[asharpe]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for a backpack bag, but I don't really know how much different bags hold. I'm leaning toward ThinkTank bags, but I'm open to any good bag.

I currently use a Domke F2 bag, occasionally with the Domke funky backpack straps. I sometimes wear the Domke vest, but I don't like to fill it up, using it instead as a temporary repository for various caps, lenses, meters, etc. I don't backpack, per se, but I do walk a lot to shoot, and sometimes ride a bicycle to visit places to shoot, too. Here's what my Domke F2 has in it (what I always take), and the tripod that I made a strap for (I'd like the tripod to be able to attach to the backpack, ideally):

Pentax K-3 body with L-bracket
Fish-eye Takumar 17/4
Takumar 28/3.5
Takumar 50/1.4
Macro-Takumar 50/4
Macro-Takumar 100/4
Minolta 320x flash + cords and cactus wireless
Pentax digital spotmeter
Pentax Refconverter-A right angle finder
Fotodiox 22" 5-in-1 Reflector
Giottos large rocket blower
3"x8" filter wallet for Cokin P filters
Cokin P filter mount
small filter wallet with 2x nd filters and one polarizer
metal lens shades for the 28, 50 and 100mm
2 extra batteries for K-3, 1 extra battery for the spotmeter
Remote shutter release
Extra SD cards
Bottle of water

Manfrotto 190xProB tripod with Sirui K20x head

The Domke bag with this stuff in it is about 10 pounds, and the tripod with head is about 6 pounds.



Possible additions, but not usually taken:
K-3 battery grip
Gossen Luna Pro F meter
Takumar 35/3.5
Jupiter-9 85/2
Takumar 200/5.6
Tokina catadioptric 500/8
Olympus XZ-1 compact camera


Thanks for any suggestions you can provide.

[MD Optofonik]

My everyday "go to" bag for carrying a similarly sized camera package:

Flipside 400 AW Camera bags, backpacks and rolling cases

[screwdriver222]

I'll second the Flipside 400 Aw

[rawr]

I'll second the Flipside 400 Aw

Thirded. Comfortable, durable, OK design. Handy 'pivot around the waist' feature.
The green one (which I have) has the virtue of looking more casual and less like a big camera backpack than the black one.

[asharpe]

Well. Three for the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW. It looks interesting; I'll have to see if there's one around that I can look at. No Nat Geo bags, though? Or this one I found on Amazon: Koolertron? The name is horrendous, but the bags look like Domke and Nat Geo copies. And no Kata, or Peli, or ONA Camps Bay, or...?

[asharpe]

Now I've started to look at the Lowepro Pro Runner 300 AW. It doesn't look as massive as the Flipside 400 AW, and I thin it will still fit what I've got. Not too sure about the Manfrotto 190xProB tripod strapped on its back, though, What do you think?

[FrankC]

Lowepro's website has a bag finder app. Just add your equipment and it'll tell you what bad will hold your gear. You may find the Flipside 400 to be inadequate for your needs.

[rawr]

You may find the Flipside 400 to be inadequate for your needs.

Anything larger than than Flipside 400 size packs, and you will probably need a sherpa , especially for long walks.

[asharpe]

And now, I'm probably going to get the Think Tank Streetwalker Pro, based on a ton of research (none of which is in person, unfortunately).

Lowepro's website has a bag finder app. Just add your equipment and it'll tell you what bad will hold your gear.

I think you'll find that the bag finder knows nothing about 50-year-old Takumar lenses, nor the Minolta flashes, nor the Pentax Digital Spotmeter. Modern Canon and Nikon zooms? No problem. But it isn't what I have.

[asharpe]

Update: I ordered the Think Tank Streetwalker Pro today, after having several detailed discussions with them in email, and then calling them up. They were very helpful with my analysis of my gear, and my tripod. Here's the last email exchange, which has some good information for folks thinking about attaching a tripod to a Streetwalker (backpack, that is ):

I wrote:

> I've done some further calculations. Based on the claimed
> external height of the Streetwalker (17") and Streetwalker Pro (17.5")
> bags, and based on the height of my tripod with the head (26" total) and
> the calculated depth of the tripod "cup" that drops down on the Pro
> (estimated to be 1/3 the length of the backpack, or about 5.83"), I
> think I have determined that the tripod will stick up about 9" on the
> Streetwalker, and, on the Streetwalker Pro, using the tripod cup, will
> stick up about 2.66".
>
> Is it possible to attach a tripod to the Streetwalker (not Pro) and not
> use the front pouch for the feet? Will the tripod simply slip out of the
> two (2?) provided straps?
>
> It seems like some additional measurements on the Think Tank site for
> these bags (perhaps shown next to some standard tripods for height
> comparisons) would be useful.
>
> And is my estimate of the tripod cup size correct?


And Think Tank responded:

> Hi Andrew,
>
>
> Your calculations are pretty accurate. On the StreetWalker Pro the tripod
> cup hangs down 5 1/2" inches. Your tripod height of 26" will stick up
> approximately 2 1/2" from the top of the bag. If you were to affix your
> tripod to the StreetWalker without utilizing the bottom pouch for the
> feet you could use the two bottom nylon tabs to feed the strap thru. It
> will hold your tripod in place but it's not as secure as when you use the
> pocket. You will have to get a little creative as to where the strap
> feeds thru the tripod.
>
> I will pass along your message regarding having additional measurements
> on our site. We are currently working on a new and improved site so
> feedback is appreciated.
>
> Let me know if I can answer any further questions.
>
>
> Best,
>
>
> Francis
> --
> Francis V
> Product Specialist & Photographer
>