Ok so here is the deal. I need help.

I am a college student and work for my university's newspaper. We have a huge campus 33,000 people, and a lot of stuff happens so when I go to class I need to have my camera on me. The problem is that when you have your books/laptop and then a separate shoulder bag with gear it gets a little cumbersome and is tough on the shoulders/back. I've been looking around but haven't found anything, so this is why I am asking you guys for help. I'm kind of desperate.

I really need a backpack that I can carry a 1D sized body with a 24-70 attached and a 70-200 f/2.8 IS at minimum. Those are what I like to have with me at all times. It would be nice if I could fit a 1.4x or another lens (like a 50/1.8 or a wide angle for when 24mm on a 1.3 crop body isn't wide enough). I know there a lot of backpacks I can do this with, but I also need to be able to carry a laptop (again, common) a notebook and a textbook at minimum. The notebook and textbook are the hard part. I've seen a lot of bags that hold a laptop and have a small top compartment for other items, but I need a compartment long enough to hold a notebook and a text book. Price doesn't really matter at this point, I just really need this problem solved. Thanks and I hope you all can help! If not that is okay too, I just am desperate and felt someone here might be able to help me.

The LowePro Fastpack 350 may get you there. It will hold the laptop and camera gear for sure, but I'm not sure about a textbook though I think it could work. The LowePro CompuPrimus should work as well, but it's a better idea than an actual bag (too big and heavy for the space it offers, and a bit awkward in use). One of the larger ThinkTank "Airport" bags may work as well.

Peace,

Todd

Thanks for the help. I'll look into those bags.

If you want the backpack to carry a laptop as well, make sure the laptop compartment is not against your back, it'll take some stress when you're bending over for whatever reason.

That is quite a bit of stuff to be hauling around for an entire day, I hope you are doing back exercises.

Check out the Crumpler bags, specifically the Brazillion Dollar Home. It's huge, so that's basically what you are looking for. It also looks nice and has a double strap you can use when it's fully loaded up.

Sorry I've been out of town and haven't had a chance to reply to this.

Back exercises?

The only problem with the crumpler bags is that they're shoulder bags for the most part, and the backpacks load from the back and are pretty awkward to use... that and shoulder bags are what I am trying to get away from since it puts the weight on one side and makes my back hurt.

The lowepro fastpack would be good, but the compartment isn't big enough to hold a textbook and/or notebook.

I may just have to buy a normal backpack and make my own bag. I could probably make it work with some sewing.

EDIT**

I may have just solved my problem... Anyone used a thinktank Shape Shifter? It expands out to hold more and more gear and holds a laptop... Well, couldn't I just carry all my gear and laptop, then put the books on top of the gear in the bag since it has padded holders for all of your stuff? It might work perfectly...

so why wouldn't a crop body with an 18-200 zoom work?

Because the 18-200 isn't sharp or fast enough...

must have very large pictures on the front page so.