Trying to decide on a Camera+Laptop backpack

jpb

I'm looking for a bag I can carry my 15" MacBookPro, Rebel XSi and a couple of lenses in. My goal is to be able to carry the camera with me to work every day so I have no excuse not to shoot every day.

A couple pre-requisites

Must haves:

• It has to be a backpack. I've got a whiplash damage to my neck, so I can't comfortably wear a bag with just one shoulder strap for any length of time without aggravating my neck.
• Must fit 15" laptop + power brick + misc work related stuff. This is going to replace the backpack I currently carry to work, I just want to have the camera in there too.
• Decent padding for the camera and laptop. The laptop padding is less important, since I have a Brenthaven sleeve that fits it I could use.
• Enough room for a flash + a small to medium zoom lens too.

Like-to-haves

• Quick access to the camera, preferably through it's own zipper opening so I can get the camera out in a hurry without risking dumping the other stuff in my bag.
• Some way to attach a tripod for the days I'm out on a photowalk
• Waterproof

ziggy53

jpb, welcome to the Digital Grin.

I don't have any bags yet that also hold a laptop so I'll defer to others for comments.

amg2833

I use the Lowepro Compudaypack for a similar purpose.

I'm not studying photography, but I can lug my modest camera gear to class along with a few books (or laptop) and a reasonable amount of other things. If you have any very large lenses, it won't work, but I carry my XT, Tamron 17-50, 540ez flash, triggers, and could fit another lens or so all in the small camera compartment on the bottom.

I tried one out at Best Buy and found that it fit my purposes perfectly. Then I purchased it used off Amazon. There's no way I'm paying Best Buy prices.

theNOIZ

jpb wrote:

Must haves:

• It has to be a backpack. I've got a whiplash damage to my neck, so I can't comfortably wear a bag with just one shoulder strap for any length of time without aggravating my neck.
• Must fit 15" laptop + power brick + misc work related stuff. This is going to replace the backpack I currently carry to work, I just want to have the camera in there too.
• Decent padding for the camera and laptop. The laptop padding is less important, since I have a Brenthaven sleeve that fits it I could use.
• Enough room for a flash + a small to medium zoom lens too.

Like-to-haves

• Quick access to the camera, preferably through it's own zipper opening so I can get the camera out in a hurry without risking dumping the other stuff in my bag.
• Some way to attach a tripod for the days I'm out on a photowalk
• Waterproof

Lowepro Slingshot 350AW.

Backpack/sling with waist straps.
Has a separate padded zipper pocket for laptop.
Plenty of room for flash and accessories.
Sling pack so you can get to your camera fast.
Has a waterproof cover that pulls out and goes over the entire bag.
Has 3 rubberized areas to strap on lens cases, tripod or water bottle.

I've had this bag since January. The one negative thing about it for me is it's easy to overload and stick too much stuff in it. However, once it's on my back and the waist strap is done up, it's very comfortable.

I hope this helps. Good luck finding the perfect bag. It can be a tough decision.

cmkultradome

I recently purchased the Tamrac Aero Speed Pack 75 Dual Access Photopack backpack (Model 3375). I go on day hikes with my Boy Scout son and needed more room in a separate compartment for snacks/first aid/clothes. This pack really fits the bill and has 2 ways to access the camera - 1) from the front of the pack & 2) if you slip your right arm out of the backpack strap, the bag swings around and you can access your camera from a side pouch with waterproof zipper while the bag is still on your body. The camera compartment holds my 40D with 70-200mm lens attached plus 1-2 additional lenses and accessories. There is a place to attach your tripod to the bottom of the bag. The model I have (3375) does not have room for a laptop, but the next model of (3385) appears to have the same styling but does have a separate compartment that holds a 17" laptop. Good Luck!!

Stephanie

Phenomenological

amg2833 wrote:

I use the Lowepro Compudaypack for a similar purpose.

I'm not studying photography, but I can lug my modest camera gear to class along with a few books (or laptop) and a reasonable amount of other things. If you have any very large lenses, it won't work, but I carry my XT, Tamron 17-50, 540ez flash, triggers, and could fit another lens or so all in the small camera compartment on the bottom.

I tried one out at Best Buy and found that it fit my purposes perfectly. Then I purchased it used off Amazon. There's no way I'm paying Best Buy prices.

I've got the Compudaypack, and I'd say the compartment for the camera is too small for my liking really. It fits a 17" laptop neatly, but not enough camera storage to expand into. But who am I to complain, I got it free with a magazine subscription. And the subscription for 12 months was less than the cost of the bag. Go figure.

daveRen

JanSport
I needed the same thing.

I got a JanSport Airlift "non-photography" backpack from REI in the US.

I carry a largish DSLR (no extra lens) and a 14" iBook when I travel. It has lots of pockets, small and big with good protection for the laptop. It is really well made with comfortable straps for carrying this much weight.

Try
http://www.rei.com

Best Regards, ....... Dave

MLangton

The Tamrac Adventure 9: http://www.tamrac.com/5549.htm

I have this in gray. There are different colors. The access panel for the camera is secured by additional buckle straps. This is very secure. Someone just cant sneak up behind you and unzip the pouch. They will also have to undo three straps. As long as your bag is on you it will stay pretty secure. A BIG selling point for me is that to the untrained eye, this does not look like a camera bag. It looks like just another back-pack. The padding is rather robust, and I felt that my gear was well protected.

I have taken this on the plane for a European vacation, and it was excellent. Two thumbs up. I really have no complaints.

gecko0

i've been using a crumpler $6 million home, but it ended up being too small...and i also wanted something better for travel. after reading all the various threads and researching, it came down to the tamrac 3385 and the tamrac adventure 9. i decided on the 3385 and it will arrive early next week. this will be used for domestic and international travel and to consolidate my current laptop backpack and camera bag into one. i'll report back once i can load my gear into it and see how it feels.

Art Scott

theNOIZ wrote:

Lowepro Slingshot 350AW.

Backpack/sling with waist straps.
Has a separate padded zipper pocket for laptop.
Plenty of room for flash and accessories.
Sling pack so you can get to your camera fast.
Has a waterproof cover that pulls out and goes over the entire bag.
Has 3 rubberized areas to strap on lens cases, tripod or water bottle.

I've had this bag since January. The one negative thing about it for me is it's easy to overload and stick too much stuff in it. However, once it's on my back and the waist strap is done up, it's very comfortable.

I hope this helps. Good luck finding the perfect bag. It can be a tough decision.

from my experiences you cannot go wrong with LOWE PRO.....which model is a very personal decision.....backpack only or a slingpack for quick equipment change without removing from body.......

cletus

Crumpler Customary Barge

Great design done in top quality materials with outstanding build quality. More than enough room for a widescreen laptop and accessories plus a SLR, two or three lenses and a full size flash. I also like the way the design separates storage for laptop stuff and camera stuff.

an-aroostook-eye

Think tank has a nice selection
IA new drginner here in Maine. I picked up a Think Tank ( streetwalker) that is a real nice bag with your requirements. they offer a wide selection of sizes and styles. I actually decided that a backback isn't for me, I have severe arthiritis in my back , so I actually have put it up for sale in a local photo shop that takes consignments. ( haven't heard that they've sold it yet

Here is a link for the Think tank website. Good luck!

www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html

ziggy53

an-aroostook-eye wrote:

IA new drginner here in Maine. I picked up a Think Tank ( streetwalker) that is a real nice bag with your requirements. they offer a wide selection of sizes and styles. I actually decided that a backback isn't for me, I have severe arthiritis in my back , so I actually have put it up for sale in a local photo shop that takes consignments. ( haven't heard that they've sold it yet

Here is a link for the Think tank website. Good luck!

www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html

An-aroostook-eye, welcome to the Digital Grin.

Thanks for your comments.

LaurieH

I got the Tamrac Aero Speed Pack 85 Dual Access Photo/Laptop Backpack and I think it would suit your purposes quite well. I bought it for airline travel and also for hiking. I've since purchased a different backpack for hiking since the aforementioned backpack doesn't have any sort of waist belt to take the load off one's shoulder's. I will continue to use the Tamrac for travel, though.

an-aroostook-eye

Thanks

ziggy53 wrote:

An-aroostook-eye, welcome to the Digital Grin.

Thanks for your comments.

Thanks Ziggy53 looks like a good place for picking up info of all kinds.