Compact Durable Backpack

MyView · March 12, 2007

Ok, I know, picky picky picky. Here's what I am looking for and hoping someone has suggestions.

I'm 5'4" 120lbs and not looking for a huge backpack. Need it to carry. D70, 75-300 lens, 28-70 lens and possibly SB 600.

It has to be sturdy. This bag will be carrying my equipment while I am riding a snowmobile, so it has to endure the elements and the ride (and I don't ride slow, lol) I prefer the smaller the bag the better, it's not going to be an every day bag, this is it's ONLY purpose. I have other bags for daily use.

So any suggestions would be great. Since I'm now under a time crunch to get it. I was originally going as a pro rider testing the new sleds and now I'm taking my gear with to do some shooting. I leave next week.

THANKS!

Seymore · March 12, 2007

You may want to consider one of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=199512&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=199527&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I have the Micro Trekker 200, and find it good for a small pack for carrying what you need. For me the Micro Trekker 100 was to small. But may still fit your needs.

MyView · March 12, 2007

Seymore - thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I have been looking at that bag all day. I keep thinking it looks out of proportion or something. Not sure. It looks so wide and short in the pictures and I wonder how that would feel on my back.

I have been researching all day and can't decide. I think I want just for this purpose bag, small compact, blah blah blah. My husband thinks I should get a more all around bag, so I don't have so many sitting around. Any thoughts.

I have been looking at the Tamrac Adventure Series and am really torn.

I think the Adventure 6 would fit my needs for the outdoors stuff and every day stuff. But it sure would be nice to just get the Adventure 9 and have that my all around bag and when I don't have my laptop with me (which I wouldn't take on the snowmobile) it would still be roomy. Not having any store around me with them so I can see them in person, this is really hard.

Any thoughts!!!!!

Much much much appreciated.

Seymore · March 12, 2007

If you have a camera store nearby, make some phone calls first, you might plan a day to go try out on each pack to see what feels best for you. Seeing where you are, it may entail a bit of driving...

Just some more thoughts...

Art Scott · March 12, 2007

LowePros' Slingshot series might be a way to go.....I just today recieved the Slingshot 300AW and do believe I have found me a bag for mu hiking for wildlife and landscapes...as well as being able to ride well while on my Motorcycle.

I had previous ly looked at the Slingshot 200 and thought it a bit small or my need...so I didnot buy.....I was building a system ou of LowePeo 75aw toploader bags to wear on a wide military web belt and it was starting to come together.....then LowePro brings out the 300 AW...as of now I have in the main compartment.... a KM 7D with 28-200 3.5 to 5.6 with lens shade on [I am figuring my 70-210 f2.8 should fit very snuggly with out lens shade fitted to the KM7D, my 5600HS flash and still have room for several lense in the top portion I have my other KM7D with 24-70 F2.8 and still have room for filters a couple of batteries and other stuff....in the front zipper compartment I have 6 camera batteries and a LowePro DMC-Z containing 2 lexar 2ggb pro cards and 4 AA rechargebles and there is still room........this makes my 75AW system obsolete practically........

I newver go anywhere without 2 cameras with lenses attached so this is the closest thing to perfect I have seen or found...

For you the Slingshot 200 would probably work but won't really leave any room for growing......I don't think.......I purchase my 300 AW from a colorado sompany called Sell-N-Send off ebay...this is my second purchase from them and I have had not probs...everyting arrives fast and the one return I had to make was a no prob transaction.
The sling type bags do not have to come off to get into it and for biking or snowmobiling that would be a great plus.

Good Luck.

ShebaJo · March 13, 2007

Dang... another person that doesn't have local camera stores?

I hate driving 3.5 hours to check out camera equipment.

I have the MicroTrekker 100, use it mostly on a motorcycle. It works well. As you mention, it is a bit short... but that comes in handy wearing a helmet. I am 5'5, a large backpack can be too tall and hit my helmet. Also, it is good to have a smaller backpack that won't catch much wind.

My equipment...20d, 17-85, 75-300, lenshoods, card holder, blackberry... fits easily.

I like the slingshot, great for easier access. I considered it, but I was afraid it wouldn't work very well (fast or in town) on the bike, the MicroTrekker works great, secure.

One bag is a great idea... but not a possiblity with me. ;D

BTW...I have been looking at the Adventurer 9 also... it looks nice.

MyView · March 13, 2007

Thanks for all the advice, greatly appreciated. I have to drive a good hour and a half to get to a store that has a wide enough arrangement of bags. With a 1 year old a 2 year old that trip can be extremely miserable. lol

I currently have the Tamrac Velocity 8 (I think it's the 8, hmm one of them anyway) and it works great however the downfall to a sling on the snowmobile was that it bounced around a little and I had it tightened all the way down shoulder and waste straps. It's a pain to take on and off with all those clothes on too. Only reason I mention that is that I'm primarily there are a pro rider not as a photographer, so I need to ride without my bag on when we get to filming areas etc. And I will do some shooting here and there, but I'm a rider first a photographer if I have time basically.

I think ideally I'd like a small backpack and a large backpack that would carry everything. But I already have the Velocity, which is a great little bag. Ugh!

I need to look more at the Lowepro bags, they seem to get great reviews.

I think the reason I am drawn to the Adventure Series is because they look like they would feel like a backpack on your back. I think some of the other bags look like they would feel like a suitcase on your back. I don't know though, I haven't seen any in person.

Thanks!

ShebaJo · March 13, 2007

Your comments on the sling, wanting a backpack, are why I went with the MicroTrekker 100... it does fit on your body like a backpack, allbeit small. When I ride with my husband, I do shoot from the back of the bike, but I still want the pack secure on my back.

I bought mine on ebay, the seller said he would exchange or refund if it didn't work for me. I just checked, there are nany MT 100s listed $40-$50 range. You can even find "used" for less. Many people seem to buy, find it to be too small, then sell on ebay.

There is a used MT100 listed, ends in an hour... price is $3. It says in good shape... worth the chance? The seller has a 100% rating.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lowepro-Camera-Backpack-Micro-Trekker-100_W0QQitemZ200086532875QQcategoryZ64336QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Seymore · March 13, 2007

ShebaJo wrote:

There is a used MT100 listed, ends in an hour... price is $3. It says in good shape... worth the chance? The seller has a 100% rating.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lowepro-Camera-Backpack-Micro-Trekker-100_W0QQitemZ200086532875QQcategoryZ64336QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Good find Sheila.

This one should go cheap. There should be 2 long dividers and at least 4 shorter dividers, based on that I know about new MT100's. But this would be a great starter for anyone who may have more dividers not being used or needs limited dividers.

MyView · March 13, 2007

Thanks so much. I've been watching that one. lol I was thinking I could probably get dividers for it if I needed. Maybe I'm wrong on that, but was thinking I could probably get replacement dividers fro Lowepro.

Thanks so much!!!

Seymore · March 13, 2007

Yep... the dividers are available. Something like these should work for you. However I've not found the long ones except in mass quantities.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOWEPRO-STEALTH-REPORTER-200AW-REMOVABLE-INSERT-DIVIDER_W0QQitemZ230085093284QQcategoryZ50507QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOWEPRO-STEALTH-REPORTER-D650-AW-STRAP-POUCH-DIVIDER_W0QQitemZ230097811651QQcategoryZ50507QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

And pending the final price of the bag, you can almost get a new bag for the same price.

I did also find this for you:
http://www.lowepro.com/customer_service/faqs.aspx#8

Compact Durable Backpack

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