Hi Keith,
I have trod your path and spent much time and money reaching what,
for me, is the answer. Yes, let's stress the point - 'for me'.
Everyone's situation is different, and the compromise that others
have rightly mentioned is key. There is NO perfect solution.
I have settled for the 'both' option like avveen. For relaxed,
short walkabouts I use a Lowepro Reporter 400 AW (or sometimes the
300).
For anything more, I use what I consider is the best all round
solution. The Lowepro Micro Trekker 200. Yes, the micro, not the
mini ! It looks too small - it aint! Remember that if you have a
spare hole in your bag you will put another lens in it that you
don't actually need. My micro holds D100, 70-200VR, 300/4,
12-24DX, 24-120VR, TC14E, TC20E. Everything I need for general out
& about use.
And now for the clever bit. I also have a couple of Lowepro large
lens cases which fit on each side of the micro. Not expensive
(about 20GBP each). I rarely use them, but when I need to carry
extra gear I can get one or both of the long lenses out of the bag
and free up a lot of space for a second body, extra lenses, flash,
whatever. I think that this is an extremely flexible setup.
The benefit of a backpack is that you will avoid painful back
problems later in life. There is one minor problem, however, that
no-one has mentioned. I find that whenever I slip the bag off to
access equipment, it ends up lying on its back on the (usually
muddy) ground. And the bit that gets muddy is the bit that will be
up against your back when you put it on again. I usually wear a
Tamrac vest which brushes clean easily, but it is something to
consider. Muddy back or backpain - you choose.
Hope some of this helps.
--
Phil Dentten
PBASE SUPPORTER
http://www.pbase.com/phil_d
'No-one ever built a monument to a critic.' Jean Sibelius
(1865-1957).
