Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Backpack Camera Bag - My new gear

Have been thinking about to replace my single-strip-type camera bag with a backpack-type for quite some time. The backpack type has the advantage that the load is equally distributed on both sides of the shoulder. Hence, easier to carry and not as tiring. Also, it is less likely to cause you a back pain.

However, one normally thinks a lot before putting something into action. And I sometime (or most of the time), is this kind of person. 
I am "forced" to decide on getting one due to the up coming Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain of China) trip. As there might be a thousand steps of staircase to climb at the Yellow Mountain, hence a 40-year-old should not take the risk for the sake of his own precious spine. 
A backpack is no longer an option, but a must! 

I have always been very specific/choosy about the camera gears that I am to own. The spec is always the top priority, then the price. 
In situation when the price is beyond reach, I rather not having  it than to compromise for something that did not fulfill the spec that I am looking for and keep complaining about it. 

So, here are the thing I look for when come to a backpack camera bag:
1. Can carry my heavy bulky tripod. 
2. Has a slot for laptop.
3. Can fit a 5D markII body with a lens, and a slot for one extra lens. 
4. Not too bulky, because I will use it as a regular backpack as well to carry clothing (when go to enjoy a hot spring) or laptop, external hard drive or books (when go to work).    

After searching through all the available models at Yodobashi and Bigcamera, including the high-tech bumblebee by Kata, and some other expensive models, none of them meet my 4 requirements.

Through intensive search, I finally found this one on ebay. A China made (what else isn't China made these days, btw) :) 

First, it carries the tripod ;)

It can fit the 5D markII, though very tight. 

To be honest, the quality of the divider (yellow one) isn't that good. So I replaced it with the one I have in my single-strip bag (grey one). 

The laptop slot.

The upper section. If they could provide some zip pockets inside, that will be perfect. Too bad.

When the divider that separate the upper and lower sections is not use (by unzipping it), and take out the camera cushioning, it becomes a regular bag pack.

 There is a large zip pocket in the middle...

and two smaller zip pockets at the sides.

 It also provides a net-type pocket for carrying a bottle drink. The net can be keep inside a zip pocket when not needed.

As well as a rain coat for bag! How thoughtful.

I must mention that the build-quality wise is kind of less convincing. The thread is kind of loss isn't it? Really hard to tell if it can survive a tough trip like climbing the Yellow Mountain. Anyway, got to give it a try.

Finally, the price is about usd45.
If you are interested, this link might be useful http://www.ebay.com/itm/Backpack-Shoulder-Bag-Case-Shockproof-Rain-Proof-for-Canon-EOS-DSLR-SLR-camera-/261114156713?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:MY:3160