Rucksack recommendations

Hello all.
I'm trying to find a rucksack for my particular needs but the photography specific ones that I've seen don't quite fit the bill.

I'm after a sack with a smallish padded section for my K100D with 16-45, space for a 55-300 and 50mm with 2x converter. Would also be useful to have space for a flash in future.

This is easy enough to find but I also want a decent amount of space for items that I may need on a walk, such as waterproof, warm top, food, flask, etc.

All the rucksacks I've seen don't seem to be geared up for the requirements of a walker - they seem to assume that the photographer will not actually be walking very far

Any ideas?
Cheers
Donut

Lowepro have some rugsack for your need if it isn't more then a day hike.
This is quite a nice one i believe Primus-AW

Thanks Stefan. I'd looked at the Lowepro stuff in my Local camera shop but they did't have a full range - the Primus AW looks just what I'm after, I'll try and find one to look at.
Cheers
Donut

I though about Kata 3n1 series, probably -30 or -20. They are a bit expensive though and I would prefer to have it in my hands before buying. I hope I'll find some in Nottingham.

I have the 3N1, the 20 and it is enough to fit only my gear, and my last acquisition, the flash fits there already pushing it in.

Look at my kit and you can calculate if the 20 is enough. I definitely wouldn't be able to fit anything else nor any extra stuff that you mention you would like to carry for your walks. The only things that will fit on those side pockets are stuff like the reverse and coupling rings, the wireless remote etc. Anything else you would be compromising how to fit it in.

I definitely underestimated my LBA when I went for one of these. If I had an option again I would go for the 30 one.

But don't get me wrong, I love the 20. Its just small enough for me to take just what I need for short trips and knowing for example I won't need certain lenses or the flash so I leave it behind. Some of you dont like to do that risking the fact you might suddenly need something and have left it behind. Mine is not the case.

But I certainly will be on the lookout for a bigger one.

I did though love the features and the material of the kata 3N1. But if I had a chance again I would go for the 30 one instead of the 20. Also the 30 one can take a laptop, which would be a bonus.

Hope this helps.

Amin

Thanks Amin, it really does help. As you can see my gear is similar (though I have no flash and no macro - yet ) and I'd prefer to have some space for chocolate, water and some food And a laptop space is a bonus. Still, I have to try it in some shop if I find it.

Have you thought about getting an ordinary rucksack and some good pouches.
I looked at the photographic rucksacks availible and decided against them. Too expensive and too restrictive. You can't get anything else in much. Damp waterproofs in with the lenses!
You can put the gear in the rucksack or wear them on the outside attached to the hip belt or shoulder straps. Easy access on the move or safely in the dry in the rucksac. Separate drybags keeps the gear dry and dust free and lots of rucksacks have suitable attachment points for tripods and the like

Last year I purchased the Tamrac Adventure 9 -

http://www.tamrac.com/frame_adv.htm

I use it often when I haven't got the other half with me to carry the rest of the gear and have found it to be a very useful backpack with space at the top for waterproof, sarnies, etc and there is a space for laptops.

Rob

I was looking for the same thing last year. Wanted something to take the DSLR kit but also some normal bits for a day out with my son.
Finally settled on the Lowepro Fastpack 200. Cheapest I could find at the time was £52. But by chance walked into Jessops and they had it on offer for £35. But better still Lowepro were doing a £10 cashback offer. So the bag cost £25.
It’s a fine bag. Room for the DSLR body with lens, plus 2 additional lenses and some other odds and ends. And then in the top section is room for a mack or two, some food etc. Also pockets on the outside for a drink, mobile, maps etc. Only thing it doesn’t have is any tripod/monopod straps.
It also has easy access to the DSLR through the side, this all can all be done easily while walking along.

link

Russ

I've just bought a KATA DR465

link

This is a bit smaller than the camera only versions, but how many times do you want to take all your equipment? It will take my K100D + 75-150mm + 28mm + converters + flash in the base. Easy to take out. Wouldn't take 2 cameras. It includes a waterproof cover and various pockets.

If you are out on your own I can't see much better. If you have a partner then just a camera rucksack may work.

I did try not using eBay but ended up not receiving what I ordered. Ordered from above. Very good service.

Hi,

I am still shocked so many photo specific back packs sell so well. I tried three and they were all very uncomforable as they made my back sweat very quickly...a lot of walking backpacks however are constructed so as to minimize contact with your back and reduce this problem.

I have returned to a shoulder bag and a small North Face shoulder bag for wet weather gear...this combination with one over each shoulder I find much better than any photo backpack.

cheers Steve.

Check out:

http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON08D000039&Prod_nam...

This is a really good camera backpack with loads of space for other items yet still not a massive backpack like a lot of others I've tried (and I've tried loads!)It has the best compartment system I've seen so far: really useful space everywhere.
I also really like the fact that it looks in no way what so ever like a camera bag and so does not attract the wrong type of attention when travelling.

Try it, you'll like it. Good price too

3 years ago I got a Lowepro and it has served me well, and has got very wet at times and always kept my gear dry.

I went through this quandary myself very recently. There does not seem to be a bag in existance that covers your or my requirements.
For myself I needed to be able to carry camera, 2 or three lenses, ND grad filters, tripod plus food drink and waterproofs for a days walk.

After much searching and veering away from LowePro, I nearly went for Tamrac but the tripod carrying straps were extras so I knew i would end up without those and so looked at LowePro again.
Eventually I decided on the LowePro Rover Plus AW linkThis has padded section for camera etc, four or 5 sections for lenses and some other accessory pockets, and a good section for waterproofs etc.

Okay so its not perfect but its the nearest i could find, but if Im doing a serious walk anywhere I still use a proper rucksack and carry my camera in a padded bag.

Favourite bag to date for me has been a Lowepro Orion Trekker. They made a Trekker ii, and I think the newest version is the Trekker AW. Very confy, and enough room for your needs I think.