Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Having now acquired my D7100 and a few lenses, I am now faced with the question of how to travel with my gear. Specifically, how to travel via airline.

I like to pack lightly; I usually have an airline-sized carry-on suitcase and a backpack that holds my laptop, iPad, earphones, cables, charger,etc.

Now, I have to consider adding my camera to the mix. I came across the following camera+laptop backpack by Case Logic at Adorama:

https://www.adorama.com/CGSLRC226.html

And here's a video by Case Logic showing how it's used:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in-0OQ34gps

I also came across the Lowepro Fastpack 250, which does much the same thing, but their approach is a bit different from Case Logic's:

http://www.adorama.com/LPFP250BK.html


I have also thought of packing inside my suitcase a more "portable" case that I can use once I reach my destination, so I don't have to schlep the whole kit around with me. Maybe something like this:

http://www.adorama.com/APNACPRO650.html

Before I plunk down my money, I'd like to hear from other travelers on how they manage to cart around their gear.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I am a fairly small woman that lugs around alot of gear, and I use a backpack. It has saved my shoulders for many years! I would never check any of my gear. This past year, I finally relented and bought a used pelican rolling bag that fits in the overhead. I stuff a lowepro minitreker in my checked bag for when I get there. I love it, as I can take it all if I want, including the laptop!

Teacher Loc: Alabama

Your choices will be bewildering! Lowe pro and tamrac make good packs. Throwing in the laptop is what will differentiate a pack for airport/hotel carrying vs. a pack for hiking with your camera and lenses. Good luck with your shopping.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I chose the Kata Bumble Bee because it holds all of my gear and I can still fly with it with another carry on.
It holds:
2 bodies
2 speedlites and ST2 remote
Tamron 28-200
Canon 17-40
Canon 24-105
Canon 70-200 2.8
Canon 300 2.8
2x extender
15" laptop
extra batteries, CF chips
GPS
iPod
Sound amplifier
And more little stuff
Also has a tripod carrier rig.

It weighs about 40lbs or so, but so worth it to have everything with me when traveling.

lazyjt1 Loc: Potter Valley, CA

Think Tank. I went with the Essentials. It meets the requirements of small airplanes.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/categories/camera-backpacks/airport-backpacks.aspx

sshinn1 Loc: Phoenix

I recently had the same decision to make for a 2 week trip to Korea, and none of my current camera bags had a laptop spot - I settled on the Lowepro Fastpack 350, just lightly larger than the 250 and selling for $99 right now.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=531365&gclid=CMy_j4_Lyb0CFZSSfgod0EkA8Q&Q=&is=REG&A=details

Bag is very well made and held (barely):
D7100
Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 VC
Nikon 17-55 f/2.8
Tokina 11-16 f/2.8
monopod head (monopod itself had to go in other bag though, no place for it or holder on the side)
Spare battery and charger
17" laptop and Ipad, Bose noise cx headphones, and the usual assortment of stuff I throw in (rocket blower, headlamp, flashlight, lens wipes, lenspen, etc. etc.

All told, the pack weighed just over 22 lbs when loaded - on the heavy side, and it sticks out quite a bit off your back making it very awkward to wear while in small stores, street markets, etc. The side entry pocket is a nice idea, and works fantastic on their sling bags, but I quickly realized when this thing was fully loaded I wasn't getting into the side pocket for the camera without taking the pack off, swinging off of one shoulder like the video shows just doesn't work when it's fully loaded. All told, it's an excellent back pack. depending on your size, I did find it a touch short - I'm 6'2" and the bottom of the pack was just a little too high on my back, the waist strap does help even some of the load but would have been more effective (for me) if it was about 2"-3" lower. I am very happy with the pack overall.

You definitely don't want to wear it around wherever you're going all day, fully loaded it will get to be a drag and especially if you are in shops, street markets/fairs, etc. I just packed a smaller bag full of my socks and underwear then stuck that in my other carry on duffle bag, it barely took up any room this way and I was glad I had it, much much easier riding the subway, in crowded shops, and just walking around all day. Plus with the smaller bag (I used this one, which I've had for a while - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=563927&gclid=CJSktpjQyb0CFU9sfgodX14AMg&Q=&is=REG&A=details ), you just pull the camera out when you need it without having to take off your backpack.

Also, when I was deciding I was tempted by some of the roller bags - the problem is, while great as carry-ons when on the bigger jets, when you get on those smaller regional jets for the shorter connecting flights, especially when they are full, they often force you to gate check the roller bags and I did not want to get put in that position, even though every small regional jet I was on during my trip was fully loaded and people were forced to gate check roller bags and larger carry-ons I had no problem getting this pack into the overhead bin and keeping it with me. Hope this helps.

ggttc Loc: TN

Get one with WHEELS!
Look at the tamarac rolling backpacks. I have the speedroller 2x...it holds my Nikon d3200, the wifes sx50, everything both cameras need and has room for a 17" laptop...They are pricey. But hauling a heavy backpack plus your carry-on around Hartsfield or O'Hare..??? That's nooo fun...and that's why your traveling...to have fun

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

Look at gura gear they are great bags check you tube videos showing how much gear you can get in Hesse bags. They have been traveling with me for several years now.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I have two types of backpacks, sometimes I need to take a computer, and sometimes I don't. For the times I just need a camera and a couple of lenses, I have a lowepro day pack for that. It gives me room to carry some other stuff, like a jacket.

somerleaze Loc: Coventry, England

Anyone living in or thinking of traveling in Europe and using the popular budget airline "Ryanair" may need to re-think their cabin luggage. Ryanair state: "Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted.” Any smaller handbags, briefcases, laptops, and purchases made in the airport must be carried in that same single pack."

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Think Tank bags are top shelf. Their design and quality are unbeatable.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

This probably wouldn't work for you if you need to include a LapTop, but if you can get away with keeping your laptop in your other carry-on, a really nice camera sling bag I received as a Christmas gift is this Targus (This is not the best review I've ever seen, but it will give you an idea):

http://youtu.be/qM1zVnYYi34

Here it is on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Targus-Digital-TGC-SBM200-Camera-Sling/dp/B002MZZR54/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396792006&sr=8-1&keywords=Targus+Sling+bag

darkmanCANADA Loc: Calgary, AB Canada

I use the LowePro Flipside 500 AW

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Well, as these things sometimes go, I wound up buying none of the bags I had on my list.

Actually, I went to my local photo store intending to buy the Lowepro Fastpack 250, but they didn't have one in stock. They had a 200, which I bought, only to find that it didn't have a laptop sleeve/section.

So I returned it today, and wound up buying a Naneu Pro Urban Gear U110 (the Naneu web site only lists the U120, so this must be its predecessor). I haven't "road tested" it yet, but I've packed my D7100, three lenses, Macbook Air (13" ), iPad Air, chargers, cables, and other work-related items (thumb drives, business cards, etc.) -- and even my Fujifilm Finepix f45fd -- with room to spare.

And it's still light enough to tote around airports. A couple of nice features I like: it has straps for a tripod, and the camera storage lifts out as a separate insert, meaning when not used for cameras, the backpack can hold clothing, books, toiletries, etc! There is a stowable belt strap, so when hiking it can be kept secure. It's nicely padded all around, so sensitive components seem well protected.

It also doesn't scream "expensive camera equipment inside!"

This may not be the last bag I buy, but for now, it fills all the requirements I had: airline carry-on, laptop+iPad+camera and assorted cables, earphones, etc.

I tried photographing it, but my light levels are too poor to do it justice, and I'm not in a mood to set up the proper lighting right now. :)

So, here's a link: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r13263710-BoxShot-Naneu-Pro-Backpack-U110

sshinn1 Loc: Phoenix

[quote=

This may not be the last bag I buy, but for now, it fills all the requirements I had: airline carry-on, laptop+iPad+camera and assorted cables, earphones, etc.

[/quote]

Looks like a nice bag - I have decided that the last camera bag anyone buys is likely the one they buy just before they die, there just isn't a bag out there that's perfect for everything...