Which photographer backpack?

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Batman

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Topic # 143379 12-Apr-2014 21:05

I'm after a backpack that has these features
- high quality, waterproof, shockproof, antitheft
- ideally maxes out aircraft cabin baggage measurement
- space for 2 bodies, 4 lenses, 15" laptop, and other stuff like my overnight clothes!
- i am dreaming of wheels with pull up handle (i don't think this exists, so i'm gonna just dream on)

I see a lot of these on trademe (minus the wheel bit, not sure how big they are), some around $190, some around $100.

Anyone with any experience?

Thanks

timmmay

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Reply # 1024173 12-Apr-2014 21:07

Thinktank make excellent bags, well thought out, robust, and reliable. ProGear in Auckland carry them. They're not cheap but they're worth what they cost IMHO. I have a bag similar to what you've described, but it's more a rolling bag that happens to have backpack straps for occasional use. It's excellent, far better than my older LowePro bag. Check their website.

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Batman

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Reply # 1024179 12-Apr-2014 21:13

Yeah I was afraid someone was going to mention thinktank ... i'll look at them again :D

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Reply # 1024194 12-Apr-2014 22:05

I'm a huge fan of Tom Bihn bags. Their "Brain Bag" is designed to take a camera insert that can also be used as a stand-alone bag (or a bag you combine with a different backpack altogether).
http://www.tombihn.com/backpacks/TB0104.html

The camera I-O: http://www.tombihn.com/camera_bags/TB1510.html

Tom Bihn bags are incredibly versatile. I own several now and have pretty much ditched any other bags. You have to order them in from the US and they aren't cheap but they are well worth it.

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Reply # 1024214 12-Apr-2014 23:33

Have you also checked out Lowepro? They also seem quite good!

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Reply # 1024218 13-Apr-2014 00:19

There is a fundamental flaw if you intend on travelling nationally or internationally with AirNZ or many carriers. (US carriers seem to be virtually the only ones that don't have the issue)

Buy the backpack you need to put that gear in, then put that gear in, then weigh it.. THEN recoil in shock at how far over 7kg you are. Then weigh the backpack by itself.

Even a moderate sized backpack for 2 bodies and a few lenses can be over 3kg by itself.

http://store.lowepro.com/backpacks/vertex-200-aw

There's no legit answer that guarantees you get to carry your gear onto the plane yourself without checking some of it, being Gold Elite on Star alliance and getting a second carryon, or taking less gear. I have looked into this many times.

What I do is have an ULTRA lightweight bag (500 grams), bubblewrap my most important bits (couple of 1d bodies, 300 2.8, 70-700 and a 24-70) and carry that on. It's usually about 7.6KG although I could slip the 24-70 into a pocket if challenged. I have my photo backpack INSIDE a scruffy looking suitcase and it has my clothes, batteries, chargers, Telecomverters, flashes etc. I repack everything into my backpack after I get done with the unmitigated displeasure that is non business class or better international travel.

Cheers - N

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Reply # 1024259 13-Apr-2014 08:03

Thankfully I selected my gear based on budget (and hence weight!)

My full kit at the moment consists of 5DMkIII, 600D, 24-105mm IS L, 70-300mm IS USM, Sigma 50mm 1.4. Nothing more (not even tripod - i Just put it on props lol - achieves the composition I want "most" of the time). The heaviest piece is the golden MkIII. My handicap is a 15" full i7 laptop. Can't afford a separate i5U 1kg ultrabook - end the end went for processor speed.

For travel (I also have 3 kids under 7) I will probably only take the MkIII, the L, and the 70-300mm. If I want to shoot birds or planes or surfers then might have to pack in the 600D. Maybe the laptop.

Here are the trademe shortlists on my watchlist - not sure of quality etc but based on price

As you suggested, this awesome looking thing just about maxes out the weight limit on its own!

This looks like a Chinese clone (there are at least 3 other brands/models looking exactly the same - I wonder what the source clonee is and how ok it is)

anyway, before someone points out, i know you pay for what you get, so i'll check out lowepro and thinktank.
found a 1.6kg lowepro but no laptop storage. found a thinktank but no handle and wheels. (of course they are the cheaper ones)

ubernoob

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Reply # 1024280 13-Apr-2014 09:04

Might not be what you're after but thought I'd throw it in the mix

http://www.briscoes.co.nz/bags-and-luggage/backpacks/1049135/High-Sierra-Wheeled-Backpack.html

timmmay

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Reply # 1024281 13-Apr-2014 09:27

I got the ThinkTank Airport Security, $560 or so. It first two bodies, four lenses, four flashes, four battery packs, misc accessories, water bottle, etc, etc. It weighs 6kg by itself, but I don't take it on planes.

For my recent 3 week honeymoon in Thailand I took my Sony RX-100, nothing else. Much happier not lugging gear around. Photos were definitely good enough.

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Batman

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Reply # 1024283 13-Apr-2014 09:27

Hi that is so cool thanks

Batman

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Reply # 1024287 13-Apr-2014 09:53

timmmay: I got the ThinkTank Airport Security, $560 or so. It first two bodies, four lenses, four flashes, four battery packs, misc accessories, water bottle, etc, etc. It weighs 6kg by itself, but I don't take it on planes.

For my recent 3 week honeymoon in Thailand I took my Sony RX-100, nothing else. Much happier not lugging gear around. Photos were definitely good enough.

No telephoto with the rx100?

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Reply # 1024288 13-Apr-2014 09:53

My minimum kit could be mk3 24-205 and a laptop. In bubble wrap. I guess :)

timmmay

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Reply # 1024300 13-Apr-2014 11:00

joker97:
timmmay: I got the ThinkTank Airport Security, $560 or so. It first two bodies, four lenses, four flashes, four battery packs, misc accessories, water bottle, etc, etc. It weighs 6kg by itself, but I don't take it on planes.

For my recent 3 week honeymoon in Thailand I took my Sony RX-100, nothing else. Much happier not lugging gear around. Photos were definitely good enough.

No telephoto with the rx100?

It has a built in 28-100 f1.8 - 4.9 lens.

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Reply # 1024449 13-Apr-2014 17:52

I've decided to go kingkong 40. Good reviews on Amazon uk surprisingly. Fingers crossed the atrs will let it in ... I have saved snapshot of air nz cabin baggage limits ...

Batman

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Reply # 1024450 13-Apr-2014 17:52

ubernoob: Might not be what you're after but thought I'd throw it in the mix

http://www.briscoes.co.nz/bags-and-luggage/backpacks/1049135/High-Sierra-Wheeled-Backpack.html

And this one for wife to lug :)