***I apologize in advance for the length of this post***
For the most part, my Lowepro Orion Daypack backpack has served me relatively well in carrying and storing my photography gear when at home and when I travel. Recently, I have purchase more lenses and accessories, so it looks as though I'm outgrowing my backback since I'm having a tough time easily putting all my gear comfortably in there.
So, I am looking for new backpack recommendations based on the equipment that I typically take with me when I travel (keep in mind that the backpack will be my carryon item when flying). I usually pack my tripod in my suitcase which generally gets checked at the airport.
5DII + RRS L-Bracket
40mm Pancake
17-40mm
24-105mm
70-200mm f/4
Hi-Tech GND filters
Lens hoods
Apple iPhone
Apple iPad Mini
CF cards
CPL, ND filters
iOptron Skytracker
RRS Pano Elements Kit
Extra batteries
I'm not looking for a huge backpack where I will feel the weight on my shoulders (I'm not a big guy to start with). I do prefer a backpack over a bag or slingbag. Although some of the equipment I mentioned above will be left in the hotel room during certain portions of the day.
With all the gear you're planning on carrying, you'll most likely need a larger backpack.
Check out F-Stop backpack (www.fstopgear.com). They're fairly expensive, but they're rock solid. They have 3 sizes ... with Satori being the largest. I purchased the Tilopa back in 2010. It looks different from their current model, but it should be the same size.
I've carried this bag to Hawaii (Maui / Kauaii) back in 2010, Shanghai in 2011, and Switzerland / Greece in 2012. I'm not rough with the bag, but I don't baby it either. It's still in excellent condition with no loose stitching or damages.
For my most recent Switzerland trip, I carried:
* Canon 5Dm2 Gripped
* 17-40mm
* 24-105mm
* 85mm f/1.8
* Lee Wide Angle Filter Holder (with hood)
* A pouch with Lee Filters
* Canon 580EXII
* Canon 430
* MacBook Air
Below is the side profile to see the size of the bag. I'm a little over 6 feet tall.
Sorry the photo below is not sharp. I just screen cap a low res facebook photo
You may even get all that in the F-stop Guru bag with Medium Pro ICU. I'm travelling in SE Asia right now with mine. I have in it a 5D3 with RRS L-Bracket, a 7D with no bracket, 24-105, 17-40, 40 pancake and the 100-400. I have 2 extra LPE6 batteries, the charger, iphone, 11inch MacBook Air, 77mm CP filter, a ThinkTank Memory card wallet with about 10 CF cards, a kindle, and Bose NC headphones (the largest ones). It is fairly full with all that stuff but it is fairly similar to your list.
I've travelled in the past with all the above plus an iPad and the 100L Macro.
The only problem with the Guru is that with all that stuff in it it gets uncomfortable fairly quickly. I believe the Loka and definitely the Tilopia and Satori have better straps that would probably carry the load better than the Guru and give you a bit more extra space but I think a Medium Pro ICU would easily fit all your bodies and lenses with some extra space in the ICU for some of the accessories with the rest in the other pockets and in the space above the ICU.
I also have done 3-4 overseas trips with mine and it looks like it did the day I bought it despite some rough handling and stuffing it under numerous airline seats. F-stop is fairly expensive but a very good option.
JAnderson91 wrote:
Im looking at picking up the Tilopa BC soon and have a question that I am hoping someone can answer.
If this bag isn't completely full would it be able to be put under the seat on an airplane? I imagine it should work as long as it isn't packed.
Any thoughts?
Even my Guru bag when fully stuffed as I described in my earlier post is sometimes difficult to get under the seat. I've always managed to get it in there but it is first off hard to get it down between the front of my seat the the seatback of the seat ahead and then it often takes a bit of a pushing to get it to slide under the seat. Some planes it is easy (actually usually on smaller planes (CRJ jets)) and others it is difficult (737s and A320s).
Therefore, I really don't think the Tilopia would ever fit under the seat because it is also much longer and at least as thick as my little Guru bag.
I recently got the Tenba Shootout 24L and have used it on my recent trip to the Philippines. IMO, it is the best backpack I've ever had. I'm loving this bag so far. It's not too big and not too small either. For me it's just the right size. It's very comfortable as well. I've worn it for hours full of my gear and I never had any issues with my back or shoulders. As a carry on, it will fit in the overhead compartment without any issues.
Overall, I love this bag. The quality is just outstanding. I would highly recommend it.
JAnderson91 wrote:
Im looking at picking up the Tilopa BC soon and have a question that I am hoping someone can answer.
If this bag isn't completely full would it be able to be put under the seat on an airplane? I imagine it should work as long as it isn't packed.
Any thoughts?
The term completely full or packed needs to be defined, with an medium or above ICU in it. Most likely no. They do design it to be a legal carry on. That though will depend on the highly variable airlines dimensioning of a bag that day and if they are pushing the rules on that flight.
Regretfully too general a question on too general a subject.
