Oy - Computrekker owners

Calina

My Tamrac Explore 3 is too small for my needs. This was one of the most valued lessons I learned on my recent recce to Portugal.

I have done a modicum of research and think that a Computrekker could be just what Doctor Camera Gear Whizz would prescribe.

Into it will have to go:

1) 350D (and/or possibly a 40D next year if it turns up with requisite blah blah)
2) 18-55mm
3) 70-300mm
4) 50-500mm
5) 10-20mm
6) two aquapacs
7) other grub such as spare batteries, millions of CF cards and
8) a laptop and spare mobile drive. (but that's small)

Anyone think this is a pipe dream, ridiculous, and all that? Anyone know where in Dublin sells them so that I can go and inspect in the morning? I've already got a new home lined up for the Tamrac.

Also, what colours do they come in?

Morlar

I used to have a computrekker aw and got rid of it to get one of these ;

http://www.photokina-show.com/0303/lowepro/accessories/loweproreporter/
I would recommend that for space reasons and also to be able to get to camera without having to take a mini rucksack off. Tons of space / discreet looking - also completely weatherproof.

Calina

Thanks - looks nice. I do need it to be a rucksack though. I should have mentioned that.

Morlar

doh - fair enough.

Morlar

I think this will depend on the size of the laptop & drive and the exact computrekker you get - I have used my old one with everything camera wise and up to a 14 inch laptop screen -afair that was about as much as it could take and it took a few mins to get it to shut.

FreeAnd..

I have the computrekker, nicely fits my gear, 5D + 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 100mm, 17-40mm, 50mm + extender, as well as all batteries, cards, filter + holder + chargers and a 15 1/2 inch laptop. The weight of it is another thing but it holds up well. Im not sure the size of your lenses but i got mine in Gunns, much cheaper than the rest and it fits more than it looks like it will. most places around town seem to stock it so try it out and you cant go wrong

rymus

the computrekker is a great investment. I think mine is a computrekker plus, don't know what the difference is. Like yourself I was coming from a tamrac that's about half the size.

Mine comfortably fits a 20D, 30D, 70-200 IS & 1.4x TC, 150 macro, 24-70, 30mm prime, 50mm prime, 75-300 Canon, 10-20, a few cokin filters and adaptors, other screw in filters, cables and other bits & pieces, a 580ex flash, and my 17" macbook pro in the side. Could also stick on the tripod on the front too but that's probably tempting fate as far as centre of gravity is concerned.

Considering all the gear that's in it, I was looking at getting the rolling computrekker. My tamrac (with about 1/3 of the gear in it) was heavy and uncomfortable when worn for extended periods of time but the computrekker, even fully loaded, is comfortable (yes heavy, but you dont notice the weight as much when it's sitting well on your back).

You shouldnt have any problem whatsoever fitting the gear you've listed into one. Go for it!

FreeAnd..

I think the plus is about twice the size of the ordinary computrekker maybe not twice the size but definitely bigger. I dont think the plus can be taken as carry on but the ordinary one can. The ordinary one is the size of a normal back pack where as the plus is more akin to a ruck sack...both sound worth the investment though depending on the needs..

rymus

I've taken mine on as carry on luggage several times... I'll have to double check that it is the plus version when I get home. I do know that mine is just within carry on baggage limits anyway.

FreeAnd..

it well could be Im not sure of the limits myself but when i was comparing them i didnt think it would be. The non plus should definitely be within the limits. If i remember correctly it was you who first put me onto them and I think you were saying the plus alright thats why i was looking at that (didnt even realise there was a non plus one at first) but after trying it in the shops I thought it might be too big for carry on and then I found the non plus and thought that must be the one acceptable for carry on...something along those lines anyway...best thing is to try to find both and i think Gunns should have them

pete4130

Try ebay. I bought a Photo trekker ( I think it was a photo trekker?) from ebay, from the states and even after customs hit me for €60 I still managed to save over €100 on what they sell for here.

Fajitas!

In mine, I can carry a 5D with grip, 24-70L, 50 1.4, 105 macro, 300D, 1000fn 17 in laptop, all the other bits and bobs, about 30 filters, batteries, 20 rolls of film, clothes, reflectors... A lot. And a tripod on the back.

Alternatively, 2 medium format bodies, 3 MF lenses, 5D, laptop film, reflectors and all the other bits and bobs.

I have the plus btw.

The weather thing is very handy. Saved my arse a few times. Go for it, you won't look back.

Calina

alright, thanks y'all. I'll get up early in the morning to give a trip into Gunnes to get separated from some money then.

Fajitas!

That's the spirit.

leinsterman

Well as I read this thread I'm sitting in the waiting lounge at Montreal airport with my trusty computertrekker by my side waiting for yet antoher delalyed flight .. in fact I got lucky this time my flight at 7pm this evening was actually cancelled ... its the 5pm flight which is delayed to 7:30 that I'm waiting for !!! .... never flying Continental again!!!

Anyways ... back on subject ...

On this trip I took the unsual step of removing the whole camera padding area and putting a Lowepro TLZ AW top loading bag into the space it normally occupies ... this way when I go trekking around New York in 30C heat tomorrow I'll have a small enough, light enough bag ... the TLZ holds 5d (thanks Valentia for the lend), 16-35 F2.8L, 75-300mm compact telezoom, 50mm F1.4, cleaning gear, loads of CF cards ...

In addion for the long haul flight I keep a change of clothes and some freshen up gear in the top pouch ... and PC, iRiver H340, Chargers/PSU's, Adapters, Documents, Book in the PC pouch ...


For a city trek without a lap top I have switched to using the big slingshot ... in the past however I have had the following in it with space to spare -

20D
Battery Extender
Spare batteries & cF cards
CLeaning kit
Sigma 24-70 F2.8EX
Sigma 12-24 EX (in the top pouch in its own case)
Canon 100-400 L (this will not fit in the gear pouch so I put it into the top pouch in its own case)
1.4X TC
50mm F1.8
Speedlight Unit
20D battery charger
Small water bottle
Sambo / snack
Walkman / Storage device (iRiver H340)
Cables
Remote shutter release
Filter kits
Lap top


... it is a bit of tardis bag really!!

Calina

Okay, folks, now a Computrekker owner. Laptop just fits in, and am now assembling everything into it. Simon, do you have an AW Plus, it sounds awfully big altogether?

Thanks for the heads on on Gunns btw, never been there before but I like very much and will probably acquire my next camera from them.