Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Yes, another topic that I am sure has been done before (although I am not sure with my specific requirements). I am looking for yet another backpack, preferably something smaller than what I have already (or at least not any larger). I currently use a Lowepro Flipside 400AW. I must say I do love this bag - but I want something that will give me some storage for personal items (and a hydration reservoir). It obviously does not need to hold all of my gear (like the 400AW does), but it should be able to hold my D300s with grip, my 17-55 2.8 (attached to camera), my 70-200 2.8, macro lens, and fisheye. Plus accessories, filters, etc.

I will list some of my requirements below. What I am looking for is any suggestions on a bag that meets these requirements (and the quality and construction of the bag - is it worth the price, last a long time, comfortable, etc.). Thanks!!

Items needed:
- Backpack only
- opens from the back (or side)
- hydration reservoir
- lots of pockets and storage areas (especially a main compartment for personal items)
- fits the gear I mentioned above
- Airplane carry-on legal

Optional items:
- holds an ipad/laptop
- tripod holder (or ability to attach a tripod to the bag)
- ability to attach additional pouches, accessories to the bag for added storage when required

I have been looking at Lowepro (have a couple of promising ones - but seem to lack something); Clik Elite - I bought one of their bags (and later sold it) as it was almost perfect - but lacked the personal storage - but they have other options now - might be too big for my taste; and f-stop bags - they have a couple of options I noticed that may be perfect - I just don't' know much about their bags - are they worth the price?

Any suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated (I would like to find that perfect day trekking bag that I have been looking for since I can remember). Thanks!!

Cheers,

J.

p.s.- I will be attending the Henry's Photo Show later this month - so ideally will try and purchase then - hopefully get a deal (like I did when I got my Flipside 400AW).

If you can do without the hydration reservoir look at the Tamrac Evolution 8. It has enough room to put a bottle of water in the top pocket, has a laptop sleeve, tripod holder, would fit your gear, carry on legal, tons of pockets designed to fit caps, filters etc, it is a backpack but also works as a sling with very handy side access in addition to the traditional access pockets. Tamrac has a modular attachment thing but I don't know much about it, never really looked into it.

Not sure why Clik has such high prices for their bags either. I bought one for 130 and just after they raised it to 180. 130 was already pretty high in my view. They had some features that I wanted, but other designers seemed to put things together better. Bought a LowePro for 40 that I enjoyed using. So I use the Lowepro more, but the Clik comes in handy once in a while.

Not sure if this will fit your needs, but I just got a think tank Streetwalker (maybe the pro version will hold the gear mentioned- also on sale at henry's), I did a photo shoot today, and I'm liking it alot. It was comfortably on my back while I did the shoot, and equalizes the weight on the way home. Really good bag. I hope you find the right bag though! good luck

I am a big F-stop fan. I have the Loka and all 3 sizes of ICU's for it.

You can see it if you would like.

Thanks crash10, where abouts do you live, I may take you up on that offer.

Based on my Internet search I have come up with two potential bags that meet the bill:

The F-Stop Guru (which is the leading candidate)
http://fstopgear.com/index.php?option=c ... Itemid=334

And the Clik Elite contrejour 35 (has all the features, but is a little large - will actually fit all of my gear - but I want to slightly downsize in this case)
http://www.clikelite.com/products/contrejour-35/

I had to discount any of the lowepro ones as they either lacked enough storage or not enough camera space, or some other feature, same with Tarmac. If none knows another brand that would be similar to the two I've posted I'd really like any info you have on other options. Thanks

J.

I just did 45 days in Japan with the Fstop Loka + small icu. Gear in the bag was d700 + 16-35 and 85 1.4 with sb700. Brought it onto the plane with my macbook and spare set of clothes. It also has tonnes of pockets and places to store stuff. No dedicated tripod mount but plenty of places to attach one.

You'd probaby need a med or large ICU to fit the 70-200 though. that would leave less space to put other stuff into.

Thanks for the info Delsorbo. I have a couple of questions. The Loka also could be a contender - a bit bigger than the Guru - but still around the same size as the Clik Elite.

Ok first question, I would most likely just need the medium ICU to fit my needs, in the Guru - fits perfectly and with space for some gear. In the Loka, the opening can accommodate uptoa large ICU, what happens to the space in the opening? If I open the bag to get my camera will it exposed the storage compartment or is there some flap that closes that gap?

Second question, having used the Loka for a long trip, do you think for a day trek it might overkill and the slightly smaller Guru better suited?

Thanks.

J.

If the top part isn't full then nothing really happens except for top part compressing down if you have it full. If you open it from the back there is a space where you can shove stuff in the top space without opening the top...no flap. If you have the large ICU you need to open the top to use the space. I usually use the medium ICU. I have 3 different camera set-ups and can switch them really fast.

I've carried the Loka everyday since I got it and am extremely happy with it. The best part is I can carry it full all day and not get beat.

Dan Carr's reviews are guite good. http://dancarrphotography.com/blog/2010/10/14/f-stop-loka-photo-packpack-and-new-icus-photo-satori-tilopa-fstop/ and there is a link to the Guru too.

From the photos on the Guru page the Loka doesn't look all that much bigger. Can't really help you with the Guru/Loka comparison, however, the Guru with the meduim ICU looks a little constricted...but I pack more than most mules. They do have a pack that side opens that is a bit smaller too. I think they do have a good return policy.

Yonge + Eg but I can probably meet anywhere. I think I had my loka with me when I met you at the TMPG meetup thingy...not sure...too many beers.

I am a tiny person 5'3'' 115lbs. When this 30L bag is full I feel really burdened after 2 straight days of constantly walking around with it. I usually drop it off at the hostel or a locker and travel with just the camera. Where are you going? I also wanted this bag for a water reservoir and bought a 1.5L water bag. Rarey used it. Opted with bottled water as it was easier to carry and weighed less. Even when I did day trips through mountain trails and hikes I'd rather ditch the bag to have less weight on.

When I open the back flap to get my camera, the rest of the compartment is exposed but the bag is on the ground with the opening facing up so nothing will fall out. I don't think it's safe any other way because your camera gear will spill if you open it up right. The waist strap and the one that goes across your chest are life savers. They really take the load off and the shoulder straps are the most comfortable I've ever used.

Thanks for the info.

I am not going anywhere specific yet, although a few days in banff may happen at the end of June. I justed wanted a new bag for hiking - like Algonquin Park, where I discovered on one trail a while back - a couple water bottles may not be enough on a hot summer day doing over 12 km on a trail. Why I want water reservoir and be able to carry personal items.

After hearing both of you talk about the Loka, I am leaning toward that as giving me more flexibility. Still smaller than the Clik Elite one, yet not too much bigger over the Guru.

Crash10 - ill be at Yonge and Lawrence (alexander muir park) for the macro clinic on Thursday. Come out and joins us and bring your bag

Thanks.

Jordan

Well I bit the bullet and just ordered the F-Stop Loka, green, with medium pro ICU. Now it's just the wait game.

J.

you won't regret it

How long did it take from when you ordered the bag for it to arrive? Did you only have to pay the tax (when received the shipment) or was there any other duty charges?

Thanks.

J.

I had about a 3 week wait because the bag was just released and was in the second shipment. I would assume it would be a lot faster now. I don't recall what I paid to the UPS guy but some fee had to be paid.

I ordered the bag and the 3 ICU's and I think it was $32 dollars total.