Big Backpack for traveling???

hasselblad

hasselblad

Well-known member
What is your recommendation for a large backpack for traveling?

Currently I have the Medium Tenba rolling backpack: http://www.tenba.com/Products/Shooto...ium-Black.aspx
The problem is that it is not comfortable to have it on your back. It is more a rolling back. I would have something which I can carry on my back for an hour without killing me. I shoot a lot of destination weddings and the way I carry my gear is very important.

I want a backpack, which is:

- large
- fits into most airplanes bag compartment
- waterproof, and
- durable.

It doesn't have to have wheels.

Can you recommend me anything
 
Not many dedicated backpacks are weatherproof. I've used the LowePro DryZone, but never loved the waterproof zippers. They work, but are a bit of a pain.

Unless your shooting in a rainforest, or at sea, I'd recommend just using a rain cover as needed.

My favorite backpack is ThinkTank Photo's "Street Walker Harddrive". It fits enough gear to make my knees buckle, especially with computer on board (therefore I no longer travel with my 17" laptop). ThinkTank's gear is top notch, & their service is great, so I now own a half dozen of the cases, & backpacks.

The Street Walker Harddrive is sized for international travel, & doesn't scream camera bag. I typical travel with their "Airport International" rolling case, but also have a similar sized "Airport Takeoff" roller. The "Takeoff" has backpack straps, but these are only for short treks, & not something you'd want on your back for long, while the International has a bit more interior space.

One advantage of traveling with a backpack is airlines normally won't make you check it, while anything with wheels is much more likely to get sent below.
 
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Not sure how well they'll fit all your specific needs, but have a look at the Clik Elite packs. I have the Venture 35 and love it.
 
I travel a lot, and recently wanted to get a backpack that would safely carry a DSLR, my lenses, a follow focus and baseplate, a small rig (its an old photo rifle stock from the 1970's), LCD loupe, batteries, Variable ND filter, Lens hood, audio recorder, lav mic, 17" Macbook Pro, external hard drive and all cables. Plus it had to be airplane hand-baggage friendly. So I recently bought a Tamrac Aero Speed 85, which carries all that in padded compartments, and fits within the hand-baggage parameters. I have taken it to Australia from Africa, and to Scandinavia as hand-baggage without any trouble (and the guys that work in Australian airports are real nazis, so if they allow it I'm sure everyone will).

The padded compartments can be rearranged to suit different sized bits and pieces.

Its possible to attach a small tripod underneath as well. So I use that as a grab-bag for any dslr shoots these days, and it has everything I need for basic jobs (lights, boom, blimp, big tripod & slider are a whole different issue). It is partially waterproof (it has those sealing zips, and water kind of runs off it in light showers; however I don't think I would risk it for long in weather).

I also have one of those photographers vests (I bought it years ago in a fishing store I think for 15 quid), and its very handy for loading up with extra bits and pieces that I use regularly. Also, in circumstances where the airline staff tell you your hand baggage is overweight you can just load up your vest pockets with the heaviest stuff. I've done that on a few occasions right in front of the airline ground staff and they just waived me on.

Here are some photos:
Thats the bag fully loaded (rig in side pocket, small tripod strapped underneath, and mic pistol handle in front pocket):

Tamrac Bag 01.jpg

Main compartment; its actually quite a deep section so it can take big zooms, or in my case 2 prime lenses stacked. In this section I had:

1. T3i with a 50mm Nikkor lens
2. 28mm Vivitar lens
3. 35mm Nikkor lens
4. 85mm Nikkor lens
5. 18mm-55mm Canon Lens
6. Lensbaby Lens
7. LaCie Rugged HardDisc plus cable
8. Magic Mouse
9. Roland R-26 Audio Recorder plus windshield
10. 3 Batteries
11. Rubber Lens Hood
12. Variable ND Filter in box
13. Small lens cleaning kit
14. T3i Manual
15. Some lens gears
16. Various Step up rings
17. Small tool kit
18. Misc cables

Tamrac Bag 02.jpg

Here is the padded back pocket (which fits a MacBook Pro 17"):

Tamrac Bag 03.jpg

This is the top pocket, and here I fit in the following:

1. Gini BasePlate
2. Gini i-focus follow focus
3. LCD Loupe in neoprene case
4. Small table tripod and handle for audio recorder
5. Rode NTG2 Shotgun mic and deadcat in case
6. Shure Lavalier Mic in case
7. Canon Charger & cable
8. MacBookPro cable & plug
9. XLR Cable
10. Card Reader

But that was packed to capacity, and had to be done carefully. Without the Shotgun mic there is a bit of space left over, and I usually don't take that mic with me (or when I do I need a blimp in which case I need a second bag). These days I usually have a soundman that takes all his own equipment.

Tamrac Bag 04.jpg

Here is everything in the bag unpacked:

Tamrac Bag 05.jpg

Hope that helps.
 
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