Camera bag backpack

[Melany]

My birthday is coming up, and I've been "hinting" to hubby that I'd like a new camera bag.
I have a sling - med sized one now, and it carries what I need but it doesn't have a place to hold a tripod, nor a side pocket for water bottle.

I like to hike and I do outdoor photography, so I need something comfortable, and the sling isn't. I want one this time that has typical backpack straps (across both shoulders) with support straps across the chest and waist.

I've been known to carry a lot of lenses (and crap) in there at times (I never know what I'll need when I get where I'm going!)

Do you have a bag like I'm describing? What do you like and "not like" about it?

[Abel]

I'm moving thread to Camera Bags & Cases section. thx.

[Tom]

I love my ThinkTank StreetWalker HD. I went to Europe, the Middle East and Africa recently and I bought the bag for this trip.

Here is the bag and what I packed:
What’s in the BAG? Travel to Europe and Beyond! » thomascampbellphoto.com

[mmuhlenkamp]

I have this bag Lowepro Flipside 400AW.

I made a thread a while back that has a photo of all that I crammed into it...
Lowepro Flipside 400AW

I like it because main compartment opens to your back and allows you to get to stuff without have to take the backpack off. Nice if it's muddy or just no good place to set anything. It still needs to be supported with your leg, especially if fully loaded, but isn't too hard to mess with. I wish it would stay on it's bottom more steadily when on the ground and it would be nice if it opened up a bit more fully for packing away, other than that I like it a lot.

My only REAL problem is now is that now I have a laptop and this has no laptop compartment.

[groovyone]

I use a Flipside 300 for the times I want to bring some variety but no laptop. I have a Fastpack 350 for that. I posted reviews in the Product Review section.

[dmcantrell]

I have a Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II. This bag is made for exactly what you have described. One of the coolest features is the built-in rain cover. I've used this on more than one occasion. This is a "large" bag, and can hold lots and lots of gear. It also has a little daypack bag that's built into it that could be used as its own backpack for excursions from a central campsite (for example).

Lowepro - Nature Trekker AW II

[Melany]

Thanks Tom! I don't see a pocket on the outside for a bottle of water. (I'm tired of carrying water in my hand during hikes)
Is this bag as HUGE as it looks?

[Melany]

Originally Posted by mmuhlenkamp

I have this bag Lowepro Flipside 400AW.
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Originally Posted by groovyone

I use a Flipside 300 for the times I want to bring some variety but no laptop. I have a Fastpack 350 for that. I posted reviews in the Product Review section.

This is closer to what I'm looking for! (and the price is right)

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

I have a Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II. This bag is made for exactly what you have described. One of the coolest features is the built-in rain cover. I've used this on more than one occasion. This is a "large" bag, and can hold lots and lots of gear. It also has a little daypack bag that's built into it that could be used as its own backpack for excursions from a central campsite (for example).

Lowepro - Nature Trekker AW II

EXACTLY!
But AAKKKK! $300.00!!!!!!!!!!!! I want it, but at half the price

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Melany

Thanks Tom! I don't see a pocket on the outside for a bottle of water. (I'm tired of carrying water in my hand during hikes)
Is this bag as HUGE as it looks?

It has two pockets for water bottles. It also has two places you can strap things on onto the back.

It is big, but not super huge.

I have a few Lowepro bags and liked them, but you couldn't convince me to get a Lowepro bag over any ThinkTank bag anymore. ThinkTank really is the best.

[KenJulio]

ThinkTank Photo has a variety of backpacks to choose from, if you'll be carrying a laptop, then the ThinkTank Streetwalker harddrive, if not, then the Streetwalker pro. I used the SW HD for a 3 week tour across China last year as a carry on for both the full size plane(737, airbus, and the smaller commuters) fully loaded with the exception of the tripod which stayed in the check-in.

[KenJulio]

Here is a thread i started about the TT Streetwalker HD: Think Tank StreetWalker Harddrive

[dmcantrell]

Originally Posted by Melany

EXACTLY!
But AAKKKK! $300.00!!!!!!!!!!!! I want it, but at half the price

Here ya go. :)

Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack (Black) | eBay

 

Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack (Black) | eBay

[Melany]

I need to narrow my search peramiters LOL
Under $200 (I ain't rich!)
I've never carried my laptop in the camera bag, so I don't need that option.
Tripod pocket thingie
Waterbottle pocket
Camera body
5-6 lenses (plus the flash would be nice, but not necessary cos I hardly ever use it)
Filters
Other accessories
Maybe a "snack compartment"

WHO pays $500.00 for a backpack? seriously!

[KenJulio]

I would lean towards the ThinkTank Streetwalker pro, that will do everything you need it to do, the as for the water bottle, you can put a small one in the side pockets.

[Melany]

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

Here ya go. :)

Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack (Black) | eBay

Hmmmmm I don't mind used, as long as it's in good shape.
One day left on the auction; I'm gonna see where this is at tomorrow...