My main problem with Backpacks apart from the ease of access issue is they open on the wrong side. ie the lid for the main compartment is on the face away from your back.

This has two main problems:

1) Security. If the zips were against your back it would be more secure in a cround.

2) Mess: You have to put the bag down on the ground on the face that you will have against your back when you put it back on. Not good is wet grass and muddy conditions.

Anyone know of any good sized backpack bags that don't have this problem?

Koenig Photo Bag.

- Belts on top of the box
- Waterproof
- Dividers customer specific

The site is unfortunately in German only.

http://members.aol.com/ekoenig/rucksack.htm

Crumpler.

I have Brian's Hottub, pretty good, but too big to bring as carry-on on a plane, so it didn't go to Asia with me. I'll consider purchasing something that's better suited for that.

Thanks a Google translation was very readable.

God Crumpler's web site is annoying , or perhaps I am too much of a miserable old git.

I gave up with their web site and used warehouse express where it was easy to find your recommendation.

The bags look good.

The web site however is a triumph of form over function!

Thanks.

What, you do not like the Chicken Tex fabric???
Personally, I love the websites. I think the British website is even better than the Aussie one (www.crumpler.co.uk). I have the Brian's Hot Tub. Opening is on the harness side, which addresses the concerns that started the thread. It lacks a belt, but this is available as an optional extra. I took it with me to the US and it was loaded with a 4x5 outfit. Had no problems with carrying it on. The laptop case is a good holder for boxes of Fuji Quickload.

Oh, and in case someone wonders, the photo backpack sizes are:

- Puppet (30x44x22 cm)
- Shrinkler (32x50x22 cm)
- Brian's Hottub (35x55x25 cm)

I suspect I could get away with Shrinkler as a carry-on bag, then.

Note that all of these are padded to the extreme, so if you want maximized space per volume, there are other brands that might give you that. Perhaps the one Michael used for his trip to China?

The Koenig Photo bag seems to be a very close cousin of Ortlieb Photo-Packer backpack

Lester,.....forget Photo backpacks,...get the real thing for the job,..ie, and ex British Army 'bergan' which will do the job ten times better at a fraction of the cost without having to open any zips and regardless of weather,...in addition nobody will know you are carrying photo gear since a 24" folded tripod will fit inside. You can carry your waterproofs/poncho in the top,..the bag opens with a single toggle,...keep plastic sack/sheet under lid to drop on the wet ground before putting the bag on it......For occaisions when you need more gear/clothing/food you can get side packs which zip on to the main bag.....

What, exactly, is a bergan, and where would this wretched Colonial obtain same?

A "bergan" is probably a noun derivated from the Norwegian brand "Bergans", for a long time the rucksack (derivated from the Norwegian "ryggsekk", or essentiall backpack).

That means that you have to go to Norway.



Just kidding!

You can get such gear at any decent outdoor equipment store, they're big bastards. Just ask for a big backpack suitable for trekking.

I have a 75l Lundhags, but similar models from e.g. The North Face are probably the same quality.

Thanks for the explanation!

I wonder when we are going to see Michael's review of his new Think Tank Photo "Airport Attack" backpack, which he mentioned taking to China with him for its maiden voyage.

I have been considering this one vs. the Moose Peterson MP-1 or -3 for my Contax 645 kit.

Anyone have either of these packs? Could I cram a MF system with 5 lenses, film backs, etc, and actually lift it off the ground?

I used to use an old army surplus canvas bag as a cover years ago for street photog to avoid the mugging level. A good plan in some circumstances, airports and abroad I sujppose.

I don't tend to do that sort of stuff now (I was never very comfortable with it).