Flipside 400 AW / Fastpack 350 with gripped 60D/5D3 anyone?

[Raddy]

Hi!

I'm just about to purchase a new backpack (preferably one of the ones mentioned in the topic) for my equipment listed below:

60D (gripped)
16-35 2.8 II
70-200 2.8 II
50 1.4
430EX

Anyone in here who owns one of those backbacks and could confirm a gripped 60D/5D3 would fit nicely?
As I'm about to replace my 60D with a 5D3 some time this year it would be nice not to think about getting another backpack again then. Oh yea, and the 5D3 would come with the 24-105.
Would be great if there is anyone who could share his experience.

Thx!

Edit:
As the Fastpack 350 offers space for my Macbook, I'm kinda aiming for this one at the moment.

[mws]

I had pretty much the same set up, and found the fastpack to be a tight squeeze.

I went with the mountainsmith parallax

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673875-REG/Mountainsmith_10_81018R_01_Parallax_Pro_Backpack.html

[Raddy]

I had pretty much the same set up, and found the fastpack to be a tight squeeze.

I went with the mountainsmith parallax

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673875-REG/Mountainsmith_10_81018R_01_Parallax_Pro_Backpack.html

Thanks for the info. I somehow like the idea of the side-entry compartment, maybe that's why I'm looking for a positive feedback in order to justify my purchase. On the other hand I like the weather cover that comes with the flipside...

[neuroanatomist]

I have the Flipside 400 AW, it's a great pack.  Actually, your current gear list would fit (tightly) in the Flipside 300, which I also have.  In the Flipside 400 AW, I can fit a gripped body (5DII or 7D), two big white zooms (70-200/2.8, 100-400, 28-300) and 1-2 black lenses, or 1 big white zoom and 3-4 black lenses. 

For example, packed in my Flipside 400 AW for a trip to China last year were a gripped 5DII, 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L IS, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, TSE-24mm f/3.5L II, 35mm f/1.4L, 430EX II, 1.4x II Extender, 77mm 500D Close-Up Lens, a PowerShot S95, and various filters, cleaning supplies, etc.  When traveling by air, I load up the Flipside, then pack that into a Pelican Storm im2500 carryon hard case, in the event that I'm forced to check the luggage.

In the image below, everything except the 17" MacBook Pro and the CF tripod/head went into the Flipside 400AW, which then went into the Storm im2500.

[mws]

I did like the side entry part of the fastpack. The Paralax is odd, in the fact that you upen it from the back side. Keeps everything secure though.

[Heavyweight67]

I have a Fastpack 250, it fits my gripped 7D+70-200 f2.8 ii, 430ex + assorted other stuff...in the top I add a 50 1.4 plus another either EF 24-105 or EF-S 17-55 2.8...it also accommodates my ASUS 15" laptop..on occasion I will strap a Manfrotto CF tripod to it, this is a little cumbersome as the Fastpack doesn't have tripod mounting/straps...

I rarely carry the Laptop, due to the weight and added cables/drives

I purchased this as a day pack, so sometimes I need to consider what I will be shooting/doing, before packing.

I think you really need to consider the size the 350 is large + the weight once fully loaded...do you really want to be carrying all your gear all day...

I also have the Computrekker AW, this fits everything but, there is no way I want to lug that around all day...

I think as time goes by and you add more gear you will need another form of storage,so it may either be better to go bigger first or buy a second later if you do move up to a 5Diii, you may choose to keep the 60D as a second body, space and weight then become an issue.

[Teuchter]

Just spent a month travelling in Britain with the Flipside 400 with a gripped 5D2, 70/200 f4, 24/104, 16/35, 40 f1.4, tripod, head, filters, remote release, miscellaneous small stuff, and RIM Playbook. It all fit, was useable and there was enough space for a camera raincover, waterbottle, notepads etc..
Having said that, I am looking at replacing this with either a Flipside 500, or a Streetwalker Harddrive just so that I have room for my laptop and a couple of T/S lenses.
I also have a Fastpack and like the side access for city shooting, but there's no where near enough space for all this stuff.

[Raddy]

I think you really need to consider the size the 350 is large + the weight once fully loaded...do you really want to be carrying all your gear all day...

Actually it would be a mixtures. In general I would like to have everything in the backpack for the trip, in case I'm on a plane, train or car. But I won't neccessarily need to have all my stuff with me on a photo tour. So this is why I was also looking for a medium sized backpack. Just for those occasions where I'm out shooting with some of my equipment, e.g. 1 body and maybe 2 lenses. But it would be nice to have the battery pack always attached and this is the huge problem with lots of smaller backpacks and I ended up with the mentioned ones after my research, as I expected the gripped body might barely fit.

Maybe I'll really have to get two different backpacks...

[neuroanatomist]

Maybe I'll really have to get two different backpacks...

And so it begins.   

Soon, it starts looking like this:

[amgc32]

I have the Flipside 400 AW, it's a great pack.  Actually, your current gear list would fit (tightly) in the Flipside 300, which I also have.  In the Flipside 400 AW, I can fit a gripped body (5DII or 7D), two big white zooms (70-200/2.8, 100-400, 28-300) and 1-2 black lenses, or 1 big white zoom and 3-4 black lenses. 

For example, packed in my Flipside 400 AW for a trip to China last year were a gripped 5DII, 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L IS, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, TSE-24mm f/3.5L II, 35mm f/1.4L, 430EX II, 1.4x II Extender, 77mm 500D Close-Up Lens, a PowerShot S95, and various filters, cleaning supplies, etc.  When traveling by air, I load up the Flipside, then pack that into a Pelican Storm im2500 carryon hard case, in the event that I'm forced to check the luggage.

In the image below, everything except the 17" MacBook Pro and the CF tripod/head went into the Flipside 400AW, which then went into the Storm im2500.

What kind of tripod is that? and what ballhead are you using? I have a 5d3 w/ 24-105mm and soon a 70-200 f2.8 IS soon. Is it pretty sturdy? thanks I know its out of topic sorry.

[neuroanatomist]

What kind of tripod is that? and what ballhead are you using? I have a 5d3 w/ 24-105mm and soon a 70-200 f2.8 IS soon. Is it pretty sturdy? thanks I know its out of topic sorry.

Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 tripod legs with a Manfrotto 488RC2 head.  It supports a gripped body and 70-200/2.8 or 100-400 just fine.  A few months ago, I replaced the 488RC2 head with a Manfrotto 468MG head with a Wimberley C-12 clamp, and I now use Arca-Swiss type plates on cameras and lenses - the RC2 plate/clamp has a little bit of play (quite secure, but not absolutely tight like an AS-type clamp.

[amgc32]

Thanks! the 468 is a little of my price range what do you think about the 054 Magnesium ballheads?

[D_Rochat]

Have you considered the Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack? I've found that I'm not going to be happy with just one bag, so I have a Thinktank Urban Disguise 40 shoulder bag as my smaller everyday bag and the Lowepro Vertex 300 as the carry everything bag. I just went for a good hike today with it and packed a gripped body, 24-70, 70-200 2.8, 055xprob with 498RC2, cleaning kits, multi tools, flash and accessories, flash light, a bunch of filters, water and had tons of room for more. It's built like a rucksack and you barely feel any weight at all. I got the 300 because it takes 17" laptops, but they have smaller versions. It's also on for $100 cheaper than anywhere else
here. I got a really good deal on my tripod and head from them as well and it's free shipping if you're in Canada. It's worth taking a look.

[Wiki Tango]

Hi Raddy,

I own a Flipside 400 AW and put in the following

- gripped 7D + 24-105L
- EF 50mm f/1.4
- EF-S 60mm f/2.8
- EF 85mm f/1.8
- EF 70-300mm
- Tokina 12-24
- 580II Speedlite

on the side 2 x 1L water
in the pocket some useful stuff like tissues, a lens brush etc.
and on top you can put a jacket or so.

I have to say that I do not love to carry these 10kg around all day long...

looks like this:
http://www.ipernity.com/doc/canon/5387278

[Camerajah]

The sad truth is that you will be owning more than one camera bag,its just the way it is,I would say get the Fastpack 350 and it hold all the lens you have shown plus my 7D cw grip or one of my 1D series camera but the 70-200 f2.8L is mounted on camera with lens hood reversed and the lens hood for the 16-35 is in the top compartment inside its lens pouch.
Its the pack that I use the most despite having a larger (Compu Trekker Plus AW)backpack and shoulder bags,the 350 have a low profile look to it as well as ways to hide and tuk away the access zippers and the waistbelt,once you hide the zippers under the top flap its not easy for a someone to access the zippers in a flash.