Lester,.....forget Photo backpacks,...get the real thing for the job,..ie, and ex British Army 'bergan' which will do the job ten times better at a fraction of the cost without having to open any zips and regardless of weather,...in addition nobody will know you are carrying photo gear since a 24" folded tripod will fit inside. You can carry your waterproofs/poncho in the top,..the bag opens with a single toggle,...keep plastic sack/sheet under lid to drop on the wet ground before putting the bag on it......For occaisions when you need more gear/clothing/food you can get side packs which zip on to the main bag.....