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Ask Slashdot: Laptop + DSLR Backpacks
I typically travel with a laptop and camera, but usually with a bag for each: a
backpack for the laptop and a lowepro top loader for the camera. I'd really prefer a single
backpack for both a 17" macbook and a DSLR with a larger 24-70mm or 70-200mm lens attached, as well as perhaps a few spare lenses and accessories. I've seen options from Case Logic (the SLRC-206), Kata (the DR-467), the Streetwalker Hard Drive, and LowePro (the CompuDay Photo 250, the CompuPrimus AW), but I'm not seeing a clear winner. I'm guessing a few of you have opinions on this subject, so share them so I don't buy a piece of garbage.
http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=275&categoryId=13&subCategoryId=14&subCategory2Id=0
oh come on! The article is about a backup and all we get a few lines? You can do better Dr. Bob!
If you haven't checked out the bags from Think Tank , then you're missing out on the good stuff. They do it right, and charge accordingly. Several flavors of bags/packs well suited to the sort of mix you're talking about. Their ShapeShifter is worth some study, as are some of the Urban Disguise models. I use lots of their products in one way or another, and swear by them.
Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
Nice backpack for lots of stuff. Lots of body hugging stuff too. /flame on!
The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
I've traveled all over the place carrying all that gear (that's actually my exact list of typical stuff) and I've used a Tamrac "Aero Speed Pack". I actually have the older version (unfortunately orange), but the newer one has a side zipper to get that camera out of there faster. I've never had to complain really. And ditching the laptop is hardly a possibility sometimes. Sometimes you just need all that stuff.
Honestly, I can't see the argument for a single bag. I travel with similar equipment and the last thing I want to do is add the weight of a laptop when I'm out photographing. The laptop stays in the hotel or car. What I do carry with the camera is a small USB drive which holds one of my three backups (in case my laptop is stolen.)
Keep in mind that the laptop requires a power adaptor and, internationally, a plug adaptor. If you're like me, you might even include a mouse and other USB cables to charge phones and MP3 players. In other words, you might as well have a dedicated bag.
For bag advice, I strongly recommend that you go to a dedicated site such as dpreview. I've received excellent advice for people there.
Regards,
Keith
Go to your favorite store that sells knapsacks for hikers and students. REI is great if you don't mind the price premium.
Bring all your gear.
Load all your gear into each and every pack they have, and put the pack on your back. Include the packs which you're sure wouldn't work.
You should be able to find something that comfortably fits everything and which doesn't scream, "Mug me! I'm carrying around thousands of dollars of easily-fencable equipment!" Instead, you're going after the "I'm a poor student lugging around waaay too many textbooks" look.
If you don't have cases for the individual items, you can get padded cloths with velcro to wrap them in; your local pro camera shop should have some. Winter socks also work great for lenses. The goal here is just something that'll keep stuff from scratching as it rubs against each other plus a very little bit of shock protection. No backpack will provide more than that, so there's no point in pretending. If that's what you really need, get a Pelican case and a custom foam insert -- and forget about carrying it on your back.
Cheers,
b&
All but God can prove this sentence true.
I've also noticed a lot of the "show me evidence" science-cultists, too. They can't argue Chiropractic's merits so they attack me.
Asking for evidence isn't an attack, it's called being rational. I think you're the one that can't argue Chiropractic's merits, no one from from Big Whatever-a cares.
The Resolution has a laptop compartment.
They just released their 2012 gear this weekend. Definitely check them out in person.
Haven't used their photo packs, but I've had good luck with lots of their other packs over the years.
I've got LowePro, Kata and Clik Elite bags and I'll probably wind up getting more.
None are perfect but they all are pretty good, depending on your needs.
LowePro: quality construction, high price, thick padding. Photo Trekker AW has water resistant zippers. Bag (not me!) survived a tumble out of a minivan on the Kalahari desert when the hatch wasn't latched properly. Only damage was a slightly decentered 50-500 OS lens, 1DIV, 5D2, Sigma 12-24 and TCs flash guns unscathed. Bag didn't flinch with 42 pounds of gear. Bag is on it's way out with plastic stiffener bits coming out after 8 years of heavy weight use. No tears or rips in the fabric and looks perfect externally though.
Kata: lighter weight, innovative design. Love their sling bag 3N1-20. Just doesn't hold enough for me. Also evaluating Bumblee-222 and front pack but probably not the one I should have tried (220). Front harness system looks less functional than the Clik Elite, but the frame ventilation system seems the most comfortable and coolest (but takes up valuable space). Padding seems adequate but choosing the lightweight series makes me question the protection.
Clik Elite: lower pricing than LowePro, less padding, slightly lighter weight. Average fit and finish. Clean and innovative design. Pro Express bag not wide enough (center row lens hood gets squeezed with lenses in the outside lanes) compared to LowePro design but guaranteed for airline compatibility. Front harness system integrates well to pack.
I'm going to look at the Tenba shootouts as well, and the newer LowePro replacement for my older Photo Trekker, the 400AW (pricey, especially in Canada).
I carry around an iPad and a 13" MacBook Air so I don't need a 17" laptop carrier.
I have a Fullframe DSLR (implying large large and heavy lenses) and a MBP 17". Fits perfectly in the FP 350. I really like the good and quick access to the camera, that can be taken out without fully removing the backpack.
Negative point is that only slim laptops fit in it. Don't expect to put anything thicker than a macbook.
I've had almost 15 kg of gear in it, and was still comfortable. Fitted nicely, MBP 17, Western Digital mybook (one 3.5 HDD format), 1 extra tele lens, 1 extra fixed focal lense (small) , flash and various accessories (power supplies, cables, etc). The bag is still compact for all that content. The compartments are well organized and optimized.
Largest drawback is that you can't nicely strap a tripod or monopod to it. I miss that a lot.
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087,14.htm
The short version is that a good mix between the two doesn't exist if you want to use the backpack effectively for either item. So if you want a backpack that you can pull your camera out of quickly but still have easy access to your laptop you'll be hard pressed to find one that fits a 17" laptop. I've searched myself for such a backpack before (looked at the CompuDayPack before - a companion to the CompuDay Photo - stay well clear) and the my conclusion is that how you use a laptop and how you use a camera are too disparate for one bag. The best you can hope for is a storage bag (basically luggage) that stores both. To solve this issue I usually go for a laptop backpack big enough to hold a smaller camera bag that I can take out when needed. As others will point out, the weight will be a serious issue if you're doing a day's travel so your mileage may vary.
-- More squirrels than sense
Their backpacks are designed for this exact combo. Got my laptop, filters, lenses and body in one backpack.
Look for the "c list celebrity"
I think you're looking for something like this:
http://www.crumpler.com/us/Camera-Bags/Camera-Backpacks/C-List-Celebrity-L.html?LanguageCode=EN&SKU=CLC001-B00170
You can go smaller too, but that should carry everything you could possibly want and then some.
Manfrotto had a numer of very good bags. They not only carry a laptop and DSLR, but also can carry the short Manfrotto tripod.
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
Try the Tenba Messenger series. Great bags. And I own a lot of bags, so I speak from quite a bit of experience. I actually own the "Mini" size, which holds my iPad or MB Air (actually both if I try), and can fit my Canon 7D without grip, plus a couple of lenses and a flash pretty easily. That's the mini... there's a small, and a large also. It will hold your gear. You can check this thread to see how it will work with a 70-200 attached (hood reverse, obviously).
I have & like the Lowepro Fastpack 350, and I think it will meet your needs. There's a full sized laptop sleeve along the back. The bottom part of the compartment will hold a DSLR+lens and 4 other lenses or 2 lenses+flashes. The camera compartment can be opened from the side, so you can get your camera out without taking the backpack off. There's a side pouch that can be used to carry a tripod (be careful with the mesh) if you add a strap at the top, or you can strap it to the bottom/back. The top compartment is large enough to hold a light jacket + other random stuff (MP3 player, chargers, mouse, grad filters, cleaning gear, filters, etc). Take a look at the pictures on Amazon to get a better sense of the layout.
I visited a local photo store to check out options before ordering this one, which met my needs and was reasonably priced relative to the alternatives.
I dunno, I'd find one bag easier to keep track of than three.
This is the first photo backpack I have been satisfied with after using for an extended period of time. All the others I found something to dislike after a while.
My recommendation is to not get one of those sling-shot-thingies, they are going to get uncomfortable if you are out walking for a while. Get a proper backpack. The LowePro FastPacks combine the one advantage the sling-thingies have, namely fast access to your camera, with comfortable carrying. It was on my back more or less constantly for a week in Ireland, and the camera was never more than a quick move away. The ability to grab the camera without taking the back-pack off is going to pay off again and again.
It does of course depend a little on what you are hauling, I have a (rather largish) Canon 7D and a selection of lenses. If you are only carrying a single lens in addition to the one mounted on the cam, the camera compartment may be a little big. My experience is that you can never get enough space in the camera compartment though. I have a few lenses, a charger, an extra battery, some filters, a remote, some cleaning stuff etc in there. Fits beautifully.
My only point against it would be the lack of a place to hook your tripod, but you can attach it to the back of the bag if it is not too big and heavy.
I can not overstate the value of having easy access to the camera without taking the pack off your back. Both for speed, and also for convenience. You don't want to set the pack down on a wet/dirty ground or somewhere else nasty.
I gave up on the idea of carrying both in one bag myself. I went back to a backpack for my dslr, which also includes tripod straps and a regular laptop bag with shoulder strap for the laptop. Leaves me with plenty of miscellaneous storage space, everything is easier to reach, and when I need to travel a little lighter I just leave the laptop bag in the room/car/whatever. Most of the time when I'm out on a shoot I don't use the laptop anyway (exceptions would be something like outdoor portraits).
I don't think it's all that relevant but I use an HP elitebook rather than a macbook pro.
I picked one of these up a couple months back, and it's been great so far. I don't have a ton of gear, but that means that I have quite a bit of flexibility in deciding what goes where. I have three main configurations:
Light. This is mostly for around town.
Canon 450D w/ Sigma 50mm 1.4
Canon PowerShot S90
18-55mm kit lens in case I want a wider angle
Luma Loop
iPad in the laptop pouch
MiFi
Cables, adapters, etc in the various pockets
Heavy, for when I leave town. All of the above, plus:
15" MacBook Pro, charger, camera battery chargers, and the MiFi charger.
500gb portable disk
Shure earbuds
Diaper. I'm a dad, and this backpack is big enough to hold the light configuration, plus a second iPad, diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, bag of snacks, and a couple books and toys. I sometimes leave the kit lens at home, since the S90 covers most of the same range and it's easier to pull out than swap lenses anyway. I can actually (barely) stuff the laptop, charger, and disk into there, too, but I don't usually need to.
Even loaded to the gills, it's not terribly uncomfortable. My only complaint is that the tripod straps on the side are kind of lame. They'll hold my tripod fine, but it becomes impossible to set the bag down and the balance is totally whacked. Some have a center read-mounted tripod setup, and that would be much preferable — but at the expense of easy access to the contents. The one other thing is that it's hard to use the last couple inches in the bottom because of how the flap opens. I don't mind, I just put the larger / less frequently used stuff down there.
Otherwise, it's been great. I love that it sits upright when I put it down instead of falling over, and I feel much better about having the camera up at the top of the pack instead of on the bottom.
http://www.tenba.com/products/Messenger--Photo-Laptop-Daypack.aspx This bag has enough room for a laptop, body, 2-3 lenses, and still has a compartment up top for miscellaneous items. Plus, it still fits under most airline seats, saving the overhead compartment for your luggage.
-Ryan
The CompuTrekkers are good, particularly if you have a bit of equipment. Depending on where you go and what you do I would not give up the fast access to camera I get from the FastPack 350 however.
That would be a good Ask Slashdot question.
rewriting history since 2109
I had one for a 17 inch MBP, but it really was too small for the Mac (it did fit in, but just barely and it was very cramped). I also tried to fit in a D7000 with a 18-105 lens. I cannot recommend you to do in the CompuDayPack for a MBP 17 with DSLR.
I sent the rucksack back to the seller and got a CompuRover AW as replacement. It is quite large, but will fit the D7000 and a 17 inch MBP fine. A warning though, the laptop compartment of the CompuRover is on the side (the Daypack has the opening on the top), meaning that if you forget to close it your laptop will fall out of the CompuRover. I ruined my screen this way and had to get a new laptop (though my employer paid for that), I can guarantee that I will never forget to close it again though. Even though this accident happened, I am in general very happy with the CompuRover AW and highly recommend it, unless you are a forgetful person that tend to forget closing zippers often. Honestly, I cannot say wether a 200 mm lens will fit as I don't have one, the pockets for storing lenses and cameras are 200 mm deep, so assuming it is a zoom lens, it will probably be OK. Whether the camera fits depends on the model, so I highly recommend that you try it out (if you can only find one online, you can always return the backpack if it doesn't fit).
"Civis Europaeus sum!"
That reason might have been made moot by the advent of different and more interesting tablet options.
I will be dumping my netbook for an Android tablet very soon because of this.
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
They make a variety of bags that look and don't look like camera bags. I use the urban disguisel line myself.
I'm a big fan of my Tamrac Expedition 8x. Feels good on, holds my camera, flash, 150-500mm, 6 lenses, with room to spare. Holds a tripod on the outside, and has the M.A.S. and S.A.S. system too so you can add external attachments. I also have a little pack for my camera and lenses from them that fit the M.A.S. system too.
Downsides I have found with it, the camera equipment is against your back, not the laptop like in most packs, no room (without loosing room for camera equipment) for laptop accessories, and I have found it does not fit in all overhead compartments with the laptop in it.
It does however fit my 17" laptop and Xoom in the same pocket without issues.
"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they AREN'T after you."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SWISSGEAR-IBEX-NOTEBOOK-RUCKSACK-17/dp/B000VSFLCI
this has room for my laptop and my DJ decks and external hard drive and associated accessories. nicely padded and protective from a solid reliable brand
Clearly you fall outside the target demographic that is able to answer, or even appreciate the question. This is a topic that generates a lot of debate even among professional photographers. Camera bags are specialized pieces of equipment that that must protect potentially tens of thousands of dollars worth of fragile and oddly shaped gear and provide efficient access for somebody who might be billing thousands of dollars for a job.
I've got the Kata DR-467 you mention. In it I put my 17" MBP, a Nikon D5k and two (kit) lenses. Comfortably it holds as well both chargers (camera, computer) extra camera batteries, a fold up reflector, moleskin notebook, Slik Sprint Pro tripod (not always, but when I want it it fits well), a full size mouse, an iPad (not terribly well but you can squeeze it in with the MBP), and some other misc stuff. There is room left over in the top compartment for, easily, a jacket and, say, some food.
I used to carry this with me everyday everywhere for about 6 months (have your camera with you all the time). The bag is entirely fine. YMMV. I stopped carrying it because, as others have pointed out, it's pretty heavy. I never cared enough to weigh it but it is heavy enough that I just stopped wanting to deal with it.
tl;dr Kata bag holds a ton of shit. Mine held up well to everyday use for 6 months.
I was in a Timbuk2 store the other day looking for the same kind of bag and even though pricey their snoop camera bag looks and feels nice. I actually tried my camera with a slightly smaller lens that you mentioned and feels comfortable while carrying. you can check from this link .They have various sizes. http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/search-results/snoop-camera-messenger
I just ordered a Targus XL for a 17" laptop + some large tools (multimeter, hand tools). I haven't received it yet, so I can't speak firsthand, but from what I've seen online it may be big enough for you. You might want to look into it further.
You gonna be doing photo editing in the field with a tablet? Come on...
Nowadays, a computer capable of storing the enormous amounts of data generated by shooting in RAW at 20MP, as well as running CS5, Lightroom, and a host of other photo apps is pretty much a necessity for any serious photographer. My mother generates between 80-100 GB of data a day on a typical shoot. Granted, she's a professional photographer, so she's probably at the higher end of the spectrum, but still, once you get into the SLRs you've moved beyond the typical needs of someone taking pictures with their phone and crap.
For the hobbyist a tablet is probably fine, but this person doesn't seem like a hobbyist.
I notice that probably 90% of laptops are carried in bags made by the manufacturer (I see lots of Dell backpacks) or companies who focus on laptop bags (caselogic as an excellent example). When you're carrying such a bag that is clearly designed for carrying a laptop, you are pretty well advertising to potential thieves that you are carrying a laptop.
Maybe you live in a utopian world where laptops are never stolen, and you have nothing to worry about - if so, congratulations. I would otherwise suggest you find something that might get you slightly more cover when you set it down.
Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
Agreed, I just bought the Tamrac Evolution 9 bag and I'm very happy with it. Holds my Canon DSLR with battery pack/grip plus abut 7 lenses with a little room to spare. Yes, all that plus a laptop gets heavy. However, if you're going out from your base point to shoot, just load up what you need and leave the laptop out.
But having the room for everything is perfect for traveling so you can fit your laptop + camera gear into one bag that will fit in the overhead compartment of any airplane except maybe the small commuter jets. That frees you up for another carry-on or to just have one.
The zippered side panels are great for quick access to camera or lenses. And I've been very pleased with the options of wearing it like a backpack or with a single shoulder strap by reconfiguring the straps on the back.
The storage area at the top of the bag is great for everything else that won't go in the camera/lens compartment like lens hoods, batteries, power adapters, a mouse, etc. And the laptop fits nicely in the sleeve underneath it all.
Yes, Crumpler has a very nice range of these things:
http://www.crumpler.com/us/Camera-Bags/Camera-Backpacks.html
Tough fabric, nice designs and less boxy than much of the competition (though this means that clearances can be tight, so make sure your gear will actually fit). Some are designed so that the main compartment can only be accessed when the pack is removed, which makes things more difficult for pickpockets.
I have a Kata backpack that is my main 'case' to carry stuff. I generally cram in a 5D, 70-200 f/2.8L IS, 85mm f/1.2, 24-70 f/2.8 L, 100mm f/2.8 macro, a flash, blow bulb, all hoods, lenspens, batteries, chargers, 1.4x tele converter and maybe a few other odds and ends... This is NOT light. I originally got it thinking I'd put a 15" laptop in there but the space they give you for the laptop feels VERY VERY tight and I wasn't comfortable doing that.
Again, a backpack of this size is NOT going to be light, you will NOT want to carry it very much and you WILL have a sore back/neck afterwards.
I don't recall the model Kata I have, it was quite a few years ago and probably not a current model. Construction on their bags appears to be great though so I wouldn't hesitate recommending them as a brand to consider. I would suggest that you bring what you are considering packing into it to a store and trying it for size/weight/fit first.
If Taco is like me (and in this respect I expect that he is), he intends to do some editing during his downtime while on vacation. At present, that's just not something that a semi-serious photographer is going to be able to take on using a tablet.
CmdrTaco, consider something from Kata, maybe the R-106. I'll vouch for the feel of the thing - I have a 105, and the weight distribution when loaded is pretty good.
You know... I seem to remember a group of people taking the "martyrdom" approach when defending their point of view as well.
We, in the scientific community, call this a charade and dismiss it.
Crack doctors are laughable, a trolling crack doctor... hilarious.
Did you completely miss who asked this question?
"One can not truly appreciate Shakespeare until you have heard it in it's original Klingon" -Star Trek
I have an R-103 and it is about ... 6 years old now. Been hiking with it in Hawaii, honeymoon in Jamaica and countless other places and is in perfect shape. The bag itself is pretty light for the padding and construction.
What I travel/keep in there most of the time. Canon Rebel XT (yes it is old but invested in my lenses), battery grip, 17-85f4, 50mm 1.4, 70-200 f4 IS, 580ex flash, plus spare batteries. All that is just in the inside compartment. There is still the oustide and inside zipper compartment. I tend to use those for my iPod, phone and small point and shoot. With everything in there it is tight, but manageable. I usually will take some things out of the bag if I am taking somewhere where I know I won't need that equipment.
Laptop - I don't use it much but when I do I have a Powerbook 12" I put in there. I just have many CF cards.
I have found the key is don't bring stuff you won't use, and if you do leave some in the hotel room and travel light. For example I didn't need my 70-200 IS on a nature hike so I locked it in the safe.
Fear Is the Only God
Just get an iPhone! You are not supposed to carry a giant laptop and a huge camera anymore. Take crappy photos on a cell phone and send them to the cloud!
Sorry, but gray text on gray background is making my eyes bleed.
I recently used a Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW DSLR Backpack (http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Pro-Runner-450-Black/dp/B0036B67B6/ref=sr_1_24?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1313425697&sr=1-24) on a two week holiday trip through India. It did a great job carrying my laptop, camera, accessories. To lighten the bag, I would often leave the AC adapters for the laptop and camera in the hotel room; but, I always carried the laptop, camera, and lenses (that is, the expensive items).
The Lowepro 450 does not provide a convenient way to get the camera in and out of the pack; but, I haven't even found a camera-only bag/pack that offers my large DSLR easy access.
Others have recommended plenty of non-cute backpacks, so here are some more fashionable alternatives....
At Targét, this gal found the perfect solution for her laptop, camera and a few lenses, and for only $20!
Trey chic, this cotton bag with pink lace design Techie Diva found doesn't offer as much padding, but squee, cuteness!
Here are several other options Lynette compiled for us, not just purses, but messenger bag style as well, which would be easier to carry over the long haul.
For the future, just check with your favorite bloggers, if you don't like to shop as much as the next gal! ;-)
When my GF suggested I see a chiropractor, the very first thing the doctor did was try to convince me he wasnt a quack. Now mind you I hadnt asked and merely was explaining my issue and he goes on and on about how its a respected field and they have more training then regular doctors. After reviewing the history of chiropractic care I am literally STUNNED that we as society allow you to practice your charade. The foundations of your practice are mired in the supernatural and have no scientific merit. You are as viable as a Phrenologist, sir
Good-bye
You might want to look at the Quantaray Pro line before you purchase. I use an U-100 to carry my Nikon D300 with 80-200 f2.8 plus lenses and flash. I don't usually carry a laptop when I shoot but the pack has a compartment large enough for your laptop. It was less expensive than the other contendors here. Food for thought.
National Geographic sells the Earth Explorer series. Durable hemp canvas and plenty of padding; sew a patch over the National Geographic logo for stealth (or don't; looking like an NG photographer may be a pro or a con depending on where you're traveling).
I've got the medium, and use it extensively for traveling (albeit not with camera gear), and I'm more than impressed with the quality. I've visited three different continents with it as my only pack, and would buy it again in a heartbeat.
Keep in mind that NG apparently measures laptops differently than everyone else; it would be wise to try fitting your laptop into the bag before purchasing.
They have a variety of hand bags and backpacks. Just don't forget to either remove the red label, or cover it with something else.
http://www.tiffen.com/results.html?search_type_no=455&tablename=domke
The canvas finish is durable and timeless.
"Please don't sigh like that, maam"
Has several nice camera back packs that have laptop areas. Best of all, they're compatible with Tamrac's modular component system. So you can buy additional lens and accessories pouches and mount them on the back pack for expansion.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544650-REG/Tamrac_558701_5587_Expedition_7x_Backpack.html
I carry a Nikon D7000 and a 15" MBP every day in this: http://www.tamrac.com/3447.htm
The bag does well protecting its contents and also has enough storage for camera and computer stuff. I like this bag and I am glad I got it.
Sorry, first one I posted was a 15"
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584104-REG/Tamrac_338501_3385_Aero_Speed_Pack.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544651-REG/Tamrac_558801_5588_Expedition_8x_Backpack.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425852-REG/Tamrac_554903_5549_Adventure_9_Backpack.html
The solution that I have is to use a regular laptop backpack and a camera shoulder bag that will fit inside the backpack. That way, when I want just one I can get just one.
Are you adequate?
http://www.tenba.com/products/Messenger--Photo-Laptop-Daypack.aspx
All I can think about is the years I carried my Nikon F to plenty of far-flung places in an army bag that I got for $5 at a surplus store. I still use a webbing strap from that kit as the shoulder strap for my Canon 20D. I've always believed that looking old and crappy and cheap gave as good security as anything else. And I'm damn sure not going anywhere with a strap that has "CANON EOS DIGITAL" emblazoned on it in bright red letters.
-fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
Yeah, but it's got no less than $8000 of gear in it, even if he's a cheapskate when it comes to glass; maybe $20k if he's OEM all the way. $400 seems trivial in that light.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
...oh, right - you can't. Sorry 'bout that!
(FWIW, I have a D3 and an F4s. It's hard to justify the cost of shooting film these days.)
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
As a semi-professional I can highly recommend any bag made by FStop. I have the older version of this bag. I don't however carry a 17" laptop....I have instead the 15" Dell XPS with B+RG screen and it fits perfectly. http://fstopgear.com/en/mountain/tilopa Bonus - It fits (with a bit of help) into any overhead bin compartment...this way my gear never leaves my side. The Satori is what you want if you carry a 17" http://fstopgear.com/en/mountain/satori Not sure if it fits into a bin. Hope that helps! The best
Spare the irony. For traveling, the outlined equipment is quite adequate, I know from my own experience (i.e. less than 2kg of equipment, which can be easily carried around even for hiking trips without tiring the back). If the OP was a professional fotographer, he would probably just resort to a hardened roller case with ample space for both the computer and the camera(s) with lens(es) and a tripod to boot. As for the financial aspect: If both the DSLR and the MBP are fairly up to date, their resale value is probably higher than the new price for the "light kit". Since the OP was asking for a solution and not for a bargain, the reasoning is sound.
I fly a lot with my Macbook and a DSLR and my worst nightmare is leaving one of these bags someone that isn't on my back. I know this also has something to do with my general ability to remember stuff but when you're 30 mins past check-in for an international flight (which happens to me several times since I live in Bangkok, i.e. worse traffic than NYC), memory tends to come second. I second the Think tank bag choice, I have the one with the security cable attached to it and it's worth it's weight in gold (no pun intended)
As a biker (motorised or not) who needed to lug around a lot of gear, I have to say that a 15" courier-style bag has served me very well. In it, I can fit a lot of different combos, depending on what kind of thing I intend to shoot:
- 40D + 200mm zoom lens, 40D + 50mm lens and 13" macbook pro for candid/street photography.
- same photo gear, but instead of the 13" mbp, a manfroto tripod (for night street photography).
- 80mm zoom + tripod for timelapses.
The handy part of a courier bag, is that I can switch between the 50mm and 200mm in less than a couple of seconds. The 200mm + 40D body fits perfectly in the 15" bag. Just get a bit of cushioning fabric so it fits nicely, and you're off. Also, the good point about the courier bag is that you don't necessarily look like a photog, and you can just put the bag on your hip/back when shooting. Because of the nice strap, it's also handy to just attach to the bike when parked and loading/moving stuff from the bike's cases/storage. It does burn in your shoulders a bit, especially with configuration 1, but sometimes you do need the lot when shooting interesting stuff that needs to be sent out immediately (I'm still waiting for a 3G capable card that emails specific shots to a pre-defined address).
I've had a number of occasions where I just put the bike in neutral, whipped out the 200mm and got a grand candid shot, and was gone before the subject ever even saw me.
I think you're completely wrong with the tablet idea. No tablet provides great connectivity/applications for photo editing/retouching on the field. This being said, the 17" mbp is a mistake. Get a smaller one.
In the field, just about any computer will do. The main thing you're wanting is something that's going to allow you to take a look at the composition in full and get a fair amount of the composition at the pixel level. Also, you're not going to be performing a proper back up in the field, so all you're going to get to do is copy the cards to the laptop and keep the originals still on the card until you get home.
The other thing is taking notes, and you're probably going to be better off taking notes on a write in the rain notepad anyways than trying to enter everything into the computer.
"I'm guessing a few of you have opinions on this subject, so share them so I don't buy a piece of garbage." You already did. You bought a mac. .....Sorry I had to XD
I'm not so sure about that..
My iPad + iPad Camera Connection Kit + Filterstorm Pro & Brushes have worked nicely for me.
If you're out hiking there is no need perfectly touch-up a photo. You can do all this when you return home on your powerful desktop or laptop. When you're out in the field you just take the photos and save them to an external storage device so you can free up space on your memory cards.
I've got three Lowepro bags, for different situations.
1) An old holster-type bag, with a shoulder strap. Similar to the Toploader Zoom 50, but much older. I use it for day trips to the fair, things like that -- it'll take my SLR (with or without grip) with an 18-125 lens, and I can fit a 50mm in the outside pocket with a few extra memory cards and a spare battery.
2) A slingshot 200. This is my tool for all-day walks. I spent a few weeks walking all over Italy with it, I take it for day hikes, and I carry it pretty much everywhere on a daily basis. It will hold the gripped SLR with any lens I own, up to the 70-300 VC attached, with my other two main lenses (the 50mm and the 18-125OS) and a flash also in the main compartment. The front pocket holds my remote shutter release, a couple of batteries, a notebook and pens. The top pocket holds a Nook perfectly, and still has space for either lunch or a few other travel necessities -- glasses, contact lens stuff, and an address book, for instance.
3) A Fastpack 250, I think. It may be the 350. With all of my lenses, the gripped SLR, a 15.6" laptop, spare batteries, remote trigger, memory cards, tripod, windbreaker, lunch, ebook, notebook, and all the chargers for everything I'm carrying in it it weighs a ton. But it IS a convenient (more or less) way to move everything at once, and make sure it all makes it through airport security. I usually stick one of the other two bags in my checked luggage if I'm going to bring this along, because it's just too big for daily use.
I have been pleased so far with Tamrac's Evolution 8, otherwise known as Model 5788. It's got enough room for a 17" MacBook Pro, DSLR and a few lenses as well as an additional compartment for charger and accesories. It converts from a backpack to a sling bag, has a tripod pocket and strap to carry a tripod, and contains its own rain cover. The literature says it will carry a DSLR with a lens up to eight inches long attached.
I carry my MBP 15", 7D, 50 mm f/1.4, 100 mm macro, 17-55 f/2.8, 45 mm TS/E, 18-55 kit lens, 2x580EX flashes, extra batteries, charger, flash diffuser, MacBook charger, and wallet all at once. None of those lenses are quite as big as the 70-200, though some of the others are comparable in size to the 24-70 you mentioned. I wear my equipment somewhat hard and this bag had held up very well for me so far. I would recommend you take a look.
I do feel a little concerned that the MacBook lies against my back when I wear it as a backpack, but I know of no other way to carry all my equipment so conveniently.
Good luck in your search.
Lowepro CompuDaypack does not have enough pockets for stuff. It's also phenomenally uncomfortable to wear. I feel like they designed it to suck a lot just so they could put a bigger price tag on their nicer bags.
I also have a Ground Bass Pack (http://www.groundwear.com/showprod.php?idnum=30000205255) which is pretty awesome as a backpack/laptop bag. But it doesn't have the DSLR pockets. It is, however, big enough that you can buy a small camera back and nest it inside.
That reason might have been made moot by the advent of different and more interesting tablet options.
I will be dumping my netbook for an Android tablet very soon because of this.
So which tablet has the 1920x1200 screen, like my 8-year-old laptop (Sony VAIO VGN-A117S)? Which ones also have a mouse and keyboard for effective interaction/editing at the pixel level? When you're dealing with pictures from a DSLR, you don't want to go below this sort of resolution. Image quality can reach the individual pixel level using a DSLR with 14Mpixels and a good lens, with data at 12-14 bits per pixel in the raw image. It's not some crappy phone camera with a miniscule detector and tiny lens, where pixel count is just a marketing number.
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
You don't mention whether you're looking for a fast-loading bag to walk around with and have quick access to all your camera gear, or just something that can comfortably hold everything to travel with on a plane. I wanted that latter - I frequently travel with a laptop, tablet, a couple of camera bodies and 3-4 lenses - and I ended up settling on a Think Tank Shapeshifter bag, which expands easily and has neoprene pockets to hold lenses, etc. It's not really set up to be a fast-loader; but when I'm out shooting, I usually have the camera on a strap, or I have a lightweight bag I throw in checked baggage. I don't usually want to lug the laptop along when I'm out shooting, but I need to carry all the expensive stuff on when I get on the plane. Crumpler has a good name, and I really liked the construction, but it didn't have enough internal pockets (for cables, writing utensils, etc.) for my traveling tastes.
I also used to travel with all of my camera gear. I've since learned that having too many gadgets with me eats up too much time. Between charging, cleaning, packing for side trips, editing, etc. I always felt rushed.
I've sinced pared my travel kit down to two cameras, Canon 40D and S95, one lens, 17-40 f4L, and a light 4.5lbs HP DM4T 13" widescreen laptop. I leave all of the rest of my gear at home. The Canon S95, which gives me DSLR like results and which has HD video, is pocketable and is great for taking to the bar or restaurant.
I find that most of my travel photos are either of scenes, which can be captured by multiple images and then stitched, or people. Very rarely am I taking pictures of animals or objects in the distance where a long zoom would be required. Then again, I like getting close to scenes, people, objects, etc. when I am on vacation. I also have time to do so.
David
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/streetwalker-harddrive-backpack.aspx These guys make really good bags. I have heard many pro-photo bloggers raving about them.
$2.50 for a decade.
I really liked this bag when I saw it at the SXSW trade show this year:
http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-NG-2475-Explorer/dp/B000FJ2OTG
It would hold two camera bodies and a few lenses along with a 15" laptop, but it wouldn't hold a 17" MacBook Pro.
Does anyone know of a similar-looking bag that could hold a slightly larger laptop?
It doesn't hurt to be nice.
One bag is just easier to keep up with than two. I'm not going to think "well, even though it's easier for someone to steal one of my bags, at least they'll only get $2500 worth of equipment from me instead of $5000". I'm going to keep track of my stuff and make damn sure they get none of it.
I shoot Q&As and celebrity events at film conventions. Free time occurs in spurts between movies, not at the end of the day, so leaving my laptop in my car or in a hotel room just doesn't work. And there's simply not room for me to hold two larger bags in a theater seat; one I can put behind my legs as the film starts and whip it out when the credits end.
I really liked this bag when I saw it at the SXSW trade show this year:
http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-NG-2475-Explorer/dp/B000FJ2OTG
It would hold two camera bodies and a few lenses along with a 15" laptop, but it wouldn't hold a 17" MacBook Pro. I haven't found a similar one that would hold a slightly larger laptop.
It doesn't hurt to be nice.
Love my ThinkTank Urban Disguise: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/search.aspx?find=Urban+Disguise. This is a briefcase-look bag, which you wouldn't think held camera gear. Can get a harness for backpack use. Word to the wise: this is a LOT of gear to be hauling. My bag weighs a ton without ANY laptop, and my 15" MacBook Pro makes it a strain on a shoulder. Travel lighter than me, please.
I've thought about getting a 15" laptop just to fit in a field bag with my camera, but honestly I prefer the 17" screens and I'd rather just use the same laptop on short- and long-distance events.
It doesn't hurt to be nice.
You seem to have the wrong backpack for your setup and needs. If you only have a single lens to carry around, you would be much better served with a normal laptop fitting backpack and a shouldered top loader for the camera. Considering your equipment, my feeling is that would be more probably more adequate for your likely use of the camera (which I can only guess).
Camera backpack fitting laptops are often too large to be useful if you have a single camera or a single lens. Plus, their second compartment is usually too small.
If you want to stick to backpacks, maybe something like the Lowepro CompuDay woule be better in your case. I would definitely avoid dedicated multiple camera or multiple objective compartment packs (like most camera backpack have).
Go get one and keep your FastPack for your future needs. Personally, I think you'd be better off with a combo top loader and normal backpack. A good top loader is always fun to have. I use it alone or in combination with the FastPack for quick access to a second camera.
Last year I picked up a national geographic laptop/camera bag for the same reason. I will say that the name brand bumped up the price a lot.. and the ergonomics are not great. But! It is a great looking bag with lots of room and pockets, and it gets the job done. Of course, now I have more stuff, so I carry a Swiss army laptop back pack to carry up to 2 laptops, the ntl geo camera bag for dslr, and a manfrotto messenger bag for camcorder. Looking back on it, I think the extra money and loss of room for a laptop bag was a waste. You add the word laptop to a camera bag and it taks on $100 min, and takes away space that you could have used for field gadgets..
I see several scenarios for this guy and they all change what kind of bags he need. Personally I do work mostly with people and urban scenery, which is my perspective.
Anyway, according to his story has experience of traveling, which means that he knows about the hazzle of carrying equipment. But I agree, travelling with a 17" does not seem wise if a netbook would do (which it would in most circumstances).
If the guy is doing professional work and he needs to send pics during work, I certainly understand his request for this kind of bag.
Otherwise I would just recommend getting a big bag for clothes accessories and laptop + small bag for day trips. Carrying less equipment improves your pictures a lot! Unless of course you are doing nature photography, when you are better of with a mule to carry the 50 pound tripod needed for shooting panther's in the dark with your 200mm f2 (possible with 2x extender).
That only holds a 15" laptop. I would love a NG-style bag that could hold a 17" but haven't seen one.
It doesn't hurt to be nice.
I have the Cyberpack 9 and it does all of this plus more as well. I traveled through the middle east with 2 Nikon camera bodies, 4 lenses, external flash, a Tascam audio recorder, an olympus voice recorder, a full size Maha battery charger, 2 nikon battery chargers, a dozen chargable AA batteries in holders, a Dell 15" notebook and its charger, with a tripod and a monopod attached to the sides. Definitely consider a CyberPack.
ive never been myself, but my best friend, a world rated gymnist, he had major back problems. he went to a chiropractor for a few years 2 times a week and he cant stop talking about how great it was for him even 7 years later.
have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
external storage??? ipad??? you sure??
have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
You need to take your stuff to a proper store and figure this out.. I have gone through a ton of bags before being reasonably satisfied w/ the lowepro 250 (which is fine with the 70-200/f4 and the 17" macbook pro), which is my day trip and airplane travel bag. Even with this I also use an old velocity 7 for wandering around with because it is lighter and I can leave my laptop @ the hotel / home. For international 3rd world travel / hiking I use the velocity bag as an insert to a normal camping bag. This gives you the proper framing that camping bags have and also doesn't scream out rob me and is also not easily unzipped from the back.
Tenba sells inserts. Other manufacturers might too. The problem I had with specialized camera + laptop bags was that sometimes I didn't want to bring the camera or the laptop. That resulted me in buying two bags - one for when I want just the laptop, another for when I want the camera+lenses (with or without laptop). The photo-centric design of many bags meant they frequently can't take a laptop, necessitating a third bag for camera+lenses with the laptop.
The insert lets me do it with just one bag. If I want the camera + lenses, I put in the insert. If I don't want them I remove the insert. Having my photo gear in the insert also makes it easy to switch between these two modes without having to move all my lenses one by one between bags. The size of the insert won't work for a pro, but I find it's enough to carry a 70-200, 28-70, one body, and a flash. If the bag I was using were bigger, I could probably squeeze in an extra big lens (put the flash outside but to the side of the insert - like I do the power adapter and cord for the laptop).
The insert also has the advantage of being extraordinarily cheap ($15-$30) compared to dedicated photo bags ($100+, for some reason when you put the word "photo" on something it triples or quadruples in price). And it gives you the flexibility to use whatever bag you like as long as it's big enough, instead of being limited to the dedicated laptop + photo bags that scream "valuable stuff inside!" to thieves.
When hiking around, stick both laptop (in sleeve), and camera (in its small camera bag) into your backpack.
Added bonus: there's also space for your lunch box, an extra set of clothes, water bottle, or whatever else you might need on a hike. And when you reach a scenic stretch of trail, take your camera out of the backpack, and put it around your neck (or on belt), so it's easily accessible without having to stop every 20m to take your camera... And when you reach a more boring stretch, back it goes into the backpack where it's easier to carry.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VPE1WK/ - AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR camera is my standard airplane travel bag. Holds my D90 with two or three spare lenses, gps, backup usb harddrive, and a 10inch netbook with power cables. Still has room for travel docs and a snack.
Of course. Trashcans are great external storage devices.~
Cool post bro, highfive \o
I've been using a Kata R-103 for about 5 years now. The bag is bulletproof. It's been all over the world from urban travels in europe to camping trips in the US. I load it up with my 1D and lots of L glass. While the pocket layout isn't perfect, the bag has protected my gear even when the cabbie knocked out of his cab and when I've abused it in the woods. Try as I might to abuse it, the bag still looks brand new. Honestly, I wish it would get a bit dirty. I feel like a poser (ok, a bigger poser than I am) it looks so new. I took the bag with me in to Haiti after the earthquake last year and everything else I took came back smelling horrible. I couldn't wash the "funk" out of some of my clothes, but that bag didn't pick it up. I'm really starting to think it has some magical properties that keep it clean.
I do have a few complaints. First of all the easy access camera section in the front isn't idiot proof. Twice now I have left it open only to have my camera fall out when I pick the bag up later. I shouldn't expect them to fix stupid. The other real problem I have is with their "system." I got the W-92 waist pack to hold my second body. Sadly it took some modification to make the system work. The bags just didn't attach to each other well enough to become one. I also made some minor modifications to the W-92 to make it work as a shoulder bag.
I've had bags from a bunch of other manufactures like crumpler (stylish, but don't protect well) LowePro (just not as good) and Tamrac (not as sturdy) and I have replaced them all with kata bags.
Oh and don't listen to the folks who tell you to get a regular pack. The velcro-in mesh lens bags and dividers do a good job keeping you glass from getting banged around all the time. I used to put my 10d in my Spire laptop bag (if you need a laptop only bag they are great,) but it took too much abuse and collected too much dust and dirt.
Which laptop can you buy now that has a 1920x1200 screen?
Since HDTV has taken over the monitor market, Hi-res displays have become almost impossible to find, especially in laptops.
We have the odd situation that older laptops are actually better than newer ones, at least as far as their displays go.
Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.
My solution to this was to use a generic looking messenger bag that had a padded computer insert, and add an inexpensive camera/lens insert for around $20-25.
For example:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/509016-REG/Tenba_638_251_Pro_Digital_2_0_Photo.html
That way, I can customize the bag for whatever I need to carry and save weight when needed. Let's say I'm going to a conference for work and sightseeing a few days afterwards. For the trip out, I put both inserts in the bag. When I'm at the conference, I take the camera insert out and keep the computer insert in. When I'm sightseeing, I do the reverse (camera in, computer out).
You could probably do this with a backpack instead of a messenger bag too. Plus, having a non-dedicated bag won't advertise "I have an expensive computer" or "I'm carrying an expensive camera" as much as dedicated bag would.
- AlanH
Most bags are great, the big deal will be if you're doing a pro body (or standard body + grip) or a standard body. Lots of options that will depend on if you're hiking or hitting airports. I had to go the Lowepro route due to the pro body - and it'll fit a 70-200/2.8 and 3-4 lenses.
Sorry: forgot to log in and posted this anonymously a few minutes ago.
And I've been reasonably happy with it. As you can probably guess, all of these bags are compromises. You can carry your laptop, and your DSLR, but you aren't going to carry much more. I've got my Canon 350D (with my "go-to" lens, the standard Canon 27-135 IS lens) mounted on it in the top spot in the camera area, then another 5 lenses (ranging from a Sigma 75-300 to a Canon 50 mm prime), along with a Sigma shoe flash stashed in camera area. I still have enough room for my 17" MacBook Pro and power adapter (the laptop has a dedicated, zippered pouch that fits like it was made for it). That's ALL you have room for, though.
You won't have room for much more than a thin paperback (I had JUST enough room to stick my Nook in the front pocket where the wall wart/mouse/extra stuff goes).
So the verdict: it does what you need it to do, and does it well (it even has a pretty nice system for carrying a tripod along). Just don't expect to carry much more than the camera and laptop.
Karma: Chameleon - mostly influenced by bad '80s New Wave music
Not the cheapest option, but this rollaboard is also a backpack -- it's basically a backpack inside of a rollaboard, so you get the best of both worlds, plus a bonus that if you buy a bunch of stuff while traveling, your one bag turns into two. I recently purchased it for business travel, and couldn't be happier.
http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Pro-Roller-x100-Camera/dp/B0027JM3B6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1313439687&sr=8-2
Hair products count as heavy items? If they're using that much product, they might have other health issues...
Price of the SD card reader: $30
Price of a 32 gb ipad: ~$600
Carrying around ipad: er... bulky and potential for damage/theft.
Price of another 32gb sd card to use when you've filled up the first one that you can then manipulate on your home computer with a mouse: ~$30.
Not having to carry an ipad with you when you're taking pictures: priceless
On the off chance that the laptop is only there to move the pictures, I thought I'd mention the eye fi cards. I haven't bought one yet, but I'm thinking they might be interesting to use with a smartphone, send pictures from the camera to the phone to an online storage site.
Anyone know if there's some way one could automate cloud storage via such a system? I take a picture with my DSLR, it automatically sends it to the phone, and the phone automatically uploads it to flickr? Seems like there could be some interesting uses there, real-time photostreaming, making sure your documentation of police brutality or other crime couldn't be taken easily, etc.
I'd be lying to myself if I said I would probably ever be in an interesting situation where that would be useful though...
Check out the advertisements in Digital Photo Pro and similar. There are usually a number of ads for backpack style bags----some of which are designed for laptops as well. I'd tell you what I use, but I don't haul around my photo-laptop so my setup wouldn't work for you. A smallish bag is good for my Nikon and my best guess regards needed lens(s) of the day. I know I've see adds, sorry can't remember specifics....
I am exceptionally happy with my Tasmanian Tiger Mission Pack MC. They're made by Tatonka, a German manufacturer of quality outdoor/camping gear. The pack is comfortable, spacious and each storage area differs from the rest so as to be flexible and practical.
I bought my Mission Pack MC at a military gear-specific post exchange at the Kandahar Air Field and paid $200 US for it, which is about 52 dollars less than what it goes for from the manufacturer. I've had it for about three months here at my base and I use it every day, with only the slightest amount of wear showing even after a few trips back and forth to KAF and amongst the Afghan dust that permeates everything.
You'd need to pad all of your gear, and maybe the bottom of the pack for extra security, but I'm expecting my new 17" laptop will fit with ease once it arrives. My only regret is I did not have enough money for one of the slightly more modular systems that have detachable bags, an adjustable back panel with aluminum braces for varying loads and even better padding and materials. Check them out, you won't be disappointed.
My pack: http://intranet.tatonka.com/infosys/infocgi/artintt9.dll?7836_TT_Mission_Pack_MC&0
Main Tasmanian Tiger website: http://www.tasmaniantiger.info/EN/TasmanianTiger/tasmanian-tiger.htm
Parent company: http://www.tatonka.com/en/
Been using this for 2 years...holds lots, decent ergonomics, great for consolidating a DSLR, laptop and all the accompanying stuff:
Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW Camera Backpack
($165 on amazon)
Well, that's probably good advice in spite of the rest of the message.... However, I don't think it goes nearly far enough. My advice would be to not use a backpack at all except for carrying the laptop. If you're carrying around a bunch of lenses in a bag on your back, you're going to be throwing your balance way off, and that's just plain not good for your back.
Instead, invest in a large fanny pack and wear it in front of you. Wear the backpack on your back with the laptop, and put your DSLR camera, flash, a couple of spare batteries, some disposable lens wipes, and two or three of your most commonly used lenses into the fanny pack. Leave everything else at the hotel or at home. This is how I travel when I'm shooting (minus the laptop—I leave that at the hotel, too). It's easier to deal with than a shoulder bag, but without the problems of having all that extra weight so far from your center of gravity.
Alternatively, use a rolling backpack and get all the weight off your back.
Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.
I carry a Tom Bihn Brainbag with their sleeves in it for laptops since 2007. I carried two laptops with it (T60+Dell M40) for a long time, now a W500+Sony NX5+acc and a crap load of other goodies. It has been on about 500 (?) maybe 600 flights with me, well over 1,000,000 air miles, was strapped to a pallet in a CJ in Afghanistan (and offloaded at the wrong fob where it spent the night and finally got back to me awfully dusty), bounced around Iraq, and accompanied me to to other difficult, sometimes less than gracious environments without any failures. The zippers are tight and with an occasional NikWax have kept the contents dust-free and dry.
My only complaint is that the Freudian Slip doesn't organize enough stuff - I wanted to make a rigid MOLLE style insert for the front pocket to strap sacks of cables and crap to and keep organized, and still keep an eye out for semi-rigid containers for delicate things, but so far nothing has been smashed inside, the straps and zippers work like new, no real fraying. The waist strap on mine has been a vestigial annoyance, but newer models have removable ones.
The only system failures are that the sternum straps disappeared one by one, but my GF has a later edition of the same bag and gave me hers since they interfere with her anatomy and the updated ones work better, no problems since. She's had hers for almost as long and almost as many miles and pretty much the same difficult travel schedule with no problems at all.
If it ever fails, I'll get another. It would be really cool if they had a ballistic spectra option and it would be very cool if there was an easy option to lock the zippers.
I myself was like you and I picked up a crumpler back pack. Take a look they are pricey but they do the job. Click the link below http://www.crumpler.com/CA/Laptop-Bags/Laptop-Backpacks/C-List-Celebrity-M.html?LanguageCode=EN&SKU=CLC001-B00150 hope that helps NCC
I was searching for a bag such as this as well and eventually ended up with. http://www.naneubags.com/products-by-series/military-ops/alpha-l
Who said his DSLR supported HD video let alone any video. Mine doesn't so my setup works for me.
Unfortunately, it is a Euro-only bag, but I was lucky enough to have my ship pull into Amsterdaam and bought one there. It is a bit pricey, but worth it!
I found the "Any" key.
I use this bag too and it is a good piece of gear. The laptop section handles a 17" laptop, and since I have a 13" laptop that leaves me some room at the top. The camera area is very spacious (more than I need now). The best feature was the price - around A$150. The Crumpler looked really nice but was over twice the price
.
I travelled around Norway with the Tamrac, and I use it here in Australia. I really like the fact that it doesn't scream 'expensive laptop and camera inside' -- it just looks like a largish backpack. When I have the laptop (1.5kg), the camera and lenses, a charger or two, umbrella etc the weight gets up near 8kg which is pushing the friendship for air travel. the bag doesn't fit under a seat that has the entertainment system box down there, and the side compartments of an A330/A340 are too small. The centre overheads or 747 overhead lockers are fine with this bag.
It's big enough to carry everything you've mentioned, but no bigger than necessary. It comfortably distributes the weight when fully loaded, and is unbelievably durable. I've used mine on a daily basis for four years, including several cross-country and international trips, and it still looks new. Worth every penny. Highly recommended.
The Booq Boa could be what you are looking for: Booq Boa Flow XL Digital SLR/17" Laptop Backpack I have a regular laptop bag made by Booq and it's perhaps the nicest thing I own. I was blown away by the quality of it when it arrived. I also paid through the nose for it, but it was worth every penny. Rushfaster, the site I just linked to, also have an excellent website and excellent customer service. Not a shill, just a regular, satisfied customer :)
Hope it helps.
"Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing." -- Salvador Dali
In answer to the original question, I'm assuming that only the camera gear (DSLR, lenses, flash, etc.), laptop, and related accessories are to be carried in the backpack. I have used a few of the larger Tamrac bags, and have never been let down by them. However, I don't carry a laptop to shoots. Here are some suggestions which might be good choices:
Tamrac Expedition 8x 17" laptop and a lot of photo gear, including 2 DSLRs with lenses attached.
Tamrac Cyberpack 7 17" laptop and a lot of photo gear, but not quite as much as the Expedition 8x.
Tamrac LP8 17" laptop and similar amount of photo gear to the Cyberpack 7.
The LP8 is also convertible between backpack and rolling bag, and might be the best bet as an airline carry-on, if that's a factor (not stated in original question). Of course, if you're hoping to carry your raincoat, food, toothbrush, spare socks, etc. in the same backpack, these models are not the best choice. There are backpacks available which will do this, but they necessarily compromise on the space for photo gear.
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
Probably not the dog's bollocks of bags, but this thing does me just dandy. I was out with it last week with a 15.6" notebook, a 10.1" netbook, power packs for both, DV camcorder, four spare tapes, one spare battery, Kodak compact DC, two litres of Lucozade and a complete change of clothes.
Hardly even noticed I was carrying it.
Operation Guillotine is in effect.
Which laptop can you buy now that has a 1920x1200 screen?
Not many, and probably no consumer models. They've all gone for the shortscreen 1920x1080 instead. To get a proper 1920x1200, you'll have to shop for one of the few business models where it's an option, such as Dell's m6500, and pay a premium for the extra 120 vertical pixels. Alas, Sony and HP no longer make any 1920x1200 laptops, not even for business customers.
This is one of the reasons we have not replaced our old laptop. Its processor power and RAM are adequate, and its 17" 1920x1200 display is unsurpassed. In fact, its display is a lot nicer than the 15.6" 1920x1200 on my Dell m4400 at work. I fully expect that the next laptop I get at work will be a shortscreen model.
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
Is this a commercial?
Heavy is the head that wears the tinfoil hat.