Author Topic: backpack for DSLR (Read 9421 times)

stockastic · « **on:** March 24, 2010, 11:28 »

I want to carry my DSLR while cycling around town and it will have to be in a backpack to escape vibration. I know there are plenty of "camera backpacks" on the market, that have more-or-less form-fitting foam inserts for a DSLR and medium sized lens. Maybe some of you frequent travelers have recommendations for ones that are compact, secure and reasonably priced...?

Randy McKown · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2010, 11:58 »

I have a Lowepro CompuDaypack I use sometimes when I just need to carry a few things. It's a convertible style so you can keep a body and lens or two in the bottom. Then the upper area is divided into a compartment for a laptop and another that is basically open space. I use that compartment for tossing in things like a flash, cables and miscellaneous items that don't need to be in a little padded box. In the laptop compartment there is also a pocket that is just right for keeping a folder full of MRs and paperwork.

I wouldn't take it hiking because it's not streamlined for carrying tons of lenses and gear. It works great for times when your traveling with minimal gear and are close to civilization though. Mines maybe 3 years old and still look new .. oh yeah it also has a pocket on the front to hold a mp3 player with the hole for the earphone to push through. I use it to hold a PDA but since your biking you might like the mp3 idea.

Looks like they cut the price in half since I got mine too .. Here's one on amazon for $55 new and free shipping
http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-CompuDaypack-Camera-Slate-Gray/dp/B000EY5R8C

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:18 »

I have a Crumpler backpack I use when I go mountain biking, solid and nice design (does not look like a camera) and confortable, fits a laptop as well. It is a pricey though around $150 I guess
you can check their website here: http://www.crumplerbags.com/

L

melastmohican · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:26 »

I got Lowepro Micro Trekker 200 for years. Indestructible. Maybe now there are better models but it is good enough for me. For portability I use Tamrac Tele-Zoom Pak with attachments for additional stuff. I took it for my 4 day trek on Inca Trail where I wanted to save on every gram I was carrying with me so I got body with one lens attached to it in main bag plus another lens in side holder attached to it. You can really attach two like this so I could carry almost all stuff I got in my backpack.

stockastic · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:40 »

Thanks guys, I'll check out those models. Let me refine this search a bit by saying that I won't be carrying a laptop, just the camera, so smaller is better, especially when cycling because you're leaning forward and the pack rides up on top.

Randy McKown · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:46 »

I don't know but now I'm sitting here shopping for a new camera bag .. LOL thanks a lot. I'm thinking about a National Geographic Earth Explorer .. get me some kahki pants and hawaiian shirts to match it and I will be styling.

gostwyck · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2010, 13:05 »

I use a Topeak Trunkbag;

http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/MTXTrunkBagEXP

... mounted on the Beamrack EX;

http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/MTXBeamRackEX

Plenty of room for 1Ds MkIII and an L telephoto lens as well as bike tools and a few other things if needed. The side pockets contain fold-out panniers if you need to carry more.

It unclips from the bike in seconds, reduces the height of the load and keeps your back from getting sweaty as would happen with a backpack.

Snufkin · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2010, 13:08 »

Check out Lowepro Rover AW II:

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Rover-AW-II,2024,14.htm

I am very happy with mine. You can attach a tripod and in the upper compartment there is room for a jacket and some snacks.
Excellent quality.

bendicks · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2010, 14:45 »

I use the MRock Canyon Lands 676 its a larger bag, combo backpack/sling bag but check out their other models. I believe all their other bags have removable felt covered dividers and such so you can configure as needed.......they are quality bags at a lower price than lowpro.........http://www.m-rock.com/#Camera%20Backpacks%20Sling%20Backpacks

I got mine at bhphotovideo for 135 bucks.

-Don

stockastic · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2010, 15:35 »

Thanks all. I looked at all the suggestions. That convinced me I'll need to go to the stores and actually see and examine these bags to select one. When cycling, the bag lays on your back and exposed to the sun, so it gets hot. Therefore it should be small and have a mesh back. It also needs adequate foam between the camera and your back when you hit a pothole. Locally it appears that BestBuy and REI have a lot of these bags, including the brands mentioned here.

PixelsAway · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2010, 15:40 »

Kata KT DR-467-BR backpack
- cycling (with a tripod on bike racks)
- hiking (with a tripod attached)
- air travel with a laptop (tripod in check-in)

FD · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2010, 19:59 »

Quote from: stockastic on March 24, 2010, 11:28

I want to carry my DSLR while cycling around town and it will have to be in a backpack to escape vibration.

Err... I don't know in which gentle town you live but in the Philippines, everything in a backpack would be gone faster than you think. Sharp razor blades can cut easily through any fancy canvass.

stockastic · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2010, 20:44 »

Quote from: FD-amateur on March 24, 2010, 19:59

Quote from: stockastic on March 24, 2010, 11:28
I want to carry my DSLR while cycling around town and it will have to be in a backpack to escape vibration.
Err... I don't know in which gentle town you live but in the Philippines, everything in a backpack would be gone faster than you think. Sharp razor blades can cut easily through any fancy canvass.

The backpack will never leave my back.

Just returned from REI - a complete waste of time. All sorts of great stuff on their web site, none of it in the store.

sharply_done · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2010, 21:24 »

Don't bother going to BestBuy - they won't have what you're looking for either.

Your best bet to try something on will be to visit a camera shop the local pros and serious hobbyists use, which isn't going to be a franchised national chain type of place. If you don't know what/where that is, a call to a local commercial photographer or contacting a camera club will get you pointed in the right direction. These types of stores aren't high volume, so be prepared to pay a bit more for the convenience of having a bunch of stuff in stock.

travelstock · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2010, 01:07 »

Another option is to get a good sling style bag that fits nicely inside your backpack. That way you can get the sort of backpack that's good for cycling, and have another option for when you're walking around.

Randy McKown · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2010, 01:29 »

Quote from: sharply_done on March 24, 2010, 21:24

Don't bother going to BestBuy - they won't have what you're looking for either.

Your best bet to try something on will be to visit a camera shop the local pros and serious hobbyists use, which isn't going to be a franchised national chain type of place. If you don't know what/where that is, a call to a local commercial photographer or contacting a camera club will get you pointed in the right direction. These types of stores aren't high volume, so be prepared to pay a bit more for the convenience of having a bunch of stuff in stock.

I second that motion .. avoid shops in the mall like those Ritz & Wolf stores .. the mom n' pop shops carry all the cool toys

leaf · « **Reply #16 on:** March 25, 2010, 02:53 »

I really like the Lowepro Primus AW it lets you get to your gear without taking off your pack, has room for a jacket, food, etc. + the special room for the camera, plus lots of small useful pockets.

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2010, 06:17 »

Quote from: stockastic on March 24, 2010, 20:44

The backpack will never leave my back.

not the backpack, just its content will leave your back

at least here in italy, not only in philippines

FD · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2010, 07:00 »

Quote from: microstockphoto.co.uk on March 25, 2010, 06:17

Quote from: stockastic on March 24, 2010, 20:44
The backpack will never leave my back.
not the backpack, just its content will leave your back
at least here in italy, not only in philippines

- You got my point perfectly. That's why I prefer a frontloader, or if it has to be a backpack, wear it on the front in dangerous urban areas. Anything of value has to be under my eyes all the time. A frontloader also has the advantage that your cam is in and out fast if you have a shoot opportunity. Another advantage is that even a large frontloader with pockets for lenses is not counted (and weighed) as a separate piece of hand luggage on budget flights and that you can wear it easily together with a large backpack on your back. My Lowepro Toploader Pro 75 AW is deep enough to have my cash and wallet at the bottom, but I wouldn't recommend it for ease of use. The zippers are all on the wrong sides.

Fotonaut · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2010, 07:21 »

Kata 3N1 has become my favourite. I have the 3N1-30. Very fast if you need it to be.

http://www.adorama.com/Als/SearchPage/Kata+3N1/?Count=10&SearchInfo=Kata+3N1

cdwheatley · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2010, 08:18 »

I use an old Jansport school backpack, or 2, if I need more gear. After a close call, the camera backpack stays in the closet. Might as well wear a t-shirt that says: I'm a photographer, please steal my s**t. I guess it depends on where you are, or where you're going.

stockastic · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2010, 12:03 »

Looks like we have enough material for a Wiki on camera backpacks. I went to a serious camera shop and they had several candidates in stock. I bought an MRock 674.

For cycling, a pack has to be small and fit tight - big loose bags slosh back and forth as you pedal, and are too hot. Your arms are stretched out straight in front of you so the straps and pads can't be too wide, or they cut into your shoulders. Basically I bought the smallest bag that was built for a DSLR. I'll probably add a waist strap to hold it even tighter.

I live in Minneapolis and if you think it's a peaceful, safe midwestern town, think again. And I've traveled enough to know about pickpockets and street scammers, and they aren't going to score on me without a struggle. ( A friend of mine visited Paris a couple years ago and his wallet was gone before he even got out of the Gare du Nord train station.)

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Author Topic: backpack for DSLR (Read 9421 times)

stockastic

Randy McKown

MicrostockExp

melastmohican

stockastic

Randy McKown

gostwyck

Snufkin

bendicks

stockastic

PixelsAway

FD

stockastic

sharply_done

travelstock

Randy McKown

leaf

microstockphoto.co.uk

FD

Fotonaut

cdwheatley

stockastic

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