Peak Design Backpacks? |
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butangmucat ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: 23 September 2017 Country: United States Location: Saratoga Spring Status: Offline Posts: 129 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 07 September 2018 at 21:18 |
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Hello,
I have overloaded my National Geographic backpack too much for the past two and half years and it's about time to find a replacement. I am considering a Peak Design backpack, and I would like to have some suggestions or alternatives. I would like the backpack to serve as a general schoolbag usually and as a camera bag on photo trips.Waterproof would be a good bouns. I had a terrible exprience of the National Geographic bag being caught in a rain and had my customs documents getting wet. Usually on a photo walk I would bring two cameras (a digital and a film, or two films). I would also bring one to two backup lenses for each body. My current digital body is an A7 with grip, and my film bodies include Minolta Maxxum 7 and 5; Pentax SPF, ME Super, Super A, and MZ-M; and Nikon FE2. I would also usually place my film in a lead bag, especially in China since security checkpoints are ubiquious there. I would also like to reserve the possibility to carry a 15-inch laptop (ThinkPad W541 to be specific). I am considering the Peak Design backpacks, but I am not sure whether the price (around 250 US dollars new) justifies itself, and I would like to hear some feedback and suggestions. Sincerely |
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Hezu ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 13 October 2007 Country: Finland Location: HKI/KSNK Status: Online Posts: 1814 |
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I bought little over a year ago Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20, since I was looking for a smaller backpack since my other backpacks Gura Gear Bataflae 32L and F-Stop Tilopa BC (with XL ICU) are pretty large and there are times when I would like to carry smaller camera kit and a backpack would be more confortable than a shoulder bag.
I haven't quite made my mind about the final verdict on this backpack, since on the pro side: - access from the sides and the top - fairly customizable inner layout - organizing contents in inner side pockets is easy - good side pockets which can be used to hold eg. a water bottle - some external attachment points - quick shoulder strap length adjustments - good carrying handles on the sides and the top. - cool design On the other hand, there are some frustrating issues too: - finding the optimal layout is a time consuming task - and yet, it is nearly impossible to carry some longer lenses, especially if mounted on a camera (and in any case, the camera should be a fairly small model) - or the divider setup may not work optimally for smaller objects (I assume this is even more evident on the larger Everyday Backpack 30, which has the same number of flexible dividers as this smaller version I own) - dividers occasionally feel bit flimsy - the waist belt is a pitiful narrow strap (and by default stoved away), - the material is not totally waterproof, only water resistant. |
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butangmucat ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: 23 September 2017 Country: United States Location: Saratoga Spring Status: Offline Posts: 129 |
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Compared to your other bags, do you think Peak Design in charging a large premium, or the price really justifies it? Sincerely |
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Hezu ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 13 October 2007 Country: Finland Location: HKI/KSNK Status: Online Posts: 1814 |
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butangmucat ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: 23 September 2017 Country: United States Location: Saratoga Spring Status: Offline Posts: 129 |
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Well I got my 30L today. So far so good. Just tested with ThinkPad W541 + AC, Sony A7 with 35-105 (first gen) and grip, Nikon FE2 with motor drive and 50 1.4, and a Nikkor 100-300 f5.6. The bag is organized efficiently and was very comfortable to carry. Thanks. |
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trainerKEN ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 16 May 2009 Country: Canada Location: Vancouver Status: Online Posts: 3452 |
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I picked up the 20L last week, only because I got a 35% off through work, otherwise, I don't think I would ever spend that much on a bag...
At first, I was a little disappointed because it seemed like it would be super limited in capacity, but after playing around with the configurations of the dividers, I can fit the following: *a9 with Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 mounted (will probably be my go-to setup for most of my photography needs in my upcoming trip to Taiwan and Hong Kong) *a7RIII with Zeiss 55mm F1.8 mounted (the rest unmounted) *GM 24-70mm F2.8 *GM 100-400mm + 1.4x TC (still on the fence about taking this lens on my trip) *Canon 17mm F4 L TS-E with adapter *Surface Book laptop *other accessories: extra batteries, charging cables, lens blower etc etc *a light jacket rolled up realistically, the laptop/chargers would be locked up at the hotel when I arrive But I should note... my only gripe about this bag at the moment is the not-so-padded shoulder straps ![]() . Edited by trainerKEN - 17 September 2018 at 20:45 |
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a9/a7RIII/Fuji X100F/GM2470/GM70200/GM100400/GM85/Canon 17mm F4L TS-E/Mitakon 85mm F1.2/FE 55mm ZA F1.8
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butangmucat ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: 23 September 2017 Country: United States Location: Saratoga Spring Status: Offline Posts: 129 |
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I was in an urgent need last week because my everyday carry laptop died, and am forced to carry my huge ThinkPad W541 to class, which only the Peak Design 30L fits and is on my radar. I ordered at full price from B&H (I do get free nex-day shipping, though). Currently I am satisfied with its capacity and ergonamics. However I agree that I would not buy the bag at its full price, unless I am stuck in a condition like what I had experienced last week. |
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