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With my new lens purchase I now need a new backpack to store it in.
I'm sort of against going down the path of getting the Lowepro Lens Trekker AW and have had a look at a variety of options.

Lastnight I tried my lens in the backpack with the hood inverted and it was bulging just slightly top and bottom. The Computrekker AW has an internal height of 38cm and a depth of 12.5. Today I noticed there is the Computrekker Plus AW which is a step up from what I've currently got and is 48cm and a depth of 13.5cm with a price tag of around $250-300. The specs say it can house a lens equal to the 400F2.8 so it should be fine for the 500F4. To me this seems like a pretty good deal in comparison to the other backpacks such as the Super and Pro Trekker AW which are in the $550 range. Has anybody here had experience with the Computrekker Plus AW?

Myself and photographer partner have one of these each and both think it's a great bag, apart from the obvious quality you're getting with a Lowepro.

The laptop section is huge. There are heaps of straps and adjustments to make it comfortable to carry.

I often pack it with a 20D + grip, 1.4x and 300 2.8 (hood inverted) in the centre compartment and there's still a few inches left for something longer. I can also pack a 70-200 2.8 IS, 2nd body, 17-40, 50 1.8, NEXTO CF, laptop power pack/cables, card reader, mouse, and various other crap like TC end caps, memory cards, business cards, pen, pad, etc. etc.

It's freakin' heavy, but it will certainly hold all that stuff.

Oh, the only thing is with the 300 2.8 in it like I described before, with the hood inverted, it pushes on the wall padding a bit, like it's a bit of a tight fit, but it all works fine.

kipper,
Computrekker Plus AW won't work with the 500 AF-S well, very tight and lack of security for the lens in transportation or behind your back. It doesn't have many support to keep the lens safely with shock or vibration while it's in transit.
The best one is still the Photo Trekker AWII, Pro Trkker AW II or Super Trekker AW II.
Another best is the Nature Trekker AW II and the excellent is Lens trekker 600 AW

Take into account you don't want to take your lappy into the bush lurking the forum while waiting some birds come to your view.

The 300/2.8 is smaller, and shorter, could not compare with the 500 AF-S.

Umm, the Nature Trekker internal is 15cm x 42.5cm whereas the Compu Trekker is 13.5 x 48cm?????

Yeah, I saw one of these in the city when I was looking at the normal CompuTrekker AW. 'Bloody massive' would be an appropriate description. Fully loaaded my CompuTrekker AW is quite heavy, especially after having it on your back all day; I can't imagine what the 'Plus' version is like for that! Sometimes you can get a bag that's too big I think. Worth a thought anyway, how much are you going to have on your back at one time?

kipper wrote:Umm, the Nature Trekker internal is 15cm x 42.5cm whereas the Compu Trekker is 13.5 x 48cm?????

Yes, it's but the Nature trekker material is more tough in comparison with computrekker or mini trekker version,

I'm sure, Hilop has one and he got it from me. Look nice and safely for the 500 AF-S, it wall padding is thicker same as outer materials.

Yep, that's what I noticed, it's made out of material like found used in bags that you take on kayaking trips. Well that's what the Lowepro web spec said.

I'm guessing Thanh that the Naturetrekker would only allow the lens with hood inverted for transporting. No camera attached. I'm guessing for that I'd have to go the Lens, Photo, Pro or Super

kipper wrote:Yep, that's what I noticed, it's made out of material like found used in bags that you take on kayaking trips. Well that's what the Lowepro web spec said.

I'm guessing Thanh that the Naturetrekker would only allow the lens with hood inverted for transporting. No camera attached. I'm guessing for that I'd have to go the Lens, Photo, Pro or Super

The Nature trekker is Ok with the AF-S 500 mounted on the D70, it'll fit perfectly and nicely with other lenses or accessories along left and right.

I don't and never recommend anyone to pack and transport a camera body with a heavy/ pro/ long zoom lens in any bag. Escpecially backbag.

Perhaps the lens case 600 can handle it easier, coz it has few paddings to lock and support the collar and a stopper for the lens.

K, perhaps Lowepro shouldn't really display photos as such then

kipper wrote:K, perhaps Lowepro shouldn't really display photos as such then

They display the photos coz it's their marketing hype.

And would like to show people how big the bag is! without any physical touch and see, you won't have a clue!!!!

Birddog114 wrote:
I'm sure, Hilop has one and he got it from me. Look nice and safely for the 500 AF-S, it wall padding is thicker same as outer materials.

Hereby to confirm that nature trekker is one of top quality backpacks and it should easyly swallow 500 AF-S

I'm just wondering - can I take a risk and check it in with the other luggage or should I still get it to cabin with me next time I'm going somewhere? It looks strong enough but ...

Hlop wrote: Hereby to confirm that nature trekker is one of top quality backpacks and it should easyly swallow 500 AF-S

I'm just wondering - can I take a risk and check it in with the other luggage or should I still get it to cabin with me next time I'm going somewhere? It looks strong enough but ...

Hilop,
Buy or charter your own aircraft, and let your assistance taking care of it instead of you

Birddog114 wrote:Hilop,
Buy or charter your own aircraft, and let your assistance taking care of it instead of you

Huh! I've never thought of this but it sounds like really good idea But meantime, while I'm just thinking about a jet purchase, what do you think about checking nature trekker in? Am I full of crap (as usually)?

Hlop wrote: Huh! I've never thought of this but it sounds like really good idea But meantime, while I'm just thinking about a jet purchase, what do you think about checking nature trekker in? Am I full of crap (as usually)?

To be honest, the size of that bag is hardly to be considered as the carry on luggage, some domestic flight, they have a very tight restriction.

Perhaps, if you want to do it, come early and talk nicely to the check-ins girl without let her seeing your partner behind or beside, it may helps

Yesterday I had my first outing with the lens, and something I noticed straight up was how much of a pain in the ass it was to dismantle everything (flash bracket), flipping the hood, to get it into my bag while it was raining.

So I could do with something that has the room to chuck both the lens + tc + camera body with hood reversed. Now you're probably going to say that to do that either the Photo, Pro or Super as they have longer internal lengths than the Nature. Either that or the Lens Trekker (which I might also consider getting on top of this other backpack).

Hey kipper,
I've been down that road with my 200-400VR and couple 500.
That made me bought the bag was designed for the big lenses and camera attached as my earlier posts.

Yep, I'm thinking though Thanh that my Computrekker is too small anyway. So I might aswell get two bags, one specifically for the lens (eg. the lenstrekker) and one that can atleast carry the lens and camera (eg. the naturetrekker/phototrekker). With the latter though I'd like to be able to put both the lens+tc+camera in the bag if a storm approaches like it did yesterday.

kipper,
It's a real pain when you have to do assembling and dis-assembling each time of the uses.
Go for something real mate!

Which is Thanh?

Like I said I'm planning on two bags here lenstrekker + another. I'm thinking the Phototrekker as it has an extra 6cm of length over the Naturetrekker. For some reason I don't think the Naturetrekker could possibly get the lens + tc + camera in it.

Kipper,

I just brought the computrekker plus AW from camera exchange in Melbourne. they have it for 230.

It fits everything i have and has soo much room for more.

If you want to look at it or see what fits ect we can arange a meeting PM me...

Olrac, I'm pretty much going to go in today and get a bag. I'm probably going to sway from the Computrekker PLUS AW now as it'll just get the lens in. I want something to get the whole lens+tc+camera in when a storm comes.

No Problem...

Have fun with your new bag, I notice that you are selling other bags to fund this one... I had to do the same (the better half demanded it)

Well I just don't see the point having bags lying around that do nothing.

I'll probably end up getting the Lenstrekker and the Phototrekker AW and ask them if they have a refund or exchange policy. I'll bring them home and see how they stack up with fitting my gear in it.

Birddog, how do the Phototrekker and the Naturetrekker stack up in comparison durability and wall padding wise.


Btw, I noticed at a building site these guys getting rid a lot of inch thick polystyrene sheets so I grabbed it. Going to wrap them in material and make a plate at the bottom of the bag for shock protection.

Birddog, how do the Phototrekker and the Naturetrekker stack up in comparison durability and wall padding wise.

The Phototrekker has more thicker wall padding than other.