Hi,

I'm looking for a good rugged backpack style bag that has adequate space for a laptop and the GL2 along with space for other accessories. I've been looking in camera stores and browsing some sites but nothing has jumped out.

I see lots of backbag bags listed, but rarely with decent descriptions or pictures that show the comparments.

Does anyone out there know of a good quality backpack bag that will stand up to travel and keep the contents safe?

Thanks,
Kevin

Check out http://www.lowepro.com

I'm in the process of reviewing the Kata Panda for this site. So far it has met or exceeded all my expectations. Very good quality of construction, materials, etc. The review should be ready in a week or so. Kata is being distributed by Bogen now I believe.

Where are reviews posted?

Sometimes the reviews are posted in the forums, and other times on the DV Info site (www.dvinfo.net) Click on the link at the bottom of the page.

check out portabrace. I bought one of their backpack versions a couple of monts ago. Used to travel to Maui. It worked great. I know they make a combo one also for the cam and laptop. check out there sight http://www.portabrace.com.

Thanks all... I just ordered the Kata.

:)

<<<-- Originally posted by Jeff Donald : I'm in the process of reviewing the Kata Panda for this site. So far it has met or exceeded all my expectations. Very good quality of construction, materials, etc. The review should be ready in a week or so. Kata is being distributed by Bogen now I believe. -->>>

Jeff,
I'll be interested in the capabilities of their "emergency rain cover".

Please consider that in your review......

Thanks !

Dan

The review will be finished this week and forwarded to Chris. I'm not sure of his schedule, so it may be published within the next week or so. The rain will be reviewed, but this is the dry season in Florida and it drizzled today for an hour or so. It was the first rain in 3 or 4 weeks. I hesitate to turn a hose on it, because of the unnatural force and direction the water would have.

I'm using a backpack made by http://www.dropmfg.com
The one I have is the G2 skateACCSYS. It's for Skateboarders and I found it in a thrift store, brand new for $25. I fit my Powerbook in one side, my GL2 on the other with my Nikon coolpix 5700 dig camera, It has a raincover, more than enough extra pockets, a place to hang a sweatshirt in the back (where the skaeboard would g) and feels very secure around my body.
I think I was lucky score to find this. It works for me!

<<<-- Originally posted by Richard Willoughby : I'm using a backpack made by http://www.dropmfg.com
The one I have is the G2 skateACCSYS. It's for Skateboarders and I found it in a thrift store, brand new for $25. I fit my Powerbook in one side, my GL2 on the other with my Nikon coolpix 5700 dig camera, It has a raincover, more than enough extra pockets, a place to hang a sweatshirt in the back (where the skaeboard would g) and feels very secure around my body.
I think I was lucky score to find this. It works for me! -->>>

They never made the Photo pro according to their customer service reps.

I'd be interested if anyone has a link to a place you could actually buy one of their packs.

Anyone??????

I've been hiking around the streets of Amsterdam carrying what must be in the neighborhood of 60-70 pounds in this Kata Panda and I am quite impressed.

It's got my GL2, my laptop, a firewire hard drive, my digi-cam, and all the cables, batteries and power/charging equipment as well as a 300-watt power converter.

I was amazed at how much equipment it actually fit and I contine to be amazed at how well it balances on my back when walking long distances.

We haven't (luckily) gotten any rain so far over here so I can't speak on the raincover but I can say that this is definitely a bag worth consideration if you need to carry lots of gear and need a good sturdy backpack.

Thanks for all of the recomendations!

-Kevin

p.s. Even though after packing it I thought it looked a little bit big to be considered a carry on, I was able to carry it on to a puddle jumper from PIT to DC and then the big flight without a problem.

I have used my KATA Panda backpack for everything from holding my clothes and PowerBook during my weekend trips to Manhattan to my most recent shoot with a DVX100 camcorder for the Focus Enhancement FireStore FS-3 DVD production. I have been using my KATA Panda bag for almost two years now, ever since NAB 2002 - and it still looks brand new. The Panda is currently my favorite bag!
http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=21&cid=8&perentId=5&ProdLine=1
http://noisybrain.com/kata/panda

For the FireStore DVD shoot, I placed the camera in the top portion, along with a box of tape and a few batteries. Inside the top portion, there is a zippered pouch in which I store my lens cleaning kit, Hoodman H400, LeatherMan, Mag Light, 9volt batteries and assorted BNC-RCA adaptors. http://noisybrain.com/kata/panda/pages/001top_pouch.htm Everything stays organized and ready to go when I need them.

On the bottom compartment, I was able to protect my Chrosziel Matte Box, French Flag, more than several of my FORMATT 4x4 Filters, SONY MDR-7506 headphones, extra DV tape, extra batteries which I store inside the KATA Brick pouch http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=122&cid=20&perentId=1&ProdLine=1, DVX100 Sun Shade, etc. http://noisybrain.com/kata/panda/pages/002bottom.htm I like the interior zippered compartment on the bottom - that's where I store the AC/DC battery charger, S-Video cable, lens cleaning kit and KATA CRC-13 HandyCam Rain Cover. http://noisybrain.com/kata/panda/pages/003bottom_pouch.htm This inside pouch is nicely padded so I do not have to worry about anything banging into my matte box or 4x4 filters getting broken.

On the outside of the Panda bag, there are two exterior zippered compartments, one of which holds my two Sennheiser ew100 wireless mic kit and my backup FireWire Pocket Drive. There is also a smaller zippered pouch which stores my assorted FireWire cables and assorted pens and highlighter. The second exterior zippered pocket holds my script materials. http://noisybrain.com/kata/panda/pages/004outside_pockets.htm

This case easily holds all of my most necessary gear and I am always ready to shoot with this bag. As I am shooting, it serves me well by my side or in the hands of my assistant as my "To Go" bag.

One very nice touch is the rubberized padded shoulder strap which stays put on my shoulder and does not slide around. And for still yet more added value, during those times when you do not need to use the Panda as a backpack - the backpack straps can be quickly put away and hidden inside the back zippered compartment of the case. http://noisybrain.com/kata/panda/pages/007padded_straps.htm Those backpack straps are very well padded, which means you can wear this bag for a long time without fatigue. Also, there is a strap which connects both shoulder straps together so that the Panda does not jiggle around as you hike around in backpack mode. Lastly, you can easily transport the Panda "dolly-style" with a KATA Insert Trolley. http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=104&cid=21&perentId=1&ProdLine=1
http://noisybrain.com/kata/panda/pages/008trolley_strap.htm

I simply love this case and it truely serves me well!

- don

Hi all.

I just wanted to follow up since I started this thread and ended up getting the Kata Panda from your recommendations. This bag is without a doubt the single most used and hands down best accessory that I've bought. I have used it pretty much non stop since I bought it and it's usefulness for all the space and compartments and it rugedness for all of the harsh environments that I've had it in never cease to amaze me.

If you're considering multi-purpose bags and the Panda in on your list, end the search now and get it.

-Kevin