Need backpack opinion

[lastingimages]

I have a LowePro Slingshot 200 and a 300 (you can sling it around and get to your camera). I love the 200, but then bought a 70-200L 2.8, so I needed a larger bag. The 300 will hold it and my camera, along with other fun photography stuff.

[mujana]

Advice:
Take all your photo equipment with you in the camerastore. Pack a camerabag with it...and carry it for at least one hour on your shoulder (maybe while looking around). If it annoys you....do not buy it....try another one. You could also go to one of these outdoor shops. I've carried my last camera in a Macpac daypack. That will not be possible now because too much gear/too heavy.

[Sparky98]

I have a LowePro Mini Trekker Classic and I would recommend it. I carry a 40D with the 28-135 mounted, a 10-22, a 100-400, a 580EX, a 488RC2 ball head, a charger, a couple of spare batteries, memory cards, spare AA batteries for the flash, and that is all in the padded section. There are several zippered pouches on the inside of the cover and 2 zippered pouches on the outside of the cover and those are mostly empty. It does have a couple of straps on the bottom for tying on a tripod and compression straps on the sides. The Mini Trekker was $79.95 at B&H the last time I looked.

I have a bad back and when I first wore the backpack it put pressure in just the wrong spot but I got the shoulder straps adjusted properly and now it carries just fine. The shoulder strap padding seems to be adequate though I have not carried it for extended periods. It has a decent waist strap that even fits my ample waistline. It is a well made backpack and I think for the price it is a good choice.

[Lor]

Thank you all. I bought the Lowepro mini trakker AW. It fits all my equipment for now, and I can still pack more stuff when I needed it.

[drichi]

It's hard to answer your question without knowing exactly what you want to do. Even then it is pretty much a personal choice.

I do a lot of 1-day hikes and for those, I find a backpack to be much more trouble than it is worth for one simple reason. They are a nuisance to get into. So much so, that I hesitate to go into them to change a lens or even a filter. Then I end up putting filters in my pocket or even some lenses. Sort of defeats the purpose of carrying a backpack anyway. I now only use them to transport equipment on an overnight trip.

I use a shoulder bag otherwise. With that I have a tripod and depending on what I am photographing, my longer lens in its case. A bit of a mess but manageable in the hilly areas outside Tokyo (1000-2,500 meters) for 8-12 hours of activity. I am still looking for the best solution....