought a back panel, so to get the camera, you have to take off the bag. This is not the most convenient way and, sometimes, I must say that a I feel lazy to go thought all the process of getting the camera and just use my IPhone. Far from ideal.
  6. Fstop Gear Tilopa: Amazing bag. The best I´ve ever had. The construction is nice, it has tons of space. The problems: It´s too big to use as a walk around pack. It also has the same access problem as the Guru.
Right now I´m looking for those alternatives:
  1. Fstop Gear Lotus: it seems to be Tilopa´s little sister. I expect it to have all the Tilopa´s quality and features, but in a smaller package. Maybe it will be easier and more comfortable to carry while traveling. The only problem is ordering from Fstop is like a lottery (you never know when the product will be delivered – I never had problems, but don´t know if I want to risk it again)
  2. Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 AW: I don´t have a great experience with Lowepro. I doesn’t seems to all the same problems I found in the 350 AW fastpack. Too bulky for EDC while traveling.
  3. Lowepro ProTactic 350 AW: Nice bag, but only has space for camera gear and nothing more.
  4. Lowepor Whistler BP 350 AW: Only the bag weights 6.53 lbs! (almost 3 kilos!!).
  5. Peak Design Everyday pack: Again, I think only has space for photo gear.
Any suggestions?? Can you share your experience?

Thanks
 
Great suggestion. I'll take a look at it. Thanks!
 
I have a

Loading…

www.manfrotto.us

I paid $109 for it. It holds a lot of gear and has a good size opening on top for all kinds of stuff. I have filter pouches, a flash, batteries, a charger, etc.

It gets some mixed reviews, but for me the storage capacity and top compartment was what I wanted. There are better hiking packs, but I really don't hike and use it for storage or for bringing a lot of gear from one place to another, via automobile. It supposedly fits under an airline seat, but I have not tried that.

I
 
Mindshift Horizon has extremely fast access and a lot of space for personal things. They have smaller backpacks too.

If needed the packs can be used with inserts, from Mindshift or look at the Tenba BYOB bags (different sizes).
 
I second the Mindshift Horizon. The rotating hip belt really works and there should be enough room for your stated camera gear. When I test drove it, I was able to shoehorn a D810, Sigma 35, 20mm f1.8, and 45mm PC-E. The upper compartment will have enough room for a couple of light jackets, water, sunglasses, and such.

--
You can't own just one tripod
 
Last edited:
My current travel camera backpack is a Kata 210 DL. It should hold everything you mention and then some. they have been discontinued a few years now, I paid $60 AUD for mine S/H. My favorite for many years was a Tamrac Adventure 9. It fitted really well, the more you loaded into it and the heavier it got the more comfortable it was. You should also be able to get one s/h for little money, they are well made and bomb proof.

As has been mentioned the square style Manfrotto backpacks can hold alot for there size. But be sure to try one in store with your gear, as they don't suit everyone. I have a Lowepro Protatic 350 aw coming that I got S/h on E bay for $100 AUD the guy used it once. I will update this when it arrives and I see how it fits.

Kelvin
 
Wilco318 said:
My current travel camera backpack is a Kata 210 DL. It should hold everything you mention and then some. they have been discontinued a few years now, I paid $60 AUD for mine S/H. My favorite for many years was a Tamrac Adventure 9. It fitted really well, the more you loaded into it and the heavier it got the more comfortable it was.
Click to expand...
That's the problem with all these fancy ultralight backpacks... bring in more gear and they really get uncomfortable.

Lack of a frame structure causes them to sag when heavily loaded. And they have too many entries, making them weak. And last but not least, the packs are short with the waist-belt riding against the ribs, putting all the weight on the shoulders.

Member said:
You should also be able to get one s/h for little money, they are well made and bomb proof.

As has been mentioned the square style Manfrotto backpacks can hold alot for there size. But be sure to try one in store with your gear, as they don't suit everyone. I have a Lowepro Protatic 350 aw coming that I got S/h on E bay for $100 AUD the guy used it once. I will update this when it arrives and I see how it fits.

Kelvin
http://fineartamerica.com/artists/kelvin+williamson
Click to expand...
 
I just purchased the ThinkTank Trifecta 10 backpack at Samy's camera. I brought by Canon 1dx, 70-200mm, 35mm and 16-35mm lenses to Samy's Camera and they fit in the bag. It has a side access and a top compartment for goodies.

The backpack has a tripod holder and a rain cover. It is small enough for day hikes.

Here is the link.

https://www.samys.com/p/Backpacks/419/Trifecta-10-DSLR-Backpack-Black/173221.html
 
That Think Tank Trifecta looks similar to my Manfrotto Advanced Tri Large. The Think Tank looks like it has a smaller capacity but has a similar top compartment. The straps look better for real hiking.
 
TheBlackGrouse said:
Mindshift Horizon has extremely fast access and a lot of space for personal things. They have smaller backpacks too.

If needed the packs can be used with inserts, from Mindshift or look at the Tenba BYOB bags (different sizes).
Click to expand...
 
Why don't you carry the camera backpack and let her carry the "other" backpack? Otherwise, you are going to need a pretty big backpack.

Or you can get a smaller kit. When I travel, I usually bring my Olympus gear; it's smaller and lighter so the bag options are much better.

Or, you can carry the tripod separately. Then you can use a bag like the Lowepro Hatchback 20L, which will hold everything you mention except the tripod (doesn't even have a tripod attachment, which is pretty lame if you ask me). I like the 20L, but I usually replace the insert with a Lowepro Omni Sport bag that's better suited to my Olympus gear.

I usually use a Lowepro Mini Trekker; I can put camera gear and tripod in the main compartment, and light jackets and other stuff in the secondary compartment. But not a "gift" unless it's pretty small. Or I move the tripod out to the tripod attachment.

For weekend trips, I can carry everything (clothing, toiletries...) in a Mountainsmith Borealis, but that's too big for walking around town...I like a smaller bag that won't bump into people, racks, etc. Again, I replace the camera insert with an accessory bag and the Lowepro Omni Sport, and I can put the Hatchback into the computer compartment. If I have a tripod, it goes into a tripod bag that I can carry separately (but it will attach to the Borealis).
 
john isaacs said:
Why don't you carry the camera backpack and let her carry the "other" backpack? Otherwise, you are going to need a pretty big backpack.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that's not an option. Carrying a backpack all day is sure to give my wife a serious backpain. We already had an experience like that and ended up loosing a day of our trip... not worth it. I'd rather carry it myself.
john isaacs said:
Or you can get a smaller kit. When I travel, I usually bring my Olympus gear; it's smaller and lighter so the bag options are much better.
Click to expand...
Yesterday I was looking at the Peak Design Backpack (30L), I believe I will try this one. They have a 30 min youtube video just to show the ways you can pack the bag. I might give it a chance.

On the other side, I agree with you. Maybe it's time to use a smaller kit. I really like my D750, but right now, I'm really thinking in give the Fuji XT-2 a try... but this is a topic for another discussion.

Thanks for the advice!
 
homsa said:
Yesterday I was looking at the Peak Design Backpack (30L), I believe I will try this one. They have a 30 min youtube video just to show the ways you can pack the bag. I might give it a chance.

On the other side, I agree with you. Maybe it's time to use a smaller kit. I really like my D750, but right now, I'm really thinking in give the Fuji XT-2 a try... but this is a topic for another discussion.

Thanks for the advice!
Click to expand...
I have the peak design backpack and quite like it. Its pretty versatile as long as you don't need to fit any big items in there.
For some jackets and small things, the top part might be enough.. And you can take one of the dividers out of the lower part to give you more space if you need.

Finding a good bag is surprisingly difficult though. I've looked at a lot, and never found a really perfect one.
 
john isaacs said:
Why don't you carry the camera backpack and let her carry the "other" backpack? Otherwise, you are going to need a pretty big backpack.

Or you can get a smaller kit. When I travel, I usually bring my Olympus gear; it's smaller and lighter so the bag options are much better.

Or, you can carry the tripod separately. Then you can use a bag like the Lowepro Hatchback 20L, which will hold everything you mention except the tripod (doesn't even have a tripod attachment, which is pretty lame if you ask me). I like the 20L, but I usually replace the insert with a Lowepro Omni Sport bag that's better suited to my Olympus gear.

I usually use a Lowepro Mini Trekker; I can put camera gear and tripod in the main compartment, and light jackets and other stuff in the secondary compartment. But not a "gift" unless it's pretty small. Or I move the tripod out to the tripod attachment.

For weekend trips, I can carry everything (clothing, toiletries...) in a Mountainsmith Borealis, but that's too big for walking around town...I like a smaller bag that won't bump into people, racks, etc. Again, I replace the camera insert with an accessory bag and the Lowepro Omni Sport, and I can put the Hatchback into the computer compartment. If I have a tripod, it goes into a tripod bag that I can carry separately (but it will attach to the Borealis).
Click to expand...
I realy like the though to let my girlfriend carry all the other things ;-))))))))
 
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