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Everlasting fight with camera bags

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Manfrotto Offroad 30 L could work well for you, it has the biggest bag-pack-compartement for non-photo-gear as far as I know: https://www.manfrotto.com/products/camera-bags/camera-backpacks/off_road and it is very light.

The LowePro Flipside Trek 350 or 450 are the most advanced products (and as far as I know the newest) camera-backpacks with non-camara-compartements: http://store.lowepro.com/flipside-trek-bp-450-aw what I realy like is the opening-mechanism, you twist it and open it from the rear side without removing it from your body or have to lay it on the floor. And it's also a good protection from pickpockets ......

The 350 you could take into an airplane, the 450 is a little (!) bit too big.

And I'm afraid that if there would be a backpack with either

- more camera-space, than it would not have enogh place for non-camera-stuff

- more space for cloth etc. than it would have less space for camera gear

- more space for both, camera-gear and non-camera-things than it would be much bigger and too heavy that you want to carry it, and the backbag itself becomes heavier and heavier ..

So I think one of the above mentioned could work well ....
 
Thomas Traub said:
And I'm afraid that if there would be a backpack with either

- more camera-space, than it would not have enogh place for non-camera-stuff

- more space for cloth etc. than it would have less space for camera gear

- more space for both, camera-gear and non-camera-things than it would be much bigger and too heavy that you want to carry it, and the backbag itself becomes heavier and heavier ..

Thomas T
Click to expand...
If it's too short, it doesn't fit the torso. And carrying heavier loads over time is uncomfortable.

If it's too light, it's not supportive or protective.

If it fits the torso, supportive, and big enough, then it's too heavy.

If it does everything well, it's too expensive.

If it's called F-Stop, you can't get it.

If there are too many access points, then's it not stiff enough.

If it's stiff and protective and water resistant, then there's no quick access.

This is why some of us here have a camera bag addiction. You can't have just one. (Same with tripods.)

:)

--
You can't own just one tripod
 
Last edited:
That was perfect!
 
Yes I have bought more camera bags than I care to admit. I finally concluded that camera back packs are not fit for purpose. Even if you find one the right size, it will be extremely uncomfortable.

So I approached the problem from the opposite end - find a bag of the right size, that is comfortable to wear and convert it to hold camera gear. The first part is relatively easy as there are plenty of outdoor stores that sell packs, and once you have found some that suit you, measure the internal dimensions and go home. Now work out how to fit your camera gear into the space, leaving you space for non-camera gear.

Now have a canvas bag made (there are plenty of places which will do that) that will fit your chosen backpack, remembering to leave space for dividers and padding. If you are clever you can even specifiy the bag to hold ready made inserts - I use B&W inserts.

Now you have your perfect camera bag, and of course sometimes you may want to carry more or less lenses, so just get another bag and insert for your backpack to suit your needs.
 
I have both the Peak Design and the Prvke Wandrd. I prefer the Wandrd. The Wandrd is more rugged in terms of construction and weather sealing. It fits on me better and it has better support. The Peak is lighter and has access points all over the place. But support is not its strong point.

Tim
 
Chris666666 said:
Yes I have bought more camera bags than I care to admit. I finally concluded that camera back packs are not fit for purpose. Even if you find one the right size, it will be extremely uncomfortable.

So I approached the problem from the opposite end - find a bag of the right size, that is comfortable to wear and convert it to hold camera gear. The first part is relatively easy as there are plenty of outdoor stores that sell packs, and once you have found some that suit you, measure the internal dimensions and go home. Now work out how to fit your camera gear into the space, leaving you space for non-camera gear.

Now have a canvas bag made (there are plenty of places which will do that) that will fit your chosen backpack, remembering to leave space for dividers and padding. If you are clever you can even specifiy the bag to hold ready made inserts - I use B&W inserts.

Now you have your perfect camera bag, and of course sometimes you may want to carry more or less lenses, so just get another bag and insert for your backpack to suit your needs.
Click to expand...
Also, don't buy online unless you have tried to see if the typical stuff you carry fits in the bag. I own about 6 bags now all for different purposes. I just purchased the ThinkTank Trifecta 10 backpack and tried the fit at Samy's camera. Even at that I have not removed the tags as of yet until I try it a couple of times at home to ensure it is the right bag.

This camera bag thing is like my wife with purses! :-) (except she must have 30 of them.)
 
Bing Chow said:
Thomas Traub said:
And I'm afraid that if there would be a backpack with either

- more camera-space, than it would not have enogh place for non-camera-stuff

- more space for cloth etc. than it would have less space for camera gear

- more space for both, camera-gear and non-camera-things than it would be much bigger and too heavy that you want to carry it, and the backbag itself becomes heavier and heavier ..

Thomas T
Click to expand...
If it's too short, it doesn't fit the torso. And carrying heavier loads over time is uncomfortable.

If it's too light, it's not supportive or protective.

If it fits the torso, supportive, and big enough, then it's too heavy.

If it does everything well, it's too expensive.

If it's called F-Stop, you can't get it.

If there are too many access points, then's it not stiff enough.

If it's stiff and protective and water resistant, then there's no quick access.

This is why some of us here have a camera bag addiction. You can't have just one. (Same with tripods.)

:)
Click to expand...
 
Chris666666 said:
Yes I have bought more camera bags than I care to admit. I finally concluded that camera back packs are not fit for purpose. Even if you find one the right size, it will be extremely uncomfortable.

So I approached the problem from the opposite end - find a bag of the right size, that is comfortable to wear and convert it to hold camera gear. The first part is relatively easy as there are plenty of outdoor stores that sell packs, and once you have found some that suit you, measure the internal dimensions and go home. Now work out how to fit your camera gear into the space, leaving you space for non-camera gear.

Now have a canvas bag made (there are plenty of places which will do that) that will fit your chosen backpack, remembering to leave space for dividers and padding. If you are clever you can even specifiy the bag to hold ready made inserts - I use B&W inserts.

Now you have your perfect camera bag, and of course sometimes you may want to carry more or less lenses, so just get another bag and insert for your backpack to suit your needs.
Click to expand...
Recently I read an article on Petapixel about a guy that decided to adapt an Osprey pack to carry his camera. The only downside I saw was that the access to the gear... Do you have this problem? What bag do you use? Can you post a pic?
 
Bing Chow said:
Thomas Traub said:
And I'm afraid that if there would be a backpack with either

- more camera-space, than it would not have enogh place for non-camera-stuff

- more space for cloth etc. than it would have less space for camera gear

- more space for both, camera-gear and non-camera-things than it would be much bigger and too heavy that you want to carry it, and the backbag itself becomes heavier and heavier ..

Thomas T
Click to expand...
If it's too short, it doesn't fit the torso. And carrying heavier loads over time is uncomfortable.

If it's too light, it's not supportive or protective.

If it fits the torso, supportive, and big enough, then it's too heavy.

If it does everything well, it's too expensive.

If it's called F-Stop, you can't get it.

If there are too many access points, then's it not stiff enough.

If it's stiff and protective and water resistant, then there's no quick access.

This is why some of us here have a camera bag addiction. You can't have just one. (Same with tripods.)

:)
Click to expand...
 
homsa said:
Chris666666 said:
Yes I have bought more camera bags than I care to admit. I finally concluded that camera back packs are not fit for purpose. Even if you find one the right size, it will be extremely uncomfortable.

So I approached the problem from the opposite end - find a bag of the right size, that is comfortable to wear and convert it to hold camera gear. The first part is relatively easy as there are plenty of outdoor stores that sell packs, and once you have found some that suit you, measure the internal dimensions and go home. Now work out how to fit your camera gear into the space, leaving you space for non-camera gear.

Now have a canvas bag made (there are plenty of places which will do that) that will fit your chosen backpack, remembering to leave space for dividers and padding. If you are clever you can even specifiy the bag to hold ready made inserts - I use B&W inserts.

Now you have your perfect camera bag, and of course sometimes you may want to carry more or less lenses, so just get another bag and insert for your backpack to suit your needs.
Click to expand...
Recently I read an article on Petapixel about a guy that decided to adapt an Osprey pack to carry his camera. The only downside I saw was that the access to the gear... Do you have this problem? What bag do you use? Can you post a pic?
Click to expand...
I use the Osprey Farpoint 40 which I chose for lots of reasons including, I have used Osprey bags for years and found them very good, it has an opening front panel so access to the internal camera bag is good and it complies with EU carry on size for aircraft. It has lots of other good features including a good harness and hip belt so it is comfortable to carry and these can be quickly zipped away so they don't get stuck or damaged by conveyors in security.

The internal bag I use is sized to hold the B&W 3000 padded dividers together with the foam pocket and the zipped bag for accessories. It is the perfect size for the Farpoint 40, being the same width and depth as the main compartment, but leaving some of the main compartment and the other pockets free for other uses.

It has subsequently occured to me that if cameras/lenses get banned from aircraft, then all I need do is buy a B&W shell case to hold the contents of my bag and put this into my checked luggage. It won't stop theft but it will stop damage.

The internal camera bag can be used separately as I specified it with both handles and D-rings, so a strap can be clipped on. It also has zips top and bottom so that lesser used accessories are accessed by turning the bag over.

I will take some photos of it as I don't have any, but it will be couple of days time before I can do this.
 
You should upload your experiences to a website with photos, it would save a lot of people many headaches. The one solution I don't know if you've tried is a normal backpack with a camera bag and lens pouches. I have a lowepro flipside 300 but don't like that it looks like a camera bag, so I use a lowepro toploader which can fit a mid size camera with a medium sized telephoto (70-200 f4 or 10-22 or Tamron 90mm) or a couple of primes, inside a regular Jansport Hobnail. It takes about half to a third of the main compartment volume, and it's easily accessible when facing up, with more space available in the laptop compartment and the front compartment. My only likely upgrade is a slightly bigger waterproof backpack.
 
I was looking for a similar bag and ended up with the Mind shift Ultralight Dual 36L. It has a decent sized area for camera equipment and an expandable area for other things at the top which can be small if needed or quite large. Additionally, the camera compartment come out and can be used as a shoulder bag if desired.
 
Thomas Traub said:
Manfrotto Offroad 30 L could work well for you, it has the biggest bag-pack-compartement for non-photo-gear as far as I know: https://www.manfrotto.com/products/camera-bags/camera-backpacks/off_road and it is very light.
....
Click to expand...
I have Manfrotto Off Road Hiker 30L.

It is not bad: it fits me quite well, I am not tired carrying it whole day, it is large enough for non-photographic stuff and has well placed pockets. It is comfortable.

But it has one "but": The compartment for camera is not well done. It has too few velcro dividers; I never found a way how to put my stuff there well. It also have no pocket inside the camera part for filters, extra battery etc.

I solved it by adding an extra velco divider from another bag, then I manage to put my stuff in the Manfrotto Hiker. I usually put inside my 70d with EF-S 15-85, EF-S 55-250 STM, speedlite 430 EXII, and one more lens (either EF-S 10-18 or EF 35 f/2).

Concluding: It is a good (event very good) standard bag, but photographic part could be better done (with more and better shaped dividers).
 
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