Camera Backpack Worries

[Diggie]

I'm in the same situation...but a bit different reason...i want the very quick access of a messenger style bag but the comfort of backpack with proper support. Sometimes you don't have area to set down your bag open it up and change lenses while kneeling down because your in a busy area but really need to change your lens to get that shot you want. As far as backpack security...whenever i set a bag down i always step into it putting a strap around my leg so someone can't take it when it is sitting on the ground...even at resturants or the airport or anywhere risky if it isn't on me my leg is through one of the straps.

for me though a perfect bag (which may exist but i haven't found yet) would be a messenger style back that you can wear as a backpack but unclip one of the straps and it swings around like a shoulder bag...but the straps would have to cross to do it right which wouldn't be that comfortable. I'm really debating getting a photo or nature trekker for when hauling alot of stuff...and one of the smaller stealth reports should bags for when i only want to carry one or two lens and keep it real light. either that or one of the lowepro sling bags.

[Cope]

It doesn't get much easier than this. Now I wish I had bought this instead of the 5AW Shoulder Bag!

[Norm]

I have 2 Tamrac Day Packs( backpacks), one large and one smaller. When I travel, I pick the one I'm going to take and I take a large Fanny Pack (FP) also which I keep in front. I keep a wide and small tele in the FP and filters. When I need to change lens, I get the lens out of the FP, remove caps, then remove the lens from camera. Quickly mount new lens so as not to leave body open, then put old lens in FP. This mininmizes the number of times I need to open the Day Pack. I like the Day Pack in that it has a smaller opening.. that is, when it's open you're looking at the ends of the lens. This makes the pack thicker.. stand out from your back, but the harness makes it comfortable to carry. The FP is deep so lens won't roll out. This works great for me.

[Steelsun]

When I went to Italy last year (which has a high rate of theft from bags, pickpockets, etc) I took the following precautions on my backpack full of gear:

1) Always keep it on you or at least an arm/leg through a loop (like when you sit down - set it between your legs with one leg through a strap)
2) Buy baggage locks (small padlocks) and use them on the zipper areas to lock them shut
3) Buy a dog leash. Most BPs have a cary handle at the top - run the leash through it and attach the leash to you belt. That way if they try a cut and run (the thief uses a knife to cut the shoulder starp then grabs the pack and runs), you are still attached to it. The same trick work for the camera itself (I used a plastic cable tie through one of the shoulder strap mounts - hooked the leash to that)
4) In heavy crowds /subways/etc - carry the pack in front of you instead of on your back. A trick thieves use is to get behind you and cut open the bottom of the backpack, then have a bag open below it to catch what falls out)

[Panther]

Howdy All,

Well, I now have a new backpack or should I say I have a traveling suitcase for my camera gear

I went to Fort Worth Camera Supply and got one from Jeff and the Boys. I bought a Lowepro Computrekker Plus AW

Here's the link:

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...r_Plus_AW.aspx

I really want to thank everyone for their imput and suggestions and comments. I have to say I really learned a lot. I finally figured out that not one bag can do it all, and since I am one of those people that tend to ( OK I do overpack) and take almost everything this Backpack will hold it all, and have room for the other things I take with us.

I also got a lot of security ideas, most of which I had never thought of, or heard of, so many thanks for those thoughts and ideas.

Thanks again and Happy Shooting