Recommend a good quality built camera backpack bag (Page 3): :thumbup: :thumbup: I've used their Evolution 8 but looked at other options. The evolution series is a sling bag. The only...

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Qbert wrote:

I dont use backpacks but have used many of the bags from Tamrac and really love them. They are extremely configurable and built to last.

They offer backpacks also.

http://www.tamrac.com/

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I've used their Evolution 8 but looked at other options. The evolution series is a sling bag. The only downside to Tamrac is that it is very well made so you won't have an excuse that you dropped it and broke your cameras and have to buy new. LOL

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Hi I have a large tamrac backpack and a great sling over the solder tamrac that I can ride a bike with large DSLR and lens.
I don't think my tamrac backpack would fit all those lens.
Frankely I have a video outfit in it. Good luck.

dikh123

I used Tamarac initially when I started photography, but now use the Parallax model by Mountainsmith.....holds a bunch....sturdy....and well padded.

bracket4light Loc: Lancaster PA

Think Tank make great bags for all types of photography.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

I must say I have seen this bag it looks like it would do find in most situations a slick design for sure. I like it.

Gitzo wrote:

Red;

You have just asked the "impossible"! As you can already see, you'll get dozens of "opinions", (every one of which I'm sure will be "spot-on" for the individual offering his/her "opinion" ); The problem is......NO ONE but YOU has any idea of exactly what you wish to accomplish, exactly what you wish to carry, etc etc etc etc........

Back packs are "great".....for certain things; they are also quite useless for certain "other things"; (if you ever watch the NFL games, or the NBA games, you'll note that of all of the pros who cover these games, there is a total lack of backpacks! )

Someone mentioned Tamrac; shortly before digital photography started to make everyone's 35 mm SLRs "obsolete", I was shooting with a Nikon F-5; I wanted / "needed"? a backpack; at the time, there were 500 people making backpacks, but the only backpack out of all of them that was DEEP enough to accommodate my F-5 was a pack made by Tamrac; I bought it; it's a great pack; holds a TON of "stuff"; has a "million zippers"; when I covered an airshow at McDill U.S.A.F. Base in Tampa, security was TIGHT! The young E-5 who said he needed to "inspect" my back pack was VERY "thorough"; even so, I quipped..."Betcha don't find them all"! He sure tried! (but failed ); after 15 minutes of answering, "whazzat" questions, he finally gave up, and decided I was just a photo-nut with a lot of pricey "stuff", and not a terrorist; only then did I point out the zippered compartment for a laptop that he had "missed"!

Here's one of the only problems with that big Tamrac pack; with my F-5 (which uses EIGHT "AA" cells, a 300mm /f4 prime, 80-200 f2.8 zoom, 4 more "smaller lenses", you need either a sturdy hand truck, or a few sherpas to carry the thing through the average airport!

Since that time I have drastically "re-thought" what I really "need" when I go anyplace to take pictures; and you know what? Every destination requires different "stuff"! (And very few "require" a back pack! )

I go to a lot of trade shows and museums; I usually shoot "supported"; (either a tripod or a monopod; ) neither can be used at trade shows or in museums; the link below shows you what CAN be used; I have one; it "works" great! (but I didn't pay near that much for it when I bought it on Amazon ) It can be used both as a back pack OR as a chest pack; (both have their uses ) With my A-S B-1 ball head on the provided mounting on top of the pack, I can shoot indoors, a large D SLR with 70-200 / f2.8 attached, "almost" as solidly as if it was on a tripod, and MUCH more quickly. To the best of my knowledge, it's the ONLY chest pack "out there" that makes this possible. It has sufficient space for a Nikon D-4 with 70-200/f2.8 attached, a 12-24/f4 zoom in the bottom, and room for cards, keys, phone, etc etc etc etc.......and it's ALL right there underneath your nose where you can "keep your eyes on it" in a crowded venue.

What it's NOT, is a huge "pack" capable of carrying "everything you own"........check it out......

http://www.amazon.com/Clik-Elite-CE512GR-BodyLink-Telephoto/dp/B0037NZ9Z8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1420607918&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=Clik+elite+body+link+chest+pack

Red; br br You have just asked the "imposs... (show quote)

eSteve Loc: Newark, DE

RedBaron4730 wrote:

Can anyone recommend a good, quality built and stu... (show quote)

Try Kata. They were originally designed for Israelli military. They are high quality construction, superbly designed and reasonably priced.

jmcgloth Loc: Ocean Park, WA

RedBaron4730 wrote:

Can anyone recommend a good, quality built and stu... (show quote)

I have a Manfrotto Bumblebee Light backpack I got from Adorama and it's fantastic. Holds my D800 with 24-70mm, 20-300mm and 85mm lenses and flash and other stuff with room left over.

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

RedBaron4730 wrote:

Can anyone recommend a good, quality built and stu... (show quote)

Hi, I have the Tamrac evolution 8 and although it does a pretty good job and is well made, I don't really like. If I was in the States I would buy the Canon 250 from B&H for fifty bucks, will hold all your stuff and you can't go wrong for the price.

Another advantage is the thieves won't give you a second look because they'll think you just have Canon gear not that great Nikon stuff (completely tongue in cheek)

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Hello happy sailor

I bought one of those from Canon a piece of crap don't waste your money I gave it away after one year of using this bag. It started to fail straps ripping away from the bag and crappie zippers jamming.

happy sailor wrote:

Hi, I have the Tamrac evolution 8 and although it does a pretty good job and is well made, I don't really like. If I was in the States I would buy the Canon 250 from B&H for fifty bucks, will hold all your stuff and you can't go wrong for the price.

Another advantage is the thieves won't give you a second look because they'll think you just have Canon gear not that great Nikon stuff (completely tongue in cheek)

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

RichardSM wrote:

Hello happy sailor

I bought one of those from Canon a piece of crap don't waste your money I gave it away after one year of using this bag. It started to fail straps ripping away from the bag and crappie zippers jamming.

Thanks good to know.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

happy sailor wrote:

Thanks good to know.

Out of all the things I bought that had Canons name this was poor quality. It's probably made by some 3rd. Party manufacturer in China maybe.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Ishootcanon wrote:

That thing looks like a piece of junk, and for the price! It doesn't even look like it will hold all his stuff!
But what do I know, I'm just a small bee with a yellow jacket.

CLIKs are a little Gimmicky. I have one, but don't use it much.

However, they are extremely well made, even over-built.

Far fron "Junk".

T. Walton Loc: Newton, Kansas

Now I'll spend a night looking at camera bags

BRP

I have found that no one bag / backpack is right for every situation. I currently have (and use) a Lowepro slingshot 202 AW, Lowepro CompuTrekker AW, ThinkTank CityWalker 20, and Tamrac Adventure 7. Still not enough packs for every situation. Bottom line from my perspective: you'll never get THE perfect bag unless you have a limited set of gear.

The CompuTrekker is great for holding most of the gear but is really only good for transport (closest thing to this now I believe is the Pro Trekker 450). Holds the gear, but you're taking it off to access the gear. It's kind of bulky; Pro Trekker looks a bit more ergonomic. Still wouldn't want to load it up with every piece of glass / gear I might need and go hiking / shooting for an extended period.

Slingshot holds a good subset of the glass and one body with the advantage that you don't have to take if off to access gear. Good walking around pack, but not hiking with it for more than an hour or two.

City walker is great for around town and vacation travel - camera, couple of lenses, flash, chargers, iPad. Generally comfortable for a while. Not for hiking.

Tamrac is great for afternoon hikes when you just want to grab a camera and a lens or two with room for a light jacket and snacks.

Good luck. Happy hunting!

glgracephoto Loc: Arlington, WA

Lowepro Flipside 400AW is 105.00 at B&H right now, much less than the price someone quoted here. I got a used on on Ebay for bout half that, and it was in great shape. I love it.