Backpack ~1kg / 2.5lbs, alternatives to LowePro Mini Trekker?

[engl]

I need to get a photo backpack, my current shoulder bag is not very suited for carrying LF gear.

I'm looking to keep it small and light, for day trips at longest with a light 4x5 field camera and 2-(3) lenses, a some holders and other accessories, tripod strapped onto the backpack. I've been looking at threads here and have found that the LowePro Mini Trekker AW seems popular and would hold everything I want, while being small and only 1.16kg (2.56lbs).

Before I pull the trigger on that one, are there any other alternatives in the same weight class that would give me more space? Extreme ruggedness not required, neither the ability to carry very heavy gear comfortably.

[kev curry]

You could go straight to http://www.photobackpacker.com/home.asp and be done with it. Its entirely possible to invest a lot of time money and effort in the quest to find a suitable backpack for carrying gear....the road can be littered with uncomfortable and expensive failures. Ask the photogs that have cupboards full of unwanted packs;-)

In my experience photo backpacks are primarily designed to inflict maximum pain and discomfort on the body...if you like to get away from the car and walk or hike you need a pack thats designed to carry load well. The packs sold from the link above are worth looking into, they do a very good job of organizing and carrying LF gear.

[StevenJohn]

I use the mini-trekker with a Shen Hao PTB, with 210mm f5.6, 150mm f5.6, and 90mm f6.9. It just fits everything. My main complaint is a lack of tripod pouch. I ball bunjee strap mine underneath in the two loops. The tripod sticks out the side. I would like it to stand vertical. I don't find many backpacks this size and light weight however.

[jeroldharter]

The smaller Photobackpacker pack would work well.

[Bob Kerner]

If you are not doing serious hiking, I'd suggest looking at the Think Tank backpacks. They are very well designed, indestructible and do not scream out "photo backpack." I have one that I carry an HD video camera system in and it is my favorite bag, so much so I got the rolling version for Christmas for heavier items.

I have an older Lowe Pro Photo Trekker and I keep trying to use it with my LF gear and get disappointed every time. The suspension doesn't work well for me and I find the fit of the gear (primarily stuff with right angles) awkward in a bag that is pretty round.

Have a look at this video and see how with a little ingenuity you can outfit a proper backpack to carry LF gear. If I were actually hiking with my gear, this is the route I would take and I think a Gregory backpack is a bit cheaper than a specialist Lowe pack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz-162fNXmw

[BarryS]

The mini-trekker includes a tripod pouch. It folds down from the back and the two bungees secured the middle and top of a tripod held vertically. I thought all versions had this, but maybe you have an older model or a different model.

... My main complaint is a lack of tripod pouch. I ball bunjee strap mine underneath in the two loops. The tripod sticks out the side. I would like it to stand vertical...

[engl]

I'll consider Photobackpacker the day they state shipping options/costs to Sweden, or better still, informing whether they even ship here at all. So much time spent selecting words to put in boldface on the start page such as "60-ton press" and "$50,000", so little time spent on sales basics.

Anyway, I do not think their product matches my needs at this time. I'll check if their homepage is more useful, and reads less like a shopping channel infomercial, the day I need a backpack for hiking and more/heavier gear.

Sorry about my rant and thank you for the tip

I'll read more about the ThinkTank backpacks, their StreetWalker/StreetWalker Pro seem interesting, thanks for the tip.

As for the Mini-Trekker tripod pouch, from what I have read, the "Classic" does not have it, but the "AW" version does. For this reason I'd pick the "AW" version.

I'll say that in general, I do not need the backpack for long hikes, I'm using my camera mostly around skyscrapers and not mountaintops. The hiking I do would probably be described as "short walks" by the adventurous landscape photographers of this forum.

[Brian C. Miller]

I've been looking at threads here and have found that the LowePro Mini Trekker AW seems popular and would hold everything I want, while being small and only 1.16kg (2.56lbs).

Have you considered the silicon-coated nylon ultra-light backpacks? Those are extremely light, and you could make your own gear dividers out of a cheap foam sleeping pad. Typically they are made to carry 20lbs of gear, so that should suffice for a camera and lens, some film holders, and filters.

The Photobackpacker packs are 5lbs at the lightest, and the LowePro site didn't mention anything about the Mini Trekker's dividers. My LowePro belt back dividers can be changed around with their Velcro fasteners.

Oh, wait, you want to use it in the city. Have you thought about a little luggage cart?

[Photobackpacker]

Hi Engl:

I am sorry you didn't find the information you needed on my site. I ship worldwide. If you fill the shopping cart and proceed to checkout, you will be able to see what shipping costs are for the items selected. You will see this before you commit to the purchase.

Bruce

I'll consider Photobackpacker the day they state shipping options/costs to Sweden, or better still, informing whether they even ship here at all. So much time spent selecting words to put in boldface on the start page such as "60-ton press" and "$50,000", so little time spent on sales basics.

Anyway, I do not think their product matches my needs at this time. I'll check if their homepage is more useful, and reads less like a shopping channel infomercial, the day I need a backpack for hiking and more/heavier gear.

Sorry about my rant and thank you for the tip

I'll read more about the ThinkTank backpacks, their StreetWalker/StreetWalker Pro seem interesting, thanks for the tip.

As for the Mini-Trekker tripod pouch, from what I have read, the "Classic" does not have it, but the "AW" version does. For this reason I'd pick the "AW" version.

I'll say that in general, I do not need the backpack for long hikes, I'm using my camera mostly around skyscrapers and not mountaintops. The hiking I do would probably be described as "short walks" by the adventurous landscape photographers of this forum.

[engl]

Actually, for some of my shooting, I used an ultralight backpack (290g) with a basic light shoulder bag inside used for dividing gear, and the camera outside of this inner bag. If I got a bigger one and some dividers I could make it into a decent camera backpack I think, but first I'd like to buy and use one to get a better idea of what I'd want in a light camera backpack.

As for using a luggage cart, that would not be an option for me, but thanks for the suggestion. The best shots of the city are often in the least accessible places