p.1 #1 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
So I find myself looking for a new travel backpack. Let me give some background:
I have been traveling with the following:
- Peak Design ZIP 21L
- Wandrd Prvke 21L
- Brevite Jumper 18L
- Lowepro Photo Sport 24L
What I discovered for some trips is that I found myself, surprisingly, liking the Brevite. The main reason was that it was light, and that I could get it on and off my shoulder without much of a fuss.
Peak Design: It's my go to backpack most of the time, primarily because it's so configurable and comfy on the shoulders. Where I found myself annoyed with it was in places where I'm frequently having to slip it on or off the shoulders.
Wandrd: I have an old one. No luggage passthrough is kind of annoying. It's also somewhat bulky and heavy.
Lowepro: I usually use this when hiking, but traveling with it has been good to - problem is that it really only holds 1 camera body and 2 lenses.
So I find myself looking for something like the Brevite, but better quality.
- Very lightweight (the Brevite only weighs 1.9 lbs)
- Easy to slip on or off the shoulders, not too many fussy things about it like waist straps that might impede a quick removal/donning
- Durable
- Half the bag holds camera gear, half of it holds other stuff (jackets, snacks, passport, etc.)
- Doesn't scream 'camera bag!!!'
p.1 #5 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
nineblade wrote:
My wife said that I have more camera bags than she has bags... PLUS shoes. That induced a serious bout of soul searching.
;-)
Imagine our household, where my wife is also a photographer. Between us we have collected an embarrassing number of bags and dividers and packs and inserts.
Of course, one advantage is that when she or I get the urge to try something new, we can often find it in the other’s studio, When one of my well-used Lowepro bags finally became unreliable… she gave me hers! (Right now I’m carrying an insert that I borrowed from her as we travel.)
p.1 #7 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
RoamingScott wrote:
It would be helpful if you listed out the gear you plan on traveling with regularly.
Good point. That changes depending on the destination, but the trip under consideration right now, I plan to carry:
Nikon Zf
24-70 f4 Z
Voigtlander 50 APO
Voigtlander 35 APO
Sigma 24 f/2 (via adapter)
I'd say on a normal trip, I'd carry:
Nikon 24-120 f4
35 1.4
85 1.8
Or
Sony A7V
20-70 f4
70-200 f4
35 1.4 GM
1.4 TC
So, normally I travel with body + 3-4 lenses. It usually takes up half the backpack. Then I usually stow the laptop in the backpack (macbook air 15" needed for work) to get through the airport security.
Usually I have my jacket and other travel stuff: small headphones, passports, etc. in the general backpack compartment
p.1 #8 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
Have you considered the Tenba BYOB camera insert series? https://tenba.com/shop-by-collection/byob/
I personally use the BYOB 10 Backpack insert because I prefer a generic backpack that does not attract attention, especially in questionable areas. It fits a non-gripped body, a 24-70, 70-200, and a small prime. There are also versions for sling bags, tote bags, etc.
It also gives me some peace of mind: if I must check in my backpack at the gate, I can at least remove the insert with my gear and check in the rest of my less valuable items.
p.1 #9 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
like you, I have run through multiple different camera bags from the major manufacturers of different sizes.
I always struggle with not having enough space for other things you mention like extra clothes, jacket and such besides camera gear. But my criteria now for travel is atleast 2 side pockets for quick access for 2 camera bodies I usually carry while travelling. Each camera with a specific lens and no plans on changing lenses while on the go.
p.1 #10 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
You might try the Tenba Fulton 16L; I have the 14L version and it’s a great bag. Bottom half for camera gear, roll-top area for jacket, snacks, first-aid kit, etc. Tripod sleeve works well.
p.1 #11 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
mameshiba wrote:
Have you considered the Tenba BYOB camera insert series? https://tenba.com/shop-by-collection/byob/
I personally use the BYOB 10 Backpack insert because I prefer a generic backpack that does not attract attention, especially in questionable areas. It fits a non-gripped body, a 24-70, 70-200, and a small prime. There are also versions for sling bags, tote bags, etc.
It also gives me some peace of mind: if I must check in my backpack at the gate, I can at least remove the insert with my gear and check in the rest of my less valuable items.
Yeah, the desired loadout of a small zoom + 2 primes is right in the Tenba 10 wheelhouse.
This video was made describing just the 24-120, but when I travel, I will pack the Zf + 24-120 mounted in the bottom layer with either 2 small primes on top, or 1 prime and my Yashica T4. It's a solution that has worked well for nearly a decade for me.
p.1 #13 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
It is really hard to find the perfect pack, especially when you want it to perfectly fit specific gear, work for photography and air travel (when it must swallow things like laptops), hold a variety of extra clothing, be lightweight, and stand up to the rigors of actual use.
I really don’t think that The Perfect Bag exists, so it is more about finding the most workable compromise.
Case in point: I am currently traveling in (mostly) the UK for 6+ weeks. One week was in a rental car in Northwest Scotland, one is walking in the Cotswolds, and four are various levels of urban areas. We take trains a lot, but four legs of the trip are by air.
On this trip, due to some landscape opportinities, I am carrying two zooms plus one wvery small “urban prime.” I use an iPad Pro with the Apple keyboard when traveling.
My dilution was to use a Mountainsmith “Day” lumbar pack and bring the detachable shoulder strap AND the detachable backpack-like shoulder s”strapette” system for the walk.
But I don’t want to carry something that large in cities, so an also pack a smaller bag for urban shooting. I rely on slightly padded lens pouches rather than inserts since the are sufficient and more flexible.
p.1 #14 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
I'm not one to talk since I have so many camera bags that I don't even know how many camera bags I have but...
Tenba Fulton 14L or 16L
Wotancraft Easypack 15L
...are some good options if you want to downsize your backpack carry.
p.1 #15 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
gdanmitchell wrote:
See an addiction counselor… :-)
Joking aside, I don’t know what to tell you. The search for the holy grail of camera bags might be harder than the search for the actual Holy Grail.
St some point you may just accept one (or five) of them. ;-)
Well, OT, but the holy grail is believed to be in the cathedral in Valencia, Spain. Pay the entrance fee, and you can see it. Now back to camera bags…I don’t like them, so avoid them as much as I can.
p.1 #16 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
johnvanr wrote:
Well, OT, but the holy grail is believed to be in the cathedral in Valencia, Spain. Pay the entrance fee, and you can see it. Now back to camera bags…I don’t like them, so avoid them as much as I can.
I’m kind of fond of Richard Wagner’s take on the holy grail…
p.1 #17 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
Just got back from a cruise to Alaska and I took both the PD 9L Sling and a Think Tank 30L Focus Point with the roll top. I took my Leica SL2 with an L-Bracket attached along with a couple of lenses and the backpack did a nice job of carrying it all including a laptop, with room in the top for a light jacket and a tech pouch. I used the sling a couple of times when we were walking around town and I took just the camera with a 35mm, but still preferred the backpack.
Anyway, I've had waaaaaay too many bags to offer any good advice - but the Think Tank is a very nice bag with excellent quality materials.
p.1 #18 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
I still use my 10+ year old Osprey backpack with neoprene wraps for the gear. Worked well for dozens of trips over the last 10 years. I need a pack that can hold gear and other things I might need while out for the day.
p.1 #19 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
I have an ongoing love/hate relationship with camera backpacks. One correlation I've found among the many backpacks I've either owned, resesrched or tested has been this:
- The sturdier the backpack, the less things you will be able to fit in it.
At first glance, many backpacks appear to be "almost perfect" judging by their exterior appearance, only to disappoint you when you realize how little interior space they actually provide. Perfect example is my Lowepro Fastpack BP 150 AW II. It is approximately 18" tall, 9" inches wide, and 7.5" inches thick (tapers thinner toward the top). I'm lucky if I can fit my R6II with a 50mm f1.8 attached, and maybe a few batteries; no room for extra lenses or for inserting your camera with a slightly bigger lens attached.
My bigger backpack is a ThinkTank DarkLight 20L. Yes, I can fit two cameras with lenses attached plus some room for an extra couple of lenses, but this backpack is heavy. I carried it with me during a 3 week trip to Spain, and I regretted it by the end of day # 1. Also, it doesn't come with any rain protective cover, so it is useless in adverse weather conditions.
I can go on and on about how my other backpacks have disappointed me (Lowepro, Tenba, ThinkTank, etc.), but you get the idea.
My solution? Use a regular, non-photography specific backpack with some added foam protectors for the inside protection (cannibalized from older camera bags).
p.1 #20 · Travel Backpacks (Oh no, not this subject again)
gdanmitchell wrote:
See an addiction counselor… :-)
Joking aside, I don’t know what to tell you. The search for the holy grail of camera bags might be harder than the search for the actual Holy Grail.
St some point you may just accept one (or five) of them. ;-)
Y’know, I have 7-8 bags but for every single trip I find myself trying different combinations of things and inevitably end up bringing my f-stop 55 liter bag. It’s just so nice being able to shove some rain gear and a lunch bag in there and if I am traveling light camera wise using the small insert makes it possible to use it as my only bag since it will hold a decent amount of clothes. It squeezes down to carry on size and has a fantastic carry system. It might be as close to the holy grail as I have found. Eight years and counting!
