HG Law

Looking to acquire a new backpack for my two cameras and 4 lenses. Cost, size, and comfort are certainly factors with me.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

And, evidently, those factors are secrets with you.

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

I recommend the Manfrotto Bumblebee Pro Light 230. Cost is about $250 and can be purchased at B&H. It is my everyday backpack which I use carry my gear plus a 15-inch laptop to my office. Sometimes I will take along a 17-inch laptop (Dell M6700). When hiking the laptops remain behind but sometimes a tablet will come along. Fully loaded the bag can be quite heavy but on my back it doesn't feel so heavy and is quite comfortable due to the supports, chest and waist straps, and lumbar support. It also has a raised, vented back which helps to keep your back cool. I have made several hikes, many with steep elevation climbs, and never found myself wishing I didn't have it on my back. Check out these videos for capacity capability and protection. With this backpack I don't worry about the gear as much as when I take the gear out...)))

https://youtu.be/RPK4CbKTWJs

https://youtu.be/klyQyxQl0tE

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

I neglected to mention that I did a lot of research for backpacks as my requirements were to carry my gear while hiking or cycling and because I wanted my camera with me at practically all times including when I go to work, it must be able to handle a 17-inch laptop of the size of my Dell M6700---not all 17-inch laptops are the same, some are quite thinner than mine. This is the only backpack that I have found that could handle my laptop, my gear, and remain comfortable in all of my activities. The only downside I have with the backpack is that there is no way to carry a hydration bladder but I may just wrap it up in a plastic bag and put it into the laptop compartment. The chest straps are important in securing the bag on you and providing stability when hiking or cycling. They also help "lift" the bag off of the lower back and maintain the comfort. Manfrotto did a great job in making a backpack for the very active.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I have a medium Tamrac backpack. They quit making this model, but if all the Tamrac packs are made in a similar fashion, it is very comfortable and has a chest strap for better stability.

HG Law

Thanks guys. I didn't want to go $250, need to keep looking. I am mainly going to be on a tour and, at my age, a lot of hiking is not in the cards.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

A couple of Tamracs at B&H for about $100....

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Measure your longest lens. I have a LowePro Flipside 500AW that handles 5 lenses including a 150-600, 70-200, 28-75, 180 macro, & 50. B&H is currently offering it for $120.00 with free shipping. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=lowepro%20flipside%20500%20aw&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

I have a Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 that I cram 2 bodies with grips, 4 lenses, a flash and 3 battery chargers, plus some misc cards and filters into. No way I'm going to walk around all day with that on my back (weighs in the neighborhood of 35 lbs). The Lowepro Flipside 500AW mentioned by nicksr1125 looks to be a great bag for the price but, I bet it weighs 40 lbs+ with all that gear in it. Perhaps one of the rolling camera bags would be better if you really don't need a backpack type. Just a thought.

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

Would help to know which bodies and lenses you are planning on carrying with you. I'd second the Tamrac suggestion as I have two and really like them, however they were both in that $250 + price range. You could look at Amazon Basics as they run about 1/5th the cost of the Tamrac's I have, as I also have one those which is decent but not great.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

You're right about the weight but, it sure beats having to check my Pelican case.

Largobob

I too have the LowePro 500AW, and it is awesome. Several months ago, I purchased two lenses from B&H....and they provided me with "Rewards Points" in the amount of $127.76. After applying the rewards points, the backpack was free. Gotta love B&H....

tomcat

I just went through this exercise for myself planning a trip to Maine. I am 70 years old, so I'm not carrying 20-35 lbs on my back all day. All of the combo rolling/backpack bags weigh too much, even when empty--8 to 10 lbs!

So this is my solution: I got a small rolling bag that fits under the airplane seat, so it's a carryon, from LL Bean. I put both of my cameras with a walk-around moderate zoom lens into 2 separate Thinktank Holster 20 accessory sleeves and packed both of these into the rolling bag. So now my heaviest items are fully enclosed and protected in the rolling bag that I can pull anywhere and I don't have to lift into an overhead luggage bin. I also have a Lowpro small backpack, CompuDay Photo 250 that I put 2 wide-angle lens into, plus cards and batteries and a Mindset filter case. (As an aside, I take that Lowpro backpack to DisneyWorld packed with a D750+18-35mm wide-angle). All of my extra photo gear is in this smaller backpack and it does not weigh much. So this solves my problem for transporting heavy stuff to and from the car and then I can pack the small Lowpro bag as needed from the backseat. Since I am not a day-hiker, it's not worth the risk of a fall. I just injured my achilles from a misstep so I know I will not be hiking Maine's rocky trails-just level ones.

I don't think Lowepro makes this bag now but you might be able to get a used one at a camera store. Here is a fair substitute for size and weigh, the Lowepro Photo Traveler 150 Backpack.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

I solved my storage problem a little differently than most. I have acquired three backpacks ... the Naneu (large one on left) is for all my camera gear. It is over $250 new. I bought like new off of Craig's list for $75. The middle pack I use when I go on Cruises (again used off of Craig's list for $45). Large enough for my gear, a laptop and two bottles of champaign and my swimsuit and underwear (In case the cruise line misplaces my luggage). The small one is for everyday gear. Holds my D7000, two to three lenses (depending on type I choose to take that day) and my flash and set me back $15 used from, you guessed it, Craig's list..

(Download)

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

Check out the new MindShare packs from ThinkTank. They have real back pack straps and lumbar padding. They are beautifully made and ingeniously designed--obviously by real photographers. Mine opens from the back for access to gear. I can swing the pack around to my front side while keeping the waist belt fashioned. I don't have to take it off to get something. There are also plenty of storage pockets on the front of the pack. And I chose a green one so it looks like a day pack and not a camera pack.