Award Sounds Music, Photography & Consultancy

I have a camera bag, but I don't like it. It holds the camera well enough and protects it with padding and waterproofing. For that reason I quite like it. But there are more reasons why I don't like it:

- it sticks out the side of my body adding torsion, causing me to twist my spine slightly.

- it only holds a DSLR with an attached lens, an additional lens and a few memory cards. Nothing else.

- although the equipment itself it small (in my opinion), the bag makes the kit double the size.

- it looks like a camera bag

So I've set myself on the search for a new bag. Ideally:

- backpack-based, unless someone can convince me that a messenger bag/sling is good for the body after walking a few miles.

- protects the camera and related equipment (lens or two, blower, charger, filters)

- can carry other items, e.g. a sweater, light coat, sunglasses, hat, book, pad, pen

- can carry some liquid items, but separated from the main compartment (in case of leaking), e.g. a water bottle or two, suntan lotion

- can optionally carry a macbook or other small laptop

- has a tripod attachment (or icepick holders that can be rigged to happily hold a tripod)

- doesn't look like a camera bag

- looks more stylish than a standard backpack/rucksack

- has a breathable support

- has waist belt as well as shoulder straps

- small enough to count as airline carry-on cabin luggage

To get most of the above for free (considering I already have a camera bag and a rucksack), I've put the camera bag in the rucksack. Unfortunately that's resulted in me missing a few shots while I've wrestled with extracting the bag from within a bag. There were enough drawbacks, so I've looked at the market, but I'm not happy with the results.

It seems that there are no camera bags that meet my requirements. I think the mesh supports as found in this Berghaus Freeflow IV 25 plus 5 backpack is incredible. There are similar products from Karrimor as well. It makes such a different to me carrying round my kit. Bear in mind that I'm not a professional walker, but I'm happy to walk a few miles with camera kit on my back while searching for photo opportunities. But I can't find a camera backpack with that mesh.

The closest I can find to what I want is the Crumpler Warm Shower. It allows for storing camera, 2 lenses and a little extra for the camera plus has space fo a lot of other stuff. Also looks better than most bags. But I'm wary about returning to a normal backpack support. After using the mesh for a few years, I think it's be difficult to go back.

An alternative I'm going to check out is Kata's large photographer's/videographer's backpack but it would have to be exceptional to justify that cost. Scratch that, I don't think I can justify it in anyway, I'd probably buy a cheaper bag like the crumpler or even the next size up and put the money saved towards a nice lens.

So the call's out to manufacturers. Are my requirements that outlandish that the bag can't be made that fits them all?

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