Backpack suggestions?

[MAB3]

I received my very own dSLR for Christmas from my wife, a brand new Canon Rebel XTi with the 18-55mm kit lens and a 75-300mm zoom. Problem is, now I need a bag. I am leaning toward a backpack style bag, mainly because we have a 2 year old daughter...and with kids, you usually have to carry some kind of shoulder bag with snacks, etc.

Items I will carry in my bag (for now):
-XTi with kit lens attached
-75-300 zoom
-Sony MiniDV camcorder
-Possibly binoculars
-XTi accessories (charger, cleaning kit, filters)

Amazon has a Canon 400EG backpack that is about $39 with mostly good reviews. Only problem I see with it is that it looks huge (inside dimensions - 10.5 wide x 7 deep x 14.5 high) and the Canon logo is prominent enough to scream, "Expensive equipment inside....steal me!" Amazon also has the LowePro MicroTrekker for $44. Looks like it might fit all of my gear, but then I have no room to grow in the future if I decide to add new lenses.

Anyone have any comments on the two bags I spoke of, or on a different bag that might be smaller than the Canon, but larger than the MicroTrekker?

Thanks,
MAB3

[thelegend1472]

I started out with a backpack...lemme go look at it. I've been very happy with it.

I've got a quantaray pro. I use it for hiking with my gear. My prob and eventually your prob is that you'll out grow it. The only way to travel for me now is: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

[venchka]

Camera bags are never big enough. Camera backpacks are never big enough. If you buy right the stuff in that shoulder bag you mentioned could be in the backpack. One less thing to carry. Grinning. If you have extra space you can buy more stuff to put in the bag.

and the Canon logo is prominent enough to scream, "Expensive equipment inside....steal me!"

Black tape or duct tape will fix that.

[RGWeber]

Camera bags are an individual thing. Go down to the local camera store and try several of them out. Take your gear and see how it fits and how easy it is to access. I have been through four in the last 6 months before I found one that I liked. Backpacks are great, they free up your hands. Just a caution, you never seem to have enough room but the larger you go the more you tend to put in them and the heavier they get. Vicious circle.

[thelegend1472]

Originally Posted by RGWeber

Camera bags are an individual thing. Go down to the local camera store and try several of them out. Take your gear and see how it fits and how easy it is to access. I have been through four in the last 6 months before I found one that I liked. Backpacks are great, they free up your hands. Just a caution, you never seem to have enough room but the larger you go the more you tend to put in them and the heavier they get. Vicious circle.

TRUE THAT!

[smoothassilk]

I have a Tamrac Expedition 3. It's to small. Not enough room for my rebel and all the ass. to go in it. Get one a little larger than you need now. You'll be surprised at how fast it fills up.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Don't forget the photo vest option also and you will almost never walk off without it and rarely have I heard of anyone having their vest stolen off of their backs- with the amount of equipment that you have a vest would work just fine-can even add a couple lenses.

BTW why carry a charger around if there is no place to plug in? leave the charger in the car and get a couple extra batteries and maybe an adaptor that allows you to charge off o your cars system.

[darktiger]

Originally Posted by RGWeber

Camera bags are an individual thing. Go down to the local camera store and try several of them out. Take your gear and see how it fits and how easy it is to access. I have been through four in the last 6 months before I found one that I liked. Backpacks are great, they free up your hands. Just a caution, you never seem to have enough room but the larger you go the more you tend to put in them and the heavier they get. Vicious circle.

I agree. I started out with one of the smaller Tamrac backpacks. But after 1 year I grew out of that real fast. Just picked up the Kata R-103 from Precision Camera for a great price. Love the bag so far.

[RGWeber]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

BTW why carry a charger around if there is no place to plug in? leave the charger in the car and get a couple extra batteries and maybe an adaptor that allows you to charge off o your cars system.

Good point. I actually have two bags, a smaller one for local use and a larger one with wheels for longer trips and airline flights when I will need battery chargers, extra rechargables for the flash, multiple lenses and backup equipment. The larger bag is too big and heavy for everyday use.

Rick

[huttophoto]

You might consider the LowePro MiniTrekker AW.
From your notes, it sounds like the MiniT is about the right size (not too big, not too small). It has a packable rain cover for when the weather turns nasty. The outside pocket has spots for pens, notepads, etc. I also have the optional water bottle holders on each side. It's available in black and green (more descrete). It is a great size for airplane carry-on luggage. The price is pretty reasonable, too.
In any case, I would suggest looking at the bags in person.

And yes, I've outgrown it. The search for the perfect bag is a never-ending process.
Best wishes,
Steve

[tragic hero]

I would look at a lowepro trekker, mini or micro or even classic. Also the stealth is a very slim line bag, but it doesnt hold all that much.

Another thing to think about is that with the larger bags you can use the extra space to carry items rather than another bag. thats what my mom does when she takes out my neice, a bottle of water and a few snacks.

[DJ.]

I have several bags for different gear but I have to agree that the MiniTrekker AW is a great bag. You can stuff a lot of gear in it.

[MAB3]

Thanks for the suggestions...I'll look into some of the other bags. I called Camera Co Op and Houston Camera Exchange here in Houston, and neither of them had and Micro-Trekkers in stock! Ah well, I'm not in a huge hurry for it, so i can take my time to research.

The Micro-Trekker 200 appears to be slightly larger (about 2 inches larger length and width) than the 100, can anyone confirm?

MAB3

[Cope]

You might call around the Wolf Camera stores. The one in Meyerland is weak, but some of the others may have a decent selection of bags.

[groovyone]

I use the Tamrac Velocity 8, which I picked up at Wolf. I currently carry my SLR with the 28-75 f2.8 mounted, a 70-210 f4 'Beercan' lens, a 50mm f1.7, a 11-18mm, two 77mm filter cases, extra memory cards, cables and a lens pen in! It is a sling style pack, so when I want to get into it I just pivot it around to the front.