Thinkpads Forum

I'm trying to find a nice backpack that will hold my X61 (or any ~12" computer), a charger, and my Nikon D70 (and maybe one additional lense).

Any suggestions?

Since most backpack built-in laptop sleeves are BIG compared to an X61 (they have to fit a wide range of laptops), I've always been a fan of finding separate sleeves which fit my gear. That also opens up the choice of backpacks considerably.

I like sfbags Sleevecases because they come sized EXACTLY to fit your laptop, and the quality is high. Not sure how easy it is to get them in EU though. There have to be others.

Zing bags are what I use for cameras, lenses, binoculars, and smaller stuff. They protect your gear very well and come in many sizes so you can usually find a good fit. I think they are widely available.

My current daypack is Victorinox, which I chose for quality and also the strap system, which is very comfortable for long days. In general there are lots of backpack choices but beware the cheap ones with the wimpy straps which cut into your shoulder.

In the end it is a personal decision.

I have this one,

http://www.crumpler.com.au/Cart/index.php?catId=5

Highly recommended !!!

gbernard wrote:I have this one,

http://www.crumpler.com.au/Cart/index.php?catId=5

Highly recommended !!!

It's nice, but not a backpack, and no space for my Nikon D70
Or is your link bad?

Edit 1:Okay, I might not need a backback, just something that carries both items

Edit 2: I like the crumpler keystone..

my bad, I pasted the wrong link, I have the keystone, it is great !!!

Look at the LowePro backpacks.

http://www.kata-bags.com/

blows lowe away and others too
none of the lowes backpacks I've tried meet the standards of this company.

i have a lowepro compudaypack i got at compUSA for 70 bucks


holds a D80, charger, 2nd lens, and x61s + charger and mouse fine.

I need to find a sleeve for X61T that can be used by itself or inside a backpack or other messenger bag etc.

i too have a crumpler for traveling.

houses x61t and nikon d200 with 18-200 lens in addition to couple of nick nacks and doodads.

Thanks for all tips

I ordered this one:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=3 ... ProdLine=4

Kata Prism U

I hope it's good

I was also doing some research for this for a family trip where a lot of driving and walking was to be done. Carrying two separate bags for a laptop and DSLR was not an easy option. I have a Canon D40 with three total lenses and the rest of the entourage of charger, CF cards and other accessories, an X31 (in those days) and charger (which could be left in the car). I carried the X31 in a very well protective sleeve and used to leave it in the car trunk for the walking trips.

After much reading online I narrowed down my choices to:

Lowepro CompuRover AW
Tamrac Adventure 9

And ended up buying the Tamrac. It serves its purpose well, the laptop compartment is enough for to carry a large size laptop, DSLR compartment is customizable and has plenty of room. There is a small pocket on top of the bag which can be used to store other supplies (small jacket/rain coat/poncho and such). The Lowepro model is a bit bigger than the Tamrac. Just because of the top compartment size I sometimes wish I had bought the Lowepro but otherwise the Tamrac has been serving very well.

sveintore wrote:Thanks for all tips

I ordered this one:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=3 ... ProdLine=4

Kata Prism U

I hope it's good

I have the Kata prism for my X60s + Nikon DSLR. It will fit a Nikon D50/D80 with the 18-200, a Sigma 10-20, the 50mm 1.8 and sn SB-400 flash with no problems. The X60s is a nice, snug fit at the back. However, it will NOT fit my X60t with the 8-cell battery, so I will now have to look for something else (if anyone is interested in buying my Kata Prism in Europe, let me know).

So be careful if you want to use it for 8-cell battery laptops , it might not suit you well.

crashnburn wrote:I need to find a sleeve for X61T that can be used by itself or inside a backpack or other messenger bag etc.

Booq is miles better than any other bag manufacturer in the sleeve section, and I have tried many. The powersleeves are exactly what you are looking for, check them out.

I just bought this model for my X61T (fits beautifully) and a Nikon D60... So far I think it is a great backpack, with plenty of storage, both for camera related items and additional tablet bits (charger, extra battery)... it is listed as being 239$ on the lowepro site, but I got mine at B&H photo for 179$, which is steep, but if you're gonna be carrying a good camera, lenses and a sweet tablet, you might as well spend the money on a solid pack. It has a removable tripod holder, and I like the fact that this bag has the AW (All Weather) cover built into the bag (like a rain coat for your pack ) so your tablet and camera stay safe in poor conditions (Rain, Sand and Snow)... anyhoo, just my 2 cents, and I likes it





LowePro Vertex 100 AW

MOD EDIT: Picture warning added.

Good grief...

All those suggestions scream "I've got a laptop!! - Steal me!!" or "I've got an expensive camera!! Steal me!!".... LOL!

Look around a sports shop - you'll find some nice bags there that will handle both the X61 and a DSLR without the bag being overly flashy or noteworthy of being either laptop or camera bag. Look at some of the NorthFace offerings, or Victorinox or Swiss Army day packs... much more comfortable than many cam bags and I'm sure you'll find something that will fit the bill perfectly

IMHO, anything that says LowePro or Crumpler or Canon or National Geographic is just begging to get extra attention, particularly when you travel.

@orlandoinsane
That is one crazy backpack!!!

icantux, I did the same thing. Brought a sports rucksack and kept my laptop and camera in seperate smaller bags/sleeves in it.
It still screams steal me due to the weight. It is obvious I'm not just carrying some sweaty socks in it.

adrianaitken wrote:icantux, I did the same thing. Brought a sports rucksack and kept my laptop and camera in seperate smaller bags/sleeves in it.
It still screams steal me due to the weight. It is obvious I'm not just carrying some sweaty socks in it.

Ya, but to the folks out there on the street, you could be carrying your lunch in there for all they know, or your groceries or something like that... Having a big Lowepro or Canon or Nikon "official" bag will be more of a head-turner than a rucksack.

I prefer the undercover look.

icantux wrote:

adrianaitken wrote:icantux, I did the same thing. Brought a sports rucksack and kept my laptop and camera in seperate smaller bags/sleeves in it.
It still screams steal me due to the weight. It is obvious I'm not just carrying some sweaty socks in it.

Ya, but to the folks out there on the street, you could be carrying your lunch in there for all they know, or your groceries or something like that... Having a big Lowepro or Canon or Nikon "official" bag will be more of a head-turner than a rucksack.

I prefer the undercover look.

I wouldn't exactly call a North Face backpack "undercover". Any thief with a brain knows how much it costs, and what might be in there. Of course, it still is better than a shoulderbag with NIKON stitched on it, but a Kata or a Crumpler looks a lot more like a student's bag imo.

Crumpler's gaining a reputation (very quickly) as being an "undercover" cam bag. But you're right - any bag that doesn't announce camera or computer is better than those that do.

BTW, I just threw North Face in there as an alternative. Besides, they're very solidly sewn bags, offer lots of padding protection and also are mostly impermeable, so if you get stuck in a sudden rain shower, you'll be fine. (Zippers on those things are all weather-proofed).