Backpack Recommendations?

LuckyBob

I'm planning on heading down to the Columbia George for this holiday weekend (and also for a Nine Inch Nails concert :clap) and I'm finally getting something proper to carry my stuff. As my girlfriend and I normally only take day hikes I've limited myself for the past few years to carrying what camera gear I can fit on my person (pockets and extra space in the small pack one of us normally carries for water and whatnot). I've been storing my photo equipment in a big plastic container a'la Tupperware which has been a pain to carry anywhere other than to and from my car.

I've spent some time researching what kind of pack I need to get size-wise for my equipment and went to a local camera store to compare today. My research tended to lean me towards Tamrac packs as Lowepro seemed to be more expensive for the same size/features, and I wanted to buy locally (Seattle).

I bought a Tamrac 5575 Expedition 5 and brought it home. Everything I own (below) fits in it with just a bit of room to spare but it gets a bit heavy, even if I strip it down to the lenses and tripod. My girlfriend brought up a good point - since the pack isn't tall enough to hit my hips (I'm 6'3"), all of the weight (especially with the tripod mounted) is on my back. She mentioned getting a larger pack with a better waist strap to alleviate some of the pressure on my back and transfer it to my hips. Plus, a larger pack would just give me more space to fill with new equipment .

I like the pack I've got now but it's just barely big enough to take everything and it might kill my back. Has anybody done the medium sized pack route and found the larger pack easier to handle? Or does anybody have a better pack to recommend? Opinions appreciated. :thumb


Current Equipment:
- Canon 300D body
- Canon 17-40L f/4
- Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro
- Canon 50mm f/1.8
- Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 (To be replaced eventually with a decent 70-200)
- Kit lens (which I don't care if I can carry at any time anymore)
- Kenko extension tube set
- Manfrotto 3001B Pro tripod legs with a 3437 head
- Canon 550EX w/ OCSC2 off camera cord and a Lumiquest Ultrasoft
- I/O Magic digital image wallet (a cheap version of the Epson P4000 long before it came out)
- 77/58mm filters
- Batteries, chargers, etc.

wxwax

I have a couple: the medium size Tenba and the Crumpler Karachi Outpost.

The Tenba isn't terribly comfortable, for the same reason yours isn't: it stops halfway down my back. But it holds a lot for its size, designed with input from photogs.

The Karachi Outpost is much more comfortable. It isn't designed by photogs, so handy pockets etc. are missing, and it's a bit of a tight squeeze. Excellent quality, though.

Any backpack or camera bag is going to be heavy when you load it up. Our stuff weighs a lot!

patch29

wxwax wrote:

The Tenba isn't terribly comfortable, for the same reason yours isn't: it stops halfway down my back.

and I own the larger 17" Tenba backpack and I have been happy with it. I am 6' 1". I had tried a smaller pack and did not like how it fit. I am also currently working on modifying an old Gregory external frame panel loading pack to hold my camera gear on the top half and hiking gear on the bottom half. The external frame will keep it from flexing and it should hold a lot of weight.

Tenba Backpacks.
Mountainsmith. I recently was able to see some of there packs and they look promising, not sure if the largest one would fit you well, but worth looking at if you can find it.

wxwax

I guess we looked at the Mountainsmith Odyssey. It will swallow up everything you own, it's enormous. Most notable is how deep it is. Built for hiking, as I recall. We put some weight in it, it handled it pretty well. I remembering wondering if the zippers would hold up: I thought the zippers on the Karachi Outpost were much beefier.

I wouldn't mind looking at their Parallax.

HeldDown

I refuse to answer your question, because you're going to see NIN this weekend. I hate you. (I missed them on their Canadian leg.)

Having said that, the Karachi Outpost is BEAUTIFUL.

chrisjlee

wxwax wrote:

I have a couple: the medium size Tenba and the Crumpler Karachi Outpost.

The Tenba isn't terribly comfortable, for the same reason yours isn't: it stops halfway down my back. But it holds a lot for its size, designed with input from photogs.

The Karachi Outpost is much more comfortable. It isn't designed by photogs, so handy pockets etc. are missing, and it's a bit of a tight squeeze. Excellent quality, though.

Any backpack or camera bag is going to be heavy when you load it up. Our stuff weighs a lot!

go with a kata backpack

Alexandra_Marie

I'm probably too late to be helpful...
I have found that though Lowepro is a bit expensive, it's worth the money.
(I work in a camera store so I get to play with cameras and accessories I will probably never be able to afford even with discount...)
I noticed Lowepro bags tend to be constructed a little more durably than the others we carry (Promaster, Tenba, Tamrac...).
On a side note that has nothing to do with photography (unless you found a way to sneak your camera into the venue):
How was the NIN concert? I have tickets to a show here in June (it'll be my very first NIN concert)...

docwalker

I picked up a Lowepro Dryzone 200 a few months ago. It is an excellent pack. It is waterproof, has lots of pockets, and protects things really well. But, it is heavy and a pain to get things in and out if you use both zippers. Getting the camera in and out in a hurry is not possible.

This weekend I picked up a KATA R102. This is a really cool pack as it allows you to get access to the camera quickly. It does not hold as much stuff as the DZ but it is close.

I will be keeping and using both packs. When I will be working on a boat, diving, or near the river I will use the DZ 200. For hiking and day to day use it will be the KATA.

wxwax

The KATA looks good, for when you're there.

But it doesn't seem to have a lot of pockets for stuff you need when travelling: chargers, cleaners, filters, spare batts, etc. Pretty much the same problem that the Crumpler Karachi Outpost suffers from. Not enough storage space.

docwalker

Have you actually handled the KATA or are you basing your opinion on the site photos? They are misleading. I am not sure why a company fails to advertise all of the features.

I was unsure of the pockets on it until I actually picked it up in the store. Even then I did not find everything until I got it home.

There are 2 zippered external pockets on the "lid". There is one internal pocket on the quick access panel. The lid itself has a zipper that runs around the entire inside. It is actually a pocket. I do not have a laptop so the laptop pocket is being used for a collapsable reflector, batteries, and chargers. I have the r-103 not the 102 that I originally posted.

I will be happy to write up a review on the KATA if anyone is interested.

Scott_Quier

docwalker wrote:

Have you actually handled the KATA or are you basing your opinion on the site photos? They are misleading. I am not sure why a company fails to advertise all of the features.

I was unsure of the pockets on it until I actually picked it up in the store. Even then I did not find everything until I got it home.

There are 2 zippered external pockets on the "lid". There is one internal pocket on the quick access panel. The lid itself has a zipper that runs around the entire inside. It is actually a pocket. I do not have a laptop so the laptop pocket is being used for a collapsable reflector, batteries, and chargers. I have the r-103 not the 102 that I originally posted.

I will be happy to write up a review on the KATA if anyone is interested.

You have my vote! I'm very interested in whatever you can show/post on this item as I have been considering it for a while now.

Never thought about using the laptop slot for a reflector. Great idea. Now all I have to do is get a reflector and someone to hold it for me while I'm shooting.

DoctorIt

I feel like I need to have this on standby somewhere to cut and paste:

Don't forget to check out our Reviews (packs are under Accessories), there are already two backpacks reviewed there by fellow dgrinners. One is a Crumpler and the other is a Kata.

docwalker

Good review. But, the horseshoe pocket in the lid is not very obvious in the review either. Other than that it covers it. The modular pockets that you can add onto it are also a big plus.

wxwax

docwalker wrote:

Have you actually handled the KATA or are you basing your opinion on the site photos? They are misleading. I am not sure why a company fails to advertise all of the features.

I was unsure of the pockets on it until I actually picked it up in the store. Even then I did not find everything until I got it home.

There are 2 zippered external pockets on the "lid". There is one internal pocket on the quick access panel. The lid itself has a zipper that runs around the entire inside. It is actually a pocket. I do not have a laptop so the laptop pocket is being used for a collapsable reflector, batteries, and chargers. I have the r-103 not the 102 that I originally posted.

I will be happy to write up a review on the KATA if anyone is interested.

Go for it!

I said "doesn't seem to have a lot of pockets" because I'm only looking at the photos.

I'd love to see what other storage capacity they have. Kata's website sucks at showing their bags.

docwalker

The existing review is pretty good and I am not sure I can add that much to it. The yellow horseshoe area inside the pack has a clear and white checkered gusset area. That is the other pocket I was referring to. The zipper runs the full length of the horseshoe area. I stuffed mine with cables and remotes.

The laptop area has a removable divider. I placed it about 3/4 from the top. The bottom area I have slid in my 5 in 1 Impact collapsable reflector. In the top I placed the AC converter for the HD80 PSD, the AC plug, and the Battery Chager for the D200. In the empty areas around the reflector I have stuffed an emergency cell phone charger and spare batteries.

I will try to get some photos up soon.

cmason

I looked at the KATA and compared it to the Lowepro Computrekker I bought. The KATA was interesting, and the quick access method for the camera is very nice indeed. I thought the interior pockets we impractical, all being curved and oddball sizes. The yellow interior was a bit much too

In the end, I knew the Lowepro brand, loved the all-weather cover, and accessories available, so I went with the lowepro. After using it, I think it is not the most comfortable bag for sure, and perhaps the KATA would have been better for that.

wxwax

docwalker wrote:

The existing review is pretty good and I am not sure I can add that much to it. The yellow horseshoe area inside the pack has a clear and white checkered gusset area. That is the other pocket I was referring to. The zipper runs the full length of the horseshoe area. I stuffed mine with cables and remotes.

The laptop area has a removable divider. I placed it about 3/4 from the top. The bottom area I have slid in my 5 in 1 Impact collapsable reflector. In the top I placed the AC converter for the HD80 PSD, the AC plug, and the Battery Chager for the D200. In the empty areas around the reflector I have stuffed an emergency cell phone charger and spare batteries.

I will try to get some photos up soon.

Good info.

It would be helpful just to see the spread of goodies you can stuff in the pockets. You know, lay them out.

docwalker

I am having trouble uploading to my site so I will post some photos later.

wxwax

docwalker wrote:

I am having trouble uploading to my site so I will post some photos later.

DoctorIt

docwalker wrote:

I am having trouble uploading to my site so I will post some photos later.

aren't we all.

But definitely, when you have photos and text ready to add to that review, just post them here. I'm sure it won't be necessary, as he is all seeing, but if Andy is alerted, he will immediately move the content over to the reviews gallery.

docwalker

http://docwalker.smugmug.com/gallery/1509107/

Here are a couple of photos that I took at lunch. It is nothing fancy and not up to par with the review. I will try to find some time to take some better shots.

In the horseshoe section I have an MC-36 remote, a MC-35 GPS connection with the serial GPS cable, an SB-800 flash filter set, flash stand, sto-fen type flash diffuser, and a few other items.

wxwax

Thanks Doc. Pics 2 and 3 - do they both show things in the laptop pocket, or does only one of them show it?

docwalker

Pics 3&4 show the laptop pocket. 1&2 are of the horseshoe pocket.

2&4 show items pulled out slightly.

patch29

For those who are still looking, Tenba is expanding the line of backpacks it offers. More info can be found here. I would like to see them in person. I have been happy with my 17" Tenba backpack so far.

wxwax

patch29 wrote:

For those who are still looking, Tenba is expanding the line of backpacks it offers. More info can be found here. I would like to see them in person. I have been happy with my 17" Tenba backpack so far.

:bluduh

TylerW

cmason wrote:

In the end, I knew the Lowepro brand, loved the all-weather cover, and accessories available, so I went with the lowepro. After using it, I think it is not the most comfortable bag for sure, and perhaps the KATA would have been better for that.

I just took delivery of the Kata R103 earlier this week. My initial impressions make me very happy with the purchase. Great protection for my gear and a lot of wearable comfort. Some of the amenities are a bit fussy - like attaching the tripod holder, and the "horseshoe" pocket would be a bit more useable if it was divided into two or three sections. But if you want build quality, comfort and a lot of protection, this one should do you well.

I'll be spending the next weekend hiking all around the Laguna Seca racetrack next weekend with the Kata on my back. I'll have more to report about the comfort then.

wxwax

I'm curious to see how it holds up. As I said, when I saw them at B&H, I wasn't impressed by build quality, or the funky, small accessory pockets.

TylerW

TylerW wrote:

I'll be spending the next weekend hiking all around the Laguna Seca racetrack next weekend with the Kata on my back. I'll have more to report about the comfort then.

As promised.

I'm still very happy with the Kata purchase. It is definitely a pack that you can live with. The padding kept my gear sturdy and safe while packing through crowds of thousands, and the harness kept the heavy load from being a burden. After ten hours of being on my feet with the pack on my back, my feet were the only thing that hurt. My gear was easy to get at, the pack has loads of external loops to clip water bottles to, and the harness dissipated my sweat (it was 100+ degrees out there) quickly so as to not leave the harness all nasty.

Its far from a fashion accessory, and you won't look very cool toting it around, but if you're looking for a rugged, functional pack that does it all pretty well, the kata won't disappoint.

claudermilk

Thanks for the review. That cements my future purchase choice. BTW, how was the race?