Camera / Laptop Backpack with good luggage compartment?

[catstrat]

Hey all,

I have a bit of a request for advice. I need to purchase a backpack that will carry both my Canon 350D, a spare lense and accessories + my 15" laptop PLUS I want to take the bag as my carry on luggage on an 18 hour flight so it needs to fit a change of clothes, perhaps a pair of shoes and some toiletries also. Therefore the "general" compartment needs to be of a decent size. Most of the bags Ive seen would only fit a rain jacket and some snacks.

There are numerous backpacks that fit the camera and laptop but none of the ones Ive seen such as the Lowepro Computrekker, Lowepro Slingshot 250/350 have a big enough "general" compartment.

Any suggestions?

Your help is much appreciated.

Catstrat

[ddr]

Looking for that "perfect' bag

[Nicole]

I'm pretty familiar with that 18-hour flight camera bag thing, so I can tell you my experiences with carrying gear etc. I have the Tamrac Adventure series 9 (I think that's the right one, they've changed their design slightly since I bought it). The "stuff" compartment in that is bigger than the Slingshot ones you've listed.

I consider that it fits a bare minimum both gear and stuff-wise, but it's usually enough when I take a large purse with me (I haven't tried it with my now standard gear, but I will be soon). I think any bag that's going to meet the size requirements for travel is going to require a few sacrifices on the traveler's part. I basically fit a blanket, toiletries kit, headphones, and iPod in there. Maybe a book or two, but the books usually go in my purse along with the travel pillow. So, if your change of clothes etc that you've listed is small enough it's possible. Shoes might be a bit hit and miss depending on the size,

As far as gear, it will fit a camera and at least 2 lenses and a 15" laptop no problem. It can get a bit heavy with all that stuff when you're trudging through the airports, but the padding on the bag is pretty sufficient. I find it preferable to using a shoulder bag, but that wouldn't give you the space you're after anyway. And at that point I also prefer a standard backpack to a sling backpack because of the weight once you start putting all that stuff in.

Obviously I've only got experience with that one bag, but best of luck finding one that suits you!

[catstrat]

Thanks for the advice guys, Im looking into those options.

Catstrat