Laptop/dSLR Backpack Recommendations

[icephoto]

Friends-

On a recent trip out to California for a reunion it was painfully obvious that my old solution for transporting my camera equipment and my laptop was not going to work. In the past I had always had the "luxury" of traveling with my kids so carry-ons were not an issue. I could get both the computer backpack and the camera backpack on-board and didn't hear a word.

But traveling solo meant that two carry-on's were not going to work. Continental was kind enough to let me carry my old Targus laptop backpack and my old Lowe-Pro TLZ 2 neck-mounted camera case. I was able to fit my 10D, 17-40L and my 70-300 IS without too many issues.

In the field I generally do not wear a backpack. I find the convenience of a vest to be much more appealing. I use the backpack specifically to keep the airlines from getting to handle/break my gear.

My initial thought is the CompuTrekker Plus AW. It is advertised as being able to be a legal carry-on and meets most of my needs. In addition to my 17-40 and 70-300, I also generally only carry a 50mm f2.5 Macro (hopefully soon to be replaced by a 100mm f2.8 Macro) and a 300 f4 IS. Being able to carry a spare body would be a nice extra--not sure if that backpack can make it happen.

So... what am I missing. Is there a better alternative? Any advice is requested and welcome.

Many thanks -j

[Craig]

You can't have two carry ons?

[Daniel W.]

I think traveling to the UK via Continental.


I'm actually looking at the Tenba Shootout series but it's all on how much you want to carry. I'm trying not to do a model with a seperate camera compartment on the bottom, I'm afraid of plunking it down and CRACKLE goes my lenses... That rules out the CompuDaypack and adventure9.... As always, ThinkTank products are well recommended.

If not the backpack, why not a shoulder bag? There's the Lowepro Stealth reporter AW500 and 600, and a couple others that I can't think of.

[bigjon0107]

Originally Posted by Craig

You can't have two carry ons?

You can have one carry on and one "personal item"

But to the OP, i use the Tamrac 5258 CyberPack 8. It holds a ton of gear, and i can just fit it on far a carry on with it overfull. So that is really a good option to consider, it will give you a ton of room.

-Jon

[icephoto]

Originally Posted by Craig

You can't have two carry ons?

For domestic flights Continental allows one carry-on and one "personal item." From what they told me before I showed up at the airport, two backpack style items, even if one of them was for my laptop, would both count as a carry-on. The smaller camera case was fine.

Thank you for the additional suggestions and I will take a look at those as well.

Warm regards -j

[Jobeye]

I bought one at Wolf .It did the job for me when we flew to Ca. last month. I took a Camera body and a 24-105,70-200 and a 100-400 plus a flash along with my laptop

[Coelus]

I carry a laptop backpack and a small shoulder bag for the body and a couple lenses. Stow the backpack overhead and the shoulder bag under the seat. It works, but I'd like something more dedicated also. I was looking at one of the National Geographic backpacks or trying to modify something to fit my specific needs.

[Comanche]

Hi Jim - I've been very happy with my Tamron CyberPac 6. (They also make a slightly larger 7.) I can get my 30D with my 70-200 f2.8 attached, plus room for four other lenses, flash, etc., and there is a nicely padded compartment for my laptop. There would not be room for a second body, but you could use the backpack as the carry-on, and another body as your "personal item." Like you, I don't use a backpack in the field - just on airplanes. The backpack has proven to be very comfortable and is "legal" size for a carry-on.

[zoti]

I h ave the LowePro CompuRover AW. I think it can hold all that you want.

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

[darktiger]

I have a Kata R103 and love it. Holds my laptop and 2 dslr with lens including my 70-200IS 2.8. Very light and well made...

[jamesw]

I too have the Kata R103 and like it. My only complaint is the ergonomics - carrying it for a long time KILLS my shoulders and upper back. It needs a better hip belt.

My Thinktank Airport Addicted is about the same size as the Kata and has a better hip-belt. I like the Thinktank better, but it's not as "armored."

Cheers
James

[srwatters]

Jim,

The Computrekker Plus AW is HUGE. I don't know if you've actually seen one in the flesh, but I bought it from B&H and ended up returning it in favor of the regular Computrekker. It holds my 15.4" MacBook Pro along with the following gear:

Main area:
Nikon D200 w/28-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8VR, 180mm f/2.8, 17-35mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, & Sekonic 358 light meter

Pouch:
SB-800 flash, three sets of batteries, miscellaneous USB/FireWire cables, WB cards, lens cloths

Outside Pouch:
Camera battery charger, Laptop power brick

I will often swap out the 17-35 for my 85mm f/1.4 depending on what I'm shooting. I also have a MicroTrekker 200 for days when I need to travel light or to carry my F5 film body and one extra lens. Just be aware that if you load one of these bags up as I have, they get quite heavy. I nearly always use both shoulder straps to balance the load. I carried this kit with me last month to the Bahamas and it was quite manageable.

Good luck!

[Gordon]

I have a computrekker AW and a minitrekker AW (basically the same bag, one with a laptop sleeve)

The computrekker AW holds my laptop, power supplies etc +
Canon 1D MkII, 70-200 F4L, 17-40 F4L, 100mm f2.8 macro, lensbaby 3G, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 580EX flash, external harddrive, ipod, and a book, along with a water bottle on an outside add on pocket, without any problems and fits under an airline seat/ in an overhead bin.

The computrekker Plus AW looks even bigger. I have a hard time carrying a full computrekker AW for longer periods of time.

[aerosolcheese]

I took my Kata HB-207 on continental to chicago this past week. it has a 15.4" laptop and power adapter, D200 with grip, 17-55, 70-200, teleconverter, two sb-800's 4 extra batteries, a bunch of aa's and the charger for the aa's and there was still room left.
Check out cambags.com. they have the best reviews of any camera bag you can think of.

[Teddington]

I use a LowePro backpack. Comes in sizes for 15" or 17" monitors. I have the 15". The PC fits in a padded sleeve next to my back and it held closed with both a zipper and a clip. It holds a bunch of stuff, has a tripod sleeve on the outside back with tie down straps, nice wide padded straps with a chest strap and a waist strap if you're gonna carry it a while. My only complaint is that it holds so much it weighs a ton. I carry a Rebel XTi,70-300, 11-22, 24-105 and either an 18-55 or 50 1.4 plus hoods, battery charger and some small stuff. there's a pocket on the top (back) that holds cards, batteries, a small flashlight, cable release, etc. I've carried a 400mm mounted on the body and it will hold two bodies with short lenses if you need. Cost was around 149 - 169 at Cord Camera.

I've never owned a Tenba but I've heard complaints that the narrow shoulder straps aren't reall comfortable when you load it down.

Good luck. Seems like no bag meets all needs and we inevitably end up owning several.