advice on lowepro backpacks

[hyun]

After reading the Lowepro website, quite a bit of data but am now searching for some practical input ...

After putting your 1 or 2 bodies, and lens and stuff, how much space remains for other backpacker items like travel guide book, water bottle (can fit a 1.5L Pepsi bottle?), biscuit boxes, a pair of small binoculars ...

How secure is it, like the tripod straps, cos backpacks are slung behind and crooks with razor blades can make short work of ur precious ...

 

[SzennyBoy]

To which backpack model are you referring to... mini-trekker, nature trekker, photo trekker, rover AW, etc...?

 

[hyun]

Originally posted by SzennyBoy
To which backpack model are you referring to... mini-trekker, nature trekker, photo trekker, rover AW, etc...?

umm, whatever u are familiar with ..

 

[SzennyBoy]

Originally posted by hyun
umm, whatever u are familiar with ..

Okay... I use two, the LowePro Nature Trekker & the LowePro Rover AW.

The LowePro Nature Trekker

This is the bag I'd use when I need the bulk of my gear but because of the adjustability of the separators, you can taylor-fit the compartments to allow space for your equipment and your barang-barang. This is more a bag for dedicated shoots rather then travelling.


The LowePro Rover AW

This bag I use most for travelling as there is a compartment for camera equipment, but more importantly, a seperate top section equivalent to a mini havasack. This is enough for guide books, maps, food, etc. It also comes with a Waistbelt and Shoulder Harness for attaching additional S&F components.

Both of them have tripod slots and straps which work fine. I've not had any problems to-date with these tripod fasteners and I find them more than adequate for securing the tripod nice and tight. I don't think crooks with razor blades will be a problem... I've taken the bag all around Europe and the States with no issues!

Hope this helps you in your quest for a backpack.

 

[hyun]

thanks for the reply!

The Rover AW seems good. Just looks a little short in height, compensated by being thick ... I'm more used to things being thinner, maybe a little longer, somehow that feels less "bulky".

Rover has a waist belt? something to be worn separately?

I saw a Micro Trekker at the zoo, looks pretty nice but without the Rover's separate "mini-backpack" compartment.

Glad security is not an issue. I hope the backpack won't be a hot target for thieves - after all once u see a backpack which is like "Lowepro" u know either it is expensive or the contents are even more expensive.

 

[SzennyBoy]

The S&F Rover AW is a modular system that comes (as a set) the main Rover AW bag, a Deluxe Waistbelt and the Shoulder Harness. The waistbelt and harness is attached to the bag through specific slots but what is great about it is that you can detach the bag from the set and use it like your army SBO set-up. All you need are the S&F lens cases or pouches to carry the lenses and stuff.

There is another fixed unit model, the S&F Rover Light which is same in bag design but does not have the detachable shoulder harness and waistbelt, I believe they are fixed. More or less a typical havasack.

 

[chriszzz]

Originally posted by hyun
After reading the Lowepro website, quite a bit of data but am now searching for some practical input ...

After putting your 1 or 2 bodies, and lens and stuff, how much space remains for other backpacker items like travel guide book, water bottle (can fit a 1.5L Pepsi bottle?), biscuit boxes, a pair of small binoculars ...

How secure is it, like the tripod straps, cos backpacks are slung behind and crooks with razor blades can make short work of ur precious ...

Just some food for thought : have you ever tried carrying such a backpack, fully loaded ? Will you actually use it regularly to justify buying one ? I have a mini trekker too, and I can easily squeeze in 2 bodies and several lenses plus a big flash. The front pocket is good for some light snacks and even a spare T-shirt. And you can attach lens cases and other cases to its side, thereby expanding its capacity even more.

But guess what ? After you stuff it full, it weighs a ton ! I guarantee that in 30 minutes of walking around in the hot humid weather, you won't feel like shooting very much.

The second problem is that it just advertises to everyone that you are a walking cash shop. Every crook who sees you will be thinking "cha-ching ! Cash register !" This is less of a problem in Singapore, but if you are overseas, it's best not to draw attention to yourself. Pickpockets and crooks abound in even advanced places like Europe ( I got cellphone stolen once, right from my waistpouch in a public place !!! ). Don't draw attention to yourself.

I later found that I actually use my small Domke bag more. It's relatively small, non-descript, looks like a normal canvas bag, and easily accomodates a big SLR body ( my EOS 5 with VG attached ), a big flash ( 540EZ ), a big lens ( 80-200/2.8) plus 2-3 smaller lenses, plus cleaning kit, filters, etc ). And it's already getting heavy.

Of course now I'm tryout digicams, I don't even need the Domke anymore

I humbly suggest you borrow such a backpack, or at least get a normal backpack and fill it up with books, stones, whatever, to the same weight as your camera equipment, then take a walk around your neighbourhood for a couple of hours. Then decide if you really want to bring all that stuff out with you

 

[Minimalis]

any idea where I can get this Rover AW? Most places seem to be out of stock of this particular model, instead having the smalled Rover Light. CP even mentioned that this model was discontinued already.

 

[hyun]

my previous backpacking daybag was just 1 SLR body, 1 lens about 200+g weight, 1 P&S DC 200g weight, and the rest on munchies, 1.5L drink bottle, tripod in slingbag. walked, climbed around with that, still ok.

now i increased my gear by 1kg odd and have to consider getting a proper bag for the sake of its padding more than anything else. otherwise i'll continue to use normal backpacks ...

 

[hyun]

looks like i'm probably getting a mini or micro trekker ... any1 knows the current prices and best places to get?