[zantaphia]

Hi!

On Saturday I'll get my new 645D (yeah, I'm jumping FF, I'll use my K3 for telephoto (reach) and speed (8.3 fps), my K-5 for low light shooting, and the 645D for studio, landscape and macro shooting).

I would like to know what is in your opinion the best backpack for this camera, and at least the following gear:
1 pc. SMC Pentax-D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL [IF] SDM AW

1 pc. A35/3.5

1 pc. A120/4 macro

+ all the necessary accessories (spare batteries, memory cards, filters,1 flash AF540, battery charger, and if possible a 13" MacBook pro, and a Manfrotto 190XPROB)

If possible it should fit inside the carry-on luggage max dimensions (the weight is not an issue ;-))

BR Zantaphia

---

Last edited by zantaphia; 03-05-2014 at 09:38 AM. Reason: typo

[texaspentaxeon]

Not sure if this will quite work, but I can fit a TON of gear in my Lowepro Flipside 400AW. Works great in almost any conditions, it definitely has become my go to bag. Taking it to India this summer.

[spade111]

Ona makes a wonderful backpack called the "Camps Bay", as well as a super sweet leather shoulder bag called the "Brixton". They should both be big enough for the 645 if you are careful, and/or worried about it not looking like 15k worth of camera gear

http://www.onabags.com/store/messengers-and-backpacks/the-camps-bay.html?color=smoke#smoke

[Zygonyx]

Not sure if this will quite work, but I can fit a TON of gear in my Lowepro Flipside 400AW. Works great in almost any conditions, it definitely has become my go to bag. Taking it to India this summer.

Exact, this bag is precisely the one i do use with my 645D gear :
1- body + FA 75/2.8
2- AF 200FG flash
3- DFA 55/2.8
4- DFA 25/4
5- FA 35/4.5
6- either A 135/4 or FA 12014 macro or FA 150/2.8
7- complete fiIter set with 40.5/58/67 polarizing/ND/IR - just lacking 82mm filters for FA35/4.5
8- spare(s) battery(s)

When tripod is needed (travel only), i add GITZO/1541T on the back ...

---

Last edited by Zygonyx; 03-05-2014 at 11:19 AM.

[Photodana]

Camps Bay - great night life place of Cape Town, South Africa IIRC :-)
Jens

[DSims]

If possible it should fit inside the carry-on luggage max dimensions (the weight is not an issue ;-))

Isn't this a necessity? I mean, you never check such a bag, and I'm not sure you want to ship it separately (via a standard carrier) either.


Or would you just be able to use a different, smaller bag when flying?

[zantaphia]

Isn't this a necessity? I mean, you never check such a bag, and I'm not sure you want to ship it separately (via a standard carrier) either.


Or would you just be able to use a different, smaller bag when flying?

Hi.

Thank you all for the suggestions!

I already have a smaller backpack for carry-on luggage. But if it's possible to find a bigger backpack, that is still inside the limitations (size-wise), of course that's a big improvement for me.

BR zantaphia

---

Last edited by zantaphia; 03-07-2014 at 04:11 AM.

[jwatts]

fstopgear.com makes some really great stuff.

[desertdiver]

Hi,

congratulations on your new gear.

I certainly don't know which is the 'best backpack', but I'd recommend LowePro stuff which I am using since the last twenty years. Having used the biggest backpacks when I was younger I stepped down a bit in size to a 'Vertex 200 AW' backpack which I use for my MF gear, i.e. Hassy and Pentax 645D. This camera fits nicely with four lenses, speed light, set of filters, chargers for camera gear and cell phone, cell phone, straps, medicine, memory cards, 1 set of under wear and socks, document and an AirBook or 13" MacBook, remote control and cleaning stuff. This backpack can take a lot of abuse while protecting the content very well. Rain cover does contribute to the overall well protection.

Here is a link. Just check it out, it is worth it.

Vertex 200 AW Camera bags, backpacks and rolling cases

Good luck with your decision.

Udo

[The Madshutter]

Hello BR Zantaphia,

congrats for joining the 645D crowd About your quest for the perfect bag, since no such thing exists I can only humbly add my .02: amoung many bags I own (or owned), these days I am particularly happy with the Kata Bumblebee 222; it's very light, but still has an aluminium frame which helps a lot. Udo's Vertex looks like a very good solution as well, LowePros are great and I have also been using them forever without a problem.

[Lacunapratum]

Not a backpack, but I do recommend the Thinktank Retrospective 20 for a 645D and three lenses. Perfect walkaround set and incredibly compact. Almost tailored for 645D needs.

[hdgeorgejr]

I have a Tamrac 678 roller bag/backpack. It's huge and has the advantage of the rollers. I'm not sure that it's inside current airline carry-on dimensions - although I've flown with it in years past. It is 25 1/4 x 13 1/2 x 11. I carry a 645 plus 5 lenses and a back-up camera body and flash and filters. It will also handle a laptop and tripod. It's worth a look.

[DSims]

Get one that says "Canon" on it - that way no one will know you have a great camera in it!


Seriously, don't get one - the green one I had let the zipper open on its own (poor design) while I was carrying it, and my Pentax DSLR fell out, damaging my lens.



I do suggest getting one that doesn't have labels or other obvious references to it being a camera bag, however. Most camera bag brands are unique to photography, so I believe most thieves would learn to recognize "tamrac" or "lowepro" pretty quickly, and I'd rather not blatantly advertise what I'm carrying.


Nevertheless, I do have the generous tamrac Cyberpack 8 for when I need it - it has a pretty good fit and strap system as well. But most of the time, I just take my barely-bigger-than-daypack generic backpack from Ritz, with the label name long rubbed off. Still available here under a new brand: http://www.samys.com/p/Backpacks/PTBKPK02/DSLR-Camera-Backpack-Large/128444.html

I actually like the removable compartment, double-zippered approach, because it keeps my gear very secure. The depth on both backpacks should work with the 645D.

[rawr]

But if it's possible to find a bigger backpack, that is still inside the limitations (size-wise).

Since I have a Flipside 400 myself, (but no 645D, sadly) this prompted me to look into this issue.

Flipside 400 is external dimensions: 30.3 x 25.3 x 46 cm.

QANTAS (for example) carry-on size guidelines for international flights are that the total linear dimensions of a carry-on bag (length x depth x height) should not exceed 115cm.

The Lowepro 400 dimensions total 101.6cm so it is carry-on compatible, at least with QANTAS International. QANTAS domestic guidelines are a little more restictive at 105cm, but the Flipside 400 is good for that too.

[Ristretto]

I habe a Boblbee Procam since about a year and can highly recomend it: Sturdy, lightweight, comfortable, very good protection for the gear - and good looking

PROCAM | BOBLBEE OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE

.