William Robb wrote: > I am in the market for a new backpack for my 6x7 gear, as I have > outgrown my previous camera bag. > I am looking at the following backpacks from LowePro: > Super Trekker AW > Pro Trekker AW > Photo Trekker AW > Photo Trekker Classic. > I am wondering if anyone has used any of these backpacks and can > comment, either favourably or otherwise. > The pack will have to carry a 6x7 body with meter prism and 7 > lenses, plus filters and other dreck. > Thanks > William Robb
I have both the Nature Trekker AW & Pro Trekker AW, both are well built, tough and durable as one would expect with LowePro products. The harness/waistbelt system of the Pro Trekker is excellent & can be easily adjusted for a perfect fit. I use the Nature Trekker as my general all around day hiking/photography daypack. I have 2 external sidebags attached to it, each bag about 3 litter capacity. The Nature Trekker is always overstuffed with 2 bodies, 300/2.8, 200/2.8, 100/2.8 macro, 2xL converter, 20-25/4.0, 28-70/4.0, extra clothing, food & water, a Manfrotto 190 Short strapped on the back of it. Also sunglasses, compass, altimeter, 77mm circ pol & warming filters, 49mm circ pol & warming filters, stepping rings for filters, extra film & batteries. Total weight about 38 pounds. The Pro Trekker is normally used with 600/4.0, 2 bodies, 1.4xL & 2xL convertors, extension tube set K, extra film & batteries, some food and extra clothing, Manfrotto 359 long lens support strapped outside. Total weight about 34 pounds & the Manfrotto 075 tripod & Wimberly head over the shoulder. I would do not like the design of the Pro Trekker for my style of activity. The Nature Trekker has 2 zip open pouches on the outside of the back flap that opens into the main equipment compartment. The Pro Trekker has a web style pouch on the inside of the back flap, the pouch can hold soft items like clothing, almost separated from the main compartment by a removable padded partition, this part of the design is what I do not like. I prefer the external zip open pouches like the Nature Trekker has, potentially damp clothing is totally separated from the main compartment. LowePro does make accessory pouches that be externally attached to the main pack. I have never owned Tamrac products but want to check out the Tamrac Expedition 8, Model 5278 pack as a replacement for the LowePro Pro Trekker and would recommend that you look at one if you can. As noted by others, the Pro Trekker is heavy but the weight penalty comes with any photo bag that size. -- David S. Nature and wildlife photography http://www.sheppardphotos.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
