OK, in an attempt to find the "perfect" backpack, I ordered this one (LowePro Mini Trekker AW), the Tamrac Expedition 5 and the Kata R102. I ran them through their paces and guess what I found? None of them had everything I wanted. That being said, I settled on the Lowepro. Details below...
BACKPACKS IN GENERAL
The Bottom Line:
Simply put, it seems that it's nearly impossible to find a backpack that combines comfort with capacity. The Kata R102 was, by far, the most comfortable, study backpack of the 3 but was hands-down the "smallest" pack space-wise. There was hardly any room for manuals (my D70 manual and SB600 flash manual bulged the one pocket) and very little storage for "trinkets" (it all fell loose). The Lowepro and Tamrac packs had ample room, but were only semi-comfortable on my back compared to the Kata. So I had to decide between capacity and comfort. Since I really want a "carry everything" pack, the LowePro won out (being cheaper when compared to Tamrac and having a better "fit" on my back (6'4")).
THE LOWEPRO
The Good:
Of the three, only the LowePro was configured in a way that you could carry two "ready" cameras. Of course all 3 would carry a second body and lens, but not "assembled". The LowePro has room at the bottom for a second camera pointing toward the top of the pack.
The LowePro has the best "non-camera" storage system, with a system of mini slots and pouches for things like PDAs, iPods, books, etc. The Tamrac had this, but it was one big compartment where they would all jostle around. The Kata's was non-existent (literally).
The LowePro and Kata both have a true weather-proof cover but the LowePro stores it away in a built-in pouch in the bottom instead of taking up a "lens slot" (like the Kata, which is already space-limited).
The LowePro is the cheapest of the three (always a plus)
The Bad:
Not much "bad" that I can see, aside from the fact that it's not THE most comfortable of the three, but it certainly beats out the Tamrac which was the least comfortable of the three (for me)
The Ugly:
Of the 3, the LowePro has, by far, the worst tripod carrying system. Sure, the "hideaway" tripod puch is nice, but the supplied system of *elastic rope* is flimsy and seems to have been included as an after-thought. The compression straps can be crossed and hooked to the "wrong" side as a fix, but one shouldn't need to "fix" anything at these prices...
I decided on the Lowepro (as I said above) because I wanted a "carry everything" bag that would fit on my back. What I get is a nice "gadget bag" that fits comfortably on my back for a run through the airport. I do NOT have a backpack, however, that would work for a several-hour hike. I have a pack that's good for the State Fair so I have what I need and my wife can fit a few things she picks up as well. It will NOT be good for a day-trek through Paris. Then again, if I'm hiking in the woods or sight-seeing through Paris, do I really want EVERYTHING camera-related on my back? Probably not. I'm more likely to carry a small sling/fanny-pack for the camera, a zoom lens and maybe a flash.
When all was said and done, the LowePro struck the best balance of comfort and space. Space management was best in the one and comfort was second only to the Kata (which I preferred most of the three but lost out because of severe space restrictions).
Bottom line: You're not gonna be satisfied with what you get ;) At this price range, none of the backpacks serve up everything (my Dad and brother, who are also amateur photogs agree). The LowePro WILL, however, serve your immediate needs and save you a few bucks to investigate other options. It's sturdy and wears well for short periods of time (maybe an hour or two tops) and will DEFINTELY carry everything you might for a two-camera system (assuming you can share secondary lenses between the two).
Hope this helps!
PS I have no clue why this pack is showing up as "unavailable" on Amazon at the moment. Odd...
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The problem with camera backpacks is that they are trying to do two things at once: 1) let you haul your equipment to where you want to go, and 2) use it easily once you're there. The Mini Trekker AW, like many other such backpacks, succeeds at the first goal but falls short at the second.
Let's get to the good stuff: the Mini Trekker has enough space for two bodies with lenses attached, plus several other lenses, flash units, etc. For those into digital SLRs, there are a couple of interior pockets ideally-sized for holding memory cards and batteries, plus a large exterior pocket that can hold a filter wallet plus much more. An innovative pouch-and-elastic-cord system lets you securely attach even a pro-sized tripod. And the AW model comes with a waterproof cover that stores away in a pocket under the pack when not in use. The support system includes the usual padded shoulder straps, plus a waist strap and a clipped tie between the shoulder straps to keep the pack securely in place while hiking, eliminating the swaying and slipping that can cause soreness and fatigue.
It's when you reach your destination, and want to do some shooting, that the Mini Trekker's shortcomings become evident. With everything packed vertically, and without any way to switch to over-the-shoulder carrying, there's no way to simultaneously hold the pack, remove the gear you need, and attach it to the camera/tripod. You have no choice but to take the pack completely off, set it on the ground, kneel down, and open a whole series of zippers and side clips to get to your gear. Want to change lenses or get a filter? Bend or kneel down again, grab what you need, put it on the camera, re-stow whatever has been removed, and so on. Time to move on to another photo location? Back down on the ground, pack everything up, reshoulder the pack, move on, and repeat. When you might have twenty or thirty places you want to photograph on a given day, each of which may require changing lenses or attaching accessories at least once, you can see that this would get tiring pretty quickly. And what if the ground is muddy or wet? I've known others who have used this sort of system, and who have reported that they found themselves passing up photo opportunities because it was too much of a hassle to deal with getting everything out of the backpack.
Unfortunately, there are few alternatives for those who would find this a pain. In the past, Photoflex used to make waist packs with shoulder straps, but they don't seem to offer them anymore. I understand that Lowepro offers a combination waistpack and (non-camera) daypack, the Orion AW, that allows the user to operate it as a backpack, then unclip the waistpack and swivel it to one's front or side when it's time to use, but I haven't seen one in person, and so can't vouch for its usability. In the interim, I guess the Mini Trekker will do the job of getting your equipment to its destination...just don't expect it to make your life easy once you get there.
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When I found this pack I was looking for something that would conveniently store my SLR camera and its associated lenses, filters, film, etc. I am so glad that I spent the extra dough for something more than just a storage system. This is a very solid pack. I love to take my camera skiing and I have tested this pack with some pretty brutal falls. Of course, I don't recomend taking your camera through extreme conditions because I think eventually your gear will hate you! But, this pack has done a great job of protecting my camera and has allowed me to take it new places. Helping it exeed expectations is the overall "fit" of the pack---it fits close to the body and is very secure. I highly recomend it--------
Honest reviews on Lowepro Mini Trekker Camera Backpack (Black)
This is a nice, snazzy bag, which I use on a bicycle in my city photography excursions. It is very easy to open, snatch out the camera and take your killing shot. I usually carry 2 Nikon bodies, one with 500mm telephoto lens (fits nicely in the cross section of the bag), a whole bunch of filters, 10-15 rolls of film, a flashlight :-), a small tripod with a mount, and a small book (to read if I am bored). Straps are extremely comfortable for extended wear on both a bike and hiking.
Additionally, it does not really look like a big pro-photobag, so it will not attract much unwanted attention by a criminal element, if you considering taking it to the 3rd World.
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I am a semi-professional photographer and this is a durable all-purpose backpack I can carry my equipment in. It doesn't hold everything a professional would want but it does carry the basic things I need. I especially like being able to take a tripod along without the hassle. I can carry lenses, filters, film, and extra batteries. And it isn't obviously a camera bag to a casual observer who might try slight of hand!
