[hadi]

i've been shopping around for a camera bag that can fit a few different criteria in one. and i'm beginning to think it doesn't exist.
here is my criteria:
-a backpack with shoulder and waist support with a chest support too.
-roomy enough to support a full sized body, about 4 medium sized lenses (ie, no 70-200s), 2 flashes, batteries, battery charger, a few filters
-still have room to fit in a jacket and other random things for a hike around city/town/traveling/woods/etc
-can support a tripod
-small enough to fly with
-doesn't scream "camera bag"
-has an external pocket for passport
-priced for less than $350

the closest thing i came across was the lowepro rover 45l...that was before they boosted the price and it got discontinued.

i really want to like the protactic lowepro bag, but a) no passport to be held externally. b) aside from camera gear, nothing else will fit there, safe for a computer.c) it looks rather military-esque, which wont raise any alarm for pick-pocketers, but will raise an alarm with the authority

the f-stopper bags look awesome, but are a lil too expensive...

vanguard has a 'camping' bag but its awkwardly designed and doesn't support much

at this point, i'm thinking of getting a small bag that can JUST hold my camera body and some lenses and flash. the other stuff i'll toss in a BIGGER bag that can support my filters, batteries, chargers, jacket, book etc...that maybe cheaper route to go. but a bag within a bag kind of defeats a purpose...

[Huy]

Lowepro whistler 350 aw?
Lowepro Whistler BP 350 AW (Gray) LP36896 B&H Photo Video!

I got this one in deal zone for $170.

[stein]

Can't recommend a specific bag but can advise regarding the passport handling. Keep it securely stashed closer to your chest rather than externally in a large bag. You obviously never had that bitter experience of losing it or having it stolen. Not a nice way to spend a week on your holiday in a remote place. Everything else you expect from your future bag sounds reasonable.

[npc]

I just use my generic/hiking backpack together with a camera/lens sleeve - something like these for example:
Amazon.com : Portable DSLR Camera Bag Camera Shell Sleeve Case FB6028 : Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo or http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LVSBRYS/

Looks like such combination should cover your checklist as well, at least the result is pretty similar to what this lowepro rover 45l is ...

[rawr]

-has an external pocket for passport

Not a good idea. Neither would be carrying your wallet in the top/side/front pocket of a bag, ever.

Otherwise, have you tried this:

Lowepro | Find the best camera bag with Lowepro Bagfinder

[Another dyemention]

I have the Clik elite venture 30. It will hold my k3 with sigma 50-150 attached plus a few other primes. Also enough room to get my two flashes in there as well. The top part is plenty big to hold a jacket and some other stuff. Plus the very top compartment has plenty of room for accessories.

[Rense]

I've got the Lowepro Photo sport 200 AW.... It's a great one, but probably not what you're looking at....

[ffking]

Tamrac make some pretty well specced robust bags, too - the only thing is that with any specialist make, Tamrac. Lowepro etc etc etc, the logo does sort of shout camera bag to those in the know

[sholtzma]

Another vote against an external passport holder. Remove that criterion and you should be able to find a bag that fits the rest.

Yes, there might be a logo, but you could a) tape over it, b) use a magic marker to black it out, or not worry about it so much. If your bag screamed "Nikon", I'd worry about that catching the attention of the standard low-brow thief; it it quietly said "Tamrac", I'd not worry so much.

[WPRESTO]

To hide the fact that that it's a camera bag, put a label over the "Tamrac" or "Lowepro" logo that says: "no camera inside."

[normhead]

To hide the fact that that it's a camera bag, put a label over the "Tamrac" or "Lowepro" logo that says: "no camera inside."

5000 comedians out of work... and you have to crack corny jokes.

[WPRESTO]

5000 comedians out of work... and you have to crack corny jokes.

Who? ME?? It's also a backhand comment, echoing a post made earlier, that it's almost impossible to disguise a camera bag of any kind. The Think Tank "retrospective" series and some other shoulder bags are an attempt, but I don't think any backpack style hides the fact that there is photo equipment inside, quite a bit.

[bdery]

For your list of requirements, it seems obvious that the best choice will be an actual backpack with an insert. You will get much, much more convenience this way, a better fitted bag, less obvious, etc. You can get inserts to fit just about any bag format if you shop around a bit (in particular, the Cubeze from Ape Case come in many shapes and sizes). You can find a bag with two compartments, and have the insert in one of them, the erst of your gear in another. for instance, I use the McKingley Lynx 28, which fits me well (and even has a mesh back) and an insert for the lower compartment:



Mine can carry a camera with 16-85 lens attached, a flash, two Limiteds accessories (batteries, cleaning kit, etc) and a 100 macro WR. If I need to carrry the 60-250 it goes, in its pouch, in the top compartment (which carries a water bladder, lunch, jacket, etc). The tripod (Sirui T-025X) goes on the side, held in the bottle pocket and with the compression strap. I also have a Op-tech lens pouch with belt hooks which attaches to the hip strap and lets me switch lenses easily on the fly.

You seem to require a bit more capacity, so maybe a second, smaller insert at the bottom of the top compartment could complete your kit. Or another bag with a different configuration would be better. In any case, I doubt you'll find a dedicated camera bag fitting even closely what you require.

[W.j.christy]

I was looking for something similar not too long ago and came across this one.


http://www.amazon.com/Evecase-Camera-Laptop-Travel-Backpack/dp/B00WQTLB0G/re...amera+backpack


I would agree with the rest of the folks on the forum is saying its best to keep your passport and id's close to your heart to avoid being stuck in a less than desirable place.


I found that bag was to big and what I went with was this bag.


http://www.amazon.com/Camera-Backpack-Evecase-Resistant-MultiPurpose/dp/B00V...amera+backpack


It doesn't meet all your criteria as there is no chest support and the waist support is small, but all the below fit in it (plus some), fit in the overhead compartment on a plane, and It looked more like a hiking pack than a camera bag to me but that is pretty subjective.


k-3 with sigma 17-50 mounted
2 extra batteries
DA 18-135
af540fgz (RIP)
4 AA batteries and the charger
pentax wall mounted travel charger (3rd party)
lens cleaning accessories
small sd card wallet
Tripod (54" with ball head)
Flash mounted soft box (cheap neewer one)
Bottle warmer (for daughter)
2 pair of jeans (for me I am about 5'9" for reference of size)
3 baby books
a baby hat
cell phone charger
and a one premade bottle of formula.


just a thought.

[Heie]

Not a good idea. Neither would be carrying your wallet in the top/side/front pocket of a bag, ever.

Keep it securely stashed closer to your chest rather than externally in a large bag. You obviously never had that bitter experience of losing it or having it stolen. Not a nice way to spend a week on your holiday in a remote place. Everything else you expect from your future bag sounds reasonable.

Another vote against an external passport holder.

I would agree with the rest of the folks on the forum is saying its best to keep your passport and id's close to your heart to avoid being stuck in a less than desirable place.

ahem...yea...what they said...

PETAPIXEL - I Left My Camera Bag on a Train

-Heie