Need some help with finding a backpack

[kgarrett11]

I am going to fly up to Yellowstone and Grand Teton the first week of June. I currently have a Tamrac Cyberpack 8 that worked great for a trip to Africa last July. The problem is that I have gotten some newer/better equipment since that trip. I tried to pack it tonight and all of my equipment doesn't fit. This is what I have:
Nikon D3
Nikon D200
Nikon 300mm f2.8 VR
Nikon 14-24 f2.8
Nikon 80-400 VR
Nikon 18-200 VR
Nikon 60mm MICRO
Nikon 35-70mm
Nikon 1.7 TC
SB-800 Flash
Nikon MC-36
Sony Laptop
2 160 GB external Hard drives
Needed camera batteries

I plan on carrying the D200 over my shoulder on the plane with one of the lens. Can anyone suggest a different method of carryon baggage that will fit all of this or am I going to have to leave something behind and kick myself when I get there because I left the wrong item?

[ziggy53]

I moved this to "Accessories".

If you are travelling alone, that's an awful lot of stuff to carry on a plane. I think some/many airlines allow both a carryon and a "personal" bag, so you might call ahead to see what is allowed.

If you travel with someone else, split the stuff between the two of you. Even cheap carryon luggage can double for a camera case in a pinch.

[BPerron]

I am going to fly up to Yellowstone and Grand Teton the first week of June. I currently have a Tamrac Cyberpack 8 that worked great for a trip to Africa last July. The problem is that I have gotten some newer/better equipment since that trip. I tried to pack it tonight and all of my equipment doesn't fit. This is what I have:
Nikon D3
Nikon D200
Nikon 300mm f2.8 VR
Nikon 14-24 f2.8
Nikon 80-400 VR
Nikon 18-200 VR
Nikon 60mm MICRO
Nikon 35-70mm
Nikon 1.7 TC
SB-800 Flash
Nikon MC-36
Sony Laptop
2 160 GB external Hard drives
Needed camera batteries

I plan on carrying the D200 over my shoulder on the plane with one of the lens. Can anyone suggest a different method of carryon baggage that will fit all of this or am I going to have to leave something behind and kick myself when I get there because I left the wrong item?

I am not sure how many of all these your bag will fit, but this is what I would leave...
60mm Micro (unless you like to do some of that work)
1.7 TC
1 160 GB EHD
SB-800 flash (usually people who are going to yellow stone will be doing alot of shots outdoor, which should yield enough light not need to use a flash)

that is start, but it would help if you tell us the type of pictures you plan on taking, macro, animal, landscape, etc. and also how many things you need to leave out, so we can widdle it down.

[kgarrett11]

I am not sure how many of all these your bag will fit, but this is what I would leave...
60mm Micro (unless you like to do some of that work)
1.7 TC
1 160 GB EHD
SB-800 flash (usually people who are going to yellow stone will be doing alot of shots outdoor, which should yield enough light not need to use a flash)

that is start, but it would help if you tell us the type of pictures you plan on taking, macro, animal, landscape, etc. and also how many things you need to leave out, so we can widdle it down.

The 60mm and the 35-70mm is top on the list to leave behind. What is top on the list to go is the D3, D200, 300mm, 14-24mm and the 1.7 TC. I take wildlife and landscapes. I am traveling by myself so I don't have anyone to help carry anything.

[BPerron]

The 60mm and the 35-70mm is top on the list to leave behind. What is top on the list to go is the D3, D200, 300mm, 14-24mm and the 1.7 TC. I take wildlife and landscapes. I am traveling by myself so I don't have anyone to help carry anything.

Well here is what I would leave

1 160gb hard - between your computer and 1 other harddrive that is alot of photos on a vacation. and not every shot you take will be a keeper so if you start to get full, delete the ones that are not keepers.

300mm - Since you will be shooting landscape and wildlife and outdoor shots I do not think a f2.8 is going to be such a big deal, considering you have the 80-400mm

60mm - would probably not use it much

35-70mm - you said that is one to go

I took a look at that back up, leaving the 60mm and the 35-70mm I am not not sure how you will not be able to fit all that in...the pictures show 3 camerea bodies, 2 flashes and 5 serperate lenses. So I am not sure how you are having so much trouble getting this in, your hard drives can replace one of the camera bodies (of the three they show in the picture), your flash will fit and since you only have 1 (and they have 2 in the picture), that will free up some space which could fit all the extra batteries and you still have 6 lenses (including the one attached to your camera) you can include, and that is more then your list, leaving out the 60mm and the 35-70mm...

So I think you will be fine...and you will not need to carry the d200 over your shoulder.

[ChatKat]

I frequently travel and take some gear. I usually pick two lenses and at the most three. A laptop, one backup drive and one flash. It will all fit with what you have. You can take a small camera case for the body and one lens.

A few years ago I took a photography class. One of the assignments was to pick one lens and shoot at one focal length for the entire class. Pick wisely for what you are doing and you won't be off the mark. I have travelled extensively using just the 24-105 4.0 bringing along the 70-200 for occasional use (I shoot Canon). Actually I have found I am a better photographer when I master one lens.

[SavedByZero]

WOW that's allot gear Lucy!!!

But maybe try this new stuff designed by working photo pros. Not cheap but made with traveling photojournalist and current airport requirements in mind.

==> http://www.thinktankphoto.com/index.html

Their biggest carry on bag Airport Security V2.0 - $369.99

Outside
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/images/prod-photo-AS.jpg

What fits inside that
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/images/prod-photo-AS-2.jpg


http://www.thinktankphoto.com/images/prod-photo-AS-1.jpg

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/images/prod-photo-AS-4.jpg

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/images/prod-photo-AS-3.jpg

Specs that make their bags airplane carry on friendly too.

USA Domestic airline carry on size.
TSA combination locks.
Front cable & lock secures laptops.

:dgrin

[nightowlcat]

You might find these handy to watch:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kkOVyDbYCpY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Osp3b4YwqPI

Just make sure that NAS monster has been fed before viewing :rofl

[Art Scott]

I really like LowPro (http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Backpacks,2.htm)....I currently use a PRO TREKKER AW current version is the PRO TREKKER AWII......they have really awesome backpacks (http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Backpacks,2.htm) that won't abolutely kill your finances but will protect your gear fantastically....When i bought mine it was th largest carryon backpack available by any mfg'er....it carried a system of 35mm camera and lesnses plus a 2 1/14 sq system plus a sunpack 622 and 2 quantum battteries plus other stuff I can't totally remember........the funy thing was that when it was weiughed in at ICT int'l it was exactly 2oz from the weight limit and even funnier waswhen I found my Gerber Multi tool in an outside pocket after being x-rayed...well I found it somewhere over Greenland or Iceland I can't quite remember...on my return the Gerber was in my Checked luggage.......could of lost that before leaving town, and I still can't figure out how it was missed by the x-ray:scratch

GOOD LUCK

Oh yes...there are several reputable dealers on EBAY that sell for less than in their online shops even....of course it is with the hope of luring you to their stores but still........

EDIT: i did forget to mention that all of the LowePro BP's come with a rain cover usually packed in a bottom storage area and also the BP harness has a cover for when using them as carry on luggage to keep the harness out of the way and safe.....also all the harness are adjustable for different body styles and ways of carrying the pack

[kgarrett11]

You might find these handy to watch:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kkOVyDbYCpY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Osp3b4YwqPI

Just make sure that NAS monster has been fed before viewing :rofl

Thanks, this looks like it is exactly what I have been looking for.