Camera Backpacks; Practical Choices With Style Page 2
While front/rear-panel access to camera gear does away with that awkward upper "jaw" that sometimes destabilizes a bag when it's pulled back to allow you to get inside, it also means you have to lay the bag flat or lean it back to get at your gear, as you would with the more traditional camera backpack designs, as used in the Tenba Shootout and Adorama Mary Farace packs. The Naneu Pro and Tenba packs offer one more advantage: removable camera inserts, which convert these bags to a standard daypack/overnight bag.
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Normally, I'd put anything from my macro ring flash (in its pouch) and lens shades to a light jacket or rain slicker in the top section of a split-level bag. Gaining access to the upper tier on split-level bags varies. The National Geographic bag has a flap with drawstring closure, whereas the Naneu Pro and Tamrac bags have a front-loading zippered compartment (as does the Think Tank--but for camera gear in this instance).
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What To Look For In A Photo Backpack
· Good overall fit--the bag should be both comfortable and functional.
In fact, you shouldn't even be aware that you're wearing it after
the first few minutes. Some bags enhance comfort with a breathable mesh back
panel with lumbar support so sweat easily evaporates while providing back relief.
The shoulder harness should distribute the weight evenly on your back. Bags
that extend down to the waist should have a waist belt--smaller bags don't
need it. The chest (sternum) strap should be elastic for utmost comfort and
easily positioned up or down to a degree so it can be adjusted for the individual
wearer--that's not always the case and some chest straps may prove
uncomfortable to some people. Compression straps on the waist belt and shoulder
harness help to adjust the load for utmost comfort and support--but they
are rarely available on smaller bags.
· Customizable padded camera section--it doesn't have to be
stiff, but it should reassure you that your gear is safe. An adjustable interior
keeps gear organized and at the ready; I especially like a high visibility interior
with light tones.
· Outer shell--the variety of material used ranges from some type
of canvas (hemp in the National Geographic pack) to various nylon weaves in
all the other bags--all highly durable and all water-treated, but not equally
water-resistant, which is why a rain cover helps (but, again, not always the
case). The padding surrounding the camera section should be thick enough to
resist the normal bumps and bruises.
· Solid construction and easy/secure closure system--reinforced stitching
at stress points (strap attachments, for instance) is a sign of a well-made
bag. Hardware, such as zippers, should function smoothly; redundant closure
systems (zipper plus buckles, for example) help keep outsiders out and also
let you quickly get in and out of the bag (use only the buckles or the zipper
to close the bag when not moving about).
· Pockets inside and out--lots of them to hold a variety of items,
such as a water bottle outside the bag; a hideaway tripod sling is helpful,
but straps are a workable alternative.
· Laptop section--obviously only needed if you carry a laptop, and
big enough to fit--some are a tight squeeze, others too roomy. When not
carrying a laptop, I use this section for other stuff, just nothing bulky, since
the laptop compartment usually lies against your back.
Travel Tip
It bears repeating: never check camera gear as baggage. Before leaving home,
verify carryon allowances online and measure the full bag, making sure there
are no bulges anywhere. It's also prudent to weigh the bag in case of
weight restrictions. One further note: I stick my tripod inside my checked baggage
as a precaution.
Adorama Camera, Inc.
42 W 18th St.
New York, NY 10011
(800) 223-2500
www.adorama.com
Bogen Imaging Inc.
(National Geographic)
565 East Crescent Ave.
Ramsey, NJ 07446
(201) 818-9500
www.bogenimaging.us
Lowepro USA
1003 Gravenstein Highway North, Ste. 200
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 827-4000
www.lowepro.com
Naneu Pro
551 W. Grant St.
Orlando, FL 32805
(407) 859-9571
www.naneupro.com
Tamrac, Inc.
9240 Jordan Ave.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(800) 662-0717
www.tamrac.com
Tenba
8 Westchester Plaza
Elmsford, NY 10523
(914) 347-3300
www.tenba.com
Think Tank Photo
2360 Mendocino Ave. A2
Box 307
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(866) 558-4465
www.thinktankphoto.com
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