I've begun to travel with a laptop and a growing array of photography equipment. For the traveller who wants to keep it all together, these photo backpacks offer safety for your delicate equipment at a price: some of them can be quite heavy even unloaded. Still, what's the cost of protection of that digital SLR and those expensive lenses of yours? All bags listed are currently carry-on size.
1. Crumpler Shrinkle Photo /Notebook Backpack with 15" Notebook Pocket
Made for professionals by an Austrailian company. The Shrinkle photo backpack holds a 15" Laptop and two camera bodies with up to five Lenses and accessories. The Photopack is removable, so you can use the bag for other things. WxHxD: 12.5x19.5x8.5 in. Weighs a hefty 91.5 ounces, or 5.7 pounds.
2. Lowepro CompuTrekker AW Camera Case
The Lowepro is a fairly reasonably priced backpack that will hold lots of photo equipment in a variety of weather scenarios. The Lowepro Compu Trekker features shock-absorbing closed-cell foam padding and water-resistant outer fabric to protect your photo equipment. Gets high marks in web reviews. Size: 11W x 5D x 15H in / 28 x 12.5 x 38 cm. Weight: 4.3 lb (2 kg)3. Lowepro Rolling Mini Trekker AW Black
Here's a rolling bag slightly smaller than the backpack above. 11.75W x 5.5D x 15.75H in / 30 x 14 x 40 cm. Weight: 7 lb (3.2 kg) Manufacture claims backpack will carry: SLR with 80-200mm f/2.8 lens attached, additional SLR body, 3-5 lenses and accessories. Note: Does not have a specific padded computer pocket.4. Crumpler - Brian's Hot Tub Camera System - Laptop Backpack
Got a big computer and lotsa camera equipment? This one holds a 17" laptop along with your SLR and four to six lenses. Weight: 2.8 kg, a bit over 6 pounds. WxHxD external: 13.8 x 10 x 21.5". Features loops to attach pouches and a tripod attachment. Included are external and internal zippered accessory pockets.5. Tamrac 5256 CyberPack 6 SLR Camera System and Computer Backpack
The Tamrac CyberPack has space for two digital or film SLR cameras, several lenses, including a 200mm f/2.8 lens. Has a pouch for laptops up to 11 x 2 x 15". An interesting feature is the Memory & Battery Management System - pockets use red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up. Holds up to 15" notebook computer. Weight: 5.8 lb (2.644 kg) Interior dimentions, main compartment: 12 x 6 x 15".6. Tamrac 5265 CyberPack Express Rolling Photo + Computer Backpack
Here's one almost the same size as the backpack above, but with wheels. Holds SLR camera with 200mm telephoto lens, 2nd camera body, 4-6 lenses and Flash, film or digital media. Interior dimentions, main compartment: 11.5 x 6 x 16" (41 x 30 x 15 cm). Weight: 10.2 lb (4.627 kg) Note that this bag only holds a 13" computer.7. Tenba DB-17C SLR Camera System + Laptop Backpack
Here's a photo backpack for folks with big stuff. Can take a 500mm f4 lens strapped to an SLR, another SLR camera with up to five lenses, plus up to 17 inches of notebook. Interior dimensions: 15 x 22 x 10.5", weight a hefty 8.8 lb (4 kg). Includes "Large Removable Mobile Workstation with easel, stands up in seconds, and holds business cards, memory cards, diskettes, pens and other items."