I am following up on an older thread for a new Camera bag for my 7D gear. I usually carry a full compliment of accessories (4 lenses-audio-etc) and a new 17inch Macbook pro. Also take a Zacuto shoulder rig, monopod, small slider and Solo tripod.
I shoot in tough locations always outside the U.S. and often in mountains and countryside. My option has been to use a large backpack. I also favor Kata for a very large range of backpacks. I see a new one - Pro-Light Beetle-282 PL backpack - anyone using this?
Listed at B&H - Kata Pro-Light Beetle-282 PL Backpack KT PL-B-282 - B&H Photo

Jon, check out the Lowepro. It has wheels for the airport and easy moving around as well as it unzips and a backpack comes out. My son has sat on my bag a couple of times (40 lbs) and doesn't hurt my equipment. It's super strong, lightweight and also has a neat feature to keep it locked.

Lowepro Pro Roller x200 Case LP36033-PWW - B&H Photo Video

I wanted the bigger one at the time of purchase but they were out.

This one holds 3 lens, t2i, 7D and other audio stuff.

I just got a Lowepro Vertex 200 and love it. I wanted a backpack for my doc type shooting, and it works great.

Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack LP35019-PEU - B&H Photo Video

Since I am THE hardcore Kata fan I can't recommend anything else ;-)

I was thinking about buying the Kata Beetle-282 PL, but in the end I chose the (by size and price) similar
Kata Pro-Light Bumblebee-220 PL Backpack KT PL-B-220 - B&H Photo


I'd recommend to look at some bags and not just ordering one. If you want to use it for hiking (or at least long walks), try them on to feel if they're comfortable. Then it's much easier to choose. Looking at pictures and reading the specs didn't help me much, I didn't really see the big difference between especially these two bags. I wasn't sure for quite a while, but seeing both made it pretty easy. The very similar bags ended up to be totally different by concept.

The Beetle opens from the back, so you also have to open it to access the Laptop. The Bumblebee opens in front, and the computer slides in from the outside.

Specwise they're pretty much equally big, but the Bumblebee is much roomier inside.

Canon offers a very nice bag for about $40. I have one and I'm very pleased.

Amazon.com: Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent): Electronics

Thanks for the advice.
I looked at the Lowepro x200 but it's twice the weight of the Kata backpack - a serious concern to carry an extra 7Ib that I do not need, but it also failed carry-on airline specs - have you carried this on flights?
I called 3 airlines and they all rejected it as too large. The Kata bag just squeezed in ok. Total length is 45 inches for carry ons.

One thing in Kata's favor is thier backpacks all accept wheels and I have kata wheels spare. I find on my trips I can use wheels for about 50% of the time - then have to carry due to running out of roads! Last year I was on boats in the Ganges - the Himalayas (India-Nepal-Tibet) - and China central basin ... all with my entire bags. But mostly Kata bags are one of the lightest compared to Lowepro, thinktank. My assistant carries tripods.

The 17inch Laptop is not a great concern as this can be hand carried on a plane but that means a 3rd bag if you realize I have a camera bag and a big roller-bag for clothes and the tripods. So I try to stay with 2 bags.

The search continues.

Lowepro insist that the x200 fits carry-ons but you may need to remove the laptop - so that may work. I guess in rough terrain, I leave the outer case in the hotel but is the backpack up to the job? When loaded they can be horrible on your back.
Still worth a look. Thanks.

Best bag for the price:

Ape Case Pro Backpack SLR/Video Camera Case ACPRO2000


At Amazon for only $89!

At the moment I am personally looking at the Vanguard UpRise 46:

Vanguard UP-Rise 46 Backpack UP-RISE 46 - B&H Photo Video

Saw it at a local store and very interested in getting it.

The vanguard has limited laptop size so for me it's not a choice as I try to avoid an extra case just for my laptop. The big problme is airlines clamping down on carry-ons. Did anyone see the new rules from spirit airline on carry-ons? Very disturbing and this could become an industry norm.

The Ape looks amazing for the money and I will get this even if I buy another Kata bag as well. The big factor for bags are the airlines now.... the reason I got into the 7D is carry-on and size, as I shoot in remote locations and always in Asia. My EX3 kit is so big, that I have to split this up to get on a plane.

Canon offers a very nice bag for about $40. I have one and I'm very pleased.

Amazon.com: Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent): Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Deluxe-Backpack-200EG-Cameras/dp/B00009R6TA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280318155&sr=8-1)

That's a great bag and I have one, but it is very small. The only time I use mine is when on vacation and only taking pictures or tourist video.

The vanguard has limited laptop size so for me it's not a choice as I try to avoid an extra case just for my laptop. The big problme is airlines clamping down on carry-ons. Did anyone see the new rules from spirit airline on carry-ons? Very disturbing and this could become an industry norm.

The Ape looks amazing for the money and I will get this even if I buy another Kata bag as well. The big factor for bags are the airlines now.... the reason I got into the 7D is carry-on and size, as I shoot in remote locations and always in Asia. My EX3 kit is so big, that I have to split this up to get on a plane.

Yea, your right. I don't do much laptop carrying but I should consider it. I do mainly video. The Kata Bags are ALWAYS nice. I may just spoil myself and buy one. The Ape bags seems to busy for my taste,

I fly all the time. I carry on a Lowepro Vertex 300 and a large Tenba photo/laptop bag and give my producer or PA a Calumet rolling case. That's enough bag space to carry on 3 bodies, a dozen lenses, monitor and most other fragile items - everything else goes in the hold.

the vertex 300 is pretty great, but a little heavy and not so comfortable for longer hikes. i've carried it on airplanes no problem, but have to scramble to get a good sized overhead spot...
it fits a lot of gear and is solid!

I find ThinkTank Photo bags to be the best I have ever used. I have several and I travel extensively with them.


Ben Ruffell (http://www.ruff.co.nz)

+1 for Think Tank. I keep my 7D package, which is about the same as yours, size wise, in their Streetwalker Hard Drive back pack plus their Retrospective 10 shoulder bag. I can actually fit it all in the backpack, but the two bag set up gives me the option of going lightweight with just the small shoulder bag holding the body, Z Finder, 2 zooms and few accessories. While shooting I pass the backpack off to an assistant or other helper, or leave it open on a cart. The shoulder bag also keeps travel documents and a bare bones working camera always on my person when traveling. I can't say enough about the build quality and intelligent design features of Think Tank products, and they are reasonably priced for what you get.

For a carry on backpack, I enjoy the Lowepro Fastpack 250. It's about as large as you can fit under an airplane seat. The bottom holds the camera and lenses. The laptop slides into the side. There's a large open area on top for miscellany. You can fit a small shoulder rig up there, if you break it down. You can quickly get to the camera from a side door.

Personally, I like having the valuables with me at my feet when flying. I also like keeping gear on my back while shooting. I don't want to put down a case, shoot, and find that somebody grabbed and ran.

The downsides of this case are that it's not very waterproof, and it doesn't have as many small pouches as I would like for odds and ends. This backpack doubles as a business travel case. On business trips, I can take my camera gear, laptop, and papers to meetings, rather than leaving my gear in the hotel room.

The other bags I checked out didn't seem to have the same efficiency. They were either too big for under the seat travel, or they had more material, flaps, and covers, but less space for gear. Given that I don't abuse the bag, the Fastpack 250 has enough padding for the needed protection, but not so much that space is compromised.

BTW, I colored the small Lowepro label with a magic marker, and that's all it took to make it stealth. It just looks like a generic, black backpack.

I need to carry a full load of gear, inc 5 lenses, mics, cables etc and a 17 inch Macbook - no easy order. And it has to go on the plane as a carry on.

I did get the Ape backpack and it is indeed a bargain - it does all the above very easily. The build and material are not in the Kata class, but it's still fine. It's about as large as one can go due to the weight when full and to fit into the overheads. I think its a good temporary measure.

oooooo. That ThinkTank Retro 20 bag just caught my little eyeballs!!!!! Very nice bag. I actually think I saw a photographer 3 weekends ago carry one of these and he looked very comfortable. This maybe finding its way into my home soon. haha.

Most of the bags I see suggested are simply way too small for shooting video - stills, fine but for video, with all the mics, sound recorder, mattes, filters,tripod mounts....on and on. The ThinkTank Retro 20 is way too small and way overpriced for a very small one-pocket shoulder - please!
I have about six camera bags - two of which cost over $500, so clearly, one bag does not serve all purposes - I have 3 totally different cameras. The 7D allows me to now go with a smaller backpack than my rolling bags, but even so shooting video does mean carrying more gear ... and you need a laptop. At the same time, I have to use the backpack as a carry-on for cameras and lenses (while other gear can and does go in checked bags, inc rigs and my tripods).
Also unlike still shooters, we tend to put the bag down and take our time with set-up - so the sling-action type bags are not needed - we are not in a war zone here.

> "Also unlike still shooters, we tend to put the bag down and take our time with set-up - so the sling-action type bags are not needed - we are not in a war zone here. "

This varies. When shooting locally with a crew, we use Pelican cases for the camera and lenses and travel heavy. Cases are set down. Tripods, jibs, lights and whatnot are setup.

When traveling solo on business trips, I'll often make some time available for shooting. In this case, I'll get the camera set up as best as I can for the expected situation with the right lens and filter(s). I can keep the Z-Finder on the lanyard. I might bring a hotel hand towel as my "tripod", which I can tie to my backpack strap. The shoulder mount is the biggest hassle, but if it's small, It can be clipped on a belt loop with a carabiner. Instead, I'll often handhold with elbows on knees or on a railing.

Sometimes, you can just grab the camera, add the loupe, get in a solid position, and shoot. Often, the shot requires a lens or filter change. In that case, I can keep the backpack on my lap, do the change, and shoot with the backpack on my back.

I'd like to get a small belly pack as well. I don't usually worry about audio when shooting solo, but you could keep a small recorder at the ready. And having a secondary lens in a belly bag would let you change lenses when standing or walking to the next location.

The most important aspects are to not advertise expensive equipment when you can conceal it, and to never set your equipment down with your back turned. So far the only concern I faced was when a group of kids in Tel Aviv came around me and asked me to take their picture and then show it to them. Next, they wanted me to hand the camera to them so they could take a picture of me. "No thank you!"

Canon offers a very nice bag for about $40. I have one and I'm very pleased.

Amazon.com: Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent): Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Deluxe-Backpack-200EG-Cameras/dp/B00009R6TA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280318155&sr=8-1)

I'll vouch for it too. Put a lot miles on mine. I put a 7d, 3 lenses, 2 batteries, Tascam recorder, shotgun and hypercardiod mic, wind sock, two shock mounts, battery tester, flashlight, xlr cable, monopod, misc stuff.

Now I'm thinking of getting something that can also hold my macbook as well. Consolodate.