george19

I started out with a couple of cosmetics bags, small, rugged, inexpensive, good for storage but not for significant transport.

I bought a Swiss Army computer backpack at Staples, and find it comfortable and convenient for carrying the gear for a day of shooting. The bonus is the rubberized bottom.

Not compartmented like a photo bag, but you can add foam as necessary to preclude damage.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Here is a picture of that backpack. Picked one up myself. Very nicely made and "picture perfect" for camera equipment

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I'll second the Tenba bags I've used them for years. Admittedly a little more expensive but well worth it. The link takes you to a 18L but they also have a 24L and 32L which are a lot larger and carry more material. The LowePro 450 someone suggested can be purchased on eBay from China (if you don't mind waiting for it) for as low as $89.00. I have a large LowePro as well and it isn't even close in quality to the Tenba bags.

JonClayton Loc: Central Florida

I have the Case Logic SLRC-206 SLR Camera/Laptop Backpack and love it. It is well built, holds a lot gear and lenses and has a large zip pocket for a laptop. It has traveled the world with my wife and I. The straps are wide and there are good mesh pads on the back so you do not get too hot. The bag fits well in overhead bins on the plane. The only time TSA wanted to look in it was when I had a lot of extra cables for the iPads and iPhones stuffed in one of the pouches. One of the nice things about the bag is that the bottom is solid rubber/plastic so it stands up by itself when you are getting gear out of it. I have overstuffed it and it has held up well. I usually have 4 or 5 lenses in it a D810 camera a DX body and all of the support gear for the camera (charger, cables and filters) and a laptop or tablet. When I get to my room I empty all of the support gear out of it and just carry the photo gear and the weight reduces by at least half. I have had it for a least 6 years and it is not showing any real wear on it so Case Logic built it well.

dck22

I use a Tamrac Expedition 7x. Lots of room, everything fits securely. Definitely not for daily carry, but it matches what you asked for.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Exactly right!!!

My personal bag (as I mentioned earlier) has ONLY the things I might need for the current shoot. Generally, I keep it packed and ready to go with the bare necessities. My camera(s), a lens on each camera, a couple of complimentary lenses to change to, extra batteries, lens caps (front and rear) body caps (one for each camera) memory cards, a note pad and pen, filters, lens cloths and cleaner, my vello remote release and controller, a small flashlight, my laser pointer (handy for manual focusing at night), a couple of quick release tripod mounts.
This is my standard (sit in the cabinet ready to go) bag. If I have a planned photoshoot, then I add or remove items as necessary. I may change the type of lenses, add other accessories, etc. THEN, I have my lighting stands (in a bag containing 5 stands and a boom plus 3 umbrellas with black covers,) I have a bag of reflectors, a bag that has my light stand weight bags, misc. connectors etc. Then I have my rolls of background paper and the stands and cross pieces and my canvas backdrop. All of these are in the cabinet and ready for me to carry to the car as needed.
My point is that you should only have the basics in the bag and ready to grab.... then add anything else that might be needed if it is a specific shoot otherwise why drag it all around.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I do not think you will find a backpack that you can carry comfortably that will hold everything you own and plan to purchase. I recently purchased a peak design 3 liter bag that I really like. I am selling a Tarmac Expedition 6X at a very low price if you are interested. It may hold everything you have now, but I do not think it will hold additional items.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You forgot to add Tamrac and Pelican to your list of other bags (G-raphy, USA Gear, Altura G---, Neewer, Lowpro, and Canon.) Now you have to look at them too. Buying a bag is a personal wear that only you can decide on. I must have 8 different bags by now. I actually use all of them for one thing or another. I have a Pelican for carry on travel, a large Tamrac that holds most of my camera lenses and bodies, 2 different sized LowePro bags that hold fewer lenses but one that is carried over one shoulder and one that is like a backpack, I have a Canon that I use for speedlites and triggers, a free no brand name cheap small bag I got free with my B&H purchase of my 7D Mark II body that I use when I bring one small lens on one body, and I have to LowePro extra large lens cases for my 2 huge supertelephoto lenses. Yep, count em. 8. I had one stolen or I'd have 9.

DSLR Loc: NV

Search "Mountainsmith" at B&H for Mountainsmith Borealis Camera Backpack - $145.21

B&H # MOBABG MFR # 14-81230-65
Fits DSLR, 2 Lenses, Flash & Accessories
Accommodates 17" Laptop
Anvil Airway Suspension
Front Pouch & Interior Organizer
Vertical Zip Front Pocket
Zippered Gear Compartment at Base
Side Tripod Attachment
Water-Resistant Exterior
Padded Waist Straps with Pockets
Removable Rain Cover

You may find this, as I have, as "the" solution for backpack for all-day on the trail.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

As some others have mentioned it depends if you want to carry all your gear with you or just a selection for that particular day/job/shoot. I have to confess to having two bags when I travel by car - a Billingham bag (which is great for storing stuff, but my preference is not have have something heavy on one shoulder) and a relatively cheap back pack which I've kitted out with a Ciesta flexible insert and some Altura neoprene lens pouches. I can select what I need to take and it's not too heavy. Other days, I just sling a body and lens over me. It works for me, but not for everyone.
Of course, some equipment only goes out on special trips - reflectors, umbrellas, various tripods, monopod etc.

Horses for courses of course!

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

Check out fstopgear.com I have the Loka UL and I'm pretty happy with it. My favorite feature is that it opens from the back so you can lay it on the ground in snow, mud, sand or what have you and the side that goes on your back stays clean & dry. Also the ICU (Internal Camera Unit) is customizable and available in several different sizes. The down side to these is the price. They aren't cheap. The Luka is also carry on compliant.

lngroller

Look at suggestions given but before you purchase check out Think Tank camera packs, I have the Airport Takeoff Bag, hold a lot of gear, has a telescoping handle and wheels and fits on overhead compartments of all but the smallest commuter planes. Like you I had been through a ton of bags and for carrying a small/medium sized kit this was the best quality and options I found. Think Tank Photo Airport TakeOff Rolling Camera Bag (Black) 498 - B&H https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLLdgQ-9E20

Hip Coyote

I have several camera backpacks for use in different circumstances. When going on a photography expedition where I can place my gear in a car and I need massive amounts of gear, I use the Tamrac Expedition 7X which will hold multiple bodies, long telephone lenses and every piece of equipment I own. It has a place for a tripod on the outside and has a very padded waste strap to allow for comfort. I think I even saw a partition for the kitchen sink in the main compartment. The thing is built like a tank and would be my choice if I were assigned to go to hell to photograph the Devil.

But....that pack is way too heavy to carry for long distances. And backpacks usually require the user to remove the pack to access the gear inside of it. My wife and I like hiking vacations. (Think in terms of many miles of hiking...not just to and from a photo spot.) These kinds of trips are not photography-centric so I have to keep up with the main crowd on guided treks and take pictures on the fly. For that, I have the Mindshift Rotation backpack. It is an ingenious pack in that it has a waist bag that can be stowed in/under the pack and can be rotated (hence its name) very quickly for access to camera gear for the quick shot. Once done with the photo, gear can be stowed back into the bag and rotated back to allow for ease of walking. It has a place for hydration bladder and a top compartment for a jacket, lunch, etc. It is my favorite pack and the one use most often. The bag fits under most airline seats or overhead bins. The bag is expensive but works quite well.

I have the usual cheap brown Canon backpack which is what I grab when headed to family dinners, etc. It carries the gear I need and is not too big. It is not that well padded but works for this purpose.

Finally, I see some people like inserts where they can use a regular backpack and then re-purpose them into camera bags. This may work in that the molle system (used by military and police) allows for unlimited configurations and additions to the pack. I like that idea quite a bit. However, if I get another backpack for camera gear, I may indeed be sent by my wife to complete that devil photo gig.

So, each bag is mission specific for me. I suggest you determine what it is you are going to do and how you are going to do it then pick the bag that best supports that endeavor.

cmcaroffino Loc: Sebring, FL

Photographylife.com has great product reviews which I have found helpful and several on camera backpacks go to their website and read to your hearts content.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

Craigs list!
I found a Lowepro small backpack that I love. Doesn't hold much but works for me. Camera, with 18-300 lens attached, 35 prime, flash and charges for camera battery and flash unit. $15 off Craig's list.

For home storage I have a brand new, used once Naneu Sahara 217˚F That I might never be able to fill up with gear. For $75 off Craig's List.

Happy hunting