light camera daypack recommendations

[soboyle]

Looking for recommendations for a light weight, small camera daypack. Not looking for the typical large padded box with straps, but a functional daypack that will fit 1-2 dslr's, 3-4 lenses.  Maybe also fits a small 13" laptop, for flights. But it needs to be usable in  the field for shooting, not just hauling gear through an airport. I was eyeing the Kata DR-466 or 465. any other suggestions?

[soboyle]

OK, I'll answer this myself, I ordered the Kata DR-467 and it seems to be a very nice camera backpack, not too bulky like the foam boxes with straps you often get, and it fits everything I need for a weekend of shooting, 5-6 lenses in the bottom up to 70-200 f/4 in size. my 24-70 fits without a problem with lens hood reversed. I put my camera with a lens attached in the top compartment and it makes a nice setup. Can also slide a laptop in that sleeve if you want.

[akclimber]

Looking for recommendations for a light weight, small camera daypack. Not looking for the typical large padded box with straps, but a functional daypack that will fit 1-2 dslr's, 3-4 lenses.  Maybe also fits a small 13" laptop, for flights. But it needs to be usable in  the field for shooting, not just hauling gear through an airport. I was eyeing the Kata DR-466 or 465. any other suggestions?

Check out the Tamrac Adventure Series - the Adventure 9 or 10 might interest you.  I own the 9 and like it a lot.  I use it for light day hikes /travel when I take my 5D + 24-105 and 100-400.  I plan on buying the 10 series pack tho for a bit more storage.  I appreciate the fact that the packs have a camera gear compartment plus a general gear compartment for jackets/snacks, etc.   Pretty well thoughtt out packs.  (they also have a laptop compartment) The only downside is that the tripod attachments are on the bottom of the pack - not the side or front.

http://www.tamrac.com/f_adventurebackpacks.htm
http://www.tamrac.com/Cat_09_AdventureBackpacks.pdf

Cheers!

[JeffKohn]

I looked into the Tamrac Adventure series, but the lack of real tripod support seems like a fatal flaw in the packs to me. I ended up with the LowePro CompuPrimus AW. I love the front-panel access, since it means I don't get my back dirty every time I set the pack down and put it back on (you can even get into the pack with the all-weather cover deployed). I put a hydration bladder in the laptop component, and depending on how much gear I want to carry I can either use the top compartment for other stuff (snacks, jacket, etc) or more camera gear. It's working out really well for me.

[thierrylegros396]

I like my LowePro very much.

The only drawback is that it is not perfectly waterproof in case of heavy rain.

[DarkPenguin]

I like my LowePro very much.

The only drawback is that it is not perfectly waterproof in case of heavy rain.

Which lowepro?  I think they make 29,364 separate models.

[thierrylegros396]

Which lowepro?  I think they make 29,364 separate models.

Orion Trekker

[JeffKohn]

Which lowepro?  I think they make 29,364 separate models.

LOL. They do make a lot of models. And they're sometimes bad about not even keeping their website up-to-date with product info. The latest issue of Outdoor Photographer has an ad for a new 'expedition' line of backpacks, but there's no mention of them at all on the LowePro website.

I've found the rain-covers on the LowePro AW backpacks to work quite well. They have enough "wrap-around" that the only part of the pack not covered is what's directly against your back.

If you want truly waterproof, the DryZone bags/packs fit the bill although they're not terribly convenient to use as an everyday solution.

[PeterAit]

Looking for recommendations for a light weight, small camera daypack. Not looking for the typical large padded box with straps, but a functional daypack that will fit 1-2 dslr's, 3-4 lenses.  Maybe also fits a small 13" laptop, for flights. But it needs to be usable in  the field for shooting, not just hauling gear through an airport. I was eyeing the Kata DR-466 or 465. any other suggestions?

After looking at various units I got the Tamrac Expedition 5x and like it very much. I carry a D700 and 5 relatively large lenses and the usual assortment of filters and the like (tripod too). They make the smaller 4x and larger 6x too. Well made, comfortable to wear, fully adjustable inner compartments.

Peter

[ashley]

Perhaps not the lightest, but I think carry comfort is probably just as important and I love my Kata R-103. It takes the equipment you mention, plus a laptop yet is still small enough to use as a carry on flight bag and protects the equipment incredibly well. I also have bags from CCS and Tenba and they are perfectly usable, but for some reason I always prefer the Kata.

[ChrisJR]

I really like Crumpler bags. They're lightweight, comfortable, can fit a good sized laptop as well as a number of lenses and bodies (depending on the model) and they're really difficult for people to steal from as the zip faces the body.

I went to China several years ago with a shoulder bag and also a Tamrac bag and the number of little bastards that I caught with their fingers in my bags really shocked me. I've done some travelling since with my Crumpler (also in the Far East) but had no problems at all.