SO confused - which bag to get??

[Nena2007]

Ok, I am trying to find a bag that can be carried as a backpack, I currently use the Canon backpack that everyone and their brother has and it just isn't big enough! I need it to hold my 5dmkII and 50D (both gripped), 70-200 f2.8, tamron 28-70 and two speedlights. It would be nice if it also had a way to strap a tripod or monopod to the outside. I'm just having a hard time finding something to hold all the gear that can still be used as a backpack.

Any advice? I would like to keep it under $200 if at all possible.

Thanks guys! :)

[KenJulio]

Here ya go! http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...harddrive.html

EDIT: To add, you can get the Think Tank Streetwalker Pro if you're not going to carry a laptop.

[peeker]

Check out Thinktank backpacks I have the Streetwalker Harddrive backpack and LOVE it. This thing will hold way more than you want to carry as well..

I currently have the following in my bag:
5D Mark II Gripped
50D Gripped
70-200 f2.8 L
24-105 f4.0 L
50mm f1.4
10-22 f3.5-4.5
1.4 extender
2 - 550EX
1 - 580EX
2 - CP-E4 battery packs
2 - Pocketwizard plus II's
1 - Pocketwizard TTL1
Sekonic L-358
AA battery charger
Both 50D and 5K Mark Ii battery chargers and extra batteries
Various cords, manuals, flash diffusers, business cards, grey cards, and nikknacks
24 - extra AA batteries
15" MacBook Pro

and the kitchen sink.

I strap to the front either a monopod or a lightweight tripod as it has the straps and clips to accommodate.

I just don't let them weight it when I'm traveling. Gotta make it look light.

[Nena2007]

Holy cow... that is awesome that all of that fits, I was trying to condence since I was afraid what I was looking for was imaginary :) Awesome! I do carry a laptop to weddings but DH usually brings that in his backpack. I am going to check that out. :)

How do you avoid getting it weighed at the airport?

[KenJulio]

broad shoulders

[Nena2007]

Haha... so this isn't going to knock me over is it? I read your post, I need to weigh my current bag and see how much extra weight we are talking here :)

Thanks for your help! :) Now if only they made one a bit girly-er :)

[peeker]

I carry it on... although you don't want to make a groaning noise when picking it up full... they will wonder how heavy it is... Normally most airlines don't check weight for carry-on's, although I am hearing internationally, some places are starting to...

[KenJulio]

If your hubby is with you for travel, you can split the weight with some of the gear, or put the non essential in your check in. For me, with the tripod legs, that will be going into the check-in luggage, the head will be as a carry-on, batteries will be moved to check in as well.

I could save some weight by moving the grips from the bodies to the check in luggage as well, as long as I have betters and those grips get lost for some odd reason, I can still take photos.

Check out cambags.com, they have bags broken down there as well with real user reviews and packing.

[Nena2007]

Oh ok, awesome! I don't travel much with my gear (yet!) but that is a tought for later on.. i do bring all of my things with me to weddings though, along with some random odds and ends I need during the day. DH is usually with me then though.

[KenJulio]

Take the drive to Houston Camera Exchange, when I purchased mine, they had 3 SW HD there, a shapeshifter, all of the models of the Streetwalkers, not including the other brands that were there.

[toverman]

Does it have to be a backpack? What about a rolling bag? That's a lot of gear to heave-ho out the door on your back.

[KenJulio]

If you need a rolling back I have one for sale! <-- shameless plug

I was going to suggest a rolling back but the OP stated a backpack, it doesnt hurt to keep your options open especially if youre concerned about weight

[CaptainTom]

Nena. I hate to be the one to break the bad news to you.
No matter what bag you buy now, it will not be your last. It will be wonderful for a little while and then you'll see or hear of something else that is bigger and better or cuter or lighter, etc.
It is a simple fact of a photographers life .. " you never have the perfect bag. someone else has it. By the time it's your turn to have the perfect bag, you buy another lens and you need something bigger."

[Nena2007]

Haha thanks for the realistic words Tom, you are probably right. Just like the 5dmkII is the last camera I will ever need ;)

I really do want to avoid a rolling bag, knowing its on wheels I will set it and leave it, that just freaks me out. I know I will still set down a backpack some times, but a whole lot less of the time.

I need to head back to HCE, I did once and was so overwhelmed especially with my monkies in tow that digging through them wasn't really an option!

Hmmm...anyone make cute bags? :)

[dmcantrell]

I have a Lowepro Nature Trekker. It will carry all that stuff. This particular bag was, at the time I bought it, the only camera backpack that would fit on all flights -- domestic and international -- as a carry-on that will stow in the overhead bins.

It has a small daypack bag that comes as part of it -- it actually fits into a built-in compartment if you don't need it's extra space. if you do need it's extra space, the daypack can attach to the outside of the larger bag effectively increasing the capacity of it. Funny, none of the photos seem to show this feature, yet I think it is a very useful feature.

It also has a weather-resistant "pouch" that stows when not in use, but can completely enclose the entire bag and is water resistant (proof maybe?). This is more than just the regular nylon -- this is an actual waterproof covering.

One of the best features, IMO, is the ability to strap a (full-sized) tripod onto the bag. You can strap it in a few different configurations, but the one I prefer is right in the middle which balances the weight of it.

Lowepro - Nature Trekker AW II

Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Review for Nikon D70, D100 , D200 , D300 , D700 d-slr cameras