Hiking backpack for photography

[Amp34]

I'm looking for something in the region of 40-50L for hiking and "backpacking" trips. Nothing specifically photography related however, but ideally a decent hiking bag that has a section/opening that would make storing and retrieving lenses and camera easy.

I currently use a 35L Osprey Atmos but it's an older one with a majorly arched back which makes putting anything in that isn't soft and conformable rather annoying. It also only has a top zip.

I'm looking for something that either has a side entry or back entry ideally, that can make retrieving a 120-300 (about the size of a 2L fizzy drink bottle) and various other smaller lenses easier.

Any suggestions*?

*I'm looking at Fstop as an actually dedicated photo bag but I'd rather have a bag that doesn't scream "expensive camera gear", and most of their bags are pretty heavy.

 

[Amp34]

To clarify when I mean "backpacking" I mean travelling to places like Gabon, Guatemala and the Philippines (past and present trips - but plenty of other places in Africa as well) for several weeks with camping stuff, and doing multi day hiking trips there, rather than just day hikes in local places.

I want an Fstop bag at some point for local hikes and overnight camps but I'm looking for something that's 80% hiking, 20% photography which is why all dedicated camera backpacks are out. I want something that's not obvious it's got lots of expensive camera equipment in it for when I'm in towns and travelling to and from on local transport etc.

Basically does anyone have any suggestions for osprey, dueter, lower alpine and similar brands that would work well for quick access to photo equipment (such as a side or back opening as well as the standard top opening.

I currently use a North Face duffel and a day pack but was wondering if there was something more convenient out there for when the duffel isn't really needed.

 

[Amp34]

I realise they are rare, it's why I'm asking if anyone knows of any so I can go and find one to test it out.

Basically the problem is with a long tele and a couple of other larger landscape lenses you end up with 5-7kg on the very top and back of a bag that weighs 10-12kg in total, meaning it's completely unweighted. I'm basically looking for bags the I can load the lenses somewhere either in the middle next to my back or at the bottom, to give the pack better balance., while still making it fairly easy to change lenses fairly quickly, rather than pull everything out of the bag because the lens is at the bottom. I don't like the bottom access option for this sort of thing however because having lenses at the very bottom of an unprotected bag is a recipe for disaster!

The method you mentioned you use is the one I currently use, but it's a bit of a pain, and as I need a slightly bigger bag (not quite 65L though, although that may be useful when winter camping) without the rather annoying back system (they changed it on newer Atmos bags because it is a real pain) I thought I'd try and see if there was one that gave me that option.