I'm hunting for a decent photo backpack and wondered if anyone has found anything that's a combo of the Clik Contrejour, LowePro AW200 Sport, and F-Stop Kenti?
Contrejour looks like the best design -- will hold a good amount of camera and non-camera gear, great side access design etc., but very over-engineered for what I need and potentially slightly too large for carry-on (unless the internal frame can be removed to make it slightly shorter).
Clik's smaller backpack, the Obscura, looks to be a little too small in terms of camera gear it can carry and I've read numerous comments that the side access is a tight fit even for a non-pro body and that "marsupial" pouch is not exactly the best way/place in a pack to store additional lenses IMO.
The Kenti looks as good as F-Stop's other backpacks -- in other words well designed and expensive! The double side access is nice, but standing the camera/lens up vertically does look a little less convenient/secure for quick access, and the rest of the pack sounds like it barely holds enough for a short day hike. The bladder pouch seems like a total afterthought and, according to one review, a full 2L bladder makes the pack almost unwearable.
The LowePro's failing from what I've read is that is will not hold camera with any longish lens attached -- "standard zoom" only.
Other than those four, are there any other backpacks with side access I should be considering?
Gotta be able to take a 5D and trio of L zooms, potentially with the 70-200 mounted, plus a few other odds and sods, plus a decent amount of other gear (book, maps, additional clothing, food etc.). Harness system has to have a decent padded waist strap (I'll be using for urban escapades plus short hikes). Dimensions ideally have to meet carry-on standards (45 linear inches) and the bag has to fit in an airline carry-on sizing frame thingy (which the Contrejour will not AFAIK because it's too tall/long).
Yes, yes, I know there is no such thing as a "perfect" bag, but any feedback on packs with side access (or other method of quickly accessing camera without removing both straps) would be appreciated.
Sorry that it has taken so long for someone to reply. I can't address the Click products because I don't own them but I do have experience with the other two.
The LowePro AW200 is my go to bag if I'm riding my bike and want to have a camera along for photos along the way. Its camera compartment holds my Canon 5D II with the 24-105 attached. There is also room for either another small lens or flash in the camera compartment. I have shoved the 5DII with the 70-200 f/4 in but it is a tight fit and I do mean shoved!! The main compartment has enough room for my rain jacket, snack, extra water bottles (I don't like the bladders that others use) and emergency repair items. I can also fit another lens in the main compartment if desired. This bag is light weight and the waterproof cover is included. Actually is comfortable even on those long 30-75 mile trips.
The Kenti is a really nice bag, heavier then the AW200. You didn't state which 70-200 lens you would pack but I have put my camera body with my 70-200 attached in with some room to spare. Access to camera and extra lenses is really no problem. This bag will probably hold all of your kit but the fold down storage compartment will never hold the snacks, clothing, maps etc. that you want it too. Also, the rain cover is extra. Comfortable bag though.
Just came back from a 12 day trip to Alaska. Carried my Billingham Hadley Pro for my day bag if possible with as much as I would need for the day in it. If we were going to need extra storage for rain gear, water, or, God forbid, the dreaded shopping, I used a regular back pack (Osprey Kestrel 32) with a Crumpler camera insert. I was also carrying a 100-400 zoom so the back pack came in handy.
I just upgraded to my main gear bag the Lowepro Pro Roller X200 that will house all my gear and I have a Lowepro AW100 Slingshot to use as a quick satellite bag for 1 day specific shoots, like a Zoo trip or similar. It will accomodate my 5D MkIII and a couple lenses and other shoot specific gear, filters, CF cards, extra batteries, etc. Easy to access by sliding it around the body to get the camera quickly. The Mother Ship Pro Roller x200 is for gear transport to locations, hotels, vacation destinations.
I have the Lowepro AW200 and although I like many of its features, particularly the quick access to the camera, the compartment will not be large enough for a 70-200mm lens. It is OK for shorter lenses. For supertelephoto lens I use another, larger inexpensive bag made by Canon. Since I usually leave this bag in the car when I shoot, I don't worry too much about padding quality or compartment design for small stuff.
Be aware that carrying a monopod or tripod attached to the backpack may impede access to the contents of the backpack or may impede the way you can put the backpack on the ground. e.g. you might have to remove the tripod before you can open the backpack, or you might have to lie the backpack on its back so that you get mud or dirt on the harness and then on you.
You might also need a pack with spare room inside so that if you don't happen to have the biggest lens on the camera then you can still have room in the pack for that biggest lens and be able to put the camera away in a hurry (such as if it starts raining on you) without having to juggle lenses.
