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- Nevia Cashwell

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Camera Backpack


Looking for recommendations on a camera backpack that will comfortable carry 2 digital SLRs (20D, 50D), Canon 300mm f.4L, Canon 100mm f2.8, Canon 24-105mm, a Sigma 10-20mm lens, flash, 4 Cokin filters, extra batteries, and extra memory cards. Can be a backpack or a slingbag. I do a lot of hiking and would love to have something that would allow me to carry all of my equipment. Seems I always get somewhere back in the woods and never have the lens I want. Maybe the answer is not one bag but a combination of bags. let's not forget the tripod also. thanks.


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April 05, 2009

 

Gretchen J. Gilkey
  Hey Nevia!!! Although I'm not fortunate enough to have all the lens you do - I do now have the same 2 cameras and I would also like a recomendation for a bag - I actually like a backpack style and currently own a Lowepro - which I like - but it only hold one camera, flash and a couple of lens.


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April 05, 2009

 
- Ken Smith

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  Nevia, Lowepro offers many options:
http://www.lowepro.com/

Just click on their backpacks and backpack/notebook options. With mine, I can carry two SLRs...although I take the lens off the 2nd one, plus a large zoom lens, and some of the same lenses you have. And I can slip a laptop computer into a built in sleeve. And it has strap-ons to carry a tripod, although I've never carried one on my camera bag.


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April 05, 2009

 

Andy
  The Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II can easily hold all the equipment you have. But the second camera may not be able to have a lens mounted when put in the backpack. They also have the Pro Trekker AW II and even a bigger Super Trekker AW II. Tamrac and other brands should have something that match the Lowepro products. Hope this helps.


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April 05, 2009

 

Gretchen J. Gilkey
  Thanks for the responses - you've given me something to look for a place to start!
gretchen :0)


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April 05, 2009

 
- Ken Smith

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  I forgot to mention...I only use my Lowepro to carry the camera stuff when I'm going thru the airports or going via car overnight. Otherwise, I have a fisher/hunters vest that has many pockets, velcro, such that you can place several lenses, batteries, filters, compact flash cards, etc. It's perfect for side trips cause you don't have to lug around a bag and keep taking it off your back to grab different things. THey don't cost alot of money; I got mine at the Bass Pro shop.


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April 05, 2009

 
- Nevia Cashwell

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  I like the idea of a vest, maybe not to totally replace the need for a backpack but to be used in conjunction with the pack. something to think about. gonna also look at the bags that have been recommended. thanks for all the recommendations.


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April 06, 2009

 
- Carlton Ward

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  Hi Nevia,
I have the Lowepro Vertex 300 and this will fit all of my cameras, lenses & flashes. It also has a nice cover to zip the straps inside of for storing in the overhead bin and a rain cover. It also has adjustable tripod straps. Its a great backpack and I will tell you when I have this loaded, picking the thing off the floor is a workout in itself. Once on your back, it fits nice & snug and the weight distributes evenly. I use this for airports & travel but haven't attempted to carry this on an 8 mile hike up a steep mountain and I am in pretty good shape. It fits very well and the straps adjust easily to get the weight on your hips and off your shoulders but it is still really heavy.
My list is Canon 20D & 40D bodies, 100-400mm, 70-200mm f/2.8, 24-70mm, 100mm, 50mm, 17-40mm, 10-22mm - 580EX & 430EX & Macro ring flashes, Manfrotto 190CXPRO04 (4 section) carbon fiber tripod w/468GMRC2 magnesium ballhead and some cf cards, filters, batteries, lens cloths, etc...

For the 8 mile hikes uphill, I use the Lowepro Flipside 300 which fits my Canon 40D with either the 100-400mm or the 70-200mm and 2 other lenses. I can also squeeze my 50mm in the inside zipper compartment. It has small inside pockets for filters and outside pockets for cf cards, batteries, lens cloth in 1 pocket and a water bottle in the other and also has a tripod carrier.

I like the combination of these 2 packs and I have another Lowepro Camping Backpack that is about 12 years old and is still going strong, so I trust Lowepro with the quality of their construction.

Lowepro has a few clips that demonstrate some of the packs - check them out... www.lowepro.com

Cheers, Carlton


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April 06, 2009

 
- Carlton Ward

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  I forgot to mention the Vertex 300 also carries my 15.4" macbook pro but it will fit a 17" laptop in that compartment :)


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April 06, 2009

 

Jeffrey R. Whitmoyer
  I have the Loweprow AW300 bag, like it a lot but find that for hiking I'm using a photographers vest more and more. I'm actually thinking of using both the vest and the bag to carry a second camera and accessories that I don't need at my fingertips.


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April 06, 2009

 
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