Camera rucksack recommendations

Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2003
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5,280
I'm off to Morocco at the end of the month and I'm after a rucksack that will comfortably hold my D90 and a few accessories along with a 12" laptop, a book and a couple of other small items. Unfortunately I'm flying EasyJet so I also need it to be carry-on size.

Can anyone throw a few recommendations my way :)
 
Are you just talking about a D90 with a single zoom lens? Pretty much anything will work in that case, it needn't even be a photographer's bag.
 
Ooops sorry, it will be a D90 with the 18-105 and also a 70-200 lens. I could pad them in a normal bag but I really want a bag with decent padding and compartments in.
 
I've got a Lowepro Fastpack 200 which I really like and I'm taking to use on Holiday in 2 days. In mine I have a Canon 20D, Tamron 17-50, 50 1.4, 75-300 IS, Gorillapod Focus with ballhead X, battery grip, spare batteries and cards, charger, filters, wireless remote. Then a top compartment for general things that is fairly spacious, some netting on the side for a bottle or something, and another compartment on the front for accessories.

Look into the 250/350 as they have laptop storage too iirc. Fastpacks are fairly cheap.
 
I have a fastpack 250, whilst it is great for storage as a bag I find it a bit uncomfortable. Mine is currently holding a 40d with tamron 17-50, sigma 10-20, 580exII, space for small items in the bottom, 15" laptop and still space for a coat in the top pocket. For storage and transportation it's great, feels good quality but when carrying the waist strap doesn't really do much so the weight is all on your shoulders pulling on your neck. Also I find I'm having to constantly adjust my tshirt. I'd happily travel with it, only cost £50 but I think I'd prefer to try out others if I was considering travelling for a long time.

The 250 should be able to handle 2 zoom lenses as the compartments are adjustable.
 
I got a Crumple Muffin Top half photo for my trip around California. Was excellent and very roomy.

Held a 400D, 50mm prime, 10-20 Sigma and 55-250 Canon along with batteries etc etc and had space for drinks, laptop and other bits.

Great bag.
 
Kata 467i here, holds plenty, partitions can be configured for various setups and holds a laptop nicely in the back pocket :)
 
im using a lowepro compudaypack, which is a pretty decent piece of kit so far:

camera section: holds a canon 1000d body, sigma 70-300, flash (nissin di622), canon 18-55, straps and still has a good bit of room left over. well padded/protected. camera section kind of hinges out of the bottom of the bag for easy access.

laptop section: will easily hold a large laptop and a a4 folder at the same time. tall enough to also hold the charger. again, well padded.

top 'stuff' section: holds a large single lens case, my camera manual, lightweight rainproof poncho, small LED torch, shades, my pipe and baccy has waterproof sections for documents/memory cards and has enough room left to hold a 500ml bottle of pop and some sarnies.

requires some inventive packing to fit it all in, but thats life :D

ipod section - will hold...well...an ipod i suppose :p I use it to store cables as i cant fathom why anyone would want their mp3 player where its annoying to reach.

Pros:

.very comfortable bag! straps are well padded, and the handle on top is actually comfortable to use for once. the back is padded and contoured to allow airflow etc.
.lots of room - well protected from bumps/knocks etc. well designed with plenty of pockets, adjustable compartments and even handy little external pockets for things like lens caps. camera section/padding can be removed entrirely to convert it into an ordinary day bag with a seperate laptop section.
.well built - well protected from bumps/knocks etc. overall build quality is very good.

cons:

.not waterproof (though seems reasonably rain resistant so far),
.no tripod strap/fitting (bungee cords help here!)



I'd deffo recommensd this as a good everyday bag thats padded enough for commuting etc without having to worry about your gear getting bashed up.
 
I use a Kata DR-467 when flying.

http://www.kata-bags.com/productFRM2HS.asp?p_Id=401&Version=Photo

Easily fits my laptop, a 40D body and a selction of lenses, with ample room to spare for any other items I may want/need.

I second this. This bag was recommened to me from folks from here, i've yet to take it abroad with me, but i lug it around with me when i do race meetings, hold everything i need and 15" laptop and chargers.
 
Lowepro Flipside 400AW.

Great bit of kit, got my Canon 50D, 10-22mm, 50mm, 100mm Macro, 17-85mm and 100-400mm all neatly packed into the main compartment. Still have three spots left for lens inside.

Has a fold out section to hold a tripod (you pop a couple of legs into it) and then strap it tight against the rear with some straps.

Also has a fairly large area to hold cables, filters, spare batteries, pens, paper notebook, maps etc. Two mesh side pockets for water bottles and although it looks fairly waterproof also has a fold out all weather cover that covers the entire rucksack and protects it from downpours.

I've not tried it with a laptop but I suspect if I left out the really big lens and rearranged the removeable dividers one would fit.

Lastly the really good thing the main camera body compartment can only be accessed by removing it from your back since the zippers are towards the body. A good security measure.

Comes in two colours - all black and olive green and black

Link to webpage is here

A review is here
 
The 250 should be able to handle 2 zoom lenses as the compartments are adjustable.
I have the same bag and easily fit my 40D, 70-200 2.8, 17-55 & 10-22 in the bottom compartment. With everything in it is rather heavy but I can't say I've ever found it uncomfortable to wear. I also have a Crumpler MB5500 for when I don't need the 70-200.
 
I wouldn't bother with a 70-200, its too long unless you plan on going to a safari or something.

It's a useless safari lens 90% of the time actually, nothing like enough reach even on a crop body, you need a 300mm really. I've always found the 70-200 pretty good as a longer zoom while travelling, even on crop (though better on full frame). You'll not use it a lot in a city true but it's a nice landscape option and good for anything you need a little more reach for...
 
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